Havanese Havanese

Havanese

9
Outgoing Funny Intelligent Affectionate

About the Havanese

The Havanese — Cuba's only native breed — descended from the now-extinct Blanquito de la Habana and was the cherished lapdog of Havana's aristocracy for centuries before Cuban refugees brought them to America in the 1960s. Standing 8.5–11.5 inches tall and weighing 7–13 pounds, these small but sturdy dogs have a long, silky, lightweight coat that comes in every color imaginable — including white, cream, gold, black, silver, chocolate, and various parti-color combinations. Their coat is designed to insulate against tropical heat rather than cold, giving it a uniquely airy, flowing quality.

Temperament & Personality

Havanese are cheerful, outgoing, and deeply people-oriented — natural entertainers who thrive on being the center of attention. They are remarkably adaptable and sociable, getting along effortlessly with children, other dogs, cats, and even strangers who receive a warm, tail-wagging welcome. Their playful, clownish nature and expressive faces make them exceptional companion dogs — they're sometimes called "velcro dogs" for their habit of following their owners everywhere.

Pros

  • Low-shedding coat is well-suited for allergy-sensitive households
  • Excellent with children and other pets — gentle, patient, and playful
  • Highly trainable and eager to please — respond well to positive reinforcement
  • Adaptable to any living situation — equally happy in apartments or homes with yards

Cons

  • Long coat requires daily brushing and regular professional grooming to prevent matting
  • Prone to severe separation anxiety — can become destructive or develop excessive barking when left alone
  • Susceptible to patellar luxation, cataracts, and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
  • Can be difficult to housebreak — small bladder and sensitive temperament complicate training

Bring the sunshine of Havana into your home — find Havanese dogs waiting for families on Puplister.

Havanese Quick Facts

Size
7–13 lbs, 9–12 in
Lifespan
14–16 years
Exercise
Moderate
Grooming
High
Good with Kids
Yes
Good with Pets
Yes

Is the Havanese right for you?

Answer 5 quick questions to see how well this breed matches your lifestyle.

Take the Quiz

Available Havaneses

Bean
Baby 6
Bean
XL

Havanese / Lhasa Apso

Love All Animals · Dana Point, CA
Gigi
Senior 1
Gigi
S

Havanese / Maltese

Furry Friends Rescue · Fremont, CA

Related Breeds

Shiba Inu
Shiba Inu Dog

14 pets available

17

About the Shiba Inu The Shiba Inu is Japan's oldest and smallest native breed, originally bred to flush birds and small game in the dense mountain underbrush — "shiba" may refer to brushwood or the breed's red color, while "inu" simply means dog. These compact, agile dogs stand 13.5 to 16.5 inches tall and weigh 17 to 23 pounds, with a fox-like face, small triangular ears, and a curled tail. Their stiff, plush double coat comes in red, sesame, black and tan, or cream, with distinctive "urajiro" (cream to white ventral markings). Temperament & Personality Shiba Inus are bold, alert, and fiercely independent — often described as more cat-like than dog-like in their self-possession and fastidious grooming habits. They are loyal to their families but on their own terms, and their strong-willed nature means they do not blindly follow commands. Shibas are known for the infamous "Shiba scream" — a loud, distinctive vocalization produced when displeased or overjoyed — and they can be aloof with strangers and sometimes aggressive toward other dogs. Pros Naturally clean and almost cat-like — easy to housetrain and self-groomingCompact, manageable size for apartments with adequate exerciseLoyal and devoted to their family once trust is establishedHealthy breed with a long lifespan of 13 to 16 years Cons Extremely independent and stubborn — not recommended for first-time ownersStrong prey drive and unreliable recall make off-leash freedom riskyCan be possessive of food, toys, and territory (resource guarding)Prone to allergies, patellar luxation, and hip dysplasia The Shiba Inu's spirited independence and striking looks have won fans worldwide — discover Shibas on Puplister.

Vizsla
Vizsla Dog

6 pets available

10

About the Vizsla The Vizsla is Hungary's national dog, with origins tracing back over 1,000 years to the Magyar tribes who settled the Carpathian Basin and needed a versatile pointer-retriever for the plains. These lean, athletic dogs stand 21 to 24 inches tall and weigh 44 to 60 pounds, with a distinctively sleek, muscular build and an elegant, ground-covering gait. Their short, smooth coat comes exclusively in various shades of golden rust — from sandy gold to deep russet — with no undercoat, giving them a clean, low-maintenance appearance. Temperament & Personality Vizslas are affectionate, energetic, and extraordinarily people-oriented — often called "Velcro dogs" because they want to be in constant physical contact with their owners. They are gentle and patient with children, friendly with other dogs, and possess a sensitivity that makes them responsive to their family's moods. Vizslas form such intense bonds that they can suffer severe separation anxiety if left alone regularly — they truly need to be included in daily family life. Pros Exceptionally affectionate and forms deep, devoted bonds with familyVersatile athlete — excels in hunting, agility, dock diving, and trackingLow-maintenance coat with minimal shedding and no doggy odorGentle, sensitive nature makes them excellent therapy dogs Cons Severe separation anxiety — cannot tolerate being left alone for long periodsExtremely high exercise needs — requires 1 to 2 hours of vigorous activity dailyProne to epilepsy, hip dysplasia, and lymphosarcomaThin coat and low body fat make them uncomfortable in cold weather If you want a devoted, athletic companion who'll never leave your side, find your Vizsla on Puplister.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

5 pets available

31

About the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier originated in Ireland over 200 years ago as an all-purpose farm dog — herding livestock, guarding property, and dispatching vermin, earning it the nickname "the poor man's wolfhound." These medium-sized dogs stand 17 to 19 inches tall and weigh 30 to 40 pounds, with a sturdy, compact build beneath their distinctive coat. Their single-layer, silky, wavy coat matures from a dark puppy color to its signature warm wheaten gold by about two years of age — and unlike most terriers, it is soft rather than wiry. Temperament & Personality Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are exuberant, affectionate, and joyful — known for their characteristic "Wheaten greeting" where they enthusiastically jump up to lick faces, which can be endearing or problematic depending on the recipient. They are deeply devoted to their families, excellent with children, and more tolerant of other dogs than many terrier breeds. Their happy, bouncy energy remains well into adulthood, and they approach life with an infectious enthusiasm that brightens any household. Pros Single coat sheds minimally — more suitable for allergy-sensitive householdsFriendly and exuberant — loves people and gets along with children and other dogsLess aggressive and territorial than many other terrier breedsVersatile and athletic — enjoys agility, hiking, and active family life Cons Coat requires daily brushing and regular professional grooming to prevent mattingProne to protein-losing nephropathy and protein-losing enteropathy — serious breed-specific conditionsJumping and exuberant greeting behavior can be difficult to manageCan be stubborn during training and requires patient, consistent methods The Wheaten Terrier's joyful spirit and soft golden coat are hard to resist — discover available Wheatens on Puplister.

Treeing Walker Coonhound

30 pets available

13

About the Treeing Walker Coonhound The Treeing Walker Coonhound was developed in the United States from Walker Foxhounds in the mid-20th century, selectively bred for their exceptional ability to trail game and "tree" raccoons by chasing them up a tree and baying until the hunter arrives. These elegant, athletic hounds stand 20 to 27 inches tall and weigh 50 to 70 pounds, with a lean, muscular build and the classic tricolor pattern — white, black, and tan — reminiscent of their foxhound ancestry. Their short, smooth coat is dense and protective, well-suited for long hours working through brush and rough terrain. Temperament & Personality Treeing Walker Coonhounds are confident, intelligent, and affable — possessing a friendly, sociable nature that makes them enjoyable companions both in the field and at home. They are gentle with children, typically welcoming to strangers, and usually get along well with other dogs, especially those they've been raised with. Their hunting instincts run deep, however, and they can switch from couch potato to tireless tracker the moment an interesting scent crosses their path. Pros Friendly, easygoing temperament — excellent with families and other dogsLow-maintenance coat needing only weekly brushingSuperb endurance for hiking, running, and outdoor adventuresGenerally healthy breed with a lifespan of 12 to 13 years Cons Extremely vocal — loud baying and howling are a defining breed traitPowerful scent drive makes off-leash reliability very challengingRequires substantial daily exercise — bored Walkers can be destructiveProne to ear infections and hip dysplasia Treeing Walker Coonhounds bring athletic grace and a sweet disposition to any home — explore available listings on Puplister.

Related Articles

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key traits of a Havanese?
The Havanese is known for being outgoing, funny, intelligent and affectionate.
How many Havaneses are available for adoption?
There are currently 10 Havaneses available for adoption on Puplister. Browse the listings above to find your perfect match.
How do I adopt a Havanese from Puplister?
To adopt a Havanese, browse the available listings on this page, click on a pet you're interested in, and contact the shelter directly through their profile page.