Havapoo
Havapoo Summary
Get to Know Havapoos
- Cuban Heritage: The Havanese parent is Cuba's national dog and only native breed, bringing tropical charm to this cross.
- Hypoallergenic Potential: With two low-shedding parent breeds, Havapoos are among the most allergy-friendly designer dogs.
- Trick Stars: Both parent breeds love learning tricks. Havapoos are natural performers that thrive on attention.
- Velcro Dogs: Havapoos are known for following their owners everywhere—they are quintessential velcro dogs.
Havapoo Personality & Temperament
- Affectionate & Loving: Havapoos are deeply affectionate dogs that crave human companionship and physical closeness.
- Smart & Eager: They are intelligent, trainable dogs that enjoy learning new tricks and commands.
- Playful & Social: They are lively, social dogs that enjoy playing with people and other dogs.
- Gentle & Adaptable: They adapt well to different living situations and are gentle with children and elderly people.
Havapoo Care & Grooming
- Exercise: About 30 minutes of moderate daily exercise through walks, play, and interactive games. Mental stimulation is equally important.
- Grooming: Their wavy-to-curly coat needs brushing daily to every other day to prevent matting. Professional grooming every six to eight weeks is recommended.
- Diet: Feed a high-quality small-breed food in two to three meals daily. Monitor portions to maintain a healthy weight.
- Health: Watch for patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, eye conditions, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, and Addison's disease (Poodle side). Regular vet checkups maintain good health.
What to ask your breeder?
Here's a short summary of what you should be asking your breeder:
Havanese Health Testing
| Screening | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Hip Dysplasia | One of the following: OFA Radiographic Hip Evaluation. PennHIP Evaluation. Results registered with OFA. |
| ACVO Eye Exam | ACVO Eye Examination. Results registered with OFA. |
| Patellar Luxation | Veterinary Evaluation of Patellar Luxation. Results registered with OFA. |
Poodle Health Testing
| Screening | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Hip Dysplasia | One of the following: OFA Radiographic Hip Evaluation. PennHIP Evaluation. Results registered with OFA. |
| ACVO Eye Exam | ACVO Eye Examination. Results registered with OFA. |
| Health Elective | One of the following: Autoimmune Thyroditis Evaluation from an approved Lab. Results registered with OFA. Sebaceous Adenitis evaluation by an approved dermapathologist. Results registered with OFA. Basic Cardiac Exam. Advanced Cardiac Exam. |
Havapoo History
The Havapoo is a cross between the Havanese and the Miniature or Toy Poodle. This designer hybrid combines the Havanese's cheerful, social nature with the Poodle's intelligence and low-shedding coat. Both parent breeds are known for their affectionate temperaments and suitability for companion life. The Havapoo has become popular as a small, hypoallergenic-friendly family companion.
How Much Does It Cost to Own a Havapoo Per Year?
Determining the cost of owning a Havapoo is essential for responsible dog ownership. Use our calculator to estimate expenses, including food, grooming, veterinary care, and more.
The Ultimate Dog Cost Calculator
Calculate NowSee full Havapoo cost breakdown
Find Havapoo Breeders Near You
Connect with trusted Canadian breeders raising Havapoos.
Find Havapoo BreedersFrequently Asked Questions About Havapoo
When you talk to a breeder, you're not just asking “do you have available Havapoo puppies?” You're looking for a match in the process of rehoming a dog. As a prospective dog owner, you are assessing how predictable the dog's health, temperament, and long-term welfare will be and whether the breeder's practices reduce avoidable risk.
You should engage in a conversation about the following topics:
- Which health tests and genetic screening do you do specifically for Havapoo, and can I see the results?
- What do you do if a puppy develops a serious genetic condition? What contract, policies and support do you offer as a breeder?
- How are puppies raised from birth to 8+ weeks? Ask about socialization, philosophies on early neurological development, handling, and exposure.
In Canada, Havapoo puppies from reputable breeders typically cost between $2,700 and $5,600 — but the puppy price is only the beginning.
The real cost of a dog isn't just the puppy price. After year one, the cost of a dog includes the predictable annual costs + the unpredictable “risk costs.” Your goal is to make the cost legible before you commit, as one of the top causes of surrendering a dog is not being able to afford the dog in later years.
To help you assess these costs, Paction has created the Ultimate Cost Calculator. You can also read an article written by a Paction breeder on why a prospective dog owner should focus on the ongoing costs of dog ownership and not “how much” the puppy costs.
For Havapoo, responsible breeders commonly screen breeding pairs using tests such as Hip Dysplasia, ACVO Eye Exam, Patellar Luxation, and Health Elective.
Every dog breed has certain health issues that tend to occur more often, but what matters most is how predictable and preventable those risks are. For many breeds, common concerns include inherited conditions (such as orthopedic, eye, or cardiac issues) as well as lifestyle-related challenges like weight management, dental health, skin or ear problems, and anxiety.
Responsible breeders help reduce inherited risk through appropriate health testing, careful selection of breeding pairs, and transparency about family history. To understand more about responsible breeding programs that prioritize health and genetic screening of breeding pairs, check out Making Science Simple: Canine Genetics for Puppy Shoppers.
As an owner, you play an equally important role. Consistent preventive veterinary care, proper exercise and enrichment, healthy nutrition, and early screening can significantly improve long-term health outcomes.
Whether a Havapoo is right for you depends less on the breed itself and more on how well its typical energy level, temperament, and care needs align with your daily life. Important factors include your schedule and activity level, living environment, household dynamics (such as children, other pets, or allergies), and tolerance for noise or independence. Long-term fit also comes down to maintenance like grooming, training needs, and how often you travel or rely on outside dog care.
Use Paction's Dog Breed Matchmaker and Pup Time Estimator to find out more about what dog is right for you.
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