Havanese
Havana's silk-coated charmer — a small dog with a headline personality.
Vital stats
| Size | Toy · 23–27 cm |
| Weight | 3–6 kg |
| Life expectancy | 13–15 years |
| Energy | Moderate — 30 min/day plus play |
| Shedding | Low — but the coat mats |
| Coat | Long silky double coat · many colours |
| Group | Toy · FCI №250 / AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
Bred purely for companionship in the salons of colonial Havana, the Havanese made an art of being delightful: clownish, clever, and tuned to its people like a small furry barometer. It learns tricks for the applause, follows you room to room, and considers a closed bathroom door a personal affront.
Habits & quirks
Room-to-room escort
Wherever you go, a small silky shadow follows — solitude is not in the job description.
The showman
Learns tricks fast and performs them faster, ideally to a full room.
Perch patrol
Many Havanese love a sofa-back vantage point, watching the street like tiny doormen.
The play bow opener
Greets people and dogs alike with an invitation to games first, questions later.
Care
| Grooming | Brush the silky coat every day or two to stop mats — or keep a low-maintenance puppy clip. |
| Company | This breed genuinely struggles alone; teach short absences early and keep them short. |
| Training | Quick and eager — house-training takes patience, tricks take minutes. |
| Exercise | A daily walk and lively play sessions suffice; big personality, modest legs. |
Common questions
Do Havanese shed?
Barely — loose hair catches in the silky coat instead of falling. That's why brushing matters: what doesn't shed, mats.
Can a Havanese be left alone all day?
Not happily — this is one of the most people-dependent breeds. Half-day absences with practice are realistic; full workdays alone usually aren't.
Are Havanese good with children?
Yes — sturdier and more playful than most toy breeds, they generally adore gentle kids. Supervise as with any small dog.