Male vs. Female Havanese: 5 Key Differences

Havanese, with their cute, floppy ears and long, fluffy hair, are the only dog breed native to Cuba. It’s hard not to fall in love with their deep brown eyes and soft fur. But before you bring home your fluffy friend, you’ll need to decide whether to pick a male or female Havanese. We’re here to tell you the 5 key differences in male and female Havanese. 

Comparing a Male and Female Havanese

Key Differences Between a Male and Female Havanese

The key differences between male and female Havanese are their temperament, reproductive role, health considerations, physical traits, and responses to training. 

Male vs. Female Havanese: Temperament

The biggest difference between male and female Havanese is their temperament. While these small dogs don’t have size differences based on sex, they certainly do have different personalities.

Male Havanese are usually more patient and tolerant, making them a great choice for families with kids. However, they can require a bit more time than their female counterparts. If you have plenty of time for training and a large family, a male Havanese might be the better choice for you. They are pretty social and love to please their owners, but their high attention needs can lead to jealousy around other pets. Male Havanese are not nearly as accepting of other animals as the females are. 

On the other hand, if you have older children or other pets, you might want to go with a female Havanese. They aren’t as playful as the males and can be more aggressive, so they do better in a household with older children. While female Havanese require the same attention level as males, they aren’t as clingy and are more independent. Their lack of jealousy and acceptance of other pets make female Havenese a great choice for households with cats or other dogs. 

Male vs. Female Havanese: Reproductive Roles

Male Havanese are most fertile around 12 to 15 months of age but can sire puppies as young as 5 months. Sexually mature males can develop some unwanted tendencies including aggression, territorial marking, and roaming.

Female Havanese become fertile during their first heat, which can take place anywhere between 6 and 15 months. The female can get pregnant anytime during the first heat, and her fertility usually lasts for two to three weeks. 

If you aren’t planning on having puppies, it’s highly recommended to spay or neuter your dog. Both sexes will benefit from the procedure, as it can prevent negative behaviors. The best time to spay or neuter your pet is after they have reached full maturity. This is usually after the first heat or after the dog reaches 12 months. 

Male vs. Female Havanese: Health Considerations

Both males and females have pretty long expected life spans for dogs. As in humans, female Havanese will usually live a bit longer than the males, but it’s not a notable difference. 

In terms of health problems, there are no significant issues that impact one sex more than another. Both sexes need regular grooming to keep them healthy. The breed is susceptible to hip dysplasia and eye infections, but Havanese will regularly live for 15 years. Females will generally live around a year longer than males. 

Male vs. Female Havanese: Physical Traits

Male Havanese are generally larger in size and weight than females. They range from 8 to 13 pounds while females range from 7 to 12. 

Male Havanese are also around an inch taller than their female counterparts. 

Male vs. Female Havanese: Responses to Training

The males are usually a bit easier to train than females because they are less stubborn. They’re naturally a bit more active than the females, so they have more energy for training. In general, male Havanese have more of a desire to please their owners, making them better listeners. 

Female Havanese tend to have better focus than males, but they can be much more stubborn. They also tend to be quicker learners, paying more attention to training than male Havanese.

One training issue for both sexes is housebreaking. Potty training is difficult for Havanese and often takes many months and a lot of positive reinforcement. One reason for this is that Havanese are a toy breed, so they have smaller bladders than other dogs. Expect to spend around 6 to 8 months before you can rely on your pup being potty trained. 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © mheim3011/iStock via Getty Images