The Havanese is the only dog breed that traces its roots to Cuba — bred over generations to be a houseful of company in a small, sun-tolerant package. A Havanese will follow you from the kitchen to the couch to the front door and back, not out of nervousness but because being near you is the whole point. That’s the breed, not a phase. If you want a dog that fits a North Dallas apartment as easily as a Mansfield backyard and would rather nap on your feet than guard the fence line, this is one of the gentlest matches in the small-dog world.
The Havanese, by the Numbers
A grown Havanese stays small for life. Most settle between 7 and 13 pounds and stand roughly 8.5 to 11.5 inches at the shoulder, with a body that runs a touch longer than it is tall — sturdy enough to handle a busy household, light enough to scoop up on a walk.
- Adult weight: 7–13 lbs
- Height: 8.5–11.5 in at the shoulder
- Coat: soft, silky-to-wavy double coat; low-shedding; many colors and markings
- Lifespan: often 14–16 years
- Energy: low to moderate — short bursts of play, then a long settle
That long lifespan is worth sitting with. A Havanese you bring home this summer may still be napping in the same sunbeam in 2040. It’s the first chapter of a fifteen-year story, which is part of why we offer an optional 15-Year Limited Health Warranty in person — coverage you can add to back the years ahead.
What Havanese Are Really Like
Havanese were built to be companions, and it shows in the temperament. They’re cheerful, curious, and quick to read the mood of a room — bright without being frantic, affectionate without being clingy in a way that tips into anxiety. Early Cuban families called them the “Velcro dog,” and the nickname stuck for a reason: a Havanese wants to be with its people.
They’re also genuinely smart and eager to please, which makes early training a pleasure rather than a battle. Housebreaking takes patience — small dogs have small bladders, and the truth is you’ll be making early-morning trips outside for a while — but Havanese pick up routines fast when you stay consistent and keep it positive. One thing to know going in: they form deep attachments and don’t love being left alone for long stretches. A Havanese in an empty house all day is a Havanese looking for trouble or company. Plan for the company.
That Silky Coat: Grooming and Shedding
The coat is the headline feature and the main commitment. A Havanese carries a soft double coat that can be silky or lightly wavy, and unlike heavy shedders, those loose hairs tend to stay in the coat until you brush them out rather than drifting across the furniture. That low-shedding habit, plus dander that mostly stays put, is why many families with mild allergies find a Havanese easier to live with — though no breed is truly hypoallergenic, and we’d never promise it is.
Here’s the honest trade: low shedding means more grooming, not less. Plan on brushing two to three times a week, more if you keep the coat long, to head off the mats that form behind the ears and under the legs. A professional trim every few weeks keeps things manageable. This matters more than usual in DFW, where summer humidity can turn a missed week into a matting problem fast — a shorter “puppy cut” is a popular, practical choice for Texas owners who’d rather spend the time playing than detangling.
Havanese at Home
Few small breeds slot into family life as smoothly as a Havanese. They’re patient and gentle with children, sturdy enough to handle the bustle of a busy house, and they typically warm to other dogs and cats when introductions are calm and unhurried. As with any small puppy, the rule for little kids is simple: supervise, and teach gentle hands early — a 9-pound dog and an excited toddler both do better with a grown-up nearby.
What a Havanese asks for in return is inclusion. They thrive in homes where someone is around for a good part of the day, whether that’s a retiree, a work-from-home setup, or a household that comes and goes in shifts. If everyone’s gone nine hours a day, a midday dog walker or a friendly neighbor goes a long way toward a settled, happy dog.
Havanese Health to Know
Havanese are a generally hardy, long-lived breed, but like every purebred they carry a few conditions worth knowing about so you can stay ahead of them. The most commonly discussed include:
- Eyes — hereditary cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
- Joints — patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) and, less often, hip dysplasia
- Liver — portosystemic (liver) shunts
- Skeletal — chondrodysplasia, which affects how cartilage and bone develop
None of this is a reason to hesitate — it’s a reason to start from good roots. Our Havanese come from a trusted network of carefully selected, licensed breeders, the kind who screen their breeding dogs rather than guess. Every puppy is happy from the start: examined by a licensed Texas veterinarian before meeting families, and never sent home before eight weeks, as Texas law requires. From there, the long-game basics do the heavy lifting — steady vet checkups, a diet sized for a small dog, sane exercise, and early socialization. Ask us anything about where a particular puppy came from; a clear answer is the whole point.
Is a Havanese Your Match in DFW?
A Havanese suits the metroplex about as well as any small breed can. Their Caribbean origins gave them a coat and constitution that handle warmth better than thick-coated northern breeds — but “better with heat” is not “fine in a Texas July.” During the hottest stretch, walk early or after sundown, keep water close, and let the bulk of their play happen in the air conditioning. A clipped summer coat helps; a sweltering midday sidewalk does not.
Beyond the weather, this is a flexible dog. Their modest exercise needs mean a Frisco high-rise or a Plano patio home works as well as a yard in Mansfield — what they need is your company, not acreage. They’re quiet for a small breed too; a Havanese will give a polite alert bark at the door but isn’t the type to set off a chorus over every passing car, which makes them considerate neighbors in close quarters. If you want a small, devoted dog that travels well between apartment life and suburban life, a Havanese is one of the easier yeses in DFW.
When you’re ready, you can see what’s available right now or stop by either location — our North Dallas location on Inwood Road or the Fort Worth-area location in Mansfield. One trusted breeder network, two DFW locations, and combined inventory across both.
Bringing Home a Wellspring Havanese
When you choose a Havanese here, you’re not picking a name off a list — you’re meeting a puppy in person and seeing how it carries itself. Come watch a litter play, take your time, bring the whole family. Our staff will walk you through each puppy’s background and what daily life with the breed actually looks like, grooming routine and all. If spreading the cost helps the timing fit your life, we work with TerraceFinance in-person and we’re happy to talk it through together.
Drawn to the soft-coated, people-first companions? A few breeds nearby are worth a look while you decide — the playful, low-shedding Maltipoo, the easygoing Cavapoo, or the classic small-house favorite, the Shih Tzu. Each has its own personality, and we’re glad to help you sort out the right fit.
Havanese Questions, Answered
How big does a Havanese get?
Not very. Adults usually land between 7 and 13 pounds and stand about 8.5 to 11.5 inches tall, with a body slightly longer than it is tall. They stay a true small dog for life, which is part of why they adapt so well to apartments and smaller homes.
Do Havanese shed a lot?
No — Havanese are a low-shedding breed. Their double coat tends to hold loose hairs until you brush them out rather than scattering them around the house. That makes them more manageable for many people with mild allergies, though no dog is fully hypoallergenic. The trade-off is grooming: brush two to three times a week to prevent mats.
Are Havanese good with kids and other pets?
Generally yes. They’re known for being gentle and patient with children and tend to get along with other dogs and cats once introductions are made calmly. As with any small puppy, supervise young children and teach gentle handling from the start.
How much exercise does a Havanese need?
Less than you might expect. Short walks, indoor play, and some interactive toys cover most of their needs — they’re a low-to-moderate energy breed that adapts to your pace. In DFW, schedule walks for early morning or evening during summer to keep them out of the worst heat.
Can a Havanese handle the Texas heat?
Reasonably well for a small breed, thanks to their warm-climate Cuban origins, but they still need sensible care. Walk during cooler hours, always offer water, keep play indoors in the air conditioning on hot afternoons, and consider a shorter summer trim. Never leave any dog in a parked car.
Are Havanese a good choice for first-time owners?
They’re one of the friendlier first dogs out there — smart, eager to please, and forgiving of a learning curve. The two things to plan for are consistent grooming and not leaving them alone for long stretches, since they bond closely and do best with company around.
Do you offer financing or a health warranty on Havanese puppies?
Yes to both. We work with TerraceFinance in person, so you can spread the cost over time — approval is through TerraceFinance, not guaranteed, but we’ll help you apply. We also offer an optional 15-Year Limited Health Warranty you can add in person to back the long years ahead. Ask a team member for the details on our financing page.
Want to meet one? You’ll find Havanese and a rotating mix of small breeds at both DFW locations — come say hello at our Dallas location, visit the Fort Worth-area location in Mansfield, or browse all available puppies first. Availability changes daily, so it’s worth a call to (972) 674-1963 before you drive out.