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Havapoo

The Havapoo is a friendly and intelligent companion dog that quickly wins the hearts of its people with its charming and playful nature.

Weight
4–9kg
Height
20–38cm
Life Expectancy
12–15years
Size: SmallCoat Length: Short HairCompare
Havapoo
Easy groomingChild-friendlySheds very little

A designer cross between Havanese and Poodle: the Havapoo emerged in the United States from the demand for a small, hardly shedding companion. At 4 to 9 kg, child-friendly, and with a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years, he fits well into families and apartments. The flip side: no FCI recognition, highly variable litters depending on the generation, and a curly coat that needs clipping or professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. Are you ready for a people-oriented hybrid with real grooming demands?

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Temperament & Traits: Havapoo

The Havapoo stands out for its temperament and adaptability. Here are the key points at a glance.

For Beginners
For BeginnersSuitable
Exercise
ExerciseModerate
Child Friendly
Child FriendlyVery good
Apartment
ApartmentSuitable
Grooming
GroomingLow
Shedding
SheddingLow
Watchfulness
WatchfulnessLow

Breed Profile: Havapoo

Height
Height20-38 cm
20-38 20-38
Weight
Weight4-9 kg
4-9 4-9
Life Expectancy
Life Expectancy12-15 years
Fact Sheet: Havapoo
BreedHavapoo
FCI GroupNot Recognized
ColorsBrown, Black, White, Beige, Multicolored
CharacterThe Havapoo is a friendly and intelligent companion dog that quickly wins the hearts of its people with its charming and playful nature.

Pros & Cons: Havapoo

Best suited for:

For owners who are patient with grooming and exercise, and ready for a long-term commitment.

Regular walks and moderate activity
Suitable for apartment living
Families with children

Pros

  • Very child-friendly and great for families
  • Low-maintenance coat with minimal grooming
  • Sheds very little to none
  • Balanced energy level, adaptable
  • Compact size, ideal for apartments
  • Sheds little and needs minimal grooming: suitable for allergy sufferers

Did you know? Havapoo

The Havapoo is one of the longer-lived breeds at 12-15 years

The Havapoo barely sheds and is a good choice for allergy sufferers

The Havapoo adapts well to apartment living and doesn't need a large garden

Characteristics

The Havapoo is a charming mix of Havanese and Poodle, which gives it a particularly cute and often curly or wavy coat. Depending on its genetic makeup, the coat texture can be softer or somewhat denser, and it comes in many different colors. Its expressive face with large, dark eyes and slightly hanging ears gives it a friendly and alert expression. The body is compact and well-proportioned, lending it an elegant yet playful appearance. Thanks to its Poodle heritage, it usually sheds very little, which can make it interesting for allergy sufferers as well.

Information

The Havapoo is a friendly and intelligent companion dog that quickly wins the hearts of its people with its charming and playful nature. It is characterized by its loving and affectionate personality, building a close bond with its family. Thanks to its open and social temperament, it usually gets along well with children and other pets. The Havapoo is also adaptable and fits well into both active and more relaxed households. Its intelligence makes it eager to learn and attentive, readily picking up new commands and tricks. At the same time, it needs consistent yet empathetic training to fully develop its potential as a balanced and well-mannered companion.

Nutrition

The Havapoo is a lively and intelligent companion whose diet should be carefully tailored to its needs. A high-quality, balanced diet contributes significantly to its health and vitality. High-quality wet food is particularly suitable, as it has a high moisture content that supports hydration. It also typically contains natural ingredients with a high meat content, which aligns with the dog's natural dietary needs. Compared to dry food, wet food is often less heavily processed and contains no unnecessary fillers that could burden digestion. Fresh vegetables or healthy oils can supplement the diet for a shiny coat and good nutrient supply. It is important to ensure a balanced composition so that the Havapoo receives all essential vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy life.

Care

The Havapoo is a friendly and intelligent companion suitable for both families and individuals. Due to its usually curly or wavy coat, it requires regular grooming to prevent matting. Daily brushing helps keep the coat healthy and clean, while occasional visits to a professional groomer can ensure a neat trim. Since the Havapoo is very people-oriented, it feels best when integrated into the daily life of its owners and should not be left alone for extended periods. It needs sufficient exercise and mental stimulation, whether through walks, retrieving games, or small training sessions, as it is eager to learn and enjoys picking up new tricks. A loving but consistent approach to training is important to optimally foster its friendly and adaptable nature.

Accessories

The Havapoo is a lively and intelligent companion that is both playful and affectionate. To keep it comfortable, the right equipment is essential. A soft dog bed provides a cozy retreat, while a well-padded leash and comfortable harness make for pleasant walks. Due to its curly coat, a high-quality brush for regular grooming should not be missing to prevent matting. The Havapoo also loves mental challenges, making interactive toys and puzzle games ideal for mental stimulation. A cozy carrier bag or travel crate can also be practical, as this small breed likes to be close to its owner and appreciates a safe way to travel along.

History

The Havapoo is a relatively young hybrid breed that was created from the deliberate crossing of the Havanese with the Poodle. This combination unites the charming qualities of both parent breeds and enjoys increasing popularity. The Havanese, an old companion breed with roots in the Caribbean, was long valued as a cherished companion dog of the aristocracy. The Poodle, originally bred as a water dog, is known for its intelligence and curly coat. Through this crossing, a bright, friendly dog was created that is suitable for both families and individuals. The breeding of the Havapoo began as part of the growing popularity of so-called designer dogs, which aim to combine positive traits from both parent breeds.

Health

The Havapoo is considered a robust and healthy hybrid breed that benefits from the genetic diversity of its parent breeds. Nevertheless, certain health problems inherited from the parent breeds, the Havanese and the Poodle, can occur. These include joint conditions, dental problems, and susceptibility to certain eye conditions. A balanced diet, regular veterinary check-ups, and sufficient exercise help maintain the Havapoo's health and prevent potential conditions. The coat in particular requires continuous care to avoid skin problems and prevent matting.

Trainability

The Havapoo is an extremely adaptable companion with a balanced temperament. It is active and attentive without being overly energetic. Regular exercise and mental stimulation are important to keep it balanced, but it does not tend toward restlessness. In training, the Havapoo proves to be intelligent and willing to learn, though it responds sensitively to harsh training methods. With consistent yet empathetic guidance and positive reinforcement, it develops into an obedient and loyal companion. Its close bond with its people makes it particularly cooperative, while early socialization helps build its confidence.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Claudia Weise

Written by

Claudia Weise

Editor-in-Chief, Certified Nutrition Consultant & Animal Welfare Practice

Editor-in-Chief at HundeoCertified Dog Nutrition ConsultantActive in animal welfare and with dogs every day

Claudia has worked closely alongside Enrico on Hundeo since the early days. She is a certified dog nutrition consultant, is active with animal welfare topics and dogs every day, and brings that practical experience into health, care, breed, and accessory content as Editor-in-Chief.

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