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The Havanese and the Cavapoo are two of the most popular dog breeds around. And it’s no wonder why – they’re both intelligent, affectionate, and low-shedding, making them great pets for families with allergies.
If you were tossing up between both these similar breeds, this post is for you. We will look in detail at both the Havanese and the Cavapoo, compare their histories, and hopefully, help you decide which adorable breed suits you better.
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Havanese vs. Cavapoo: A Detailed Comparison
Let’s start by looking in detail at how the two breeds compare in a number of different areas.
History
The Havanese is believed to be descended from the Tenerife, one of the seven Canary Islands. The Tenerife (also called the Bichon Frise) was brought to Cuba by Spanish settlers in the 16th century, and it is thought that the Havanese is a direct descendant of this original dog. In other words, the Havanese is one of several Bichon-type dogs.
Over time, the Havanese developed into its own distinct breed, becoming a popular companion animal among Cuban nobility. When Cuba became a communist country in 1959, many of the country’s aristocrats fled to America with their Havanese dogs.
Today, the Havanese is still considered a rare breed, but it is slowly gaining popularity as more people learn about this unique little dog. Though they have a long and complicated history, today’s Havanese are known for being intelligent, playful, and affectionate dogs that make great companion animals.
In contrast, the Cavapoo is a mixed breed created by crossing the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with the Poodle. While these two breeds most likely mixed at various points over the years, the first known intentional crossbreeding occurred in Australia during the 1990s.
The strategic combination of these two breeds created a hugely popular breed of dog, now cherished all around the world.
Appearance
In general, Havanese dogs are more likely to have predictable and consistent characteristics, while Cavapoo pups are more likely to vary in appearance due to the nature of being a mixed breed.
Havanese dogs commonly have a medium-length coat that is either straight or wavy. They tend to come in colors such as gold, black, champagne, and white.
Cavapoo coats can be much more unpredictable in comparison to Havanese coats. They can either have a coat similar to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, which is silky and wavy, or thick curls similar to the Poodle. There is a multitude of various colors that a Cavapoo can come in such as black, brown, red, chestnut, or white.
Additionally, they can come in combinations of those, some being black and white, gray and white, or a black, white, and tan tricolor variation. There are more possibilities outside of those since the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle come in a wide variety of colors.
Size
Typically, the two breeds reach the sizes below when fully grown:
Havanese | Cavapoo | |
Weight | Male: 8-13 lbs.
Female: 7-12 lbs. |
12-25 lbs. |
Height | Male: 11 in.
Female: 10 in. |
9-14 in. |
Typically Cavapoos have more compact faces, with an adorable pair of floppy ears, and dominating large eyebrows. These dogs are often characterized as looking similar to teddy bears, with their round and fluffy faces and kind eyes.
Havanese have wide-set eyes shaped like almonds and a squared-off nose. Both breeds have their unique styles and attributes but are equally incredibly adorable.
These two breeds both require regular grooming to prevent matting (read more about this issue with Havanese) in their coats and keep them looking super cute.
Aging Profile
The Cavapoo and Havanese both have the same lifespan, on average living from 10 to 15 years. Havanese pups reach adulthood anywhere between 6 to 8 months, while Cavapoo puppies typically reach adulthood when they are one year of age.
Both of these adorable breeds require anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes of exercise per day. These two breeds can be completely content cuddling up next to you to watch a movie after a long day but will need daily exercise.
By taking your dog on a short walk, or playing with them, they can easily get the necessary amount of exercise each day.
Temperament
Havanese and Cavapoo dogs are two of the best companion dogs you can find. Havanese are usually said to be charming, happy, and gentle dogs. They are incredibly social dogs and when you take them on a walk, wanting to meet any person or critter that they pass by.
Similarly, Cavapoo dogs are the kind of dog that wants to be your best friend, and in some cases, they can get clingy. They are incredibly loyal to their families and oftentimes tend to prefer being around their family rather than other dogs.
Intelligence
Cavapoos are known to be incredibly intelligent dogs, a trait that they inherited from the parent breed of the Poodle. Like every dog, it is important to start training and socializing them early on, but these are dogs that can learn very quickly with the proper instruction.
Havanese dogs are also very intelligent, and they often enjoy learning tricks and desire to entertain people. By keeping your dog engaged and invested in training sessions, both of these breeds can learn very quickly and efficiently.
Grooming
The grooming requirements for the Havanese and Cavapoo are similar on a basic level. Due to the nature of their gorgeous and distinctive coats, their grooming requirements are moderate.
With Cavapoos, depending on the combination of traits that they inherit from their parents, the grooming requirements may differ slightly, but in general, both breeds will require simple, but regular grooming.
Other Factors
Alongside the routine costs of owning and caring for a furry family member, procurement costs are an important factor to consider when choosing a breed.
Cavapoos tend to be more expensive than Havanese puppies, ranging anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000 or higher. In comparison, you can usually find a Havanese puppy for anywhere between $1,000 and $1,500. If it is a puppy that comes from a “champion bloodline” the price may be closer to $2,500.
Depending on the prominent lifestyle present in your house, there may be one breed that is better for your family than others.
In regards to Havanese and Cavapoo, neither breed really enjoys being left home alone for long periods of time. They require a moderate amount of socialization, and it would not be wise to have them in a home where they are left to their own devices for the majority of the day.
Havanese vs. Cavapoo: Which Should You Get as a Pet?
By comparing the Havanese and Cavapoo breeds, we can see that they have very similar temperaments and personalities. Even so, they each have situations that will be more ideal for them to live in.
Temperament
Due to the personality of Cavapoos, they can make wonderful therapy dogs. Their demeanor puts newer dog-lovers to ease and is a very social and loving breed.
Both breeds make wonderful additions to a family and can interact well with children. As long as your children know how to be gentle with these dogs, especially due to their smaller stature, they are great with kids and known to be ideal family dogs.
Environment
Cavapoos can be less tolerant of extreme heat, and it is important to keep an eye on them during the warmer months to make sure they don’t overheat or suffer from heat-related illnesses. If you live in a consistently hot location, that means more supervision when your dog is outside if you were to get a Cavapoo.
Hypoallergenic Coat
If you are someone who suffers from allergies and needs a hypoallergenic dog, the Havanese dogs are hypoallergenic, but Cavapoos are a little more complicated.
Since they are a mixed breed, it is hard to guarantee that a Cavapoo will be 100% hypoallergenic and inherit the coat of their Poodle parent. They are typically considered a hypoallergenic mixed breed, but it is not guaranteed.
To increase the chances of a Cavapoo having a hypoallergenic coat, many breeders have taken to specializing in a hybrid that is more Poodle than Cavalier. This is known as a backcross and is achieved by crossing a 50/50 Cavapoo back into a pure Poodle parent, resulting in a litter that is 75% Poodle and 25% Cavalier.
Summary
Both these two remarkably similar breeds are ideal companion dogs. Loving, affectionate, and kind, they will suit most households.
They are similar in size, with the Cavapoo tending to be slightly larger depending on what type of Poodle the hybrid was bred with. They also have similar grooming needs and require minimal, but frequent grooming for their wavy coats.
In addition, the Havanese are less likely to bark excessively, which some families prefer. The most important factor is that a Havanese has a hypoallergenic coat, but a Cavapoo is only likely to have one, and this isn’t guaranteed.
Ultimately, the best breed for you will depend on your individual lifestyle and needs. But whether you choose a Cavapoo or a Havanese, you’re sure to add a loving new member to your household.
Considering Other Breeds Too?
Make sure to read how the Havanese compares with other breeds too:
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- Havanese vs. Bichon Frise
- Havanese vs. Bolognese
- Havanese vs. Bolonka
- Havanese vs. Cavachon
- Havanese vs. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Havanese vs. Cockapoo
- Havanese vs. Coton de Tulear
- Havanese vs. Goldendoodle
- Havanese vs. Havapoo
- Havanese vs. Labradoodle
- Havanese vs. Lhasa Apso
- Havanese vs. Maltese
- Havanese vs. Maltipoo
- Havanese vs. Miniature Schnauzer
- Havanese vs. Morkie
- Havanese vs. Pomeranian
- Havanese vs. Poochon
- Havanese vs. Poodle
- Havanese vs. Shih-Poo
- Havanese vs. Shih Tzu
- Havanese vs. Yorkshire Terrier