Last updated on February 25th, 2023 at 01:17 am
Are Havanese Good Family Dogs?
Why a Havanese Dog is a Good Fit for Your Family
Havanese dogs are some of the friendliest and most adorable toy dogs on the planet. They were first bred on the island of Cuba hundreds of years ago but began spreading across North America after the 1960s. Since then, they have been one of the most sought-after family dogs around. There are almost countless reasons why Havanese dogs make great companions for your family. In fact, it is hard to think of one single reason why you shouldn’t introduce one of these bundles of fluff and love into your home.
Havanese Dogs are Great with Kids
Like a lot of toy dogs, Havanese dogs are fantastic with children. They are happy, energetic, and fiercely loyal. With a maximum height of 11.5 inches, your toddler can play comfortably with a Havanese dog or puppy and no one will ever get hurt. These dogs are incredibly sweet and gentle. One look into their expressive eyes and you will know immediately a Havanese dog could never do something to harm a child, a kitten, or any other animal. They are perfect to have in a household that already has dogs, cats, fish, or babies.
Just make sure you socialize with your Havanese from a young age. Get them used to other animals and people and they will be the friendliest dog you have ever owned.
Because Havanese dogs live for a whopping 15 years, they are the perfect companion for a young child. If you have a newborn or a toddler, you can adopt a Havanese puppy and rest assured the two will create a lifelong bond and grow up together.
These dogs come cuddle-sized, meaning your youngster will be happy snuggling through the night with their new best friend.
Havanese Dogs can Easily be Trained
Despite their fun size and goofy antics, Havanese dogs can be seriously trained. This is great if you are looking for a new addition to the family. Havanese dogs will never pee on the floor, they won’t bark at the passing traffic, and they will be excellent watchdogs, alerting you the minute someone breaches the house.
Havanese Dogs Love Love
As a new member of your family, there is no dog more loving and loyal than a Havanese. It is simply in their nature to love. They will become fiercely attached to an entire family, including young children, and will often pad about the house after people in a desperate bid for attention. This is ideal for a family environment.
Havanese dogs love going on road trips, family outings, and just lazing around on the back of the couch watching the days go by. Because Havanese dogs require so much devotion, they are well-suited to living inside a family unit as a housedog.
Keep in mind that Havanese dogs really do require mass amounts of human attention. If you are part of a hectic family where the house is often empty and everyone is busy with activities, a Havanese may not be right for you. If left alone, these dogs can suffer from extreme depression and grow anxious.
They may even act out.
It is imperative for the dog’s health that they receive affection and are close to people most of the time. These dogs won’t be happy sleeping in a crate in the kitchen.
That’s not to say you have to treat a Havanese dog like a baby, but they aren’t the most independent animals.
Havanese Dogs Love to Play
Because these canines have so much explosive energy, they are great for active families. It is important for them to get their daily dose of exercise, whether by going on a trip to the park, a walk around the neighbourhood, or just playing in the backyard.
For families who love the outdoors and have small children who like to play in the park, a Havanese dog is the perfect addition to the family. They have a surprising amount of energy for such small dogs. They’ll certainly exhaust your kids in time for bed.
A fun fact about Havanese dogs is that they love paper. Toilet paper, loose scraps of paper – really any kind of paper they can get their paws on. They love to play with it. If you have paper somewhere lying around in the house, chances are your Havanese will sniff it out and try to make a mess. As a treat, try leaving a roll of toilet paper around to see what happens!
Our little Nessie LOVES toilet rolls and paper towel rolls as well. When we are finished with the paper she gets the roll and loves it. It’s a great little treat after a bath and shampoo or a walk-in her harness
Havanese are Good Family Dogs
To sum up the title of this article, we will say flat out that yes, Havanese make fantastic family dogs. They may even be the best family dogs. However, they are not the best guard dogs. It is hard to be intimidated by a ten-inch-tall animal.
But if you are looking for a family friend and not a vicious, snarling beast to guard your home, a Havanese is perfect.
Despite its small stature, they are still good at warding away intruders with their gravelly barks.
Inside the home it is hard to find a cheerier pup to take care of the family. Havanese dogs are great silent companions for the elderly. They are full of energy and love for young children, and they will be well-trained and well-behaved for the masters of the household. All the while, the Havanese will be adorable and extremely loyal.
It is almost better for a Havanese puppy to go with a family because there is less of a chance that the family will give up the dog for adoption a year or two later. These dogs become very attached to their owners, and it is important the owners become attached to their Havanese.
If you do decide to add a Havanese dog or puppy to your family, you should have peace of mind knowing you are making a smart decision. You will never be bored, disappointed, or frustrated with a Havanese dog. Even if you wanted to be sour with your new canine friend, it’s nearly impossible. Havanese dogs are simply too cute to be mad at!
FAQ
Are Havanese Dogs Good With Cats?
Havanese dogs are well known for being great with cats. I live with two Ragdoll cats and Nessie is great with both of them. Ok so I’ll define great. Grandma Cat is 25, and pretty slow and old. She gets on ok with Nessie and her don’t fight. Maya is a younger cat, and her and Nessie don’t always see eye to eye on things. They don’t cuddle and sometimes Maya swipes at her when they get too close in the hallway. Most of the time however they are fine.
If you have a cat and want to get a Havanese dog, or you have a Havanese dog and want to get a cat I would recommend trying it out. It worked for us.
Do Havanese Dogs Shed?
One of the major considerations for purchasing a family dog is the expense, the behaviour and the cleanup. The good news for people considering a Havanese Dog is that they do not shed. This alone can be a major consideration for people. This means there is very little cleanup when it comes to shedding in the home.