Havapoo is a cross between a Havanese and a Poodle.
These hybrid dogs go by a variety of different names, including Havapoo, Havadoodle, Poovanese and Havanese Poodle Mix.
They’re a cross between two hypoallergenic dog breeds to create a companion dog with a curly coat.
Havanese Poodle Mixes are thought to have started in the 2000s as designer dog breeds continued to surge in popularity.
Seeing as the Havanese can be susceptible to separation anxiety, the Havapoo may not be suited to pet parents who have to leave their dog alone frequently.
In this article we’ll take a look at everything you need to know about the Havanese Poodle Mix, including their appearance, their temperament and other key traits.
We’ll break this article into the following sections:
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What is a Havanese Poodle Mix?
The Havanese Poodle Mix is a cross between a Havanese and a Poodle.
These little dogs can go by a variety of different names, including Havapoo, Island Mini Doodle, Havanoodle, Havadoodle, Havanesepoo and Poovanese.
These designer dogs were first thought to have appeared in the 2000s. So officially, they haven’t been around for a long time. Of course, there may well be Havapoos that were unintentionally bred together much sooner than this.
To get a better understanding of the Havanese Poodle Mix, we need to take a closer look at both the Havanese and the Poodle.
Where do Havanese come from?
Havanese enjoying some play time (Photo: Adobe Stock)
The Havanese is a companion-sized pet that originated in Cuba. Although their exact origins are the source of debate, they’re thought to be descendants of dogs that came from Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands of the coast of Africa.
Italian and Spanish explorers brought these little dogs to the Americas and it wasn’t long before they had become favoured companions of Cuba’s aristocracy. They were previously called the Havana Silk Dog (aka Blanquito de la Habana).
The early members of the Havanese breed were thought to have been refined by using some Poodle mixes. Havanese have a close association with the Bichon Frise.
Moving into the 20th century, the Cuban revolution led to well-to-do refugees fleeing to the United States along with their little Havanese dogs. With help from intrigued breeders in the USA, the Havanese became more common and more popular.
The American Kennel Club rate the Havanese as the 24th most popular dog breed in the USA.
Where do Poodles come from?
Moving from the national dog of Cuba to the national dog of France. The Poodle is one of the world’s most famous dog breeds.
Known as the “duck dog” in France, the Poodle is thought to have originated in Germany rather than France. This retrieving water dog is best known for their curly coat.
Over time, the Poodle has move away from water to the laps of pet owners. They come in three different sizes: standard, miniature and toy.
The Poodle has achieved worldwide acclaim for their hypoallergenic coats, making them perfect for dog lovers with allergies to canines.
According to the AKC, the Poodle is the seventh most popular dog in the USA.
Havanese Poodle Mix size
There is quite a bit of variation between members of this cross breed. Each Havapoo could take on specific physical characteristics from their Havanese and Poodle parent.
However, as a rough guideline, a Havanese Poodle Mix will usually grow to height between 8 and 15 inches (20cm and 38cm) and a weight range of 15 to 45 pounds (6.8kg to 20.4kg).
Havanese Poodle Mix colors
Havanese Poodle Mix can come in a variety of different colors based upon the coat colors of each parent.
The Havapoo can come in white, brown, gray, black, cream, pied and fawn.
Havanese Poodle Mix appearance
Aside from coat color, the Havanese Poodle Mix can have a coat that is medium or long and wavy or curly in appearance.
Usually, they’ll have dark brown eyes and ears that flop over their face. Havapoo has a long tail.
Havanese Poodle Mix temperament
Looking at the Havanese Poodle Mix temperament, we have to consider the personality traits of both parents. Again, remember that each Havapoo can have varying temperaments.
Given the Havanese were breed to be companion dogs, you can expect this cross breed to enjoy being around the pet parents. They’re usually easy going, intelligent, loyal and friendly.
You can expect a Havanese Poodle Mix to be relatively intelligent given the Poodle is the second smartest dog breed in the world behind the Border Collie. Therefore, a Havapoo should be relatively easy to train.
As with any dog, it’s a good idea to start socialisation and training from a young age in order to lay down a solid foundation from a young age.
Is a Havapoo a good family dog?
The Havanese Poodle Mix can be good family dogs but given their small size, younger children will need to be educated about how to handle these canines with care.
Generally speaking, the Havapoo are affectionate, gentle and sociable. While they’re not aggressive dogs by any stretch of the imagination, they won’t like to be poked or roughoused.
Havanese Poodle Mix exercise
The Havapoo are relatively energetic dogs. The Havanese don’t have high energy levels but the Poodle does. The French dogs are sporting dogs used as water retrievers. When the two breeds are combined, the result is a dog that needs quite a bit of exercise.
According to WagWalking, the Havanese Poodle Mix requires 120 minutes of exercise a day. They suggest racking up around nine miles per week to ensure your designer dog is happy and exercised.
Havapoo separation anxiety
The Havanese breed are known to sometimes struggle with separation anxiety. For that reason, they don’t do well when left alone for a long time. You may want to get a dog camera to keep an eye on your canine.
The same can be said of the Havanese Poodle Mix, who can sometimes suffer from this chronic canine disorder. Having said that, you can tackle this issue head on. For more information on dog separation anxiety, check out our interview with dog trainer Malena DeMartini.
Are Havapoo hypoallergenic?
The Havanese and the Poodle are both hypoallergenic dog breeds. While the American Kennel Club says there’s no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog breed, some canines are more hypoallergenic than others.
The Havapoo should be a hypoallergenic cross breed given both parents are low to non shedders. This is one of the most appealing aspects of these designer dogs.
Do Havapoo dogs shed?
As we mentioned above, the Havanese Poodle Mix don’t shed a lot just like their parents. So you shouldn’t have to worry about lots of dog hair around your home.
However, they’ll require regularly grooming to ensure their coats remain in the best possible shape. Havapoo owners should aim to brush their dogs at least two or three times a week.
A Havanese Poodle Mix will also benefit from a monthly bath.
How much does a Havanese Poodle Mix cost?
Havapoo aren’t a breed so they don’t have a breed standard, unlike the Havanese and Poodle. Therefore, you need to be cautious when looking for Havapoo breeder. While their price range can vary, you can expect to pay between $1,800 and $3,00 for a Havapoo.
We never recommend buying a Havapoo from a pet store, third-party breeder or online. You should always ask to see a puppy with its mother and father. Other steps to take include requesting the registration papers of the parents, plus proof of health and veterinary checks.
Other potential costs include dog food, pet insurance, grooming, vet trips and much more. You can check out the best pet insurance options in the USA and the UK.
Havapoo to follow on Instagram
If you want to learn more about the Havanese Poodle Mix, you can always find some on social media platforms such as Instagram.
In our experience, dog owners are more than willing to offer information and insights into their canines.
Here are a few examples of Havapoos you can follow on Instagram.
• Piper (@piperloo.thehavapoo)
• Riley (@rileyinthe6)
• Penny (@cutepenny)
Wrapping up
So we’ve reached the end of our article on Havanese Poodle Mix dogs. They’re a cross breed between a Havanese and a Poodle. These companion designer dogs are usually hypoallergenic.
They’re usually quite energetic given the influence of the Poodle genes, but they’re affectionate and loving canines that love to have human company.
