Havapoo
The exact appearance of a Havapoo can vary based on whether the genes of its Poodle or Havanese parent are more dominant.
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Havapoo Scientific Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
Havapoo Facts
Havapoo Physical Characteristics
Havapoo as a Pet:
- General Health
- Energy Level
- Shedability
- Trainability
- Intelligence
- Tendency to Chew
- Size
- Family and kid friendliness
- Yappiness / Barking
- Moderate
- Hypoallergenic
- Yes
- Separation Anxiety
- High
- Preferred Temperature
- Average climate
- Exercise Needs
- Moderate
- Friendly With Other Dogs
- High
- Pure bred cost to own
- $800 to $1,800
- Dog group
- Toy
- Male weight
- 7-20 lbs
- Female weight
- 7-20 lbs
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View all of the Havapoo images!
Havapoos are a mixed, or hybrid, breed. They have one Poodle (standard or miniature) parent and one Havanese parent. The first Havapoo was likely bred within the last 20 or 30 years.
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Havapoos are not super high-energy dogs, like many other breeds, and make good pets for families and/or individuals living in an apartment.
They are loving, intelligent, and relatively easy to train. The Havapoo dogs are also very friendly, and playful, and get along well with people and other pets.
The Havapoo dog may have curly or wavy coats. Their exact appearance can vary based on whether the Poodle or Havanese genes are stronger. They generally have a medium to long coat that may be a variety of colors including white, black, brown, gray, cream, or red.
Poodles are hypoallergenic, and a Havapoo won’t shed much thanks to the Poodle genes it inherited. These dogs go by a variety of other names including Havadoodle, Poovanese, Island Mini Doodle, and Havanoodle.
Evolution
The Havapoo is one of the newer “designer dogs” that became all of the rage during the 1980s with the cross of a labrador retriever and a standard poodle. The poodles low-shedding fur was a desirable trait – especially to people with allergies – leading to the creation of dozens of “doodle” breeds. The havapoo is one of those doodles – the result of a Havanese and a poodle.
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3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Havapoo
Pros! | Cons! |
Suitable for an apartment: Island Mini Doodles are not a very high-energy breed and can live happily in an apartment. | Hard to predict size and appearance: may not be easy to predict without knowing whether the Poodle or Havanese genes are stronger. |
Family-friendly: Havapoos are very friendly and affectionate. They do well with kids and can make a great family pets. | Prone to separation anxiety: may develop separation anxiety if they are left home alone for too long. This isn’t a good breed if someone won’t be home most of the day. |
Low shedding: With their Poodle genes, Havapoos don’t shed much at all. | Not a good guard dog: Havadoodles do not make a good guard dog. |
Appearance
The particular look of your Havapoo from pup to pup can vary when it comes to color, pattern, and coat. This isn’t too uncommon because it is a fairly new breed. Most importantly, it is because the Havapoo is a mixed breed, which really shakes things up! Not only is their appearance a wild card from adult to adult, but it is also a jumble of appearances within each Havapoo litter. It really makes it fun to see what comes out!
Size and Weight
The size of a Havapoo can vary depending on whether the Poodle or Havanese genes are more dominant. Whether their Poodle parent is a standard-size Poodle or a Miniature-size Poodle can also affect a Havapoo’s size. Both male and female Havapoos generally weigh between 7 and 20 pounds. Their height may be anywhere between 8 and 15 inches. If the Poodle genes are more dominant, they may be on the upper end of these ranges, and if the Havanese genes are more dominant, they may be on the lower end of these ranges.
Havanoodle puppies generally weigh between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds when they are eight weeks old. Six-month-old puppies weigh between 6.6 and 13.4 pounds. Havapoos should be fully grown by the time they are 12 months old.
Height (Male): | 8 inches to 15 inches |
Height (Female): | 8 inches to 15 inches |
Weight (Male): | 7 pounds to 20 pounds |
Weight (Female): | 7 pounds to 20 pounds |
Common Health Issues
Since Havapoos are not purebreds, they are less prone to some of the genetic conditions their parents may have. However, there are still a few health concerns you’ll want to be aware of to help you know what to look out for if you plan to own a Havapoo.
Hip dysplasia is one potential problem. Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition where the hip bone doesn’t form properly and the hip and thigh bones rub against each other, causing the dog pain and making it challenging to walk. A hip replacement surgery may be necessary if your pup has hip dysplasia.
Both Havanese and Poodles have eye issues that could be passed down to a Havapoo. One condition is progressive retinal atrophy or PRA. This is a condition where the retina slowly deteriorates and causes blindness. There is no cure for PRA.
A Havapoo may also suffer from patellar luxation. This is a condition where the kneecap slips in and out of place. It can make it painful and challenging for a Havapoo to walk. Surgery may be required to fix this condition.
In summary, a few potential health concerns that Havapoos may face include:
- Hip dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
- Patellar luxation
Temperament and Behavior
In general, a Havapoo is a very outgoing and friendly breed. They also exhibit very loving traits and playful behaviors. Both Havanese and Poodles are very intelligent dogs, and this trait was also passed down to the Havapoo.
The exact personality of a Havapoo, however, can vary a bit based on whether the Poodle of Havanese genes is more dominant and whether the Poodle parent is a standard or miniature Poodle. Poodles are a bit more reserved around strangers and are also good at picking up cues from a person’s body language. Miniature Poodles can be more anxious or fearful of a new situation. They are also more easily excited than a Standard Poodle. Havanese are very confident. Havanese puppies can be more mischievous than Poodles.
Havanoodles can get bored easily and may become destructive. They also are more prone to separation anxiety than some other breeds, so it is best if someone will be home with the pup most of the day.
How to Take Care of a Havapoo
Havapoos have unique needs. A care plan for this variety will look different from a care plan for another breed. Keep this hybrid breed’s health concerns, temperament, dietary needs, and activity requirements in the front of your head as you plan to take care of your new Havapoo.
The Best Dog Food for the Havapoo Dog
Havapoos should eat nutrient-rich small-breed dog food. Look for foods that have sufficient protein and minerals to match a Havapoo’s higher energy levels. The exact amount of food that is right for your pet will vary based on his weight, age, metabolism, and any health concerns, but most will need somewhere between 1 and 1.5 cups of food. Once you determine the ideal portion of food for your pup (check with your veterinarian if you’re unsure), you will want to split the total amount into two meals to prevent your dog from overeating.
Havapoo puppies have smaller stomachs than full-grown dogs This means they will need to be fed more frequently throughout the day. Aim to feed puppies who are younger than six months old three to four meals each day. Once the puppy is six months old, cutting back to just two meals should be fine.
Ideally, Havapoos should try to find a small-breed, high-quality dog food with a nutritional profile that caters especially to the joints and eyes.
So, the A-Z Animals recommendation for Havapoo dog food is Wellness CORE RawRev Wholesome Grains Small Breed Original Recipe.
The glucosamine in this dog food helps cartilage form to promote joints that stay moving, while vitamin A helps keep Havapoos’ eyes healthy. These nutrients may help prevent the orthopedic and eye issues Havapoos can be prone to. Plus, vitamin E and omegas ensure good skin and fur conditions.
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- Nutrient packed kibble plus100% raw freeze-dried turkey pieces
- Contains glucosamine for strong joints, probiotics for digestive health, omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, and taurine for a healthy heart
- No legumes, potatoes, fillers, or artificial flavors
Maintenance and Grooming
Havapoos don’t shed very much and are not too challenging to groom. However, you will want to try to brush your dog a few times a week to remove any loose hairs and keep their coat from getting tangled. You may need to give your Havapoo an occasional bath if they start to smell, but take care not to bathe them too often as it can remove the natural oils from their coat.
Your Havapoo will also need to have his or her teeth brushed a few times a week and have his or her nails trimmed regularly to keep them from getting too long. If the nails get too long, it can make it painful for the dog to walk. You should also check your Havapoo’s ears regularly. Remove any loose debris and keep them clean to prevent ear infections.
Training
Havapoos are intelligent dogs who are very eager to please. This personality combination means that this breed is generally easy to train. They will do best with a confident trainer who is encouraging and uses positive training strategies. Use treats to praise your Havanoodle when they act appropriately or follows your commands. Havapoos, like Poodles, can be more sensitive to their owners’ tone of voice and body language. This can make it easier for them to gauge whether their actions are pleasing you.
For best results, you should start training your Poovanese from an early age. Early socialization is also important. Bring your dog with you to a variety of places and expose them to different people and pets. This will help him or her learn which behaviors are appropriate and which are not.
Exercise
Havapoos should get one hour or more of exercise every day. Find time to take your pup for a walk or play with him or her outside. In addition to physical exercise, it is also important to mentally exercise a Havapoo. If they don’t get enough physical or mental stimulation, they can get bored. When bored, they may get into trouble, so look for ways to exercise and challenge your pet mentally each day. Mental challenges can include playing games with them, giving them a puzzle feeder, or working on new tricks.
Havapoo Puppies
Early training and socialization are essential for a Havapoo puppy. This will help your dog adjust to different scenarios and people and learn how to act appropriately. Before socializing your puppy with other dogs or signing up for an obedience training class, you should wait until the puppy is fully vaccinated.
Before bringing home your new puppy, ensure your house is set up and ready for a dog. Locate a veterinarian, purchase puppy food and other supplies, and move any potentially hazardous or special items out of the rooms the puppy will have access to.
Havapoos And Children
If you are looking for the perfect family dog, look no further than a Havapoo. This breed does very well with children. They are gentle, tolerant, and very affectionate. Havapoos can also be very energetic and can make excellent playmates for a child.
Dogs Similar to Havapoo
Havanese, Poodles, and Bichon Frises are three breeds that are similar to the Havapoo.
- Havanese: Havanese are one of the breeds mixed to create a Havapoo. Like Havapoos, Havanese are small dog that rarely sheds. Havapoos are generally a little more intelligent than Havanese.
- Poodle: Poodles are the other breed that is mixed to create a Havapoo. Poodles and Havapoos are both very intelligent and easy to train. However, Poodles are much larger than Havapoos. Poodles can weigh between 45 and 60 pounds while Havapoos only weigh between 7 and 20 pounds.
- Bichon Frise: Bichon Frises and Havapoos are both around the same size; Bichons can weigh between 7 and 13 pounds and Havapoos can weigh between 7 and 20 pounds. Both dogs shed very little, but a Bichon is much more challenging to groom than a Havapoo.
Popular Names for Havapoo
Trying to decide on the best name for your Poovanese? Read through the list below to find some inspiration.
- Pip
- Dash
- Nipper
- Tiny
- Pumpkin
- Ginger
- Chloe
- Rosy
- Maddy
- Princess
Havapoo FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is a Havapoo?
A Havapoo is a mixed/hybrid breed with one Havanese parent and Poodle parent. They are a small dog that makes a great family pet. Because Havapoos don’t have excess energy, they can also make a good dog for individuals or families living in an apartment. The first Havadoodle was bred about 20 or 30 years ago.
How much does Havapoo cost to own?
Different breeders may charge different amounts for a Havapoo puppy. In general, though, you should expect to pay between $800 and $1,8000 to purchase a Havadoodle from one of the breeders in your area. In addition to purchasing a Havapoo from a breeder, you may also find this breed in a shelter for adoption. Adopting a Havapoo should be significantly less expensive than buying one, and you will likely spend around $300 or less.
Don’t forget that you will also need to save additional money to cover the food, supplies, and medical care your Havapoo will require. Expect to spend at least $1,000, if not more, the first year you own the dog. The first year will be the most expensive since you’ll need to purchase all new supplies for your pup. The following years should be less expensive, but you’ll still want to budget between $500 and $1,000 to make sure you have enough money to cover all of your dog’s expenses.
Is Havapoo good with kids?
Yes, Havapoos are a great breed for families with children. They are very loving and gentle with children. They also enjoy playing around with a child and can make an excellent companion.
How long does a Havapoo live?
The average lifespan for a Poovanese is 10 to 15 years.
How much does a Havapoo weigh?
The weight of a Havapoo can vary based on the genes it inherits from its Poodle and Havanese parents, but Havapoos will typically weight between 7 and 20 pounds.
How do you groom a Havapoo?
Havapoos are not very challenging to groom. They don’t shed very much compared to many other dog breeds. To groom your Havapoo, you’ll want to brush their fur every day or every other day to keep it looking nice and prevent it from tangling. You should also brush your Havapoos teeth, trim their nails, and clean their ears regularly.
Can a Havapoo be left alone?
Island Mini Doodles should not be left alone for too long at a time. They are prone to suffer from separation anxiety.
What are the key differences between Havapoos and Cavapoos?
The key differences between Havapoos and Cavapoos are parent breed, tolerance to separation, coat type, health condition, and training.
What's the difference between Havapoos and Maltipoos?
The main differences between a Havapoo and a Maltipoo are the breed’s parents, their coat types, and price.
What is the difference between the Havapoo and the Poovanese?
Although the Poovanese and Havapoo have different names, they are actually the same breed of dog.
What is the difference between the Havapoos and the Cockapoos?
Havapoos and Cockapoos mostly differ in their breed mixes and genetic heritage. The Havapoo is a cross between a Havanese and a poodle, while the Cockapoo is a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a poodle.
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Sources
- breedingbusiness.com / Published February 11, 2021
- perfectdogbreeds.com / Published February 11, 2021
- allthingsdogs.com / Published February 11, 2021
- petguides.com / Published February 11, 2021
- havanesenation.com / Published February 11, 2021
- mans-best-friend.org.uk / Published February 11, 2021
- perfectdogbreeds.com / Published February 11, 2021