Havapoo

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.

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 emerged during the surge in popularity of Poodle mixes in the 1980s, following the trend started by breeds like the Labradoodle. The poodle’s 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.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Havapoo

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.

Common Health Issues

Since Havapoos are not purebreds, they can be 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.

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 or Havanese genes are 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 are also 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 at the front of your mind as you plan to take care of your new Havapoo.

The Best Dog Food

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.

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 it too often, as it can remove the natural oils from its coat.

Your Havapoo will also need to have its teeth brushed a few times a week and have its 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 follow 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 it 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.

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.