Breed guide
Havanese
Cuba's national dog. Social, playful, silky-coated companion. Great for apartments; dental and coat care are the daily commitments.
AKC Rank
#24
Size
toy (7-13 lbs)
Life Expectancy
14-16 yrs
Activity
low
Feeding a Havanese
Small breed with modest calorie needs. ~350-450 kcal/day. Watch weight carefully.
Key nutrients
- •dental health formulas
- •omega-3
Portion notes: Two small meals daily. Measure carefully — easy to overfeed.
Fresh food picks for Havaneses
Our recommended fresh-food subscriptions for toy dogs.
The Farmer's Dog
Fresh, human-grade food portioned for your dog
- •Human-grade fresh food
- •Portioned per dog
- •Vet-developed recipes
- •50% off first box
Nom Nom
Restaurant-quality fresh food with microbiome testing
- •Pre-portioned pouches
- •Vet-formulated
- •Microbiome testing available
- •50% off first order
Spot & Tango
Fresh or UnKibble — whole-food nutrition, your choice
- •Fresh or UnKibble options
- •Human-grade ingredients
- •Shelf-stable storage option
- •50% off first order
First-year cost
What a Havanese actually costs year one
Breed-specific estimate based on size, health concerns, and grooming needs. Excludes purchase/adoption fees (highly variable).
First-year total
$2,250-$5,460
Ongoing years run $1,670-$4,130 (no gear + training one-times).
Food (year one)
Fresh food subscription
$550-$900
Gear (one-time)
Crate, bed, harness, bowls, toys
$180-$280
Vet care
Wellness + breed-specific
$720-$1,550
Grooming
high grooming needs
$400-$1,200
Training
Puppy class + supplies
$150-$500
Supplements
Breed-matched, optional
$0-$480
Other first-year
Vaccines, neuter, DNA test
$250-$550
Pet insurance (estimate)
Not included above — shown for planning. Breed-risk adjusted.
$499-$874/yr
Estimates based on US market averages for toy dogs. Your costs will vary with lifestyle and region.
Supplements for Havaneses
Matched to this breed's common health concerns. All NASC-sealed.
Cosequin (Nutramax)
The #1 vet-recommended joint supplement
- •#1 vet-recommended
- •NASC Quality Seal
- •Glucosamine + chondroitin
- •Clinically studied
Supplements support — they don't treat or cure disease. Talk to your vet for anything clinical.
Health concerns to watch
Dental disease is very common in small breeds — daily dental care essential.
Long silky coat needs daily brushing to prevent matting.
Prone to patellar luxation — avoid high jumping.
Gear for Havaneses
Breed-size-appropriate picks. Links go to Amazon.
Crate
for Havaneses
Harness
for Havaneses
Bed
for Havaneses
Collar
for Havaneses
Leash
for Havaneses
Slow feeder bowl
for Havaneses
Chew toy
for Havaneses
As an Amazon Associate, Barkly earns from qualifying purchases.
Training for Havaneses
Matched to Havanese temperament (affectionate, playful, outgoing).
BAXTER & Bella
Online puppy training program, lifetime access
- •Lifetime membership
- •Self-paced video lessons
- •Puppy + adult content
- •Behavior troubleshooting
GoodPup
1-on-1 virtual dog training with certified trainers
- •1-on-1 live video sessions
- •Certified trainers
- •Custom per-dog plan
- •Weekly structure
Dogo
App-based training with daily structure
- •App-based daily plans
- •AI-guided feedback
- •Affordable monthly cost
- •Trick training library
GPS trackers for Havaneses
Size-appropriate picks for tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts.
Tractive
Affordable GPS tracker with unlimited range
- •Attaches to any collar
- •Worldwide GPS coverage
- •Activity monitoring
- •Budget-friendly
Curious about their DNA?
Confirm breed mix, check for genetic health risks, and get actionable insights.
Embark
The most comprehensive dog DNA test
- •350+ breeds identified
- •250+ health conditions screened
- •Cornell-partnered science
- •Relatives finder
Wisdom Panel
Breed identification + health screening
- •350+ breeds
- •Genetic health insights
- •Budget-friendly option
- •Fast results
Common symptoms in Havaneses
What to watch for, what causes it, and when to worry.
Havanese questions, answered
How long do Havaneses live?▾
How big do Havaneses get?▾
How much exercise does a Havanese need?▾
What health problems do Havaneses commonly have?▾
Are Havaneses hard to groom?▾
What should I feed a Havanese?▾
Are Havaneses good for first-time owners?▾
Ask Barkly about your Havanese
Get personalized answers about food, health, and care.