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Havapoo (Havanese & Poodle Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Poovanese

Height: 13 – 16 inches
Weight: 30 – 45 pounds
Lifespan: 12 -14 years
Colors: Black, brown, gold, grey
Suitable for: Families, homes with a yard, singles, and couples
Temperament: Laid back, friendly, intelligent, loyal, and playful

The Havapoo breed retains the shape of the Havanese breed and keeps the curly fur of the Poodle. The fur length ranges from medium to long, and the amount of curl present will also vary. These dogs have floppy ears and brown eyes.

The Havapoo, also known as the Poovanese, is a mixed breed of dog created as a Havanese Poodle mix. This breed was created in the United States and has steadily gained popularity over the last 10 years, but the exact origin is unknown.Divider 1

Havapoo Puppies

Havanese and Poodle crossbreed puppy
Image Credit: Susan Schmitz, Shutterstck
Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

A Havapoo puppy can be quite expensive when purchased from a reputable breeder. The high cost is partially due to the Havanese parent being the national dog of Cuba.

Some breeders may offer you a discount because of a large litter or some other reason. Still, before you purchase any puppies from a breeder, especially at a discount, make sure that you research and are comfortable the breeder is reputable. The Havapoo is especially susceptible to unscrupulous breeders because it looks like a lot of other mixed breeds that will not possess the intelligence or loving nature of the Havapoo breed.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Havapoo

1. The Havanese was once known as the Spanish Silk Poodle.

2. The Poodle is second only to the Border Collie in intelligence.

3. The Poodle is a water retriever. Hunters originally trimmed its fur to make it a better swimmer.

Parent Breeds of the Poovanese
Image Credit: (L) Dorotthya Mathe, Shutterstock | (R) Jumpstory

Temperament & Intelligence of the Havapoo 🧠

The Havapoo are extremely loving dogs that like to hang out with family members. They watch television and sit at your feet, but they’re also large enough and have a loud enough bark to scare off any intruders or unwanted guests around your home. They are also great with children and create lifelong bonds with them. They are not so large they knock the children over or scare them, but not so small the child can hurt it by pulling on hair or sitting on it.

It retains the Poodle’s high intelligence and excels at learning new tricks, especially hard ones like fetching the newspaper or your slippers. They have excellent problem-solving skills that can often get them into trouble if left alone for too long with something they want.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Yes, as we already mentioned, the Havapoo is a perfect choice to have around children, and they also make great watchdogs. They are also a perfect choice for families with elderly members as their high intelligence will allow them to help out with simple tasks. They don’t bark a lot, so they are unlikely to scare anyone or annoy the neighbors unless there’s an intruder.

Poovanese
Image Credit: Susan Schmitz, Shutterstock

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Yes, the Havapoo rarely shows an aggressive side to any other animals and is generally indifferent to them. This breed may chase a squirrel, but it usually won’t try too hard and is only playing.

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Things to Know When Owning a Havapoo

Let’s take a look at the different aspects of the Havapoo that you might want to consider before making a purchase.

Food and Diet Requirements 🦴

The Poovanaese varies in size, but a full-grown dog usually weighs around 45 pounds. We recommend feeding your full-grown dog two cups of food per day spread out over three meals. This food should contain high-quality meats and vegetables and no meat by-products or chemical preservatives.

We recommend using specialty foods, like grain-free food, only when prescribed by a veterinarian.

Daily Exercise Requirements 🐕

The Poovanese breed requires a moderate amount of exercise each day. Moderate exercise means it will require a walk every day along with some playtime at home to stay fit and healthy. Small children can often help with the playtime, but they will still require about nine miles every week to walk.

Poovanese
Image Credit: Bianca Grueneberg, Shutterstock

Training 🦮

The Havapoo is half Poodle, so it is extremely intelligent and can learn a new trick in no time at all. Training your pet is extremely easy and only requires standing in front of your pet, repeating a simple command like speak or sit, while holding a treat to get your pet’s attention. Once your pet does what you ask, you can give it a treat.

Repeat this process a few times a day, and in a short time, your pet will perform your trick in one command. Once you are successful teaching your pet a few simple tasks, you can try to increase the difficulty      of tricks that have more than one step, like sit and bark, etc.

Grooming ✂️

Grooming your Poovanese is extremely easy because these dogs rarely shed. You will only need to brush the coat every few days. Light-colored Havapoo may require more bathing to keep the coat looking clean, but they produce very little odor. It’s important to dry the floppy ears well as any remaining moisture can lead to an ear infection. They will also need their nails trimmed every few weeks.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Because the Poovanese is a relatively new breed, there hasn’t been the time to find the conditions specific to the Poovanese. We can look at the parents to see some things that often occur in the parent breeds.

Minor Conditions
  • Deafness

Another problem associated with the Havanese side of the Poovanese breed is congenital deafness. Because this trait passes from parents to the child, a reputable breeder will not breed a dog that carries this gene, but they do occasionally get bred undetected or unknowingly. Because of the prevalence of deafness in the Havanese breed, we recommend getting your Havapoo tested using the BEAR testing system by your veterinarian.

  • Epilepsy

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder in dogs, and it’s known to affect the Poodle side of your Havapoo. This disease can cause seizures to occur in your dog and can be quite dangerous. Treatments and medications can help, so a proper diagnosis from a qualified veterinarian is the best place to start.

Serious Conditions
  • Addison’s Disease

Addison’s disease is common in the Poodle parent, and you should be on the watch for it with your pet. This disease affects your dog’s adrenal gland and hampers its ability to produce the correct level of several hormones. Symptoms of Addison’s disease include depression, lethargy, weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea.

  • Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a common problem on the Havanese side of your Poovanese. Hip dysplasia is a problem with the hip joint that can lead to lameness and can drastically reduce your pet’s quality of life. Symptoms of hip dysplasia include reduced activity, reluctance to rise or climb steps, and a loss of muscle mass in the hip area.

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Male vs Female

There are very few differences between the male and the female Havapoo in terms of weight, size, and features. In our experience, the males tend to exhibit more of an alpha personality, while the female has a slightly higher pitched bark. Both traits would require an experienced owner to recognize the difference.

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Summary of the Havapoo

We hope you have enjoyed reading over our look at the Havapoo breed. The Poodle and Havanese parents are both great dogs with plenty of qualities that make a great pet. Combined, they make a unique pet with the best of both worlds and more. Loyal, intelligent, they make great companions on a hike and excellent watchdogs. They’re safe for children and smart enough to help with tasks around the house.

If you have learned something new, please share this in-depth guide to the Poovanese on Facebook and Twitter.

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Featured Image: Bianca Grueneberg, Shutterstock

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