How Long Do Havanese Live
It is commonly known that smaller dog breeds often have a longer lifespan than bigger dogs do. If you have a Havanese dog, you are likely already expecting this toy breed to have a long and healthy lifespan.
Of course, every dog is different, so your dog’s health or diet– among other factors– can affect the average lifespan that is forecasted for the breed. Read on more to learn about the lifespan of the Havanese dog and some of the health issues that may affect the longevity of your pet.
History of the Havanese
The Havanese dog is a breed that originates from Cuba and was popular during the Cuban Revolution. They are also known as the Havana Silk Dog or Blanquito de Habana. Some of its genetics come from the now-extinct dog breed known as the Bichon Tenerife.
When Spanish traders traded with Cuban women, they often gifted them dogs from the Bichon family, so the breed we now know as the Havanese was born from this! The dogs were also introduced to Europe but did not grow to the popularity we see today until they were brought to the US.
Unfortunately, the Cuban Revolution also had a negative effect on the Havanese dog. It left only a few dogs around, and some wealthy Cuban families were able to flee to the Americas with their pets. This was how the dogs were introduced to Americans in the US, where they quickly became popular.
In 1979, the official Havanese Club of America was founded. However, it was not until the late 1990s that the first Havanese dog was in the show ring, and then a few years later, the breed was recognized and placed in the Toy Group in 1999.
What is the Life Expectancy of Havanese
Now comes the question of what is the life expectancy of the Havanese breed
As the Havanese is a toy breed of dog, it generally does live longer than other, larger breeds. With most dogs, the smaller the breed, the longer they live.
Of course, this is only a general rule of thumb. For the Havanese breed, the average age at death is 10 years and 3 months old. Breeders generally estimate a lifespan of 10 to 15 years of life for the Havanese breed.
If your dog does not have many health issues and is well cared for, then it is entirely possible that they may live even longer than the breed’s estimated lifespan!
The oldest Havanese dog on record was 18 years and 2 months old when it passed away. This is why it can sometimes be difficult to answer the question of how long a breed will live, as, in the end, it is different for each dog, as there are particular variables involved that can affect a lifespan.
Havanese Health Issues
Every breed of dog does have some health issues that they are prone to, and the Havanese is no different. These can affect your dog’s lifespan and are something to be aware of, especially as your pet ages. Read on to learn more about some of the common health issues that the Havanese are susceptible to.
Legg- Calve- Perthes Disease
Legge- Calve- Perthes disease is a hip disease that is unfortunately common in small dog breeds. This occurs when the ball part of the hip joint is damaged, due to a lack of blood supply.
It is a disease that typically appears early, as early as between 5 and 12 months of age in a dog. It can be seen in symptoms like limping, pain, and developing arthritis later on. The severity of the disease will determine the treatment plan for an affected pet. Often, a dog with Legg- Calve- Perthes disease will also have atrophy of the muscles in the leg that is affected, too.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is an abnormality of hip joint development.
If there is a loose fit with the bones and ligaments holding the ball and socket of the hip joint together, then the ball may begin to slide partially out of the socket. This can result in pain, severe arthritis, and even lameness on either– or both– of the dog’s rear legs. Hip dysplasia comes in varying levels of extremity, and can be classified into one of seven different categories.
These categories are as follows– Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline, Mild, Moderate, and Severe.
Luxating Patella
Luxating patella is another way to say a slipped kneecap. This happens when the kneecap pops out of the dog’s joint. There are levels of severity of this, so it can be classified into different grades and categories.
Often, a luxating patella results in lameness in one of the dog’s hind legs. The kneecap, or patella, will typically pop out randomly and then remain out until the dog’s leg is hyperextended and rotated. It is something that is fairly common in smaller dog breeds, such as the Havanese dog. It’s one of the most common orthopedic conditions for dogs.
Liver Shunts
A liver shunt is when a portion of the blood is able to bypass the liver and go directly to the heart, without the liver clearing the toxins from the blood. These toxins, including ammonia, then build up in the dog’s bloodstream. They can cause neurological signs, and this may need to be treated by surgery.
Kidney disorders can often develop in dogs that have liver shunts, and some symptoms of liver shunts include lethargy, poor appetite, and sometimes even seizures or a coma. The signs are not always easy to figure out at first, however.
Heart Issues
Heart failure is a common cause of death in Havanese dogs, unfortunately. Heart disease is common in this breed, and often is the result of a weakening heart valve. Over time, the valve will become deformed and will not be able to close tightly anymore.
Some signs of heart disease or heart failure to watch out for are coughing during sleep, a higher amount of panting, pale or bluish gums, and a swollen belly. Early detection is very important when it comes to heart issues, so that you can keep your pet healthy and comfortable.
Eye Issues
Many breeds of dogs run into eye issues as they age, such as cataracts and other eye conditions such as cherry eye. Cataracts is the loss of transparency in the lens of the eye, and depending on the severity of the cataract, can result in blindness.
Cherry eye, on the other hand, is a prolapse of the gland in the eye. To fix cataracts and cherry eye, surgery is typically needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the oldest Havanese dog?
The oldest Havanese dog was 18 years and 2 months old when it passed away. This means that you will have plenty of time to spend with your Havanese pup throughout their lifetime!
When it comes to the average age of this breed, it is also still a long time. The median age of the Havanese breed at death is 10 years and 3 months old, according to the UK Kennel Club’s 2004 study.
Is 12 old for a Havanese?
If your Havanese is 12 years old, then yes, it would be considered a senior dog. The average age of a Havanese at death is around 10 years of age, so 12 years has already passed the average for the breed’s lifespan!
Small dogs do typically have longer lifespans than their bigger breed counterparts, so it is normal to expect your Havanese to live to be 12 years– or older!– especially if they do not have any health issues that they are dealing with, which could potentially shorten their lifespan.
How long will my Havanese live?
The lifespan of every dog will vary, though there are averages out there for each breed. For a Havanese, the average lifespan is 10 years and 3 months old.
However, the oldest Havanese dog recorded was 18 years and 2 months old when it passed on! Breeders and other experts generally average 10 to 15 years for the lifespan of a Havanese dog. That being said, there are also some factors that may play into the lifespan of your dog.
For instance, if you are not taking proper care of the pup, it can affect its health. Poor diet and underlying health issues can also contribute to a shorter lifespan.
Do Havanese dogs have health problems?
Unfortunately, there are certain health conditions that often follow certain breeds, so you need to be knowledgeable about them and your pet’s genetics. For instance, cavaliers, often have heart problems.
Havanese dogs may develop issues such as eye problems, heart problems, deafness, luxating patellas, and Legg- Calve- Perthes disease. Hip dysplasia can also develop later in life for this breed, as it can for many other breeds of dogs as well. Regular visits to the vet will help you to detect and prevent these issues from developing further when possible.