Havapoo – Is The Adorable Havanese Poodle Mix Right for You?

The Havapoo is a cute combination of  Havanese and Poodle parents!

The Havanese Poodle is an adorable mixed breed, also known as the Havadoodle or Poovanese.

This small- to mid-sized dog makes for a popular companion and a loving pet.

But is a Havanese Poodle mix right for you and your family?

The answer depends on your situation and preferences.

Read our guide below to learn more about this cute breed!

Where Does the Havapoo Come From?

The Havapoo is a mix between the Havanese and the standard Poodle (or miniature Poodle).

To learn more about the Havadoodle, we can look to the origins of each parent breed.

The Havanese

The Havanese is a small, sturdy, and adorable breed that’s native to Cuba.

It gets its name from Havana, the capital city of Cuba, where it enjoyed popularity among the country’s elite.

The Havanese is a member of the Bichon family of breeds and a member of the AKC Toy Group.

They are quite small, usually weighing in at 7–13 pounds and measuring 8.5–11.5 inches tall.

The Poodle

The Poodle is a popular and active breed that includes both the standard Poodle and the miniature Poodle.

Most Havanese Poodle mixes are bred from the miniature Poodle.

The miniature Poodle typically weighs between 10 and 15 pounds, and measures 10–15 inches.

They are quite popular, often ranking in the top 10 of AKC breeds.

The Poodle originated in Germany, where it was bred to hunt ducks.

Its history dates back more than 400 years, and the breed enjoyed popularity throughout European society.

The miniature Poodle was bred down to the miniature Poodle, likely in the early 20th century.

The miniature was mostly designed to be a city-dwelling companion animal, rather than the hunter of its larger counterpart.

The Havanese Poodle Mix

The Havanese Poodle mix does not have a very well documented history.

It’s a new breed that likely originated in the last few decades.

Its origin country is the United States.

Today, the Poovanese is recognized by several organizations, including the American Canine Hybrid Club, the Designed Dogs Kennel Club, and others.

Keep in mind that this is a hybrid breed.

There is much debate over the pros and cons of purebred and hybrid dogs.

For more information on the controversy and ongoing debate, see our purebred vs mutt comparison.

Fun Facts About the Havanese Poodle Mix

The Havapoo has had some famous fans over the years.

Both Ernest Hemingway and Charles Dickens owned Havanese pups.

The Poodle also claims some famous owners, with former United States President Grover Cleveland among the most well-known.

Interestingly, both parent breeds of the Havanese Poodle mix are the national dogs of a country.

The Poodle is the National Dog of France, while the Havanese represents the country of Cuba.

The Havapoo itself is a newer breed, so it claims fewer famous owners and interesting statistics.

Regardless, there’s a lot to learn about this breed – keep reading for more!

Havanese Poodle Mix Appearance

Like any hybrid dog, the Havapoo can take on any of the characteristics of either parent breed.

This makes it somewhat difficult to predict the exact appearance and characteristics of the Poodle Havanese mix.

To add to the unpredictable nature of this hybrid, the size and weight of a grown Havapoo will largely depend on what type of Poodle the parent pup was.

There will always be some unpredictability with non purebred dogs.

That said, you can learn about the most commonly observed appearance traits in these adorable dogs.

Likely Traits of the Mix

The Havapoo is a small to midsized breed, usually weighing in at between 12 and 45 pounds and measuring 8 to 15 inches tall.

The large range of potential sizes is due to the fact that a Poovanese can be bred from either a standard Poodle or a miniature Poodle.

In terms of physical appearance, the Havanese Poodle mix has short legs, floppy ears and a long, curly coat.

Coat colors vary based on genetics, but common colors include white, gray, brown, red, and black.

Coat length and density can also vary from medium to long, although it is almost always wavy.

Havanese Poodle Mix Temperament

Typically, Havapoos are friendly, social little dogs with a loving and energetic temperament.

They are very affectionate and love to spend time with their family.

This breed is also highly intelligent and curious.

These traits, combined with their playful nature, make the Havanese Poodle mix easy to train.

The social instincts of the Havapoo are generally agreeable, but early socialization is important.

These dogs will usually get along well with strangers and other animals, so long as they are exposed to new faces from a young age.

A Havanese Poodle mix should get along well with children.

Caution is advised with very young children, for the safety of both the dog and the child.

Their loving, trusting attitude and small size does not make them a very effective watchdog, but it also leads to significantly less barking than many other small breeds.

Training Your Havanese Poodle Mix

The Havapoo is an agreeable breed that is usually eager to please their owners.

They do not typically have much of a stubborn side, although it’s impossible to fully predict an individual dog’s temperament.

Generally speaking, this breed is easy to train.

They are highly intelligent – both parent breeds are among the smartest dog breeds out there.

The Havapoo will respond well to positive reinforcement training using treats and other rewards.

They can be very tuned-in to your emotions and attitude, so do your best to be patient and not raise your voice.

See our dog training guides for more information.

Socialization Is Key

As with all breeds, early socialization is very important.

While typically a friendly breed, the Havapoo can suffer from so-called small dog syndrome, where they can become aggressive towards other animals.

Be sure to socialize your young pup early with other dogs, other pets, and humans.

For exercise requirements, Havapoos tend to be fairly active dogs.

They enjoy frequent walks and ideally should have 1–3 hours of activity per day.

Younger dogs tend to have more energy, and this breed in particular often mellows out after a few years.

Even so, this is definitely a higher-energy breed.

Havanese Poodle Mix Health

This is typically a relatively healthy breed, with an average lifespan of 10–14 years.

However, just like any other dog, a Havanese Poodle mix will inherit some of the potential health concerns of its parents.

There’s no way to know for sure if your dog will suffer from any particular condition, but we can look to historical data to get a good idea of potential issues.

Common Health Issues of the Parent Breeds

One common issue with both parent breeds is skin allergies and irritation.

Proper grooming and diet can help reduce the likelihood of skin issues.

Brush your dog’s hair at least weekly, and you should work with your veterinarian to ensure a proper diet for your pooch.

The Havanese breed is also prone to some developmental abnormalities, including skeletal defects and osteochondrodysplasia.

Eye issues are also often observed, and cataracts are common in older Havapoos.

Havapoos are known to be prone to hip dysplasia, patellar luxation and related issues.

Other potential health concerns include:

• hypothyroidism
• heart problems
• deafness
• Addison’s disease
• Cushing’s disease
• epilepsy
• bloat
• Legg-Perthes disease
• joint dysplasia

Lastly, the Poovanese is prone to obesity.

Ensuring your pup eats a healthy diet and gets plenty of exercise can help curb this risk.

Good Breeding

To help improve the likelihood of a healthy life for your pup, make sure to get a puppy from a reliable breeder.

A good breeder will conduct health tests on breeding stock to reduce the odds of health issues down the road.

Again, there is no way to predict how healthy or unhealthy your dog may be.

By being aware of the potential health concerns, you can at least be prepared for any early warning signs.

Regular veterinary checkups are important for any breed.

We encourage readers to schedule vet visits at least once a year, even if nothing appears to be wrong with your furry companion.

Do Havanese Poodle Mixes Make Good Family Dogs?

Generally speaking, the Havanese Poodle is a great family dog.

As long as they are socialized early, they tend to get along great with just about everyone – from adults to kids to other dogs and even cats!

You should take caution with very young children.

You should always supervise your dog around young children.

Socialization from a young age is quite important with this breed.

So long as you socialize your pup and raise it with love and care, it should make for an excellent family dog!

Rescuing a Havanese Poodle Mix

We believe that every dog deserves a loving home.

We recommend rescuing dogs from shelters.

That said, there are some things to be aware of.

When you rescue a dog, you really don’t know its history.

Hopefully it was well bred, well raised, and properly socialized, but there’s no way to know for sure.

This can lead to some behavioral issues, particularly with more aggressive breeds.

With full grown rescues, you also won’t have the same opportunity to train your pup from a young age.

It can also be difficult to find the specific breed you are looking for.

With all that, if you are prepared for the potential challenges of a rescue dog, we wholeheartedly encourage you to visit your local shelter.

Finding a Havanese Poodle Mix Puppy

Locating a Havapoo puppy to join your family can be an exciting but sometimes difficult process.

We recommend going directly to a reputable breeder, if possible.

Avoid pet stores and puppy mills at all costs.

You can search Google for local breeders in your area.

We also have a detailed guide on how to find a puppy for your family!

Raising A Havanese Poodle Mix Puppy

Like all dogs, the Havapoo requires lots of love, care, and patience.

Early socialization is important with this breed.

Early training can also be beneficial, as the earlier you start, the easier it is to instill good habits.

For more information, check out our puppy care guide!

Havanese Poodle Mix Products and Accessories

To keep your dog happy and healthy, you’ll want the right equipment!

The thick, curly coat of this breed may require a specialized brush, and we’ve got some recommendations listed.

For other gear for your new companion, check out our product reviews.

Pros and Cons of Getting a Havanese Poodle Mix

Cons: prone to certain health problems, high-energy.

Prospective owners should be prepared to help their dog get plenty of exercise and should be aware of potential health issues.

Pros: very friendly, loving, and social. Easy to train and generally healthy.

Similar Havanese Poodle Mix and Breeds

The Poodle is a popular breed, and there are many popular Poodle mixes that are similar to the Havapoo.

Some examples include the Cockapoo, the Maltipoo, and the Cavapoo.

All these breeds tend to have relatively similar characteristics, although each always brings something unique to the table.

Havanese Poodle Mix Rescues

If you are looking to rescue a Havapoo, a Poodle, or a Havanese, these organizations may be able to help:

• Havanese Angel League Organization (HALO)
• Havanese Rescue
• Mid-Atlantic Poodle Rescue (MAPR)
• Poodle Rescue New England
• Carolina Poodle Rescue

Do you know of other Havanese Poodle rescue organizations?

Let us know in the comments!

Is a Havanese Poodle Mix Right for Me?

Ultimately, whether or not a Poovanese is right for you depends on a number of factors.

These are very friendly, sociable, and intelligent dogs, which typically make great pets.

As long as you are able to accommodate their relatively high energy levels, the Havapoo should be a great option for your next family member!

References and Resources

• Guerra, Z. P. (2010). Havanese: A Comprehensive Guide to Owning and Caring for Your Dog.
• Farrell, L. L. Schoenebeck, J. J., Wiener, P., Clements, D. N., & Summers, K. M. (2015). The challenges of pedigree dog health: approaches to combating inherited disease.
• Starr, Alison N. et al. “Hereditary evaluation of multiple developmental abnormalities in the Havanese dog breed.” (2007).