Breed Characteristics:
Apartment Friendly
?How well will this breed adapt to apartment living? Is the apartment size the most important factor when it comes to proper living conditions? Is the breed suitable for apartment living?
Good For First-Time Owners
?Some dogs aren't suitable for first-time dog owners. Is this breed a good match for someone with no dog experience? Can training help them be on their best behavior with owners with no dog experience? Are they suitable to be handled by someone who is just entering the canine world?
Overall Sensitivity
?Some dogs are sensitive. Certain breeds are rough on the outside, while having the softest heart on the inside. In other words, some dogs are 'thick-skinned' while some are 'easygoing.' Is this breed prone to sensitivity?
Tolerates Being Alone
?Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious condition that can affect a dog's life quality. Is this breed prone to this condition? Can you leave him alone for hours? How destructive this breed can become when bored, neglected, or not loved enough?
Affectionate With Family
?How affectionate this breed will be around his humans? Will he welcome new family friends easily or he will choose to be shy? Some breeds can be clingy with owners, while others don't attach a lot. Will this breed act as the family's best friend?
Kid-Friendly
?Some dogs will tolerate children, while others will adore well-behaved ones. Dogs and children should always be supervised, no matter how well trained the dog might be. Will this breed act as a nanny dog or he will stay away from children?
Friendly Toward Other Dogs
?Some dog breeds cannot wait to run to the dog park and run with others. Others prefer to be with their humans, and not to be a part of a multi-pet household. Is this breed dog lover or not? How friendly this breed will be toward other dogs?
Friendly Toward Strangers
?Some dog breeds tend to be reserved toward strangers and highly suspicious. Others are fast to walk away with them easily. How welcoming this breed is toward strangers?
Drooling Level
?If you love to clean all the time drooling level in dogs is a trait that you should mind. Is this breed less likely to drool, or you will always need a towel on hand?
Easy To Groom
?Heavier shedding during the shedding season is something that every dog needs to go through. However, some dogs shed just a bit all year round. Is this breed one of them? How often should you groom this dog?
Overall Health
?What can you expect from this breed in terms of health? Are there any genetic conditions to vary about? Is obesity a major issue in this breed? By knowing more about the dog's health, you are learning how to help him live a longer and healthier life.
Prone To Obesity
?Treats are a great addition to training sessions. Dogs love sweet bites of dog treats but they should be served in moderation. Treats can lead to obesity, next to poor nutrition. Can this breed gain extra weight from treats? How prone to obesity this breed actually is?
Trainability Level
?Training some dogs is easier than others. How easy this dog will be to train? What can you expect? Some dogs are huge people pleasers and they will master commands easily, while others will try to outsmart you.
Intelligence Level
?Dogs are smart beings. We do our best to train them, but they do still end up training us to adapt to their needs. How intelligent is this breed? Will he try to outsmart you? Or he will need multiple training sessions to master basic commands?
Prey Drive
?Dogs were bred for a specific purpose. Those who were bred to hunt have natural instincts to hunt, even today. This is why many dogs, like Terriers, will chase other animals. They will also have a hard time concentrating on your commands when there is something small moving. Is this breed prone to following his prey instincts?
Barking Level
?How vocal this breed is? Can you expect neighbors to ring you often to calm your dog? Or you can sleep without worries of hearing your Fido bark? Some breeds are highly vocal, others have unusual sounds, and some are silent. Is this breed prone to barking?
Energy Level
?Low-energy dogs are happy with regular walks and indoor chill times. High-energy dogs are always ready for action. Is this breed a couch potato, energetic dog, or somewhere in between?
Exercise Needs
?Some dogs are more than happy with a slow stroll down the street. Others need hours of active time to stay happy and fit. Is this breed demanding in terms of exercise? How much exercise this breed needs to stay happy and healthy?
Playfulness Level
?Some dogs never lose that puppy spirit, not even in their senior years. Others are more serious and prefer having a job to do. Is this breed demanding in terms of playfulness? Can you expect playfulness in their senior years as well?
Havapoo is an excellent choice for those who love hybrid dog breeds. This famous dog is highly affectionate, gentle, and versatile. As such they are often the first choice for families of different sizes.
Havapoos are commonly seen in city areas as they are more than fit for apartment living.
This hybrid breed is a mix between Poodle and Havanese, making them great companion dogs with minimal shedding.
Havapoos goes under many names, including Poovanese and Havadoodles, but they are best known as Havapoos.
These designer dogs are great for first time dog owners and they’re a great addition to families of any size.
They will be gentle and affectionate toward children as long as children know how to behave around dogs.
Now, let’s go more in-depth on this popular hybrid dog breed.
Quick Facts
Real name: Havapoo
Other names: Poovanese, Havadoodles, and Havanoodles
Origin: United States
Breed type: Mixed Breed Dogs
Weight: 7 to 30 pounds
Height: 8 to 15 inches
Lifespan: 10 to 14 years
Litter Size: 2 – 8 puppies
Color: Variety of colors, including blue, sable, black, cream, red, and silver
Coat: Curly or wavy double coat
Havapoo History
As with other hybrid dogs, the history of Havapoo is short and barely known.
It is not known how exactly this breed was developed, but dog lovers believe that it was first developed sometime in the 1980s.
During this decade a huge number of hybrid dog breeds were born, mostly Poodle mixes.
Did you know that so far there are over 50 different Poodle mixes alive today?
Each mix is unique, but they will have the most common Poodle traits that people love, such as intelligence and low shedding.
All in all, we can only assume that breeders wanted to develop a companion dog breed, that will be small in size, have Poodle smart, and will be labeled as a hypoallergenic curly breed.
Check the most popular small size hypoallergenic dog breeds that are very popular nowadays.
It is also fair to say that Havapoo was developed somewhere in the States.
The majority of hybrid dog breeds were developed in the States. If you want to understand the Havapoo you should check the parents also.
Poodle
Did you know that Poodle comes in three different sizes? The type that you can see above is labeled as Standard Poodle, while there are also Miniature and Toy Poodles that are used in creating Havapoo.
This is why it is so hard to predict just how big Havapoo might be, as it depends on the Toy or Miniature size.
Another fun fact about famous Poodles is that this breed is one of the most ancient dog breeds alive.
They may originate in Germany, but they are equally loved, respected, and popular across the world.
Originally from Germany, this breed really made a big influence on the words when French people fell in love with this breed.
The Miniature and Toy sizes of the famous Poodle came later on, sometime in the 19th and 20th centuries, and they’re here to stay.
Havanese
Havanese is an old breed.
Did you know that this breed has been around for almost 300 years if not longer? As the name suggests, this small size dog is originally from Havana, Cuba.
In fact, this is the only dog breed native to Cuba. Originally, these dogs were bred to be companion dogs to nobles. They are members of the Bichon family which means that they are super-friendly, highly affectionate, and massive people pleasers.
Havanese dogs are often described as clingy, and as such, they are prone to separation anxiety.
If you have Havanaes in your home, make sure that you always have someone around to spend time with your fur ball.
Another option is to take your Havanese with you. Now that we know more about Havapoo’s purebred parents, let’s see what you can expect from Havapoo in terms of appearance.
Havapoo Physical Appearance
Havapoo is a designer dog, which means that you should be ready for surprises.
Everything can vary in this breed, from coat to size, and overall appearance.
Differences may be huge even when puppies come from the same litter. Before you get a hybrid dog this is something to bear in mind.
If you are not comfortable with surprises and you want a strictly defined breed, do your research.
To get the breed that you want, that suits your lifestyle, use this compare dog breeds tool to help you navigate between different dog breeds and help you find your perfect match in no time.
Each Havapoo puppy’s appearance will depend on which traits he inherits from his parent breeds.
How big your Havapoo might be? Well, this is tricky to answer, but you can expect them to be between 8 to 15 inches.
What about their weight? As for the weight, you can expect Havapoo to be between 7 to 30 pounds.
Again, a big factor is the Poodle side – breeders might use standard, toy, or miniature Poodle.
If you deal with reputable and responsible dog breeders you should know which type they have used.
Not only that, but you will get in detailed reports on puppies, medical documentation on the puppy, and even an opportunity to meet the bitch and check the facilities.
As a general rule, breeders choose miniature and toy poodles.
Havapoo Physical Personality
Havapoos are ultimate companions dogs.
If you are on the look for a sweet, gentle, and affectionate dog who loves to be around people, you should stop looking – Havapopo is the perfect dog.
They will love to follow you around, curl up in your lap, or sleep on the edge of your bed. Keeping you safe is a big deal for them.
Havapoos are big people-pleasers and they will do everything in their power to keep you entertained. Not only that they are easier to please, but they are really smart.
Your Havapoo will enjoy learning new tricks and repeating basic commands over and over again.
Did you know that dogs can master basic commands as of eight weeks of age?
Havapoo With Children And Other Pets
Havapoos are very friendly dogs. As long as they are treated the best way possible, they will show you their appreciation.
If anyhow neglected, ignored, or treated harshly they might become destructive.
Dogs may not know the human language, but they are masters when it comes to showing us how they feel.
If neglected or bored, dogs will display destructive behavior, no matter how small or big they might be.
Be careful when you get a small size dog – they might be ultra-cute, but they still need proper training.
Otherwise, your dog might develop a small size dog syndrome, which is treatable but requires a significant amount of time, and additional training.
As for the children, Havapoos will love being around them, as long as they know how to behave around dogs.
Havapoos are small dogs, and children tend to look at them as if they were toys.
The children need to understand that dogs are living beings who are highly territorial no matter how small they might be.
Picking them up, making sudden moves toward them while they are eating/sleeping, or resting should be forbidden no matter what.
Educate your children on how to behave around dogs and to play with dogs safely.
No matter how much love between dogs and children might be, their interaction should always be supervised.
What about the other pets? As for the other pets, Havapoos tend to get along well with other animals, smaller and bigger.
If your home is a multi-pet household, make sure that you make their introduction in a well-secured environment.
Overall, if raised with another animal from their puppyhood, Havapoos should not have issues with other animals.
As with all dogs, Havapoos will do best if they are trained in the best way possible.
Havapoo Training
Havapoos are smart dogs and training them should be a true enjoyment. They are eager to please, which means that it is up to you how well training sessions you create.
Like other dogs, Havapoos are food-driven beings, and using treats should take you a long way.
sure that you always have the best treats on hand when training. To get the maximum out of training sessions, make them:
- Short
- Fun
- Consistent
- Based on treats
- Based on positive reinforncment
Use treats to praise your Havapoo when they follow commands or act as they should.
Do not serve too many treats, as you want to avoid the potential for obesity.
Obesity in dogs is on the rise and you do want your Havapoo to be part of this negative trend.
Havapoos are prone to weight gain, so serve treats only for training purposes.
If you feel like you could use help training-wise, think about hiring a professional dog trainer, or enrolling your puppy in puppy classes.
Both options should speed up the training process and provide you with professional input on further training. What about exercising Havapoo?
Havapoo Exercise Needs
Training is what helps your dog to be a well-behaved canine citizen, while exercise is what keeps him fit.
Did you know that if you keep your dog’s joints healthy and strong, you will help your dog reach his senior years without major issues?
You should never over-workout puppies, as they’re growing, but you should have an exercise regime for adult dogs.
Havapoos should get one hour or more of exercise every day.
The best scenario would be to provide this much exercise without toilet breaks.
Do you know how often should dogs pee? For dogs, outdoor time is what keeps their mind stimulated and their bodies fit.
In other words, for them, outside time is much more than providing a regular pee time.
Dogs thrive when there is an opportunity to explore. Although they are small, Havapoos will still need regular walks, exercise time, and indoor playtime to stay healthy.
Think about the best indoor games to keep your Havapoo active, and enough dog park visits to let him roam free.
Havapoo Grooming
Grooming is a big part of proper dog care. Brushing is something that should happen on a weekly level, and it’s just one step of proper grooming.
Keeping Havapoo’s coat shiny, clean, and tangles-free is easy when you are using the right grooming tools.
Make sure that you stick to weekly bruising, as this is a great way to check the dog’s coat for fleas and skin for any sign of skin infection.
The rest is basic care:
- Trim or grind nails monthly
- Check eyes daily for any sign of eye discharge
- Brush weekly
- Bathe only when needed
- Clean dog’s ears when needed
- Check gums weekly
- Check paws on too hot or too cold days
- Clean paws regularly
If grooming your Hvaapoo seems like too much work you can always think about hiring a professional dog groomer. This option may be a bit pricey, but it will save you time.
Even if you decide to use the services of a professional groomer, make sure that you still provide weekly beginning sessions.
These sessions are not only helpful to keep your Havapoo’s coat healthy, but they should help you make a stronger bond between you two.
If your veterinarian recommends it, brush your dog’s teeth regularly. When it comes to bathing time and teeth cleaning, make sure that you use only dog-friendly products.
Havapoo Health
Havapoos are considered to be healthy dogs. Still, some health issues may appear along the way, like in any other dog breed. This is why you should stick to regular veterinarian check-ups.
Prevention is the best way to keep your Havapoo healthy in the long run.
It is a common belief that mixed breeds are healthier than purebred dogs, and that small size dogs tend to live longer than large dogs.
That being said, expect your Havapoo to live up to 14 years if you provide the proper care.
No matter how great care you might provide dogs still get sick. This means that Havapoo may inherit certain health issues.
Here are the most common health issues that Havapoos might face with:
- Hip dysplasia
- Patellar luxation
- Eye issues
- Deafness
- Thyroid issues
- Addison’s disease
- Epilepsy
If you want a healthy dog, your best chance is to provide regular veterinarian check-ups.
Although this is a very important step you need to go a step behind and do proper research on breeders before you get a dog.
Responsible dog breeders will always screen puppies for the most common health issues and present you with medical documentation on the puppy.
They will not only show you the facilities but also let you meet the bitch and provide input on further care.
Responsible breeders are not in the hurry to hand the puppy over to the first person that shows interest.
No, they will do their best to give the puppy to the best family or individual person. This means that they will ask you a lot of questions to make sure that you are the best fit for their dog.
Some breeders may even tell you that in moments of hardship return the dog to them. This is not a general rule, but an individual decision.
Once you get a dog you are directly responsible for the dog’s weight. Obesity in dogs is on the rise and this is something that you want to avoid.
To keep your dog’s weight in balance you should do the following:
- Serve high-quality food
- Know how much your dog should eat
- Know when you should feed your dog
- Always provide an easy access to clean and fresh water
- Serve foods that is great for dog’s teeth
- Learn which human foods is dangerous to dogs
- Learn how to read pet food labels
Havapoos should do fine on high-quality food that is appropriate for the age. Never serve puppies senior dogs food or vice versa.
Food should always be adjusted to the dog’s age – otherwise, they won’t get needed nutrients. They may feel full but they won’t thrive.
All in all, Havapoo should eat food that is specially designed for a small breed with medium energy.
Since these small dogs are prone to weight gain, you should divide their food into a few meals and never serve them entire food in one feeding.
Since they have the Poodle gene in them, you should know what a bloat is and how you can prevent it.
Dogs Similar To Havapoo
Havapoo seems like a breed for you, but you want to know if there are similar breeds? If so, you are in luck because there are similar dog breeds.
The most similar dog breeds to Havapoo are:
- Havanese
- Poodles
- Bichon Frise
If you have already got yourself a nice Havapoo, but you have a hard time naming your dog, you should check this ultimate guide on dog names.
Is Havapoo For You?
Havapoos are great dogs. They are a great fit for families of different sizes and they are a great choice for novice owners.
Havapoos are outgoing, affectionate, and friendly dogs who enjoy human interaction.
These small size dogs are adaptable, but they will dislike being left alone for long period.
As long as your children know how to behave around dogs, Havapoos will adore them.
If you are ready to have a clingy dog who doesn’t shed and loves spending every second with you, then Havapoo is the dog for you.
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