Havanese are generally considered a healthy breed, but no breed is free of inherited or acquired health problems. Knowing what to watch for—and choosing a breeder who completes appropriate health testing—can help you make informed decisions throughout your dog’s life.
This guide is educational, not a diagnosis. If your Havanese is in pain, struggling to breathe, collapsing, having a seizure, unable to urinate, repeatedly vomiting, or showing another sudden or severe change, contact a veterinarian or emergency clinic promptly.
Havanese health at a glance
The Havanese Club of America health and testing guide describes the breed as generally healthy while identifying conditions that breeders and owners should understand. An individual dog’s risk depends on genetics, age, environment, preventive care, and other factors.
Schedule routine veterinary examinations and keep vaccinations and parasite prevention current according to your veterinarian’s advice.
Maintain a healthy body condition with measured meals and suitable daily activity.
Brush teeth regularly and arrange professional dental care when recommended.
Watch for changes in movement, vision, hearing, appetite, thirst, breathing, skin, coat, or behaviour.
Never start, stop, or change medication or supplements without veterinary guidance.
Health tests and testing for Havanese puppies
Health testing is not the same as a routine checkup or a consumer DNA panel. For breeding dogs, formal health tests are distinct from breeder tools based on DNA diversity panels that evaluate genetic diversity. The Havanese Club of America says the current CHIC requirements for Havanese include hip evaluation, patella evaluation, and an annual CAER eye examination. A CHIC number means the required tests were completed and made public; it does not necessarily mean every result was normal.
Before buying a puppy, ask for the registered names or numbers of both parents and verify their results in the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals database. In addition, low inbreeding coefficients and strong genetic diversity support long-term health, including healthier immune systems. Discuss the health history of close relatives, the breeder’s contract, and what support is available if a hereditary condition appears. Some breeders also use outcrossing to maintain genetic diversity.
Conditions to discuss with your veterinarian
Eye conditions
Havanese can be affected by eye problems including cataracts, retinal disorders, distichia, persistent pupillary membranes, and prolapse of the third-eyelid gland (often called cherry eye). Cloudiness, redness, discharge, squinting, rubbing, bumping into objects, or a change in night vision warrants a veterinary examination. Some problems are painful or time-sensitive, so do not wait for a routine visit if symptoms are sudden.
Patellar luxation
Patellar luxation occurs when the kneecap moves out of its normal groove. Signs can include intermittent skipping, briefly carrying a rear leg, stiffness, or persistent lameness. Severity varies widely. Your veterinarian can examine the knees and discuss monitoring, weight management, exercise, pain control, or referral for surgery when appropriate.
If your veterinarian discusses joint-support products, compare our guide to supplements used for canine hip problems with our overview of Duralactin for dogs explains what it is and the questions to ask before using it.
Hip dysplasia and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
Hip dysplasia involves abnormal development of the hip joint, and signs of bad hips may not become obvious until some Havanese are older, especially as they age over the years. Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease involves loss of blood supply to the head of the femur and is seen most often in young small-breed dogs. Either can cause pain, reduced activity, difficulty rising, an altered gait, or muscle loss. Diagnosis commonly requires a physical examination and imaging; treatment depends on the dog and the severity of the condition, and puppies that grow too quickly or carry excess weight may face a higher risk of later joint or skeletal problems. Feed a complete, balanced puppy diet and ask your veterinarian about appropriate portions.
Chondrodysplasia
Chondrodysplasia refers to abnormal cartilage and bone development. In Havanese, this can affect proper size and may be linked to genetics or improper nutrition during development. Affected dogs may have shortened or bowed limbs or other skeletal changes. Appearance alone cannot determine the cause or severity. A veterinarian may recommend radiographs and, when appropriate, consultation with an orthopedic specialist.
Hearing loss
Hearing changes may be congenital or develop later. A dog that does not respond to familiar sounds may also have an ear infection, obstruction, or another medical problem, so arrange an examination. BAER testing measures the brain’s response to sound and can objectively evaluate hearing.
Liver shunts
A portosystemic shunt allows some blood to bypass the liver. Possible signs include poor growth, digestive upset, reduced appetite, unusual behaviour, disorientation, weakness, urinary problems, or seizures, but these signs can have many causes. Diagnosis requires veterinary testing. Management may involve diet, medication, and sometimes surgery; it should always be directed by a veterinarian.
Heart, thyroid, skin, and dental concerns
Heart murmurs and other cardiac disease can develop in Havanese in their senior years; understanding the breed’s typical lifespan and ageing pattern helps owners plan preventive care, and thyroid disorders, sebaceous adenitis and other skin conditions, allergies, and dental disease can also affect this strong little breed. Seek veterinary advice for coughing, exercise intolerance, fainting, unexplained weight or coat changes, persistent itching, hair loss, bad breath, difficulty eating, or swollen gums, and keep up with regular, ideally yearly, cardiac exams for ongoing heart monitoring. Dental disease is also common in Havanese because small mouths can lead to overcrowded teeth. These signs are not specific to one condition and should not be self-diagnosed.
Coat care and health
A long, silky, clipped, or corded coat does not cause the inherited conditions above, but coat care can affect comfort and skin health. Mats may pull on the skin and trap moisture or debris. Check the skin, ears, eyes, feet, and sanitary areas during grooming, and use dog-safe products. Grooming also helps you spot a flea or ticks problem early and keep them controlled. A corded coat requires careful separation, thorough rinsing, and complete drying. See our Havanese grooming guide and Havanese haircut guide for practical care information.
When to book a veterinary visit
Book an appointment when you notice a persistent change from your dog’s normal baseline—even if the symptom seems mild. Early assessment is especially useful for changes in gait, vision, hearing, appetite, thirst, urination, breathing, skin, coat, behaviour, or sleeping habits. Bring notes, photos, or videos when a symptom is intermittent.
Questions to ask a breeder about breeding dogs
Can I verify both parents’ hip, patella, and current eye results in the OFA database?
What health conditions have occurred in parents, siblings, or previous litters, and how do you answer whether dogs with chronic health issues are removed from breeding plans?
What veterinary care, vaccinations, and socialization has the puppy received?
What does the contract say about health guarantees, returns, and lifetime support?
Do your homework before you purchase a puppy, choose a breeder with transparent records, stay aware of breed health concerns, understand what follow-up support is offered, and know what the owner should do after bringing a puppy home, including monitoring normal growth milestones through puppyhood?
Health screening reduces uncertainty but cannot guarantee that a puppy will never become ill. Transparent records, thoughtful breeding decisions, routine veterinary care, and prompt attention to changes give a Havanese the best chance of a healthy life.