The Havanese dog breed has won many admirers with their long, silky hair, expressive eyes, and cuddly size. Bred as a companion dog to the Cuban aristocracy in the 1800s, they’ve earned the nickname “Velcro dog” because they stick so closely to their owner’s side.
The Havanese coat is straight or wavy. This dog was often called the “Havana silk dog” because the coat, while double-coated, feels like fine silk. The adult coat reaches a length of six to eight inches. Unlike the bichon, the Havanese comes in many colors including gold, black, blue, silver, cream, champagne, chocolate and any combination of the acceptable colors including tricolor and parti-color.
Havanese, also known as the Havana Silk Dog or the Spanish Silk Poodle, was the favorite lapdog of many aristocrats and has become a popular dog breed for many pet parents worldwide. Known as the only dog breed native to Cuba (hence the name), the Havanese likely had Bichon Frise and Maltese dogs as their ancestors before they developed into a unique dog breed. These cheerful little dogs are intelligent, outgoing companions who make wonderful pets in big cities due to their small size. They also make sharp watchdogs without the propencity to bark.
General Features Of A Full Grown Havanese
- The Havanese is a companion dog that thrives on being with his family. He can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone, and does best when someone is home during the day to keep him company.
- Although they generally outgrow this, it’s quite common for Havanese puppies (among other breeds) to eat their own stools. Scoop your puppy’s poop right away so he can’t indulge in this icky habit.
- The long, silky coat of the Havanese is beautiful, but requires regular brushing and care. Many owners prefer to clip it short, but if you want to show your dog, you’ll have to let it grow long and invest a good amount of time in grooming, or money in paying a groomer. Another reason to keep it long: If you live in a warm climate, the long coat helps keep your dog cool.
- The Havanese does well in all types of housing, from apartments to homes with large yards. But he’ll probably bark when he sees someone passing by the house or when he hears a strange noise. The good news is that he doesn’t bark just for the sake of hearing his own voice.
- The Havanese loves to watch the world from up high, and will find his way onto the backs of sofas and tables to watch the day pass by.
At What Age Is A Havanese Fully Grown?
You can expect your Havanese puppy to reach their weight and height by six to eight months old. As a toy dog breed, the Havanese reach their adult size relatively quickly, compared to large breeds that require 18 to 24 months to finish filling out. Also, unlike many dogs, there is no noticeable difference between the size of a male and female Havanese. Both tend to be around the same weight and height.
How Big Should A 6-Month-Old Havanese Be?
A 6-month-old Havanese puppy will be at their adult size or close to it. Male and female Havanese puppies may weigh between 6 to 8 pounds at six months old and will likely already be at their adult height, typically between 8.5 to 11.5 inches tall.
How Much Bigger Will My Havanese Get?
There are a few ways to estimate how big a Havanese dog may get:
- Age. If your Havanese puppy is less than six months old, then they likely still have growing left to do. If they are eight months or older, then they are probably finished growing.
- Paw Size. You can also take a look at your Havanese puppy’s paws. Are their paws still oversized next to their legs and body? This is a classic adolescent feature indicating that your pup still has growing left to do.
- Genetics. Lastly, try contacting your Havanese puppy’s breeder if you choose to purchase them through a breeder. Your breeder can provide you with a more exact estimate of their adult size based on their parents’ size and past litters. A puppy will rarely grow to be larger than its bigger parent, so this will also provide you with an idea of its maximum weight and height.
What Is The Size Of A Full-Grown Havanese?
According to the American Kennel Club Official Havanese Breed Standards, an adult Havanese should weigh between 7 and 13 pounds and stand between 8.5 and 11.5 inches tall at the shoulders. There is no notable size difference between male and female adult Havanese dogs.
An adult Havanese should appear compact, slightly longer than tall, and have a springy gait, a famous breed hallmark. While their coats are stunning, it can be easy for Havanese dogs to put on excess weight without their pet parents noticing due to their lush double coats. To prevent this, it’s crucial that you regularly feel your Havanese’s body underneath their thick coat regularly to assess if they are continuing to put on weight.
How Do I Make Sure My Havanese Is Healthy?
Our Havanese puppies are cherished members of the family who deserve the best. Unfortunately, the Havanese is a purebred dog which makes them more susceptible to various genetically inheritable diseases. As a pet parent, this can be heartbreaking to think about. However, many of these diseases can be prevented, minimized, or treated with routine top-notch veterinary care.
When Do Havanese Puppies Stop Growing?
I didn’t want to solely go by what the AKC had to say on this, so I asked various Havanese owners when their puppies stopped growing. Here’s what the vast majority all had in common.
Puppies usually stop growing around the 8-month mark or at least slow down growing dramatically. By 10 months old, most puppies won’t grow much anymore, with the exception of a few.
How Big Do Havanese Get?
The following are the height and weight averages of fully grown adults. These figures are again, taken from the AKC.
The average HEIGHT of Havanese:
Between 8.5 Inches to 11.5 Inches.
The average WEIGHT of Havanese:
Between 7 to 13 pounds.
How much does a Havanese weigh?
7-13 pounds (3-6 kgs) is the standard weight of most Havanese dogs. Males tend to weigh more than females. In some cases, Havanese can grow to weigh more than the standard weight.
Factors That May Affect The Size Of Your Havanese
Bloodline will have the biggest impact on the overall size of your Havanese by far. There isn’t anything else that comes close, with some exceptions given to the type of diet your Havanese consumes.
Depending on the parents of your Havanese, and even their parents, your little fluff monster may end up growing to be slightly bigger than “normal”, or even smaller than “normal”.
And when it comes to diet, the only thing that may happen is either malnourishment which could potentially stunt or disrupt the normal growth rate of your Havanese, or overeating, which may lead to fat gain and excess weight.