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Packed with personality and playful energy, the Havapoo is a small dog breed guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. This Havanese-Poodle mix looks every bit as sweet as it is! Combining the best traits from both breeds, the Havapoo is a pint-sized fluffball that instantly attaches to its owners. Families that are looking for a lap dog to spend their evenings with will want to learn more about this vivacious breed.
Read on to see why so many people around the world have chosen to welcome a Havapoo into their homes!
Quick Facts About the Havapoo
Name: Havapoo, Havapoodle, Poovanese, Havadoodle, Havanoodle
Origin: United States
Size: Approximately 10-15 pounds
Lifespan: Can live up to 15 years old
Appearance: Varied but can include black, white, gold, and brown
Temperament: Good around people
Compatibility: Suitable for children and other pets
Intelligence: Intelligent and easy to train
Exercise & Energy: Moderate
Grooming Needs: Minimal shedding but need frequent grooming
Training: Relatively easy to train
Health: Hip dysplasia, Addison’s disease, entropion, and corneal dystrophy
Highlights: Lively, long-lived, friendly
What Makes the Havapoo Special?
Great for homes with limited space: The Havanese and miniature Poodle breeds are both smaller dogs, which means their offspring, Havapoos, are just as tiny.
Long life spans: We all want to spend as much time with our loving pups as possible. Like other small dogs, Havapoos can live well over a decade, sometimes as long as 15 years!
Tend to bother allergies less: While no dog is truly hypoallergenic, dogs who don’t shed much, such as the Havapoo, usually bother people’s allergies less than other breeds.
Make ideal lap dogs: These mini dogs are the perfect size for snuggling in your lap while you’re reading a book or taking an afternoon snooze.
Have multiple haircut options: If you like pampering your pooch, you’ll be ecstatic to take your Havapoo to the salon. Their hair can be cut short for minimal maintenance if you prefer.
Havapoo Appearance
What is a Havapoo without its stuffed animal appearance? This fluffy-looking breed resembles a tiny teddy bear when its hair is shorn, but it can also pull off a more glamorous look by showing off its full, long coat.
They have dark, button-like eyes and perky tails that give away their excitement in a heartbeat. Their ears fold over and are covered in the same thick fur as the rest of their body. While they can be solid black, white, or brown, they can be multicolored as well.
Havapoo Size
The Havanese-Poodle mix is beloved for its miniature size. While not the smallest of pups, these dogs don’t usually get much taller than 15 inches or so. The Havapoo isn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club, which means the breed isn’t so strictly regulated. This means many variations of the Havapoo can exist.
Havapoo Coats
Both the breed’s Havanese side and Poodle side have hair that’s often referred to as hypoallergenic. While no dog can be truly hypoallergenic, Havapoos are popular choices for allergy sufferers because they shed minimally, which means less dander is released into the environment.
Havapoo Behavior
The Havapoo dog is known for being one of the most easy-going breeds. Generations of selective breeding have helped Havaneses and Poodles become astonishingly people-oriented. Consequently, a Havapoo will likely be gentle with children and seniors, yet active enough to get some quality playtime in!
Havapoos Personalities
Havapoos are usually comfortable around strangers, which means you won’t have to worry about bringing them around your family and friends. Of course, these little ones follow their pet parents around like shadows, so make sure you’re okay with a “Velcro dog” before settling on adopting a Havapoo.
Havapoos Are Good for Children and Families
Children gravitate to small dogs like the Havapoo because they’re closer to their size. While Havapoos love the attention, you’ll need to keep an eye on children to make sure they don’t trample your pup. Moderate romping around can be good exercise, but roughhousing is out of the question.
Havapoos Get Along with Other Pets
Havapoos love hanging out with other animals, whether they’re cats or other dogs. Another mixed breed such as a Bichonpoo or Peekapoo could make a great companion for them due to their similar temperaments and size.
Havapoo Care
Like most dogs, Havapoos thrive on attention and mental stimulation. However, they crave companionship even more than some breeds. These social butterflies don't do well left alone for extended periods. Consider them indoor dogs – they'll be happiest cuddling on the couch or following you around the house, becoming a cherished member of your family.
Havapoo Grooming
While you won’t have to worry about constantly vacuuming fur thanks to their low-shedding coats, you will need to take your Havapoo to the groomer regularly. Frequent haircuts and nail trims are required not only to maintain their looks but their health. Matted coats can hide skin infections and harbor parasites.
Aim to brush your dog every day if possible. You can spray their coat with a special conditioning mist spray to protect their coat from breakage when you gently run the brush through their hair. Bathing your Havapoo once a week can help keep their coat clean and smelling fresh.
Havapoo Training
Their Poodle heritage shines through when it comes to training – they're eager to please and quick learners. Poodles were used in circuses for a reason, after all. These guys are smart and can learn to respond to basic commands and even learn some tricks! Consistency is key when it comes to dog training, as is positive reinforcement and constant praise.
Havapoos Space Requirements
A Havapoo, fully grown, will still be small enough to carry around. That means you don’t have to worry about them needing a large home and big backyard. They’ll be perfectly content running around your living room and taking walks around an apartment complex.
Havapoo Diet
Havapoos need to eat food that’s designed for small dogs so that they can chew properly. Feeding your dog high-quality kibble that contains the necessary nutrients and minerals can keep them healthy and happy for years to come. Give your Havapoo meals twice a day to keep their blood sugar at an appropriate level.
Havapoo Health Issues
Most dogs experience some health issues in their lifetimes, and Havapoos are no exception. While crossbreeds tend to be healthier than purebreds, you’ll still need to be on the lookout for any unusual symptoms.
Most Common Health Issues for Havapoos
The Havanese and Poodle mix’s ancestors on both sides were bred extensively throughout the years. As a result, today, Havapoos are prone to certain problems.
Hip dysplasia
This painful condition happens when parts of a dog’s hip joint don’t align properly. Sometimes only one hip is affected but both can show signs of dysplasia. Note that symptoms might not be apparent until your dog is older, although they can be diagnosed at any time.
If your Havapoo has hip dysplasia, you might notice them limping or hesitating before jumping up onto the couch or bed. Unfortunately, this condition can cost a lot of money to treat over the years.
Addison’s disease
Addison’s disease is also known as hypoadrenocorticism. It affects the adrenal glands, causing vomiting, weakness, shaking, and even depression. Fluid therapy and corticosteroids can help, but many times dogs aren’t brought to the vet until they’re severely ill.
Corneal dystrophy
Poodle mixes have a high risk of developing corneal dystrophy. This disease can affect layers of the eye’s cornea, the clear part of the eye. At its worst, corneal dystrophy can lead to blindness or loss of the eye.
One of the first signs of corneal dystrophy is eye cloudiness, but thankfully, most of the time, there isn’t much pain involved.
Pet Insurance for Your Havapoo
While Havapoos are generally healthy dogs, these potential health concerns can lead to expensive vet bills. One of the first, and most important, steps you can take to ensure your pup's lifelong well-being is to secure dog insurance—this acts as a safety net, protecting your pup and your wallet from the high costs of veterinary care. This financial protection allows you to prioritize your Havapoo's health and well-being, without worrying about the cost.
The key to maximizing pet insurance benefits is enrolling your Havapoo when they're young and healthy. This ensures they're covered from the start and avoids any pre-existing condition exclusions that might apply if you wait.
Consider adding on an optional wellness plan alongside traditional insurance. This can help you budget for routine preventative care, such as annual checkups, vaccinations, training, and grooming.
There are many pet insurance providers available, so it's important to shop around and compare plans to find the one that best suits your needs and budget. Consider factors like coverage options, deductibles, reimbursement percentages, and monthly premiums.
Havapoo Origins
Havanese dogs hail from Cuba while Poodles originated in Germany. It didn’t become popular to breed the two together until the 1990s in the US. The resulting mix became a much-loved breed that is sought after today. Now, breeders can be found all across the United States.
Adopt a Havapoo
If you’re looking for Havapoo puppies, you’ll almost certainly need to visit a breeder as you won’t often find these in shelters. Before buying a dog, do extensive research on the breeder because puppy mills often exploit designer dogs.
Avoid purchasing any breed from a pet store. Animals sold here almost certainly come from unethical breeders. Responsible breeders prioritize the health and temperament of their dogs and carefully screen potential owners to ensure a good fit for both the dog and the family.
Havapoo Frequently Asked Questions
Do Havapoos have separation anxiety?
While any dog can develop separation anxiety, Havapoos are generally considered more susceptible due to their strong desire for companionship (inherited from the Havanese side). Providing plenty of mental stimulation and exercise before you leave can help tire them out, and crate training can offer a safe space when you're gone.
Do Havapoos bark a lot?
Havapoos aren’t overly “barky” dogs, but like any canine, they do bark occasionally. Socializing your pup from a young age can help make them less wary of strangers or other dogs.
Is a Havapoo hypoallergenic?
Havapoos shed minimally, which make them good choices for people who have issues with pet dander. No dog is truly hypoallergenic, however. Spending time around the breed before adopting is the best way to see how your body reacts to their coat.
Are Havapoos easy to potty train?
Because these dogs are part Poodle, they’re typically easy to potty train. Remember to take your Havapoo out frequently so they can get used to doing their business outside the house. Give them lots of praise when they do so to aid the training process.
Are Havapoos hyper?
Havanese aren’t particularly hyper, although Poodles are known for having a bit more energy. Make sure to get your Havapoo outside frequently so they can run around and get the jitters out.
How much does a Havapoo cost?
A Havapoo breeder typically charges at least $1000 but costs can reach $2000 or more depending on the breeder and their location.