Havanese Lifespan & Health Guide
The typical Havanese lives 14–16 years, with a median of 15 years.
The Havanese is a small, sturdy companion breed and the national dog of Cuba, descended from the now-extinct Blanquito de la Habana and the Bichon family of breeds. Known for their silky, flowing coat and springy, lively gait, Havanese are outgoing, happy dogs that form exceptionally strong bonds with their families. They are remarkably adaptable, equally suited to city apartments and country homes, and are prized for their cheerful disposition, trainability, and ability to charm everyone they meet.
14–16
years lifespan
7–13
lbs (male)
8.5–11.5
inches tall (male)
moderate
energy level
How Long Do Havaneses Live?
Havaneses have a lifespan of 14–16 years, with a median of 15 years. The main health factors that affect how long a Havanese lives:
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
- patellar luxation
- progressive retinal atrophy
- heart murmurs (mitral valve disease)
- liver shunt (portosystemic shunt)
Temperament
How Old Is Your Havanese in Human Years?
Use our breed-specific calculator to find out, plus get personalised health and care guidance for your dog’s exact age.
Open Havanese Age CalculatorHavanese Size & Weight
7–13 lbs
Male weight
7–13 lbs
Female weight
8.5–11.5″
Male height
8.5–11.5″
Female height
Size category: small · Group: Toy
Common Havanese Health Problems
Patellar Luxation
A condition where the kneecap dislocates from its normal position in the femoral groove, causing intermittent or persistent lameness. Havanese are among the toy breeds most commonly affected by this genetic condition. It is graded from I (mild, manually luxatable) to IV (permanently displaced). Bilateral involvement is common. Without intervention, chronic luxation leads to progressive arthritis, cruciate ligament damage, and cartilage erosion in the stifle joint.
Typical onset: 0.5–3 years
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
A degenerative condition where the head of the femur (thigh bone) loses blood supply and gradually disintegrates, causing pain, lameness, and eventual collapse of the hip joint. It typically affects young toy breed dogs, with Havanese being one of the predisposed breeds. The condition usually affects one hip, though bilateral cases occur. Surgical treatment (femoral head ostectomy) is the standard of care and typically results in excellent functional outcomes in small breeds.
Typical onset: 0.5–1.5 years
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
A group of inherited degenerative diseases that cause progressive deterioration of the photoreceptor cells in the retina, eventually leading to blindness. The prcd (progressive rod-cone degeneration) form is documented in Havanese. Night blindness typically develops first, followed by gradual loss of daytime vision over months to years. The condition is painless but irreversible. DNA testing is available for the prcd mutation.
Typical onset: 3–7 years
Chondrodysplasia (CDDY/CDPA)
Havanese can carry genes for chondrodysplasia, a condition affecting cartilage and bone development that predisposes dogs to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Dogs with CDDY have an increased risk of disc herniation due to premature disc degeneration. While many affected dogs live without clinical signs, those who experience disc herniation can develop sudden pain, weakness, or paralysis. DNA testing can identify carriers and affected dogs.
Typical onset: 3–8 years
Mitral Valve Disease
A progressive degenerative condition of the mitral valve in the heart, causing it to leak and eventually leading to congestive heart failure. While common in many small breeds as they age, Havanese can develop early-onset murmurs that should be monitored. The condition typically progresses slowly over years, and many dogs with mild murmurs live full lives without developing heart failure. However, monitoring progression is essential for timely medical intervention.
Typical onset: 5–10 years
Recommended Health Screenings
Breed-specific tests and evaluations recommended for Havaneses:
- OFA patella evaluation
- OFA/CERF ophthalmologic examination
- OFA hip evaluation or Legg-Calve-Perthes screening
- Cardiac evaluation (auscultation, echocardiogram if murmur detected)
- prcd-PRA DNA test
- BAER hearing test
Typical Veterinary Costs
Havaneses are generally rated medium on the annual veterinary cost scale, based on breed-specific health risks, known chronic conditions, and typical screening requirements. Routine wellness care plus budget for breed-specific screening tests.
When Is a Havanese Considered Senior?
Havaneses are generally considered senior at around 10 years of age. At this point, you should increase vet visits to twice yearly and watch for age-related health changes.
Check your Havanese’s age in human years →Havanese Exercise Needs
Adult Havaneses need 30–60 minutes of exercise per day. Adult Havanese are moderately active dogs that enjoy daily walks and play. They are surprisingly athletic for a toy breed and can excel in agility, rally, and trick competitions. Mental stimulation through training and puzzle toys is equally important. They adapt their activity level to their owner's lifestyle but should not become sedentary. Two short walks plus play sessions work well for most Havanese.
Cautions: adjust for extreme temperatures (heat and cold); use a harness; monitor for joint discomfort; provide water on longer walks; avoid rough play with much larger dogs
Havanese Diet & Nutrition
Adult Havaneses typically eat 0.5–1 cups of high-quality toy/small-breed adult formula with skin and coat support per day, split into 2 meals. Havanese benefit from a diet that supports their luxurious coat from the inside. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (fish oil) can enhance coat quality and reduce skin irritation. Measure food precisely — the amount of food for a 10-lb dog is surprisingly small, and even slight overfeeding leads to weight gain. Some Havanese can be finicky eaters; maintaining consistency and avoiding excessive treat-giving prevents picky behaviour.
Key nutrients: lean animal protein, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for coat lustre, biotin for skin and coat health, glucosamine for joint support, antioxidants for overall health
The Havanese's abundant coat can easily hide weight gain, making regular hands-on body condition assessment essential. Part the coat and feel the ribs — they should be easily palpable without pressing. There should be a visible waist when viewed from above with the coat wet or parted, and an abdominal tuck from the side. Even 1-2 lbs of excess weight on a 7-13 lb dog represents a significant percentage increase that stresses joints and the cardiovascular system. Use a kitchen scale for food measurement precision, limit treats to 10% of daily calories, and weigh your Havanese monthly.
Havanese Dental Care
Havanese, like many toy breeds, are predisposed to accelerated dental disease due to their small jaw size and relatively crowded dentition. Retained deciduous teeth are common and must be addressed promptly to prevent worsening the crowding problem. Without daily brushing and regular professional cleanings, many Havanese develop significant periodontal disease by age 3-4. The connection between dental health and cardiac health is particularly relevant for this breed, given their predisposition to mitral valve disease — chronic oral bacteria entering the bloodstream can damage heart valves. Daily dental care is one of the most impactful preventive health measures for Havanese owners.
Havanese Coat & Grooming
Coat type
Long, silky, lightweight double coat (may be corded)
Shedding
low
Energy
moderate
Havanese Trainability
Havaneses are rated easy to train. They typically calm down around 24 months of age.