Is Havanese a good first dog ? Exactly what to Expect

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We’ve never heard of Havanese until recently. While walking around our neighbourhood, we encountered a guy walking a really cute dog. He said her dog is a Havanese. 

He told us all the good things about Havanese: it’s sweet, smart, funny, etc. But then she added that it requires constant grooming and is also hard to potty train, so it may not be a good fit for a first-time dog owner.

But ever since we saw that dog, my  Friend’s kids really really want a Havanese. My Friend and her family were also sold ever since she heard that it doesn’t shed much.

They’ve been wanting to get a Lab Retriever, but my friend was hesitant due to its shedding.

Fortunately, I did a lot of research so I’d like to get share some real advice from the actual owners. the  questions  my friend had about Havanese are:

1. How hard is it to potty train a Havanese puppy?
2. How often should we groom? Is any maintenance needed other than brushing in between grooming?
3. Would you recommend this breed for a first-time dog owner?

First-time dog ownership is a big deal, and we couldn’t be happier for you. There are some breeds that are better for inexperienced owners than others, and one of the features new dog owners look for is size.

As we all know and understand not all breeds are suitable for novice owners. Here is what I found out about the Havanese Dog breed.

Havanese are moderately difficult
To potty train

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As far as potty training goes, it really is not that much worse than any other small breed. Any puppy of any breed will require training.

Havanese are moderately difficult to potty train. That’s mainly because of two things — 

  1. like lots of little dogs, they have small bladders because they want to be with you all the time. That means you HAVE to be on task and vigilant about training.

The plus side is that they are VERY trainable and get the idea pretty fast.

Also, as you will hear, lots of folks just litter-train their dogs or use something like UGODOG, which eliminates the hassle of potty training them.

Lot depends on whether or not  you have got your Havanese from a Reputed Breeder

As far as potty training is concerned, this is another area where the breeder is of paramount importance.

If you buy from a breeder who properly starts their puppies on a good potty training system before you bring them home, and YOU follow through diligently once you get them, they are very trainable.

I don’t think they are particularly harder than any other small breed.

If you buy from a puppy mill or pet store puppy, or even a puppy from a breeder who doesn’t train the puppy well, potty training will be a lot harder. It…Not impossible, but it will take longer and be more difficult.

Regular grooming is needed

Regular Grooming is required for a Havanese, but the hassle of it can be lessened if you keep the dog in a “puppy coat” — a shorter cut.

Up until 8 months or so, it’s just a matter of regular brushing and bathing. At that age, they start to “blow coat,” which means matting, and brushing can be more of a challenge — and needs to be done more frequently.

If you want low-maintenance grooming, then just keep your dog in a puppy cut! Then, just an occasional brushing and bath will be required from what I understand. (I keep my dog in a full coat so he requires combing every other day or so and a bath every week, but, I enjoy grooming him!).

Then some minimal grooming and regular baths should be all that is needed. Even if you choose to keep your Hav in a full coat this is another place where the breeder makes a difference.

It is now possible to genetically test to see whether Hav carries the curly coat gene or not. While either is “correct” in the breed standard, the less curly, silkier coats are WAY easier to maintain.

Some breeders put specific emphasis on breeding for these silky, less curly coats. So if this is a major concern, don’t buy a puppy from a breeder who produces a lot of very cottony, curlier Havanese.

Even though some Havanese are in a long coats, it takes less than 10 minutes a day to groom them now that he is an adult.

Is the Havanese breed recommended for a first-time dog owner?

There are lots of pluses for a first-dog Havanese. They are bred to be companions and if that is what you are looking for, this is the dog for you. They are happy and fun and very, very easy to teach tricks to. They do not shed.

Their potty messes are small. They don’t eat a lot. They like to cuddle. They’re good with kids.

On the other hand, they do crave attention and companionship,  that’s what they’re bred for.

As far as a breed for a novice, I would say that the Havanese is the perfect one! They are (as a whole) very sweet, very smart, easily trainable, small, and SO very loveable! .

Just be sure to get one from a reputable breeder to ensure health and temperament, and, be prepared to do a lot of work at least at first, especially if you get a puppy – ANY puppy can/will be a handful and will require time and commitment.

If your entire family is ready for a dog and willing to help out, it shouldn’t be too hard though.

You can also plan to enrol your puppy and the whole family in a puppy kindergarten, where everyone can learn consistent ways of handling the puppy.

This will go a long way toward making the puppy’s upbringing go as smoothly as possible.

Small Dogs are Generally Fragile:

From a family perspective, the one thing you should know is that small dogs in general are fragile. Have maybe a little LESS fragile than some toy breeds, but it will be imperative that your children, especially the 6-year-old, be taught NOT to pick the puppy up.

Puppies are notorious for suddenly leaping out of children’s arms with no thought of safety.

They are NOT like cats, do NOT land gracefully, and can SERIOUSLY hurt themselves. Children should be taught to get down on the floor and play with the puppy there, where everyone is safe!

Havanese: Three Things You Should Know About Them as 1st-time dog owner

It’s not always easy being a dog, as every dog owner knows. There are a few aspects of Havanese that you should be aware of before you can obtain a full picture of them. Let’s get right into it!

When Havanese are left alone, they do not fare well.

Havanese have been referred to as “velcro dogs” in some circles. The fact that they are so loved also implies that they do not fare well when they are left alone for an extended period of time.

Most breeds despise being left alone, therefore there isn’t much of a difference between them and other breeds in this regard. However, this is especially true in the case of Havanese.

The fact that you work several hours every day and want to leave your Havanese alone at home is a major problem for many people. 

The stress, despair, anger, temperament changes, disobedience, and destructive conduct that can result from being alone for such a long period of time are all serious consequences of being alone. 

All of which are difficult to overcome once they have been established.

Havanese can be hyper for extended periods of time.

To begin, I must point out that this is not the case for every Havanese out there, but it is the case for many of them. For the first 2-3 years of their lives, Havanese have the propensity to be extremely lively and energetic. So, when you wish to have a peaceful evening, your Havanese may constantly pester you to play or zoom about the house.

For those of you with young children, this may be a dream come true. They can also keep each other entertained for long periods of time. 

However, for most new owners, it can quickly become exhausting, especially if they weren’t prepared for the amount of energy they would be required to exert.

Because hyperactivity can be controlled with certain daily routines, adequate physical and mental exercise, training, and the way you interact with your Havanese, it is a common problem in modern society. As a result, it is manageable.

Havanese require more exercise than you might imagine.

Many first-time dog owners understandably believe two things: that a large dog requires a great deal of exercise and that a tiny dog requires minimal activity. This is not true in the case of the Havanese.

Adult Havanese that is in their prime require at least 60-90 minutes of focused exercise every day in addition to their normal fun schedule. Considering that this is typically what medium to large dogs require, most owners are taken aback by this development.

It is critical that your Havanese obtains adequate exercise on a daily basis throughout his or her life, regardless of age. Excessive inactivity can result in a variety of behavioural and physical problems.

As a result, it’s important taking a minute to determine whether or not you’re capable of providing this level of exercise for your Havanese.

Making the decision to get a dog for the first time

Getting your first canine companion might be a difficult decision, and to be honest, I believe that it should be.

Getting a puppy can be compared to having a baby, despite the obvious distinctions between the two situations. In a nutshell, there is a great deal of responsibility.

Hopefully, this does not deter you from participating. And if it doesn’t, that’s one way to tell if you’re ready to be a dog owner in the first place.

The fact that getting a dog means they will be completely reliant on you for the next 12-15 years should be taken into consideration before making the decision.

As a result, it must be compatible with your immediate and long-term lifestyle. Before having a puppy, it’s crucial to consider your current living situation as well as your long-term objectives.

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Are You Prepared to Have a Havanese?

To be honest, Havanese are a fantastic choice for first-time dog owners because they are easy to train. They possess a number of advantageous characteristics that make the fact that they have no prior experience unimportant. As long as you are willing to put in the effort and have enough time to devote to your Havanese, you will be successful.

So, now that you’ve established that Havanese are excellent for first-time owners, you must consider whether you are an excellent match for them.

Is Havanese a good first dog ? Exactly what to Expect

About the Author: Dog Behavioural Consultant

Jennifer W loves Pets! She is an animal lover. She loves caring for and sharing her knowledge of all kinds of pets.

Her Love for pets made her Join the pet paws hub Team, to share knowledge with the world.

Jennifer W – Dog Behavioural Consultant