The Havapoo, also known as the Havadoodle or the Havanoodle, is the result of crossing a Poodle and a Havanese. These Toy sized pups are a friendly and affectionate breed, with lots of energy and a playful nature. They’re also family orientated and love to be around people.
The small size of these dogs makes them the perfect companion for those who live in an apartment or do not have the space for a large dog but still want a trusty friend by their side. If you’re interested in learning more about the Havapoo and seeing whether one of these dogs might be for you, keep reading below.
History Of The Havapoo
The Havapoo is an extremely cute dog, but their popularity only really began to peak in 2018. However, this designer breed has actually been registered with the International Designer Canine Association since 2009. They are also registered with the American Canine Hybrid Club, although under the name “Poovanese”.
Due to the fact they are not a purebred and are a cross breed, these dogs are not currently recognized by any major Kennel Clubs, including the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the United Kennel Club (UKC).
Breed Origin
To understand where the Havapoo came from, we can take a look at the origins of the parent breeds.
The Poodle originated from the French and German border in the 15th and 16th century and was associated with the upper class. Because they are excellent water dogs, they were used to hunt water-fowl.
Later on, because of their adorable look, these pups became a very popular dog. The Toy Poodle was bred from the Standard Poodle by choosing the smallest pup from each litter and breeding with them. They were first seen in America in the 20th century.
The Havanese is originally from Cuba and is still known as the National Lapdog of Cuba today. Their popularity began to decline in Cuba in the 20th century, but it was at this time that they were brought to the United States for the first time. The American Kennel Club officially recognized the breed in 1995.
The Havapoo was bred in America and was bred to be a faithful and loving companion dog.
Characteristics Of The Havapoo
Due to the fact that the Havapoo is a crossbreed and does not have a breed standard, it can be difficult to know what traits and characteristics each pup might have. Some puppies may inherit more features from their Poodle parent, whereas others may inherit from their Havanese parent. However, we can make assumptions based on past litters.
These dogs can be expensive. You can expect to pay anywhere between $800 to $1,800 per Havapoo puppy, although they can be up to $4,500. Always remember to buy from a reputable breeder.
Appearance
The Havanese is crossed with either a Miniature Poodle or a Toy Poodle to create the Havapoo, and therefore these dogs are small. Normally, they stand between 8 to 15 inches in height and can weigh between 7 to 20 lbs.
These dogs have a teddy bear appearance – one of the most recognisable teddy bear dog breeds – and are incredibly cute!
Coat
The type of coat your dog has will depend on which coat they inherit from their parent breeds. The Havanese has a long, silky coat, while the Poodle has a tight, curly coat. The Havapoo coat can vary greatly from breed to breed. If they inherit the Poodle coat, then they may be hypoallergenic and great for those who have allergies.
Color
The color of the Havapoo can vary a lot, too. Normally, they will be either brown, grey, tan, white or black. However, they are not always solid in color and can have different colored markings too.
Temperament
This Poodle Mix is a pooch with an excellent temperament. Loving and friendly, these dogs just want to be around people and to show them affection! Suited to everyone, the Havapoo will just want to spend their days by your side. Unfortunately, because they love people so much, they don’t like to be left alone. Leaving them alone can result in separation anxiety, so this is something to think about if you are often out for hours at a time.
Their love of people also means the Havapoo isn’t a good watchdog. They would much rather show a stranger love and affection rather than being aggressive with them. This energetic pup does require a fair bit of exercise, especially due to their Poodle parent’s working history, but they also love to play games and have fun with their owners.
After a day of playing, the Havapoo will also love to curl up next to you and relax. A true lapdog, these pups have an excellent nature that you can’t not fall in love with!
Lifespan
The Havapoo has a relatively long life expectancy and can live, on average, between 10 and 15 years.
Known Health Issues
While crossbreeding the Havanese with the Poodle certainly helped to remove some health problems these breeds face, the Havapoo is still prone to some issues. We have laid out the main health concerns below.
- Patellar Luxation — this is a common condition in smaller dogs and is caused when the patella is not properly aligned. This can cause lameness in the leg or an abnormal gait, sort of like a skip or a hop.
- Hypothyroidism — this can be caused by a deficiency of the thyroid hormone and may produce signs that include infertility, obesity, mental dullness and lack of energy. It can be treated with medication.
- Hip Dysplasia — this is when the thighbone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia.
- Cataracts — you might suspect your dog has cataracts if they are constantly bumping into furniture. Cataracts can be cured with surgery.
Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable.
Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced. Trusted breeders will do health checks on both parent breeds and will not crossbreed if there is a chance of passing on any severe issues to offspring.
Daily Life
Now we know all about the traits and characteristics of the Havanese Poodle Mix, it is time to take a look at what living with one of these dogs on a day to day basis is actually like. We will cover their food and diet, their grooming needs and exercise requirements.
Food And Diet
The Havapoo is a small dog so they don’t require much food. As an adult, they will need roughly 40 calories per pound of body weight. Of course, you should always double check the back of the food packet to see the exact amount of a certain food you should be feeding your dog based on their weight.
Always check that the food you feed your Havapoo dog is high-quality and meets their nutritional needs. It is often a good idea to go for a food that is specially formulated for small breeds, so you know they are getting the right amount of protein and fats in their diet.
Best Dog Food For The Havapoo
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Dog Food
We recommend the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula for the Havapoo. This food is specially formulated for small dog breeds and ensures that a pup of this size gets all the nutrients they need to stay healthy. With high-quality protein from chicken, this kibble helps to maintain your Havapoo’s lean muscles and there are wholesome whole grains, garden veggies and fruit in the recipe too.
Even better, this Life Protection Formula contains a blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that supports immune system health, life stage requirements and a healthy oxidative balance. There are also no artificial colors or flavors in the recipe.
Exercise
Although they are small, the Havapoo has high energy levels! These dogs need roughly 60 minutes of exercise a day — this is thanks to their Poodle parent’s working nature.
The Havapoo loves to be out exercising and will happily accompany you on hikes and runs, making them a great exercise buddy. They don’t need a lot of space, such as a back yard, for exercise, but will love to walk in the park where they can socialize with other dogs! If they are a little over-friendly, it is a good idea to keep them on a leash when you are out in public.
The Havapoo’s intelligence also means that they need to be mentally stimulated. Try to play some games with them as often as you can, whether these are at home or more active games such as “fetch”.
Family Compatibility
The Havapoo has such a wonderful temperament that it means this pup gets on with everyone! While they make the perfect family dog, these dogs are also great companions for individuals, couples and the elderly and genuinely love to be around you. Remember, they can suffer from separation anxiety, so it is not a good idea to get one of these dogs if you are often out of the house for long periods of time. Luckily, these dogs are so small that you can take them with you most places!
Their small size has another bonus in regards to their home. The Havapoo is a great family companion for those who don’t have a large space, but still want a loving dog running round. These pups do require quite a lot of exercise, but as long as you take them to the park and keep them mentally engaged with toys, they do not need a backyard to run around in.
Even better, the Havapoo is an intelligent dog that picks up things quickly. This means they are easy to train but also means that they will love to play games with children around the house, keeping everyone entertained!
Training
The Havapoo is a very intelligent dog and is, therefore, a dream to train. Like all dogs, these pups respond best to positive reinforcement techniques and reward based training. This includes verbal praise and treats.
You should never get angry or frustrated with your dog when training. They may not understand what is happening and this will cause them to not want to learn. You should ignore negative behavior and praise positive behavior so they learn which is more desirable.
Socializing
Havapoos are very sociable dogs by nature and love other people and animals. That being said, you should still socialize them from a young age so they learn there is nothing to be afraid of.
You should introduce them to new sights, sounds, places, smells, people and animals in a safe way, starting as soon as you bring them home, so they grow up to be well-rounded and sociable dogs.
Grooming
Unfortunately, the Havapoo has quite high grooming requirements. They can inherit one of two coats from their parent breeds — long and silky or tight and curly. Both require daily brushing, unless you keep their fur clipped short. If their fur is clipped short, then you should be able to get away with brushing their fur two to three times a week.
Don’t forget to clip your Havapoo’s nails when it is needed. You will also need to brush their teeth to help prevent dental decay and disease. You can always use dental sticks if this is easier.
Havapoo FAQ’s
How much does a Havapoo cost?
The Havapoo is a designer breed and can therefore be quite expensive. These dogs can set you back anywhere between $800 to $1,800, although they can cost up to $4,500. You should always make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder who can give you health clearances for both parent breeds.
If this is out of your price range, you can always check your local shelter. With the increase in popularity of the Havapoo lately, it also means that there are more Havapoos in shelters. You never know, you may find one close to you who is looking for their forever home!
Is a purebred dog better than a crossbreed dog?
There has been a rise in crossbreeding in recent years. This is because there is a desire to breed dogs with certain characteristics and to get rid of unwanted characteristics within dog breeds. With crossbreeding you can get designer breeds, although some worry that they are more susceptible to health problems.
In fact, in a recent study, there was no indication that mixed dogs were more prone to health issues that purebred dogs. The most important thing to look for in your dog is the breeder. They should be a reputable breeder and both the breed parents should be healthy.
Summary
The Havapoo is an adorable little dog that was bred to be just the right size for a companion. With a wonderful friendly temperament, these pups make a great pet for all, including families, individuals, couples and seniors. Even better, because of their small size they can fit into any apartment too and do not need a lot of space! Although these dogs have high activity levels and some grooming requirements, the loyal and affectionate pup you get is certainly worth it. What do you think, is a Havapoo for you?