Havapoo (Havanese x Poodle Mix): All You Need to Know

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Havapoo (Havanese x Poodle Mix)What do you get if you combine a Poodle with a Havanese? One of the most adorable furballs! The Havapoo or the Poovanese stands out in the dog world thanks to its intelligence, affection, and friendliness.

If you want a charming hybrid pooch, read on to find out everything you need to know before welcoming one into your life.

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Havapoo (Havanese x Poodle Mix) History

The Havapoo is a designer breed resulting from mixing a Havanese with a Poodle, typically the toy variety. Just like with other designer breeds, there is no traceable history of the hybrid, but some believe it originated in the United States and it first appeared two or three decades ago.

The furball’s parents, however, come with a rich history. The Havanese, as the name suggests, originated in the Havana region of Cuba many centuries ago. This national breed belongs to the Bichon family and is believed to have been introduced to Cuba’s capital by Spanish colonists.

The Poodle is believed to have originated in Germany about four centuries ago. It was initially trained to retrieve birds like fowl and ducks. There are three Poodle sizes, standard, miniature, and toy. Thanks to its intelligence and friendliness, the Poodle is a common parent of many mixed breeds.

Havapoo Appearance, Coat, Size, and Weight

The Havapoo appearance can vary greatly from one pup to another because it’s a hybrid dog. In general, it is a small dog with floppy ears, short legs, and a short tail. It has a toy-like look, but the coat colors may differ greatly thanks to its parents. The size and weight depend on the size of its parents. In general, it may reach 8”-15” and 7-45 lbs.

To get a better idea of what your Havapoo may look like at maturity, you need to see its parents as it’s most likely to take after them. For instance, if the Poodle parent is standard size, it’s quite likely that your hybrid may be on the bigger side too.

Also, the Havanese is known for changing coat colors as it matures, so this could also affect your hybrid puppy. They usually become lighter or darker in color at maturity, which is around 1-2 years old.

The coat may vary a lot, but usually, it can be either curly and thick, or silky and soft. The hybrid is quite likely to be a low-shedder and has a hypoallergenic coat thanks to both of its parents.

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Havapoo Maintenance, Activity, and Space Requirements

As mentioned, the Havapoo is a hypoallergenic dog, which means that it doesn’t shed much. In fact, the loose hairs are prone to getting trapped in its coat. Because of this, it’s at a high risk of getting tangles and mats, which is why you need to brush it daily to prevent coat problems.

However, you could reduce the brushing frequency to only 3-4 times per week if you opt for a short haircut, such as a puppy trim. The longer the hair is, the more difficult it is to keep it clean and detangled.

Even if you plan to adopt a puppy, you should start getting used to this grooming routine straight away, regardless of whether it is necessary or not. This is to make sure your puppy becomes used to the routine as it matures.

Apart from brushing the coat as often as possible, you should also bathe your dog when necessary using dog-friendly products. Their skin is quite sensitive, so you need to be gentle and use the right products that don’t cause any harm and are mild enough for your puppy’s skin and coat.

In addition to this, you need to brush its teeth daily and cut its nails regularly – usually when they start making a clicking sound on the floor. Otherwise, long nails are prone to breakage or splitting.

If you don’t have any experience with dog grooming, you may want to opt for professional grooming sessions. Dogs’ nails contain blood vessels and the wrong nail-cutting technique will lead to bleeding and pain, so it can be traumatizing enough to make them scared of the much-needed grooming routine.

Every week and especially after playtime outdoors, you need to check its ears for wax buildup, dirt, and dust. The Havapoo has extra hair in its ears, which can trap dirt and moisture, leading to bacteria growth and infections. Also, based on its coat, the hybrid may grow long hair around its eyes, ears, and mouth – this should be kept trimmed to avoid medical issues.

In terms of activity, all dogs need daily exercise, but the Havapoo is not very active. Its daily exercise needs depend on its age, weight, and size. It’s best to discuss with your vet if you are unsure of how much exercise would be ideal – in general, about 30 minutes per day if your Havapoo is on the small side, and one hour if it is on the larger side.

If your Havapoo is on the more active side of the spectrum, several walks per day and some playtime at home would suffice to keep it busy and happy. However, it’s important not to over-exercise your puppy as it can damage its health in the long run.

On the smaller side, at least 30 minutes of activity per day will ensure your pooch stays healthy, within the right weight range, and keeps boredom at bay, which translates into a happy puppy!

The Havapoo is an adaptable breed, so it may be a good choice regardless of whether you live in a small apartment or a large house. The dog does not need much space, but there should be enough for it to move around without knocking things down, especially if the Poodle parent is on the bigger side.

Yard owners will perhaps find it easier to keep their Havapoos active. Otherwise, you need to plan daily walks outdoors or go to a dog park to keep your pooch healthy.

Havapoo Temperament and Intelligence

The Havapoo is a playful little pooch. Thanks to its parents, its temperament is mild enough to be a great match for first-time owners. It is the perfect combination between an active playmate and a nap-time partner. Thanks to this, it’s a good choice for less active people, seniors, and families with kids.

The breed will most likely inherit a tendency towards separation anxiety from the Havanese parent. It’s only suitable for owners who make sure there is always someone at home to take care of the pooch, or for those who won’t leave the house for more than 2-4 hours at a time. Also, the puppy must be trained before being left at home on its own.

In general, it is friendly with other strangers, pets, and kids. However, to ensure this, you must socialize the pooch as soon as possible and introduce them to other people and animals. Also, there is still a possibility they will bark at new guests or other animals. In general, this hybrid is a good choice if you have other pets at home or you plan to adopt another one at a later time.

In terms of intelligence, the Havapoo is quite lucky thanks to its parents. It is able to learn new tricks easily and really loves to please its owner, so it won’t be too difficult to train.

With the right combination of patience, time, and treats, Havapoos can be very trainable and obedient. Always use positive reinforcements and rewards, as this hybrid won’t respond well to negative techniques. First-time pet parents can also opt for a professional trainer if they are unsure how to train a puppy.

Havapoo Health and Lifespan

Havapoos are generally healthy hybrids, but they are still predisposed to health issues common to all dog breeds, including patellar luxation, deafness, or cataracts, especially as they age. To avoid these problems, it’s important to schedule regular vet checks and prevent, rather than treat, such illnesses.

In general, this crossbreed lives for about 14 years, but with the right lifestyle, nutrition, and a robust prevention plan, it can live longer.

In terms of dietary needs, the exact requirements depend on unique factors, such as size, weight, genetics, and lifestyle. Your vet will be able to help you determine the best diet for your furry friend.

Overall, the diet should pack a healthy amount of vitamins, protein, fiber, fats, and carbs. High-quality dog food should be provided in a variable quantity based on age and size.

For puppies, about 1 cup per day should be enough, split into several meals, while adult Havapoos should eat about 1 ½ cups per day. The food quantity also depends on how active your dog is, so it’s always a good idea to consult a professional and adjust the quantity based on lifestyle and age.

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5 Havapoo Fun Facts

Before you go, here are a few fun facts about this mixed breed.

1. Havapoo and Cavapoo Are Not the Same Breeds

Thanks to name and appearance similarities, some people may mistake the Havapoo for a Cavapoo. However, these hybrids are not the same. The Havapoo is a mix between the Havanese and the Poodle, while the Cavapoo is a mix between a Poodle and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

2. Not Recognized by AKC

The Havapoo is not a breed recognized by the American Kennel Club, which means there is no standard in terms of appearance. However, it is recognized by several other clubs, including American Canine Hybrid Club and the Designer Dogs Kennel Club. Some sources refer to it as the Poovanese rather than Havapoo.

3. Havapoos Are Cheaper

Purchasing a purebred Poodle or Havanese can be quite expensive. However, hybrids can be less expensive, especially if you check your local shelters. In addition to this, the price may go down if you are considering a second-generation hybrid – this means that its parents are Havapoos as well, not purebred Poodle and Havanese.

On the other hand, if you want your Havapoo to have a stronger resemblance to one of the parents, you may want to consider a third-generation Havapoo, where a Havapoo is mated with a Poodle (for a higher resemblance to Poodles) or mated with a Havanese instead (for a higher resemblance to a Havanese). This will lead to doubling up on the genes from one parent.

4. Its Appearance Is a Gamble

Even if you opt for a trustworthy breeder and you see the puppy, the parents, and the rest of the litter, you won’t be able to predict its appearance at maturity. Hybrid dogs make it impossible to accurately estimate their size, coat color, and other features. This is a great advantage for pet parents who want a truly unique pup!

5. Its Temperament Is Unique

Although looking at its parents’ temperament may be a good start, this will be as unique as its appearance. Hybrid dogs will most likely be a unique combination of both their parents.

Also, mixed breeds are known to have diluted features of their parents, which means that their temperament is more moderate than a purebred. For instance, if a Havanese suffers from separation anxiety, your Havapoo hybrid may adapt a lot easier to spending time on its own (but you should still consider crating and other techniques to make your dog comfortable before leaving).

On the good side, hybrids are known for their flexibility compared to purebred dogs, and this flexibility makes them more trainable. Training and socialization from puppyhood are a must, even for hybrid dogs, if you want a well-mannered adult Havapoo.

Is Havapoo the Right Breed for You?

The Havapoo is a very versatile hybrid. It is a great choice for many families and individuals, which is why it’s quickly becoming more and more popular. Perhaps the most important aspect is that it’s a good choice for both first-time pet parents and more experienced owners as it is quite versatile.

Also, you can easily opt for professional grooming and training to help you learn the basics. Fortunately, this easy-going furry friend will easily adapt, as it loves to make its owner happy.

The Havapoo is the right breed for families with or without other pets and children. It lives around 14 years or more, so if you are looking for the right puppy to grow alongside your children, this could be the right pick. However, Havapoos need to be treated like dogs – with love and respect – despite their toy look, so you should teach both your pup and your kid how to behave around each other.

The breed is also suitable for seniors because it is small and playful, but not overly active. However, the grooming routine is not negotiable, so the prospective owner must be willing to dedicate time each day to taking care of their pooch. Also, the breed is not suitable for busy individuals because it may be prone to separation anxiety.

Overall, the Havapoo is an excellent choice for many households, lifestyles, and individuals. It is smart, versatile, and can thrive in any environment as long as it receives the love and care it deserves.

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