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A Havanese dog with a long silky coat relaxing outdoors on a beach

Living with a Havanese

What day to day actually looks like, coat to bowl to vet visits.

The everyday version

Small dog, easy routine

That long silky coat looks high-maintenance. In practice, a Havanese is one of the more manageable long-haired breeds if you stay ahead of it.

Weighing a Havanese against another small breed? Read the honest Havanese vs Yorkie comparison on grooming, shedding, and temperament, see how the coat and training compare in the Havanese vs Maltese comparison, or check the grooming routine against a double-coated breed in the Havanese vs Shih Tzu comparison.

Not a puppy yet? The first-time buyer checklist walks through the week before pickup and the first 72 hours home, so this routine doesn't come as a surprise.

Havanese dog's long silky coat visible outdoors

Coat and grooming

Two to three brushing sessions a week keeps a long Havanese coat tangle-free. Many pet owners keep their Havanese in a short "puppy cut" instead, which cuts grooming down to a quick weekly comb-through and a trim every six to eight weeks. Weighing that against a teddy bear cut or a shorter kennel cut? The full haircut and grooming styles guide breaks down what each one costs and how often it needs a groomer.

  • A pin brush plus a metal comb works best to reach the undercoat, not just the surface.
  • Shedding is minimal year-round, no dramatic seasonal coat blow like double-coated breeds.
  • Nails, ears, and teeth: the same routine as any dog, roughly every three to four weeks for nails.
Havanese puppy playing and exploring outdoors

Play and enrichment

Havanese are smart, food-motivated, and eager to please, which makes them quick studies for tricks and basic obedience. They don't need miles of running, a springy little dog with big personality, they thrive on interaction more than exercise volume.

  • Short daily walks plus indoor playtime cover most of their exercise needs.
  • Puzzle feeders and trick training satisfy their sharp, curious minds.
  • They bond closely and do best when included in daily life rather than left alone for long stretches.
Two Havanese puppies resting comfortably together

Diet

A high-quality diet built around real animal protein, sized appropriately for a small breed, supports coat health and steady energy. As toy dogs, Havanese have fast metabolisms as puppies but can gain weight easily as adults if treats aren't kept in check.

  • Ask your breeder what the puppy has been eating and transition gradually over 7 to 10 days.
  • Small, frequent meals work well for toy-breed puppies with fast metabolisms.
  • Check in with your vet on portions once your Havanese reaches its adult size, usually around 9 to 12 months.
Alert, healthy Havanese puppy outdoors

Vet care

Beyond standard vaccinations and annual exams, ask your vet about periodic patella and eye checks, both areas the breed can be prone to, even if the parents tested clear. Small dogs like the Havanese also benefit from consistent dental care given their tendency toward dental crowding.

  • Keep vaccination and deworming on the schedule your vet recommends for puppies.
  • Spay or neuter timing: discuss with your vet, commonly done around 6 to 9 months.
  • Ask about a dental care routine early, small breeds are more prone to dental issues over a lifetime.

Meet the puppy you will do all this with

Learn what to verify in a Havanese breeder, then a home like yours.

About the breed