Character & Temperament

The Havanese is a lively and friendly companion dog, distinguished by its cheerful nature and strong attachment to people. It loves spending time with its family and is always affectionate and playful. Due to its small size, it is well suited as an apartment dog but still requires regular exercise and mental stimulation to remain balanced. The Havanese is very eager to learn and adaptable, making it a pleasant partner for families, singles, and seniors. It is sensitive to its environment and benefits from loving but consistent training. Despite its friendly nature, it can be alert and reliably alerts to strangers without becoming aggressive. Its coat requires regular care as it is long and silky but does not shed heavily. The Havanese shows little prey drive, making it easy to control, and it is generally compatible with other dogs and pets. Overall, the Havanese is a cheerful, intelligent, and affectionate dog, characterized by its social and balanced nature as a loyal companion.

What Awaits You

Havanese are active, intelligent and adaptable dogs. They are very popular with beginners, but should also be kept busy and utilized according to their type.

Housing & Care

Havanese are friendly and affectionate companion dogs that are excellent as family dogs. They are very social and get along well with children as well as other pets, provided they are socialized early. Due to their size and temperament, they are also well suited for city life and apartments, but require regular exercise and mental stimulation. Havanese love to spend time with their people and are therefore not dogs for long periods alone. Their cheerful and balanced nature makes them ideal partners for active families or individuals looking for a loyal and lively companion.

Training & Education

Havanese dogs are intelligent and eager-to-learn companion dogs who enjoy working together with their humans. Their training should be varied and playful, as they learn quickly but can also be easily distracted. Due to their friendly and sensitive nature, they respond particularly well to positive, reward-based training methods. The Havanese requires regular mental stimulation, such as through small tricks, scent work, or gentle dog sports like rally obedience. Physical exercise is important but should not be overwhelming – walks and playing together are usually sufficient. Frustration tolerance should be encouraged early on, as the Havanese can sometimes be stubborn. Socialization and loving, consistent training are essential to raise a balanced and confident dog. The Havanese is not a dog for passive owners, but for people who enjoy actively promoting and challenging their little companion. With patience and positive reinforcement, the Havanese develops into a loyal, obedient, and joyful partner.

Nutrition & Care

Havanese: The Havanese is a small, lively companion dog that requires a balanced diet to stay healthy and fit. High-quality food with a good proportion of proteins and essential nutrients is ideal to support its energy. Be careful to avoid overweight, as the Havanese can be prone to gaining weight. The Havanese's coat is long, soft, and silky, without an undercoat, which often makes it suitable for allergy sufferers. Regular brushing, ideally several times a week, is necessary to prevent matting and keep the coat shiny. Occasional baths and trimming the hair around the eyes and paws help keep the dog well-groomed. The Havanese adapts well to the Central European climate. Its coat protects it from the cold, but in very hot weather, sufficient shade and water should be provided to prevent overheating.