What Kind of Dog Is a Havanese?

Updated

A Havanese is a small, sturdy companion dog known for its friendly, intelligent, and playful temperament. According to the Havanese Club of America (HCA) — the official American Kennel Club (AKC) parent breed club for the breed — the Havanese is "beloved as a friendly, intelligent & playful companion." If you want a small dog that fits well with families, children, and other dogs, the Havanese is a strong candidate; if low shedding is a priority, its profile is also favorable.

Temperament and personality

The HCA describes the breed as a small, sturdy dog of "immense charm." The club's breed traits table gives a useful snapshot of what living with a Havanese is typically like:

Trait HCA rating (out of 100)
Affectionate with family 100
Good with children 100
Good with other dogs 100
Trainability 80
Barking 80
Protective nature 60
Shedding 25

A few things stand out from these numbers:

  • Family-oriented. Top marks for affection and for getting along with children and other dogs suggest a dog that settles into a busy household rather than one that needs to be kept apart.
  • Trainable but not robotic. A trainability score of 80 points to a dog that learns readily but still has its own mind — expect to put in consistent, positive training rather than assume instant obedience.
  • Moderately vocal. A barking score of 80 means the breed is inclined to bark. If you live in an apartment or have noise-sensitive neighbors, plan for training to manage it.
  • Low shedding. A shedding score of 25 is one of the lower figures on the list, which is often a key reason people consider the breed.

What the breed is bred for

The HCA was established in 1979 to encourage and promote quality in breeding purebred Havanese. Its members agree to act as "thoughtful stewards of the purebred Havanese as defined in the breed standard and approved by the HCA and AKC."

That matters if you care about predictability: a Havanese from a breeder who follows the breed standard is bred for true breed type, good health, and sound temperament — the three things the HCA highlights in its educational materials. The club's stated goal is to bring the breed's natural qualities to perfection, not simply to produce puppies.

Is a Havanese right for you?

The breed suits you well if you want:

  • A small but sturdy dog — not fragile, and able to join in family life.
  • A companion that is affectionate with family members and generally good with children and other dogs.
  • A dog you can train, while accepting it will still bark and think for itself.
  • A relatively low-shedding breed.

It may be a poorer fit if you need a silent dog, or if you want a dog that requires almost no training input to behave well.

Where to go next

The HCA site is the natural starting point for anyone seriously considering the breed. It offers:

  • Reputable breeder listings — the club's "Find A Breeder" resource, aimed at people "Looking For A Havanese Puppy?"
  • Education materials — written for all levels of interest, covering well-considered breeding for breed type, health, and temperament.
  • Club events and activities — including the 2027 HCA National Specialty, plus information on what fun activities Havanese can do.
  • Community content — including member stories and a spotlight on extraordinary contributions to the breed.

If you are still deciding, start with the temperament table above and the club's education pages; if you have decided, go straight to the breeder listings.