It’s not too surprising that by combining the Havanese and Poodle breeds you create a practically perfect pup—the Havapoo. With intelligence, friendliness, and charm coming from both sides, this mix makes a wonderful addition to any family, especially with children. Though not much is known about exactly how or when they came to be, this breed has already made its mark as a doodle that’s doting, playful, and guaranteed to only gain popularity in the upcoming years.
Is a Havapoo the right kind of dog for you? There are a lot of things to consider when adding a dog to your life, so we’ve covered just about everything you’ll need to know in this in-depth breed profile.
Breed Characteristics
Key
- Low
- Medium
- High
- Origin: United States
- Size:
- Weight: 7-30 pounds
- Activity level:
- Barking/howling level:
- Good with dogs: yes
- Good with kids: yes
- Good with cats:
- Shedding:
- Grooming level:
- Training level:
Havapoo Appearance
Like many mixed breeds, the Havapoo’s appearance can vary, depending on which parent breed it takes after more.
The size of your pup can range anywhere from small (7 pounds) to medium-sized (30 pounds), depending on whether the parent Poodle was a standard, or a miniature.
The coat can also vary in the texture and curliness, though most Havapoos have some form of wavy locks that range in length from medium to long. Their coats also come in a variety of hues, with white, gray, brown, red, and black being the most common.
Havapoos are also known for their floppy ears and short legs, which gives them the appearance of a fluffy, adorable teddy bear frolicking around your house (which is probably why they’re so popular with the kiddos!).
Havapoo Dog Breed Personality
Havapoos are very intelligent, which doesn’t comes as much of a surprise considering their parent breeds. They’re also one of the most loving and friendly mixes, which makes them exceptional family dogs since they are so gentle with children. Their trusting, affectionate nature will endear them to any family lucky enough to adopt this breed into their home.
These pups are energetic though, so they’ll need plenty of romping around outdoors, and lots of stimulating toys to keep them entertained inside. Their undeniable smarts mean that they get bored easily, so make sure to keep things interesting for them if you want a happy, agreeable dog on your hands.
Ideal Environment for a Havapoo
Havapoos are an adaptable breed and can be happy in most situations, so long as they’re surrounded by loved ones who are willing to give them attention (so much attention!).
Their size means that they don’t need a lot of space, but they will need to have access to the outdoors, whether that’s a nearby dog park, a fenced backyard, or just a lively city sidewalk where they can walk and share their charm.
Ideal Human for a Havapoo
Because they’re so adorable, it’s never difficult to find someone who will adore a Havapoo. However, it is important that whoever is paired with this pup is someone that can provide them with enough exercise, mental stimulation, and attention to keep them content.
They’re a smart, outgoing breed, and need to be part of a family that can keep up with them – and that will appreciate their unique quirks.
Havapoo Dog Training
When it comes to training, you’re in luck with the Havanese and Poodle mix because they’re both obedient, intelligent, and eager-to-please breeds. And if you start training them when they’re puppies, you’re even more likely to have success.
Positive reinforcement works best with these pups, so be sure to use treats and rewards as a way of keeping your dog motivated during training. You’ll also want to monitor the volume and tone of your voice, as Havapoos are very sensitive to your feelings, which means that being patient and positive with them is even more important. But don’t be afraid to be an authoritative leader for your dog, since their high intelligence means that they need to understand that you’re in charge.
Havapoo Grooming
Even though they have long, luscious locks, the Havapoo coat is not that difficult to take care of. They don’t shed much, but it is important to brush them at least every few days to take care of the tangles and knots that can form. Brushing also keeps their coats healthy and shiny, and gives you a chance to bond with your dog while you’re spending time together.
You’ll also need to brush their teeth a few times a week to prevent oral health issues, and make sure their nails are trimmed regularly. It’s essential to keep their ears healthy by making sure they’re clean and the surrounding fur is trimmed up. Not sure how to do all of that? You can take your Havapoo to the salon every few months to get them all fixed up – and an experienced groomer will help ensure your pet is properly groomed and feeling good.
Havapoo Health Facts & Information
Like most dog breeds, Havapoos are prone to certain health issues, particularly to patella luxation, hypothyroidism, deafness, Addison’s Disease, cataracts, and epilepsy. They’re also at risk of skin allergies, so you’re going to want to keep an eye out for irritations or other issues brought on by contact or environmental factors. Your vet will be able to advise you on how to prevent, avoid and treat any signs of these that your dog may develop, especially as they get older.
Havapoos generally live from 10 to 14 years, and with the proper exercise, food, and regular trips to the vet, your pup will have a good chance at a long and happy life.
Havapoo History
There isn’t much that we can learn about the history of the Havapoo, aside from the fact that it’s a fairly new bred of doodle that was likely developed in the United States somewhere in the last 20 or so years.
We do know that the Havanese breed originated in Cuba, and that the Poodle is from Germany (and is the national dog of France) – so essentially this mix is quite the international wonder.
Getting a Havapoo
Havapoo breeders
It’s always a good idea to meet the parents of your puppy, and to see how the litter interacts with each other, and this is especially important when choosing a crossbred dog, since you can see just what size the parents are. A good, trustworthy breeder should have records of the parents’ lineage, too and should be able to tell you more about the specific mix of the litter.
Since Havapoos aren’t officially recognized by the AKC, you’d need to start your search for a reputable breeder elsewhere, and luckily, due to the popularity of these dogs, they shouldn’t be too tricky to track down. Make sure you wise up on puppy mills and internet scams – following some simple steps can help avoid further funding of this terrible practice, and help you end up with a pet whose breeding and early-life experience will more reliably result in a well-adjusted dog.
Adopting a Havapoo
As with many highly popular breeds, Havapoos often find their way to rescue centers for a variety of reasons, including dogs being rescued from puppy mills, but often it’s the simple fact that their previous owners simply felt unable to care for them any longer, perhaps due to a change in lifestyle or health.
A surrendered dog will often already be well trained and simply in need of a new, loving home. You can find rescue centers local to you with a quick internet search.
A Havapoo can make for a wonderful friend and they’re sure to be a source of joy, with plenty of laughs and perhaps a little bit of mischief along the way. So whether you’re planning on adopting or finding a breeder to find a puppy, prepare yourself, your home and your heart to welcome a dog with plenty of personality and energy.
More on Havapoos
If you’re simply in love with Havapoos, then you’ll be craving what we’ve got for you next. From the best Havapoo haircuts to Doodle history and more:
