--- title: "Havanese Puppies: History, Temperament, and Care Guide" type: "post" slug: "havanese-puppies-history-temperament-and-care-guide" published_at: "2026-10-26T03:53:56+00:00" modified_at: "2026-10-26T03:54:07+00:00" url: "https://sagepuppies.com/havanese-puppies-history-temperament-and-care-guide/" markdown_url: "https://sagepuppies.com/havanese-puppies-history-temperament-and-care-guide.md" taxonomy_category: - "Breed Guides" - "Havanese" - "Puppy Temperament" author: "Matt Milar" publisher: "Sage Puppies" --- # Havanese Puppies: History, Temperament, and Care Guide > **Quick Summary:** Havanese puppies are affectionate, trainable companions that need frequent company, gentle reward-based training, daily coat care, and moderate exercise. Responsible buyers should request OFA hip and patella results, CAER eye exams, BAER hearing tests, vaccination records, and clear written contract terms; Sage Puppies provides these records for its Havanese program in South Jordan, Utah, with nationwide delivery. Adult Havanese weigh 7 to 13 pounds, are low-shedding but not hypoallergenic, and cost roughly $3,500 to $4,500 from breeders, plus regular grooming costs. Picture your first hour after pickup. A small, soft-coated puppy has just left her litter, presses against your ankles in a South Jordan living room, and studies your face as if she is trying to place you in a very old story about a dock in Havana. That story is real. The Havanese traveled from Cuba, where it earned status as the island’s national dog, and this guide traces that history before moving into the part that matters most at home. This Havanese puppy temperament guide exists because most breed pages stop at “friendly and playful.” Ours goes further. As a Havanese puppy temperament guide grounded in the AKC Toy Group standards and health testing, it covers daily behavior, coat care, training, and a clear checklist for choosing a well-bred puppy. Sage Puppies raises Havanese, Havapoo, and Cavapoo puppies in Utah, and this Havanese puppy temperament guide reflects the breed we know best. ## Havanese History and Temperament: The Story Behind the Breed’s Companion Heart A Havanese puppy comes from Cuba’s national dog, a bichon-type companion bred for centuries to be a lapdog and watchful friend. Expect a social, gentle, people-focused temperament and a history shaped by Spanish traders, Cuban aristocracy, and near-extinction before the breed reached American homes. ### From Tenerife Dogs to the Courts of Havana Spanish settlers likely brought the small Tenerife dog, ancestor of the whole bichon family, to Cuba in the 1500s. There it developed into the *Blanquito de la Habana*, then the modern Havanese, named for Havana itself. Wealthy Cuban families kept them as pampered house dogs and cheerful greeters, which is why the breed became the country’s only native dog, as the [AKC’s breed profile](https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/havanese/) notes. ### How the Breed Reached Europe and America Circus performers carried Havanese to Europe in the 1800s, where they charmed audiences and owned a few famous fans, including Charles Dickens. The breed nearly vanished after the Cuban revolution. Dedicated breeders rebuilt from just 11 dogs, and the Havanese Club of America traces that recovery in detail. ### What the History Explains About Temperament ![Cream Havanese puppy sitting on sunlit tiled terrace](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ai-image-1792986607516-91usgu.webp) Cream Havanese puppy sitting on sunlit tiled terrace Three hundred years of breeding for companionship shows. Havanese puppies want to be where you are, learn quickly through praise, and adapt well to apartments and families. That eagerness makes early training a pleasure, as our [beginner’s guide to care and training](https://sagepuppies.com/havanese-puppies-a-beginners-guide-to-care-and-training/) covers. ## Havanese Puppy Temperament Guide: What You Will Actually Notice at Home Yes, a Havanese is a good family dog. The [AKC rates the breed](https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/havanese/) high for affection, patience with children, and ease with other dogs. A Havanese fits homes where someone is around most of the day, children treat the dog gently, and the family wants a small companion rather than a yard-only pet. ### Affectionate, People-Oriented and Hard to Please at Home A Havanese puppy wants to be where you are. Expect a small shadow that follows you from room to room and settles on your lap the moment you sit down. The flip side is real too: this breed struggles with long, lonely days. If nobody is home for eight hours at a stretch, plan for midday company or doggy daycare. ![Havanese puppy affectionately nudges a toddler’s hand indoors](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ai-image-1792986645925-9ewams.webp) Havanese puppy affectionately nudges a toddler’s hand indoors ### Playfulness and a Willingness to Learn This is a clown with a work ethic. Havanese puppies pick up tricks fast because they love making you laugh and love treats even more. Short, [reward-based training](https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/dog-breeds/havanese) sessions of five minutes work better than long drills. Most puppies learn their name, a sit, and a recall within the first few weeks. ### Barking, Alert Behavior and the Watchdog Instinct Havanese make excellent little alarms and poor guard dogs. They will announce every visitor, delivery, and squirrel with a sharp bark, then greet the guest happily. The Havanese Club of America scores the breed high for barking, so early training matters. Teach a “quiet” cue from day one and reward calm. ### Sensitivity, Confidence and Individual Variation Havanese read the room. They notice tension, harsh voices, and changes in routine, so gentle handling shapes a confident adult. Each puppy differs: one may be bold and social, another watchful. Meet the puppy’s parents, keep socialization positive, and match the pup’s energy to your household. | Temperament Trait | What You Will See at Home | | --- | --- | | Affection level | Constant companionship, lap time, follows you everywhere | | Tolerance for alone time | Low; needs company or midday care | | Trainability | High with treats, praise, and short sessions | | Barking | Frequent alerts; trainable with early cues | | With children and dogs | Gentle and friendly when socialized early | ## Appearance, Coat and the Size to Expect as Your Havanese Grows A grown Havanese is a small, sturdy dog wrapped in silk. The AKC standard calls for a slightly longer than tall body, a plumed tail and a long, untrimmed double coat, so expect charm first and tidiness second. ### Silky Double Coats, Waves and Colors The coat is soft, light and often wavy, and it comes in nearly every color. You will see cream, gold, chocolate, black, sable and parti patterns, sometimes all in one litter. Puppies often change shade as they mature, so a caramel baby may lighten by its first birthday. That hair keeps growing, which is why regular brushing matters from week one. For a week-by-week plan, this [Havanese grooming schedule by coat type](https://sagepuppies.com/havanese-grooming-schedule-by-coat-type/) shows what each coat stage needs. ### Size and Growth Without the Guesswork The AKC breed standard sets adult height at 8.5 to 11.5 inches and weight at 7 to 13 pounds, according to the [official Havanese standard](https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Havanese.pdf) . Most puppies reach adult height around 8 to 10 months, then fill out. A quick rule many breeders use: double the 4-month weight for a rough adult estimate. Treat it as a range, not a promise. ### Shedding and the Truth About Allergies Havanese are low-shedding, not non-shedding. Loose hair tends to stay trapped in the coat instead of landing on your couch, which helps many allergy-sensitive families. But no dog is truly hypoallergenic, and reactions vary by person, so spend time around the breed before you commit. ## Health Expectations and the Testing a Responsible Havanese Breeder Shares Havanese are generally sturdy, but a few conditions show up in the breed often enough that every owner should know the names. The most common Havanese health concerns are: ![Veterinarian examines a Havanese puppy’s knee](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ai-image-1792986725598-vch01.webp) Veterinarian examines a Havanese puppy’s knee - **Patellar luxation** (slipping kneecaps) - **Hip dysplasia** - **Eye disease**, including inherited cataracts - **Congenital deafness** - **Heart defects** Good breeders test breeding dogs for these before breeding, not after. The [Havanese Club of America’s health and testing guide](https://havaneseclubofamerica.org/health-issues-and-testing/) lists the core screening for the breed. ### The Tests to Ask For and Where to Find Results Ask a breeder for three things on each parent: an **OFA patella evaluation**, an **OFA hip evaluation**, and a **CAER eye exam** from a board-certified ophthalmologist. The club’s CHIC program, run through the [Orthopedic Foundation for Animals](https://ofa.org/) , requires those three tests before a Havanese earns a CHIC number. Many breeders also add a **BAER hearing test** and a cardiac exam. Results are public, so you can search each dog’s records yourself on the OFA site. ### What Testing Can and Cannot Tell You Testing lowers risk; it cannot remove it. A clear parent can still carry genes no current test detects, so health-tested parents are a strong signal, not a promise. That is why a transparent program like Sage Puppies pairs documented parent testing with honest conversations about residual risk, and why our guide on [how to verify a breeder’s health testing](https://sagepuppies.com/how-to-verify-a-breeders-health-testing-near-you/) walks you through checking records yourself. ## Feeding a Growing Havanese Puppy Without Guesswork Havanese puppies do best on three to four small meals a day, and the portion printed on your puppy food bag is a starting point, not a rule. Because adults weigh just 7 to 13 pounds, small measurement errors matter more than they would with a large breed. Use a kitchen scale or a proper measuring cup, weigh your puppy weekly, and adjust so you can feel ribs without seeing them. A slow, steady climb toward adult size beats a quick one. ![Havanese puppy eating from a stainless steel bowl](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ai-image-1792986727842-ot6omb.webp) Havanese puppy eating from a stainless steel bowl ### Meals, Portions and Growth Puppies burn through calories fast, so most breeders keep a puppy on the food it was raised on and feed it three times daily until about six months. Growth should be gradual. Remember the rough breeder rule: double the 4-month weight for an adult estimate, then feed to support that size, not a bigger one. ### Treats, Table Scraps and Safe Transitions Keep treats under ten percent of daily calories, and switch foods gradually over seven to ten days by mixing in more of the new food. Skip table scraps, since rich human food triggers digestive upset in small dogs. Ask any breeder you talk to, including Sage Puppies, which exact food your puppy has been eating so you can match it before pickup day. ## Grooming, Coat Care and the Everyday Upkeep Nobody Warns You About Brush a Havanese puppy every day if you keep the coat long, or at least three to four times a week. A workable rhythm: - **Daily**: quick pass through legs, armpits and behind ears - **Every other day**: full line brushing down to the skin - **Weekly**: comb check for mats, bath as needed Start now, not after the first mat forms. ### Building a Brushing Habit Your Puppy Accepts Keep early sessions short. Two minutes of brushing paired with a lick mat builds a puppy that tolerates grooming for life. Work in one spot per session, reward calm, and stop before your puppy gets restless. Handle paws, ears and muzzle daily so future trims and vet exams feel routine rather than scary. ### Baths, Ears, Nails and Tear Staining Bathe every two to four weeks with dog shampoo, then blow the coat fully dry while brushing. Dirty or damp coats mat fastest. Check ears weekly for odor or debris, trim nails every few weeks, and wipe under the eyes daily to manage the tear staining this breed is prone to. ### Trimming, Coat Length and Professional Help Most pet families keep the coat in a shorter “puppy cut,” which cuts brushing time dramatically. Even so, budget for professional grooming every six to eight weeks, roughly $60 to $100 per visit. If you want the full show-length double coat, daily brushing is non-negotiable. Learning a few trim skills yourself helps between appointments. ## Training, Socialization and Exercise for a Small, Sensitive Companion Havanese puppies learn quickly, but they respond best to gentle, reward-based methods. Harsh corrections shut this breed down fast. ### Reward-Based Foundations in the First Weeks Start training the day your puppy comes home. Havanese are food-motivated and eager to please, so short sessions with small treats work wonders. Use rewards for potty training, crate time, name recognition and basic cues like sit and come. Keep sessions to a few minutes, several times a day. Consistency from every family member matters more than intensity, because mixed signals confuse a small dog that lives to read you. ### Socialization That Builds Confidence, Not Stress Positive early socialization shapes a confident adult dog. Introduce your puppy to different people, sounds, surfaces and calm, vaccinated dogs during the first months. Let the puppy choose to approach rather than forcing an interaction. Pair new experiences with treats and praise, and step back if your puppy seems overwhelmed. A well-socialized Havanese stays friendly with visitors and relaxed on outings, which suits this breed’s people-loving nature. ### Exercise, Walks and Mental Work Adult Havanese need modest exercise, usually two short walks a day plus some play. Watch the heat in summer, since that thick double coat traps warmth. Add mental work too: puzzle feeders, sniffing games and short training reps tire a small dog out faster than distance. ### Barking, Time Alone and When to Ask for Help Havanese can be vocal, so teach a quiet cue early and reward calm moments. Because they bond tightly, they may struggle when left alone, so build alone time gradually with short, uneventful absences. If barking or distress persists, ask a reward-based trainer for help before habits harden. ## Choosing a Havanese Puppy: Rescue Routes, Breeder Questions and Working Out the Details You have three main ways to bring a Havanese home, and each one shapes what you pay and what you know about your puppy. ### Rescue, Adoption and Breeder Routes Compared Breed rescues place retired adults or returned dogs at lower cost, but Havanese puppies rarely appear there. Waiting lists can run long. A responsible breeder gives you health-tested parents, early socialization and known history, which matters for a breed the Havanese Club of America rebuilt from just 11 dogs. ### Questions to Ask Before You Commit What health records should I ask for before buying a Havanese puppy? Get these in writing: 1. OFA hip and patella results on both parents 2. A current CAER eye exam 3. A BAER hearing test 4. Vaccination and deworming records for your puppy Also ask how puppies are raised and whether you can meet the mother. ### Contracts, Deposits and Sage Puppies’ Havanese Program A solid breeder contract should cover the deposit terms, health warranties and a take-back clause if things go wrong. Watch for breeders who refuse written terms or rush you to pay. Programs like Sage Puppies’ Havanese program put terms in writing up front, with pickup in South Jordan, Utah or delivery nationwide, so nothing about the deposit or health records stays vague. ![Sage Puppies homepage](https://sagepuppies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/sagepuppies.com-1781544698129.png) Sage Puppies homepage Ready to meet a Havanese of your own? [Sage Puppies](https://sagepuppies.com) raises health-tested Havanese, Havapoo and Cavapoo puppies in South Jordan, Utah, with owner-managed matching for local and nationwide families. Start the application today, or reach out with questions first. Wisely Bred. Beautifully Loved. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Q1: What is the Havanese puppy history and temperament? The Havanese descends from small Tenerife dogs brought to Cuba in the 1500s, becoming Cuba’s national dog. Centuries of breeding for companionship created a social, gentle, people-focused puppy that follows you everywhere, learns quickly through praise, and struggles more with loneliness than with training. ### Q2: How much does a Havanese puppy cost? Breeders vary widely, but plan for roughly $3,500 to $4,500 from a program like Sage Puppies, plus ongoing costs such as grooming every six to eight weeks and quality food. Rescue adults cost less but rarely appear as puppies. ### Q3: Can a Havanese stay home alone all day? No. The breed tolerates little time alone. If your household is empty for eight hours, arrange midday visits, doggy daycare, or build independence gradually with short, uneventful absences. ### Q4: Are Havanese puppies good with children and other pets? Yes, when socialized early. AKC rates the breed high for patience with children and ease with other dogs. Teach kids gentle handling, and let your puppy approach new friends at its own pace. ### Q5: Do Havanese puppies shed or trigger allergies? They are low-shedding, not non-shedding. Loose hair stays trapped in the double coat, which helps many allergy-sensitive families. No dog is truly hypoallergenic, so spend time around the breed before committing. ### Q6: How big will my Havanese puppy get? Adults stand 8.5 to 11.5 inches and weigh 7 to 13 pounds per the AKC standard. A handy estimate: double your puppy’s 4-month weight, then treat the result as a range. ## Conclusion: Bringing a Havanese Puppy Into Your Home A Havanese puppy carries centuries of companion-dog history into a small, affectionate package. You now know where the breed came from, what its temperament looks like day to day, how much coat care and training it truly needs, and which health tests a responsible breeder should share. The breed suits households with time, gentle hands, and a taste for a devoted shadow. If that describes your home, the preparation in this guide, from reward-based training to verifying OFA and CAER records, puts you on solid ground before pickup day arrives.