Havapoo vs Havanese: What’s the Difference?

Given that they are related, you may be wondering what all of the differences are between the Havapoo vs Havanese. One of these dogs is purebred, while the other is a cross between two very popular dogs. But which one is which, and what can you expect out of the behaviors and personalities of both of these breeds?

In this article, we will compare and contrast everything you need to know about the Havanese and the Havapoo. We will discuss their appearances, personalities, and ancestral histories so that you can get a full understanding of both breeds. Additionally, we will go over their lifespans in case you are considering adopting either of these dogs. Let’s get started!

Comparing Havapoo vs Havanese

Key Differences Between Havapoo vs Havanese

There are many key differences between the Havapoo and the Havanese. The Havapoo grows larger than the Havanese, though it will depend on the amount of poodle DNA that they receive. Additionally, the Havanese is an old breed of dog, while the Havapoo is a much more recent breed. Finally, the Havapoo is more laid-back with strangers than the average Havanese.

Let’s go over all of these differences in more detail now.

Havapoo vs Havanese: Size

One of the main ways in which the Havanese and the Havapoo differ is in their heights and weights. The average Havapoo grows larger than the average Havanese, though these figures often overlap. Let’s take a closer look at these two dog breeds now.

The Havanese averages anywhere from 8-11 inches tall, while the Havapoo measures 8-15 inches tall, depending on the amount of poodle in their DNA. Additionally, the Havapoo weighs anywhere from 7-20 pounds, while the Havanese only weighs 7-13 pounds total. As you can see, these measurements overlap often, but the Havapoo can grow larger than the Havanese overall.

Havapoo vs Havanese: Appearance

It can be extremely difficult to tell a Havanese apart from a Havapoo just by looking at them. This is because these two dogs are related, and the amount of differences in their appearances is greatly affected by the amount of poodle in a Havapoo’s DNA. If a Havapoo has a decent amount of poodle in them, their fur may appear more wavy or curly in appearance compared to the average Havanese.

Otherwise, both of these dogs come in a variety of colors and fur textures. They both have long and floppy ears, beautiful soft coats, and elegant tails. Even their faces are similar, though the Havapoo may have a more elongated muzzle compared to the Havanese. It all depends on the poodle!

Havapoo vs Havanese: Ancestry and Breeding

The primary difference between the Havanese and the Havapoo lies in their ancestry and breeding. If you didn’t know already, the Havanese is an old dog breed that originated in Cuba during the 1500s, while the Havapoo originated less than 30 years ago in the United States. But this isn’t the only way in which they differ.

When it comes to purebred status, the Havanese is considered purebred, while the Havapoo is not. This is because the Havapoo is a cross between the Havanese and the poodle, while the Havanese has been a pure breed of dog for decades.

Havapoo vs Havanese: Behavior

There are many behavioral similarities between the Havanese and the Havapoo, given their shared DNA. However, depending on the amount of poodle DNA that shines through the Havapoo, their behaviors can differ greatly. Let’s go over some of these potential differences now.

The Havanese is much more wary of strangers compared to the average Havapoo. While both dogs enjoy training and learning new tasks, the Havapoo can be more stubborn compared to the average Havanese given their poodle DNA. Finally, the Havanese may suffer from more anxiety compared to the average Havapoo, though this always depends on the individual upbringing of both dogs.

Havapoo vs Havanese: Lifespan

A final potential difference between the Havapoo and the Havanese is their lifespans. However, both the Havanese and the Havapoo have an average lifespan of 12-15 years, a common range for a variety of small dogs. While lifespan always depends on the health and care of the individual dog, both the Havanese and the Havapoo live decently long lives. With proper care, diet, and exercise, both of these breeds should live a happy and healthy life!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Susan Schmitz/Shutterstock.com