Guide: Havapoo pros and cons
Havapoo Pros and Cons: An Honest List From a Breeder
Havapoo pros and cons are easy to sum up. The pros: a small, affectionate, clever dog that sheds little and suits most homes. The cons: regular grooming bills, a dislike of being alone, some barking, and less predictability than a purebred. Here is the honest list, with the evidence behind each point.
Havapoo pros and cons at a glance
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affectionate and playful: both parent breeds score 5 out of 5 with the American Kennel Club | Dislikes long hours alone |
| Small, usually 7 to 15 lb | Fragile around rough play |
| Sheds very little | Needs brushing and a groomer every four to six weeks |
| Quick to train | Barks to alert: both parents score 4 out of 5 |
| Long-lived parent breeds | Not allergen-free, despite the label |
| Adapts well to apartments | Size and coat vary more than in a purebred |
The Havapoo pros in detail
- Temperament. Havapoos are people dogs. See Havapoo temperament for the ratings.
- Size. Most adults fit on a lap and in an airline cabin carrier. See how big Havapoos get.
- Low shedding. The Poodle scores 1 out of 5 for shedding and the Havanese 2.
- Trainability. They pick up cues and tricks fast. See Are Havapoos easy to train?
- Longevity. The parent breeds live 10 to 18 years according to the AKC. See Havapoo lifespan.
The Havapoo cons in detail
- Grooming. The coat mats without regular brushing, and professional grooming is a lifelong cost. See our Havapoo grooming guide.
- Alone time. The AKC notes that Havanese are not happy left alone for hours. As a result, the mix is a poor fit for an empty house.
- Barking. Expect alert barking unless you train a quiet cue. See Do Havapoos bark a lot?
- Allergies. No dog is allergen-free. See Are Havapoos hypoallergenic?
- Health is not guaranteed. A 2024 UK study found that Poodle crosses were no healthier than their parent breeds in about 87 percent of comparisons (Bryson and colleagues). Therefore, tested parents matter.
Who a Havapoo suits, and who it does not
A good match:
- Someone is home for much of the day
- You live in an apartment or a house without a big yard
- You want a first dog that is eager to learn
- You are happy to brush several times a week
Consider a different dog if:
- The house is empty nine hours a day
- You want a rugged running or hiking partner
- Someone at home has severe dog allergies
- A grooming budget is out of the question
Weighing Havapoo pros and cons before you buy
The label matters less than the individual dog. So, before you decide, meet the parents, ask for their health results and see where the puppies are raised. Our guide on how to choose a puppy breeder lists 12 checks.
If the cons above sound manageable, a Havapoo is one of the easiest small dogs to live with. For the full overview, read What is a Havapoo?
Related guides
- What Is a Havapoo?
- Goldendoodle Pros and Cons: An Honest List From a Breeder
- Havapoo Exercise Needs: How Much Is Enough?
- Are Havapoos Good With Kids? An Honest Answer
- Havapoo vs Mini Goldendoodle: Which Fits Your Home?
- Havanese Dog Breed Guide: Size, Temperament and Care
See all our puppy guides, or meet our Havapoo puppies for sale.
Sources
- American Kennel Club. Havanese breed information. akc.org
- American Kennel Club. Poodle (Miniature) breed information. akc.org
- Bryson GT, O’Neill DG, Brand CL, Belshaw Z, Packer RMA. PLOS One, 2024. The doodle dilemma: how the physical health of designer-crossbreed Cockapoo, Labradoodle and Cavapoo dogs compares to their purebred progenitor breeds. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Sources were checked on October 7, 2026.
Looking for a Havapoo puppy?
Our Havapoos are born and raised inside our family home in Eagle Mountain, Utah, from health-tested parents. See who is available now.