Guide: Havapoo vs Havanese
Havapoo vs Havanese: Which One Fits Your Home?
Havapoo vs Havanese is a choice between a Poodle cross and one of its parent breeds. The Havanese is a recognized purebred with a predictable size and a long, silky coat. The Havapoo adds Poodle, which usually means a curlier coat, less shedding, more grooming and a little more energy.
Havapoo vs Havanese at a glance
| Havanese | Havapoo | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A breed recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) | A cross of Havanese and Poodle, not a recognized breed |
| Adult weight | 7 to 13 lb | Usually 7 to 15 lb, depending on the Poodle parent |
| Coat | Long, soft and silky | Wavy to curly |
| Shedding | 2 out of 5 on the AKC scale | Often lower, because the Poodle scores 1 out of 5 |
| Life expectancy | 14 to 16 years | No official figure. The parent breeds range from 10 to 18 years. |
| Predictability | High | Lower, because puppies can take after either parent |
Figures are from the AKC pages for the Havanese and the Miniature Poodle.
Coat and grooming: the biggest difference
A Havanese coat is straight to wavy and silky. It needs daily brushing unless you keep it clipped short. A Havapoo coat usually has more curl, so it sheds less. However, curls hold loose hair and mat faster, and most Havapoos need a professional groom every four to six weeks.
In short, a Havapoo often leaves less hair on the sofa but costs more at the groomer. Neither dog is allergen-free. See Are Havapoos hypoallergenic? and our Havapoo grooming guide.
Temperament: Havapoo vs Havanese
Both are affectionate, playful companions. The AKC scores the Havanese 5 out of 5 for affection, playfulness and friendliness with strangers, and the Poodle earns the same scores.
The difference is intensity. The Poodle scores higher for energy (4 against 3), trainability (5 against 4) and need for mental stimulation (5 against 3). As a result, a Havapoo is often a little busier and quicker to learn. Both dislike long hours alone. Read more in Havapoo temperament.
Health and predictability
With a purebred Havanese, the common health concerns are well mapped, and the breed club recommends four screenings: eyes, hearing, hips and knees. A Havapoo can inherit problems from the Poodle side as well.
Being a cross does not guarantee better health. A 2024 UK study of three Poodle crosses found no difference from the parent breeds in about 87 percent of health comparisons (Bryson and colleagues). Therefore, with either dog, the tested health of the parents is what counts. See how we health test.
Registration and papers
A Havanese from registered parents can be registered with the AKC. A Havapoo cannot be registered as a breed, because it is a cross. That matters if you want to enter breed shows. It says nothing about health, so do not let papers stand in for test results.
Which should you choose, Havapoo or Havanese?
- Choose a Havanese if you want a predictable size and coat, or you like the idea of a recognized breed.
- Choose a Havapoo if lower shedding matters most and you are happy to pay for regular grooming.
- Either way, meet the parents and ask for their health results.
We raise Havapoos, and Havanese in some seasons. See our Havapoo puppies or read What is a Havapoo?
Related guides
- What Is a Havapoo?
- Havapoo vs Cockapoo: Size, Energy and Coat Compared
- Havapoo Price: What a Puppy Costs and What You Pay in the First Year
- Havapoo vs Mini Goldendoodle: Which Fits Your Home?
- How Big Do Havapoos Get? Full-Grown Size and Weight
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.