Havapoo – Complete Guide To This Adorable Mixed Pup

The Havapoo is a designer breed and the wonderful mix of a Havanese and a Poodle (usually a Toy or Miniature Poodle). These dogs are incredibly cute and can have a number of different coat colors and combinations.

They’re playful, sweet-natured, and very affectionate – making them the perfect pet for families across America.

Unlike Mastiff breeds, the Havapoo is a great choice for people living in apartments. Their compact size, happy-go-lucky attitude, and adoring personalities make them adaptable to many different living situations.

It’s quite possible that the Havapoo is going to be your next favorite puppy (it’s certainly making its way up our list)!

What Is A Havapoo?

A Havapoo is the mix of two purebred dog breeds. They are the Havanese and the Poodle. There are three Poodle sizes – Standard, Toy, and Miniature and because the Havanese is so small, the Havapoo usually has a Miniature or Toy Poodle parent.

These seriously cute dogs can also be called Poovanese, Havanoodles, and Havadoodles.

Parent Breeds of The Havapoo

Because Havapoos are mixed breed pups, there’s no formal breed standard for them. This means they can vary quite a lot in terms of appearance and temperament. One of the best ways to get a good idea about what your Havapoo puppy will look like is to look at the parent breeds.

Havanese

This parent breed is one of the most popular little dogs for city dwellers across America. These dogs are the only native breed to Cuba, meaning they’re extra special!

Havanese are very easy-going and get on really well with kids and dogs. They’re playful and love learning new tricks. They’re very kind-natured and alert pups, meaning they make good watchdogs too.

Havanese are known for their sturdy bodies and stunningly long coat. Accepted in many different colors, some Havanese owners decide to crop or cord their Havanese’s coat to give it a different and distinctive look. Each style is beautiful!

Poodle

The French Poodle (as they’re sometimes referred to, even though they’re German) is a highly intelligent and athletic dog. Recognized thanks to their beautiful, curly, and water-resistant coats, Poodles are the perfect retriever.

They absolutely love water and need lots of outdoor exercise a day, especially if you have a standard Poodle. Miniature Poodles were actually first bred to hunt truffles and Toy Poodles are the perfect lap dogs. There’s also the Moyen Poodle, but the American Kennel Club doesn’t recognize it as a breed.

As you can imagine, the Havanese Poodle mix is a very special dog with such special parent breeds!

History of the Havapoo

The Havapoo is a designer dog breed, which means that breeders specifically bred this mix to have certain traits from both parent breeds.

As is the case with many mixes, we can’t be 100% sure when the first Havapoo puppy was born. It’s possible that these dogs occurred naturally before they were recorded.

It’s thought, however, that the Havanese Poodle mix originated in the 1980s. During this decade, breeders were breeding many Poodle mixes in an attempt to breed more hypoallergenic dog breeds. Other Poodle mixes include the Bernedoodle, the Mini Goldendoodle, Shih Poo and the Poochon.

How Big Does A Havapoo Grow?

Havanese are small dogs, as are Toy and Miniature Poodles. This designer breed, therefore, is also small. The exact size will depend on both parent dogs and their specific genes.

You can expect your Poovanese to grow to be between 8 and 15 inches tall and weigh between 10 and 30 pounds.

The Appearance of A Havapoo

Havapoos are adorable little dogs that look a little like teddy bears. Their precise appearance will really depend on whether they take after their Poodle or Havanese parent more.

As already mentioned, there’s no breed standard for these dogs as many are first-generation Havapoo puppies (i.e. one parent is a Havanesse and the other a Poodle, rather than two Havapoo parents).

Usually, however, these adorable little pups have a wonderfully curly, Poodle-like coat. It may be a little longer, but it’s unlikely it will be as long as a Havanese’s.

They can have many different coat colors, including white, brown, black, silver, blue, apricot, tan – or a mix of many! They’ll also probably have a hypoallergenic coat.

They’re likely to have dark, endearing eyes and a black, button nose.

The Temperament of a Havapoo

Havapoos have amazing personalities. They’re super smart canines and easily learn new tricks and commands. They respond really well to lots of attention from you, healthy treats such as chunks or asparagus or pineapple, and fun rewards like toys.

Havapoos are usually very cuddly dogs that love spending time with their families. They’re not working dogs that like to spend time outdoors chasing sheep around fields. They’d much rather be in the center of the couch between their two favorite humans.

Havapoos are very fun-loving and adore playing with kids, other dogs, or family members. Because of their small size, care should always be taken around children as rough play could mean these dogs get injured.

Havapoos are active but they’re not hyperactive. Whilst they love chasing a ball around, they’re also happy to curl up and have a rest. This makes them great canine companions for the elderly as well as families with children.

Do Havapoos Bark?

Havapoos aren’t big barkers and they’re not considered yappy. They are very alert dogs, just like Poodle breeds and the Havanese, so they will use their voice to alert you.

Generally, though, they’re quite relaxed dogs that can live happily in apartments.

Do Havapoos Get On Well With Kids and Other Dogs?

Yes! Havapoos get on really well with children and other animals in the home. They love having kids to play with and cuddle up to. It’s really important that children are taught how to play with and respect dogs, especially ones that are so small and fragile.

The Havanese Poodle mix also gets on really well with other dogs. Just like the Havanese breed, they’re very friendly and love having another furry friend to play with. Early socialization is really important as bigger, bouncier dogs may be too much for such a small breed. Play time should always be supervised.

Socialization and Training a Havapoo

Like all dogs, Havapoos need early socialization and exposure to new sights, sounds, people, and dogs. It’s an essential part of any Poovanese puppy’s education and ensures they grow up to be confident and happy dogs.

Training is also really important. Any Havapoo pup will love to learn new tricks and commands from its owner (like how to roll over). Their intelligence means they should be easy to train and they’re also very eager to please.

You could think about enrolling your pup in doggy classes which is a great opportunity for them to socialize and learn new things.

How Much Exercise Does A Havapoo Need?

This, again, really depends on your beautiful Havapoo and which Poodle breed their parent was. Pups from Standard Poodles will be bigger and therefore need more exercise than those from a Toy or Miniature Poodle.

Most likely, though, your Havapoo will have moderate exercise needs. They’ll enjoy a couple of short walks a day around the block or to the closest park. They’ll love being in the doggy park with their friends and playing together.

If you have a particularly small Havapoo, they may get all the exercise they need from time playing in the yard. It’s really important these dogs have enough toys to play with to stimulate them physically and mentally. They’ll really enjoy puzzle toys as well as squeaky toys for extra engagement.

Care and Grooming a Havapoo

Most Havapoos inherit a wonderfully curly coat from their Poodle parent. These coats need very little in the way of brushing, but they will probably need trimming every so often to keep them neat. Speak to a groomer if you”re unsure.

Some Havapoos may inherit the longer, silkier coat of their Havanese parent. Although less common, it’s still possible. These coats, just like with a Havanese, will need regular brushing to keep them looking sleek and at their best.

If it’s not brushed regularly, the coat may form natural cords (which some owners like), but these can be difficult to remove later on.

It’s also important to keep a Havapoo’s nails trimmed to an appropriate length. In many cases, this will happen naturally, but ask a groomer or vet if you’re unsure.

It’s also important to check their ears for any signs of infection. Like their Poodle parents, Havapoos may love water and splashing about in puddles and ponds. Always make sure their ears are properly dried afterward, to stop the risk of infection.

Can Havapoos Swim?

Your Havapoo will probably love water. But as is the case with other small dogs like French Bulldogs swimming, care should always be taken. Your best bet is to get them swimming in a kiddie pool in the backyard. This way you can constantly monitor them and there’s less risk of danger.

They may be tempted to swim in larger bodies of water, such as rivers and lakes, but that could be dangerous for a dog of this size. Try to always be in the water with them, and get them a doggy life jacket to be extra sure.

Your Havapoo may inherit a water-resistant coat from its Poodle parent. It will still need to be dried off when it’s finished having fun in the water, but it will dry much quicker than other dog breeds.

Ideal Living Conditions for A Havapoo

Havapoos are versatile doggies and can live in almost any condition (as long as they have somewhere warm to sleep and lots of love from their owner). They can adjust well to apartment living if they get enough time outdoors and have plenty of snuffle mats and other games to keep them entertained.

Havapoos will also be more than happy with a fenced-in yard to play in. Designer dogs, just like purebred dogs, need to keep mentally active with games, training, and outdoor stimulation.

The Health of a Havapoo

The Havapoo dog is generally pretty healthy. As with many mixed breeds, Havapoos tend to be healthier than their purebred parents because the strongest genes are often selected. As long as they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, quality dog food, and trips to the vet, they should be fine.

A Havapoos lifespan can be between 10-14 years.

Even though many small dogs tend to live longer than big ones (such as the Merle Great Dane), they can still suffer from some health conditions. These include:

• Hip dysplasia
• Eye issues
• Thyroid conditions
• Epilepsy
• Patellar luxation
• Deafness
• Addison’s disease

If you’re worried about your pup developing any of these, take them to the vet for a check-up.

Feeding a Havapoo

Havapoos need to be fed high-quality dog food that’s rich in nutrients and vitamins. They’re moderately likely to put on weight, so it’s best to spread their meals out to 3 times a day to stop them from over-eating.

When possible, try to give them healthy treat alternatives to regular doggy treats. These could be chunks of shrimp or apple.

Poodles can be susceptible to bloat and your Poovanese might inherit this too. Make sure they eat slowly (you could try stuffing a favorite toy with their food) and try to leave an hour in between eating and any exercise. You could also try a slow feeder dog bowl. Bloat is a potentially life-threatening condition that needs to be avoided.

If you want your pup to get even more nutrients or if they’re a particularly fussy eater, you could try feeding them some of the best fresh dog food. Many of the meals are specially formulated by canine nutritionists and cater to your pup’s requirements. They’re also pre-portioned to help with weight control.

How Much Does A Havapoo Cost?

Havapoos are very popular little dogs, so you can expect to pay between $1500 and $4000 for them. The exact price will depend on demand in your area and local registered breeders.

It’s not always the case, but cheaper dogs may be coming from unregistered breeders. Breeders that can’t offer you health certificates and other necessary paperwork shouldn’t be trusted.

You should always try to get any pup from a reputable breeder. That way you know you’re getting a healthy and happy pooch and that you’re not supporting a puppy farm.

So, Is A Havapoo For You?

Unless you’re looking for a hardworking pup that can spend most of its day outdoors herding sheep, the Havapoo is perfect. They’re friendly, affectionate, playful, and very sweet-natured. Not only are these dogs the cutest companion for kids and other canines but they’re also a great choice for the elderly.

They don’t need huge amounts of exercise and are relatively easy to groom too. They’re intelligent and love to put their active minds to learning new tricks and commands.

They’re also seriously cute dogs that can be a number of different colors. Just make sure you adopt one from a reputable breeder or look in your local shelter first!