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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+9
Dogs
# The Havanese: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Cuba
A small cheerful, sociable Cuban companion dressed in a long silky coat.
Size SmallLife expectancy 12–14 yearsBudget ≈ €75/monthPuppy €800 – €1,300
[Find a breeder 26](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-havanese) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=havanese)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Excellent
Daily exercise needs Low
Apartment living Very good
First-time owners Excellent
Other pets Very good
Tolerance of being alone Limited
Guarding instinct Limited
Strengths and weaknesses
- Very affectionate: He seeks closeness with his family and forms close bonds with his owners.
- Sociable and playful: His cheerful temperament makes him a pleasant companion for children and other animals.
- Adaptable: He adapts well to apartment living if his needs for outings and attention are met.
- Low shedding: His annual molt remains discreet despite his long, abundant coat.
- Does not tolerate being alone well: Long or repeated absences can be difficult for this dog that is very attached to its family.
- Daily brushing: Its long coat gets tangled without regular and meticulous maintenance.
- Sensitive to damp cold: It must be protected and dried quickly when conditions are cold or rainy.
- Dental vigilance: Its small size promotes tartar and requires consistent oral hygiene.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Families often at home: He enjoys a home life rich in interactions and readily shares in children's games.
- Available first-time adopters: His training is manageable with gentleness and consistency, provided his need for companionship is met.
- Apartment living: His small size and moderate activity level are suited to indoor living with daily outings.
- Active seniors: Regular walks and calm games generally meet his physical needs.
Not recommended for
- People often away: He tolerates long periods of solitude poorly and needs daily presence.
- Households without time for grooming: Brushing his long coat must be frequent, ideally daily.
- Fans of intensive canine sports: Playful and lively, he is nonetheless not designed for sustained physical effort over a long period of time.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
25 cmHavanese
- Height at the withers
- 23–27 cm
- Weight
- 4–6 kg
- Coat
- Long, abundant and wavy
- FCI group
- 9
- Origin
- Cuba
- Grooming
- Moderate grooming needs
## Photos and videos
See the Havanese in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Havanese Bichon belongs to the bichon family, alongside the Maltese Bichon, the Bolognese Bichon and the curly-haired Bichon. Its Mediterranean ancestors are said to have been introduced to Cuba by Italian and Spanish sailors at the beginning of the 18th century. The breed then developed on the island and took the name of its capital, Havana. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognized it definitively in September 1963, under standard number 250.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Bichon Havanais is a small vigorous dog, low on legs, whose body is slightly longer than it is tall. Its topline is straight, its croup sloping and its ribs well sprung. Its head of medium length bears large dark brown almond-shaped eyes and high-set ears, drooping and fringed. Its tail, abundantly furnished, is carried raised in a crook or curled over the back. Its outer coat is long, abundant, soft and preferably wavy, while the undercoat is little developed or absent. The coat can be white, fawn, black, brown or reddish brown, solid or marked with patches accepted by the standard.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Affectionate, cheerful and very sociable, the Havanese Bichon is above all an excellent companion dog. Alert and attentive, it can signal a presence without showing a strong guarding instinct. Its playful temperament and clownish side make it a partner appreciated by children. It closely seeks the presence of its family and copes poorly with prolonged solitude.
Affectionate Intelligent Sociable
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
At home, he likes to stay close to his owners and adapts well to apartment living. Daily walks, games and attention are generally enough to meet his needs, even if he also appreciates a secure outdoor space. Not very athletic but very playful, he needs regular interactions and an involved family life to stay balanced.
Training
## Training and socialization
Intelligent, alert and readily playful, the Havanese learns fairly easily when sessions are short, consistent and positive. Play, measured rewards and gentleness give better results than punishments. Early socialization and a gradual learning of being alone are important, as is consistency to prevent its charm from leading to too much permissiveness.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Havanese
The purchase price varies depending on the reputation of the kennel, the quality of the lineage, the parents' health tests, registration with the LOF and the puppy's intended purpose. The budget must also include care, food and regular coat maintenance.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/havanese/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Bichon Havanais is generally robust and benefits from good longevity. As with many small dogs, particular attention must be paid to the kneecaps and to oral and dental hygiene. A balanced diet, a stable weight, preventive care and regular veterinary follow-up help to preserve its health.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/havanese/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
A complete, balanced diet adapted to a small-sized dog meets its needs while maintaining its weight. The ration must take into account age, activity, body condition and the energy density of the food.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/havanese/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The name of the breed evokes Havana, but its oldest roots are located on the Spanish and Italian coastlines of the Mediterranean. It is also called the Havana Silk Dog, in reference to its long, soft and light coat. Despite its refined appearance, it is reputed to be sturdy and able to adapt to varied environments.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Havanese
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Havanese suitable for apartment living?
Yes. Its small size, moderate activity level and desire for closeness make it a good indoor dog, provided it is given daily walks, playtime and sufficient companionship.
### Does the Havanese shed a lot?
It sheds relatively little, but its long coat requires daily brushing to prevent knots and preserve the skin and shine of the coat.
### Can it stay alone for a long time?
No. Very attached to its family, it does not tolerate prolonged solitude well. Gradual training for absences is recommended from a very young age.
### Is the Havanese suitable for children?
Yes, its cheerful, affectionate and playful temperament generally makes it an excellent companion for children, under adult supervision and with respect for the dog.
## Find a Havanese breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Havanese breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
[Havanese breeders in Pays de la Loire5](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-havanese/pays-de-la-loire) [Havanese breeders in Nouvelle-Aquitaine4](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-havanese/nouvelle-aquitaine) [Havanese breeders in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-havanese/bourgogne-franche-comte) [Havanese breeders in Occitanie3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-havanese/occitanie) [Havanese breeders in Hauts-de-France3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-havanese/hauts-de-france) [Havanese breeders in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-havanese/auvergne-rhone-alpes)
### Havanese breeders by country
[214 breeders of Havanese in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-havanese/germany) [87 breeders of Havanese in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-havanese/denmark) [26 breeders of Havanese in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-havanese) [17 breeders of Havanese in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-havanese/austria) [11 breeders of Havanese in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-havanese/italy) [11 breeders of Havanese in Spain](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-havanese/spain) [5 breeders of Havanese in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-havanese/netherlands) [4 breeders of Havanese in the United Kingdom](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-havanese/united-kingdom) [3 breeders of Havanese in Finland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-havanese/finland) [2 breeders of Havanese in Switzerland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-havanese/switzerland)
[All breeders of Havanese in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-havanese)
## Ready to welcome a Havanese?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-havanese)
## Discover other breeds
[Bichon Frise
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/bichon-frise)
[Bolognese
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/bolognese)
[Maltese
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/maltese)
[Coton de Tulear
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/coton-de-tulear)
[Little Lion Dog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/little-lion-dog)
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