The Havapoo Is More Than Just a Poo-dle, This Hybrid Is EXPLODING With Cuteness
Rocky Kanaka
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If you’re looking for a dog that will make you smile every day, you might want a Havapoo in your life. No, we’re not talking about the unpleasant business of picking up after your pup ????, but the adorable crossbreed of the Havanese and the miniature Poodle.
The Havapoo is one of the many “doodle” dogs that have gained popularity in recent years, thanks to their low-shedding coats and friendly personalities. But don’t confuse them with the Cavapoo, which is a mix of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle. Bursting with irresistible charm, this endearing pooch has its own dedicated fan base, thanks to its lovable & goofy vibe.
In this guide, we’ll cover the ins and outs of the Havapoo, from basic information like size and temperament to answers to your most specific and pressing questions.
The Havapoo is the most common name but may also be referred to as:
- Poovanese
- Havadoodle
- Havanoodle
- Havanesepoo
- Havanesedoodle
Meet 5 Havapoos from Instagram
Before we can talk about what makes a Havapoo a Havapoo, let’s meet five examples of this mix! Small, fluffy, and cheerful little dogs, Havapoos come in a range of colors, hair textures, and body types, so no two individuals are quite alike.
1. Gracie
This beautiful little dog is Gracie, a very photogenic Havapoo living in Australia who will do just about anything for a treat. Notice how long Gracie’s body is compared to the length of her legs? That’s a trait she got from her Havapoo side.
2. Bailey
This adorable dog is Bailey, who looks a little different than the average Havapoo. Black instead of cream, red, or brown, Bailey isn’t focused on looks and cares more about going outside for adventures.
3. Kati
Look at that smile! Meet Kati, a Havanese from Germany who is always ready to pose for the camera. Kati has a classic Havanese tail—take a look at how her fur cascades over her back.
4. Charlie
Charlie is a sweet little Havanese Poodle mix from New York City who loves humans, dogs, and adventuring through the Big Apple.
5. Ruby
This little ball of fluff is Ruby, a toy Havapoo (sometimes called a mini Havapoo or a teacup Havapoo) from Houston, Texas who loves to make new friends, travel to new places, and investigate everything she can get into. Toy Havapoos are a mix of Havanese and toy Poodle, whereas regular Havapoos are a mix of Havanese and miniature Poodle.
Havapoo Basic Info
The Havapoo is a small, charming, energetic little dog, bred by crossing a Havanese with a miniature Poodle.
The Havanese is Cuba’s only native dog, and are most recognizable by their long silky fur and curly tail that curves over their backs. Outgoing, playful, and alert, Havanese dogs make excellent companions and form strong bonds with their humans.
Similarly, Poodles are known for their high intelligence and attentiveness to their owners, making them excellent service dogs and easy-to-train house pets. Known for their low-shedding curly fur, Poodles command almost as much attention for their looks as the Havanese.
So, what do you get when you combine these breeds? The Havapoo! Perhaps not the most elegantly named mix, the Havapoo dog is certainly beloved amongst enthusiasts of the mix, but is it the dog for you?
Havapoo Temperament
If you’re looking for a dog who will be absolutely devoted to you—like a little shadow—the Havapoo might be your perfect pup. Havanese have always and exclusively been bred to be lap dogs–attentive companions who would rather be with their people than do almost anything else. Poodles were once bred to retrieve game for hunters, but have long since become most popular as pets and service dogs.
A combination of two highly human-oriented breeds, the Havapoo is social, loving, and perhaps a touchy clingy. If the Havapoo can find an open lap, they will probably fill it!
Because Havapoo dogs become so closely attached to their humans, some can suffer from separation anxiety. As high-energy dogs, this can result in destructive behaviors.
“My Havapoo is the best boy, but he has a lot of energy and can get crazy sometimes,” says a Reddit comment on a thread asking what it’s like owning a Havapoo. “He’s super smart, was easy to train (except for barking—we’re still working on that), has bad anxiety, and loves cuddles.”
Some other notable personality features of the Havapoo include:
- Playful
- Outgoing
- Watchful
- Intelligent
- Vocal
Havapoo Size
So, how big do Havapoos get if they’re a mixed breed? Can you expect them to be the same size as a Havanese or a miniature Poodle? The answer is the same for all mixed breeds: it varies.
Because there is no breed standard for Havapoo breeders to follow, it can be hard to predict the size of your Havapoo full grown. Most often, they’ll fall somewhere between their two parent breeds, but some Havapoos will have additional breeds in their lineage that can contribute to their adult size.
Most often, Havapoos will be between 8–15 inches tall and will weigh between 7–20 pounds. Toy Havapoos—which are a mix of Havanese and toy Poodle instead of miniature Poodle—may be slightly smaller, but often smaller examples of mixed breeds have additional breeds to help reduce their size.
Havapoo Health
Havanese and miniature Poodles are prone to many of the same health issues, which are often passed down to their Havapoo offspring. It’s also worth noting that because most Havapoo breeders are not following ethical or standard health screening procedures to produce their puppies, these dogs may be more prone to health issues than ethically bred dogs.
Some common health issues to look out for if you own a Havanese dog include:
- Eye and vision problems (e.g. cataracts, glaucoma, tear staining, progressive retinal atrophy)
- Hearing problems, deafness
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Patellar luxation
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
- Chondrodysplasia (AKA canine dwarfism)
- Heart murmur
- Thyroid disease
- Addison’s disease (an issue in the adrenal gland)
Havapoos have a slightly shorter life expectancy than their purebred parents and have a lifespan of about 10–15 years on average.
Best Dog Names for the Havapoo
Here are some clever and playful dog name suggestions that incorporate the “Hav-a-poo” pun, adding a touch of whimsy to your furry friend’s moniker.????
| Sir Poops-a-Lot | Poonam |
| Poochini | Pootie |
| Poopsie | Poo-ter |
| Doodle-Doo | Poo-dini |
| Poochadoo | Poochahontas |
| Scooby-Doo | Dooberoo |
| Poochie | Poocasso |
| Poo Bear | Havanapoo |
| Pootin | Pooberry |
Where To Find Havapoo Puppies
It’s not fair to say that all breeders of mixed breeds like the Havapoo are unethical backyard breeders. Well-intentioned people are producing “designer” breeds, but they don’t cancel out the many unethical breeders that take advantage of excited but uninformed customers looking for their new canine best friend.
Because it is so difficult to find truly ethical breeders for Havapoos, and because supporting their breeding may contribute to backyard breeders and puppy mills, we don’t recommend buying a Havapoo puppy from a breeder. Instead, visit your local shelter, check online adoption resources, or contact a breed-specific rescue!
Here are a few links to get you started on the search for a Havapoo:
- Petfinder — National online resource for dog adoption listings. Search by breed and location and see multiple rescues at once.
- IDOG Rescue — Dedicated to rescuing and rehoming Poodles, Goldendoodles, and Poodle mixes.
- Poodle Club of America Rescue Foundation — AKC endorsed Poodle rescue.
- Havanese Rescue Inc. — AKC and Havanese Club of America endorsed Havanese rescue.
Havapoo FAQ
We’re not done sharing this adorable mixed-breed dog just yet! Here are a few more key facts about the Havapoo.
Are Havapoos hypoallergenic?
No. No dog breed is 100% hypoallergenic—it’s quite literally impossible to breed out the allergen from a dog. Studies have shown that there is no difference between the quantity of allergen carried by “hypoallergenic” or low-shedding breeds and standard breeds.
If you find that you react less to dogs that are low-shedding, you are probably allergic to dog dander, which may be dropped in smaller quantities by these breeds. However, there is little scientific evidence to support this theory, and most reports of whether or not a breed triggers allergies are considered anecdotal.
Do Havapoos shed?
Yes, but not much. Havanese have a double coat, which may or may not be passed down to their offspring. Because of this double coat, they don’t drop much fur but instead need help to remove the dead and dropped hairs with regular brushing and professional grooms. Poodles are low-shedding dogs with a single coat.
Havapoos may inherit either the double or the single coat, but will almost certainly shed at least a little, have long fur, and require regular grooming.
What is the average Havapoo price?
If you choose to buy a Havapoo from a breeder, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500–$2,500. Some breeders may price their puppies even higher, but keep in mind that there are no breed standards for the Havapoo and that it is a mixed breed with questionable breeding ethics, and these excessive prices are equally questionable.
If you adopt a Havapoo, you’ll likely pay between $150–$400.
Havapoo vs. Cavapoo: What’s the difference?
Havapoos and Cavapoos are both mixed breed dogs that are half Poodle, but this is where the breeds become different. Havapoos are a mix of Havanese and miniature Poodle while Cavapoos are a mix of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and miniature Poodle.
Do Havapoos have to go to the groomer?
Yes! Both Havanese and Poodles have long, constantly growing fur, and need to be taken to the groomer often. You will need to get your Havapoo haircuts at least every 8–12 weeks, with every 4–8 weeks being preferable. Without grooming, Havapoos can become extremely matted, which can be dangerous to your dog’s health and comfort.
Between professional grooms, you’ll also need to brush your Havapoo. Many people brush their Havapoos every day, but you’ll need to do it at least a few times a week to prevent matting and keep their fur and skin healthy.
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- Are Havanese Hypoallergenic Dogs?Separating Fact from Fiction
