Havanese Care: Grooming, Training and Health Checks

By Dr Duncan Houston

The Havanese is a small companion with Cuban roots and a coat that needs thoughtful care. Its sociable reputation does not make it a fit for every schedule, and small size does not remove the need for exercise, training or health monitoring.

Quick Answer

Havanese need regular companionship, daily activity, gradual training and thorough grooming. Review parental hip, kneecap and eye results, and ask about hearing assessment. Low shedding does not guarantee freedom from human allergy reactions, and persistent distress when alone needs more than a food puzzle.

Grooming for comfort

A long coat often needs daily brushing and combing to prevent tangles, especially behind ears, under legs and where equipment rubs. Check that the comb reaches through to the skin. A practical shorter trim may suit a pet household better than maintaining a full coat.

The AKC Havanese profile outlines the breed's coat and companion needs. Agree on bathing and professional grooming according to coat condition rather than a fixed timetable. Do not cut tight mats close to skin or persist through painful pulling.

Keep nails comfortable and build daily toothbrushing using pet toothpaste. UC Davis dental guidance explains the value of regular home care. Eye pain, ear discharge or recurrent itching needs veterinary assessment rather than repeated cosmetic cleaning.

Training and comfortable independence

1. Reward toileting in the right place and offer frequent opportunities after waking, eating and play.
2. Introduce people, dogs and unfamiliar sounds in manageable steps, allowing retreat.
3. Teach handling, recall and settling through short reward-based sessions.
4. Practise brief, comfortable absences and increase them gradually.
5. Provide suitable walks, sniffing, play and uninterrupted rest.

A crate is optional and should be a comfortable resting place, not a way to contain panic. Following family members is not a diagnosis of separation anxiety. MSD's behaviour guidance recommends assessing the pattern and excluding other explanations for distress or toileting changes.

What screening should you ask about?

The Havanese Club of America's current programme information lists hips, patellas and annual eye examinations for CHIC, while encouraging hearing testing beyond those current requirements. Older information may still describe BAER as mandatory. A CHIC number means the required results were reported, not that every result was normal.

Ask for reports and discuss individual follow-up with your vet. Investigate new skipping, stiffness, reduced stamina or visual changes rather than waiting for a routine screening date.

Food, allergy claims and warning signs

Feed a complete diet matched to life stage, measure portions and count training treats. Small puppies may need more frequent meals than adults. Maintain appropriate vaccination, parasite protection and preventive reviews.

No breed is reliably hypoallergenic. Research on dog allergen levels does not support choosing a dog on that promise. If someone in the home has allergies, seek their clinician's advice before committing.

Breathing difficulty, collapse, seizures or severe weakness requires emergency care. A young puppy that stops eating, a painful eye or repeated vomiting needs prompt veterinary advice. Avoid human medicines and do not force-feed a weak pet.

Common mistakes include assuming companionship replaces training, leaving tangles until grooming hurts, and expecting a toy breed to suit any household automatically.

Frequently asked questions

Can a Havanese live in an apartment?

Yes, with suitable activity, toileting arrangements, companionship and consideration of noise.

Does low shedding mean little grooming?

No. Hair can remain in the coat and form tangles, particularly when kept long.

Will another dog prevent separation anxiety?

Not necessarily. Treatment depends on the individual dog's distress and triggers.

Does a health certificate guarantee future health?

No. Screening helps assess specific risks but does not replace ongoing care.

Patient routines and comfortable handling help this companion dog feel secure while staying active and healthy.

ASK A VET™ supports individual care for small dogs. Your veterinarian can help interpret health records and address grooming, movement or behaviour concerns.