How Long Do Havanese Live?
Havanese live 14-16 years on average. Here is the AKC breed profile, the health areas to stay ahead of, and how to give a Havanese more good years.
Breed profile
Breed profile and trait ratings: American Kennel Club. Trait scores are AKC ratings from 1 to 5.
At 7-13 pounds, the Havanese is a small breed. Small breeds age more slowly and are among the longest-lived dogs, which its 14-16 years average reflects.
Does a Havanese fit your life?
The Havanese is a small, endlessly social dog that adapts to apartments, travel, and new faces with ease. It's playful and deeply bonded to its family, but at 7 to 13 pounds it's genuinely fragile around toddlers or rough play, and its coat asks for regular grooming. This is a dog built for closeness, not roughhousing.
A great match if you
- You live in an apartment or travel often, since this breed adapts easily to new settings.
- You want a dog that's friendly with virtually every person and dog it meets.
- You're raising kids old enough to be gentle with a small dog.
- You want a playful, clownish personality around the house.
- You want a dog that trains fairly easily, even as a first-timer.
Think twice if
- You have toddlers or expect rough play, since a dog this small can be hurt easily.
- You want minimal grooming, since the coat needs regular brushing to look and feel its best.
- You live somewhere noise-sensitive, since this breed can be vocal.
- You're away from home for long stretches, since this breed bonds closely and doesn't love being left alone.
Health areas for the Havanese
Based on the breed profile, the health areas most worth staying ahead of for a Havanese are Joint and mobility, Eye and vision and Cardiac (owners often watch for patellar luxation, eye, heart murmur).
Sensory
Congenital deafness is genetic. VitaDog cannot address it but provides daily nutritional foundation for all the other health systems of a deaf dog.
Where VitaDog fits, as one lever. Our daily all-in-one gives direct support for joint and mobility, plus gut, skin and immune support in one scoop.
Actives: Glucosamine HCl 600mg · MSM · Turmeric + Black Pepper Extract (piperine 5mg) · Anchovy Fish Oil (EPA + DHA) and more. See what is in it
Havanese facts, quick answers
How long do Havanese live?
Havanese live 14-16 years on average, and plenty go beyond that. The two biggest levers on where a given dog lands are keeping it at a lean, healthy weight and staying ahead of the health issues the breed is prone to.
How big do Havanese get?
A full-grown Havanese stands 8.5-11.5 inches and weighs 7-13 pounds, which puts it firmly in the small-breed range.
What kind of dog is a Havanese?
The Havanese is a toy breed, and one of the country's more popular breeds, ranked 25 of 208. It is a small dog that typically lives around 14-16 years.
Are Havanese high-energy dogs?
Havanese are moderate in energy, so daily activity matters but they are not bouncing off the walls.
Are Havanese easy to train?
Havanese are very trainable and love having their brain worked, picking up commands quickly with positive, consistent training.
Do Havanese shed a lot?
Not really. They shed very little, though low-shedding coats often trade that for more regular grooming or clipping.
Do Havanese bark a lot?
They are fairly vocal. They like to announce visitors and will bark when bored, so teaching a quiet cue early pays off.
Are Havanese good with kids?
Havanese are great with children, gentle and patient, which is a big reason families love the breed; supervise young kids around any dog.
Do Havanese get along with other dogs?
Havanese are generally sociable with other dogs and usually enjoy the company.
Are Havanese friendly with strangers?
Havanese are friendly with strangers and tend to greet new people like old friends.
Are Havanese good for first-time owners?
Havanese are a forgiving choice for a first dog, thanks to their trainability, adaptability and manageable needs.
