Characteristics
- Havapoo puppies are a delightful mix of Havanese and Toy or Miniature Poodle, creating a charming and lovable companion.
- The Havapoo is also referred to by several other names, including Poovanese, Havadoodle, Havanese doodle, and Havanese Poodle Mix.
- The Havapoo features a hypoallergenic coat designed for minimal to no shedding. The Havanese Poodle mix stands out as an excellent choice for those who suffer from allergies, making it one of the top small breeds to consider.
- A fully grown Havapoo can reach a weight of up to 12 pounds. Havapoo adults typically weigh around 8–9 pounds, while Toy, Teacup, or Mini varieties can weigh even less.
- The most sought-after Havapoo colors are black, white, and merle.
- Havapoo dogs enjoy longer, healthier lives thanks to the benefits of hybrid vigor.
- Affectionate, fun-loving, and friendly, Havadoodles quickly bond with everyone around them. They exhibit excellent behavior with children, dogs, cats, other pets, and even strangers.
Appearance
The Havapoo, also known as the Havadoodle or Poovanese, perfectly captures the petite charm of its parent breeds, showcasing the small stature of both the Havanese and the Mini or Toy Poodle. Adults typically weigh between 8 and 12 pounds. A fully grown Havapoo typically stands between 9 and 12 inches tall.
The Havapoo boasts a small round head, stunning dark round expressive eyes, a tiny black button nose, charming floppy ears, and an adorable puffy tail, making it one of the most beautiful doodle breeds—and it’s clear to see why.
The Havapoo boasts a hypoallergenic coat that sheds minimally, featuring lengths that range from medium to long and textures that can be wavy or curly. Experience the versatility of dog coats with options ranging from the short and curly elegance of Poodles to the long and silky allure of Havanese. Explore the ideal blend that seamlessly blends the finest qualities of both breeds. The luxurious, plush, and airy coat is available in a stunning array of colors and combinations. Popular colors encompass black, blue, silver, chocolate, white, fawn, gold, apricot, brown, gray, and cream.
The most popular Havapoo colors include:
Dark
Blue Merle
Merle
White
Temperament
The Havapoo boasts a temperament that is both gentle and calm, reminiscent of its Poodle and Havanese lineage. Havapoos, also known as Havadoodles or Poovanese, possess charming and affectionate personalities. They are inherently nurturing and devoted, exuding warmth without a hint of aggression, making them incredibly snuggly companions.
Children and Havapoos create a delightful pairing. They share a deep enthusiasm for games and are just as thrilled about having a best friend. Many people hold the view that children raised alongside dogs develop greater responsibility and empathy—just one more reason to consider bringing a dog into your home. They excel at imparting the value of responsibility. They swiftly create deep connections with their humans, and these connections tend to be unbreakable.
The Havapoo boasts a remarkably composed temperament, remaining calm even in challenging situations. People celebrate these dogs for their remarkable patience, particularly when they are around the smallest children in the home. Havapoo puppies make an excellent choice for seniors, thanks to their loving disposition and keen attentiveness. These designer puppies inherit the finest traits from their parent breeds, the Poodle and the Havanese, embodying all the essential qualities of an exceptional therapy dog. They exhibit openness, receptivity, and a keen awareness of their owners’ needs.
With a playful spirit and a friendly demeanor, Havapoos thrive during playtime with children. These charming companions are attention seekers at heart, always eager to entertain and bring joy to those around them. Only their infectious good mood matches their impressive trick portfolio. These puppies radiate joy wherever they venture. This breed possesses a remarkable level of intelligence. These puppies are exceptionally smart dogs that thrive on mental challenges and enjoy mastering new tricks. These pets are easy to groom and train, making them perfect companions for first-time pet owners who may lack experience with a young puppy.
The Havapoo’s cheerful nature is undoubtedly one of the breed’s most delightful characteristics. These dogs exude charm and thrive on cuddles, relishing the spotlight, and, above all, cherishing their time with their human family.
Care
Grooming
You can groom your Havapoo easily and with minimal time investment. This dog breed boasts minimal shedding, resulting in low grooming needs for their coat. Grooming your Havapoo involves several essential steps: brushing the coat, clipping the nails, bathing, brushing the teeth, and cleaning the ears.
To keep your Havapoo’s coat looking its best, make sure to brush it for a few minutes at least once a week. A bristle brush specifically designed for their coat type will work wonders. Brushing your little dog twice a week would be perfect if time permits. Start grooming your Havapoo puppy right when it comes home, ideally at 8-10 weeks old. This will acclimate your puppy to handling and pave the way for smoother grooming sessions at home as your Havapoo matures. For optimal results, bathe your dog on a monthly basis. However, don’t hesitate to give them a wash sooner if they happen to get especially dirty. Always choose a dog-friendly shampoo that suits your furry friend when it’s bath time. It is not advisable to use human shampoo on dogs due to its lack of formulation for their needs.
Trimming your dog’s nails becomes essential when you hear those telltale clicking sounds on the floor. Never overlook the crucial part of Havapoo grooming – brushing your dog’s teeth. Havapoos, similar to other dog breeds, may face dental challenges and the risk of periodontal disease. Brushing your dog’s teeth daily with specially formulated dog toothpaste and a toothbrush designed just for them is incredibly advantageous. Start by brushing your Havapoo’s teeth with your finger and a small amount of toothpaste. This will help your dog ease into the process with confidence.
Regularly inspecting for ear infections, debris, and unpleasant odors, as well as cleaning the outer part of the ears, is an essential part of at-home dog grooming. Clean your dog’s ear effortlessly with dog wet wipes or a damp cloth.
Even if you’re a first-time puppy owner, grooming your dog at home can be effortless. It’s essential to introduce your Havapoo puppy to the grooming tools you intend to use right from the moment they arrive home.
Exercise Needs
The Havapoos exhibit a balanced level of activity. Full of energy and playfulness, they thrive in outdoor games. A Havapoo typically enjoys an energetic game of chase or fetch rather than lounging about. For their exercise requirements, they will need up to one hour of daily walks paired with some energetic playtime indoors. Havapoos are typically lively and spirited dogs, which can lead to them becoming bored indoors quite easily. Engaging interactive toys and a captivating canine puzzle game will not only exercise their minds but also ensure they stay entertained and joyful.
Health
Small hybrid dogs, such as the Havapoo, typically experience excellent health. The Havapoo puppy, a delightful first-generation blend of a purebred Havanese and a purebred Poodle, enjoys enhanced health due to the advantages of hybrid vigor. Although Havapoos may not completely eliminate health concerns, the known issues that can arise are relatively limited. Cataracts in later years, allergies, and skin infections are among the concerns to consider.
Lifespan
The lifespan of a Havapoo typically ranges from 12 to 15 years. A dedicated dog owner can help this breed live over 15 years. For your dog to enjoy a long and healthy life, regular bimonthly check-ups with the veterinarian are essential, along with providing excellent care.
Ensure your dog gets the recommended exercise and consistently choose premium dog food to keep your Havapoo thriving with a nutritious diet. Discover more about dog diets by checking out our blog on the Can Dogs Eat Bananas Guide.
Coaching
Havapoos are exceptionally smart dogs. They have a passion for acquiring new knowledge and tend to be quite compliant. They possess keen attentiveness, demonstrate rapid learning abilities, and exude charming, people-oriented personalities. Training a Havapoo is an enjoyable and straightforward experience. Their enthusiasm to captivate will be evident in flawlessly executed tricks and impeccably performed commands. For optimal training results with your puppy, focus on reward-based motivation and abundant positive reinforcement—Havapoo puppies thrive on encouragement and praise.
Havapoos are friendly companions, yet they require socialization training to develop into well-mannered adult dogs. They love connecting with new companions and quickly forge friendships with fellow dogs. Start socializing your Havapoo puppy by gradually introducing them to people in a calm, low-distraction setting where they feel at ease. Give your puppy the opportunity to enjoy interactions at their own pace before transitioning to outdoor activities and socialization training. Introducing your puppies to other pets at dog parks is a fantastic way to help them grow into well-rounded, friendly dogs.
Havapoos exhibit a healthy level of independence. Interactive canine toys can keep them engaged and entertained during those solo hours. Prolonged solitude can lead to separation anxiety, a condition best prevented through effective training in the early stages of a puppy’s life. Allowing them some alone time during the day will foster their independence as they grow into adult dogs.
History
In the 1990s, when designer hybrid breeds were beginning to appear and experiencing tremendous popularity, breeders in the United States intended to present a new hybrid breed, the Havapoo, to the world. The Havapoo, a new dog breed, aims to combine the best traits of two popular and fantastic dogs in a perfectly balanced blend. The goal of the breeders was to produce a dog with a hypoallergenic coat by pairing a Havanese with either a miniature or a Toy Poodle terrier. The remarkable intelligence of the Poodle breed and the charismatic and sunny personality of the Havanese breed were also desirable traits for breeders to look from.
Also contributing to the Havapoo’s status as one of the most sought-after doodle dogs is the breed’s reputation for being exceptionally healthy. As the first generation of a crossbreed, these puppies inherit the hybrid vigor. This ensures their longevity, shielding them from the health issues that occasionally plague the Havanese and Poodle breeds. The crossbreeding of doodle breeds and hybrid breeds results in the development of hybrid vigor, which is a health enhancement that is beneficial to both breeds.
We may have a better understanding of the designer doodle breed by looking at the history of the Havanese breed and the Poodle breed. Although the actual origins of the Havapoo breed are unknown, we can look at the history of the Havanese breed.
For centuries, royal families and nobility have cherished the Havanese, often referred to as the “Havana Silk Dog,” as a companion pet, renowned for its luxurious lifestyle. The Havanese have earned the affection of the Cuban people and the title of “National Dog of Cuba” due to their bright personalities, intellect, and adorable appearance. From Cuba, the Havanese soon moved throughout Europe and the United States, and they were extremely popular in the same short amount of time across both continents. The Havanese breed has had a growth in popularity throughout the course of history. Around the world, enthusiasts like Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens, and Ernest Hemingway adore this breed. As of right now, the Havanese breed is the parent of more than twenty different crossbreed variations. There are a number of Havanese combinations that are extremely popular, including the Havashu and Havachon puppies.
One of the oldest and most versatile dog breeds is the Poodle, a canine aristocracy. Artists have depicted the beautiful Poodle in paintings, literature, and poetry as far back as the 13th century in France, Italy, Spain, and England. There are a wide variety of industries around the world that have utilized the Poodle as a working dog. Some of these industries include the circus, the military, and the sports arena. Wealthy families have raised the Poodle in luxury over several centuries. Wealthy families have carefully raised the Poodle, endowing it with a confident appearance and a gentle attitude.
The poodle, which is considered to be a dog for royalty, has been in high demand as a companion pet at royal courts throughout history. The King’s Court in France particularly cherished the Poodle during the 18th century. People currently rank the poodle as the second most intellectual dog breed in the world and consider it the most cherished companion animal. The poodle serves as the parent breed for over forty different breeds of doodles. There are several different types of Poodle mixes, but the Havapoo, Mini Goldendoodle, Cavapoo, Maltipoo, and Mini Bernedoodle are the most common ones.