17 Adorable Havanese Mixes: Meet These Charming Companion Dogs

The Havanese, the national dog of Cuba, has surged in popularity in recent years thanks to its cheerful disposition, convenient small size, and hypoallergenic coat. These traits also make the Havanese an ideal candidate for cross-breeding, resulting in a diverse array of utterly charming mixed breed companion dogs. If you‘re considering adding a Havanese mix to your family, read on to learn about some of the most popular crosses and find the perfect match for your lifestyle.

Why Havanese Make Great Mixes

Before we dive into the adorable world of Havanese mixes, let‘s take a moment to appreciate the Havanese breed itself. Typically weighing between 7 to 13 pounds and standing 8.5 to 11.5 inches tall, the Havanese is a sturdy little dog with a silky coat that comes in a variety of colors. They are intelligent, playful, and affectionate dogs that thrive on human companionship.

A few key Havanese traits make them especially well-suited to cross-breeding:

• Adaptability – Havanese are highly adaptable dogs that do well in apartments and are suited for many different living situations and family structures. They are generally good with children, other dogs, and even cats.

• Trainability – As a smart and eager-to-please breed, Havanese tend to be quite trainable. They pick up on things quickly and are well-suited for dog sports like agility and rally.

• Hypoallergenic coat – The Havanese has a low-shedding, hypoallergenic coat, a desirable trait that is often passed on to mixed breed offspring. Many Havanese crosses are good choices for allergy sufferers.

• Healthiness – Havanese are a generally healthy breed with a lifespan of 14-16 years. Responsible breeders screen for health issues like hip dysplasia, heart problems, and eye disorders.

Now that you have a sense of what makes Havanese such a great foundation for a mixed breed dog, let‘s meet some of the most popular Havanese mixes and what to expect from each cross.

10 Top Havanese Mixes

1. Havapoo (Havanese x Poodle)

The Havapoo combines two highly intelligent breeds, the Havanese and the Poodle (usually a miniature or toy variety), into one adorable, low-shedding package. With their smarts and eagerness to learn, Havapoos are very trainable and well-suited for dog sports or therapy work. They are generally friendly, outgoing, and good with kids. Havapoos typically weigh between 7 to 30 pounds, depending on the size of the Poodle parent. They require regular brushing and grooming to maintain their curly hypoallergenic coats.

2. Cavanese (Havanese x Cavalier King Charles Spaniel)

The sweet-natured Cavanese is a cross between the gentle, affectionate Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the lively, outgoing Havanese. The result is a friendly, adaptable companion dog that loves to be around its people. Cavanese usually have the soft, silky coat of the Cavalier and the Havanese‘s variety of colors. They typically weigh 10 to 20 pounds and have moderate grooming requirements. The Cavanese is prone to some health issues common to Cavaliers like heart mitral valve disease and syringomyelia, so it‘s important to choose a reputable breeder who screens for these conditions.

3. Havachon (Havanese x Bichon Frise)

The Havachon brings together two of the most cheerful and entertaining small companion breeds – the bouncy Bichon Frise and the clownish Havanese. Friendly and sociable, Havachons love activity and will happily join you on all your adventures. They inherit a low-shedding coat from both parent breeds, with colors ranging from solid white to shades of cream, apricot, and black. Havachons usually weigh between 6 to 15 pounds. Their soft coats require regular brushing and grooming to prevent mats.

4. Havashire (Havanese x Yorkshire Terrier)

The spunky little Havashire combines the feistiness of the Yorkshire Terrier with the cheerful Havanese temperament. Though small in size at 5 to 12 pounds, Havashires have big personalities. They tend to be energetic, playful, and very attached to their people. Their silky coats are usually a mix of the Yorkie‘s blue and tan and the Havanese‘s many colors, and they often have the cute beard and eyebrows typical of Yorkies. Havashires may inherit the Yorkie‘s tendency to bark, so early training is important. Regular brushing is needed to prevent tangles in their long, fine coats.

5. Ewokian (Havanese x Pomeranian)

With their tiny size, pointy ears, and fluffy coats, it‘s no wonder this Havanese-Pomeranian mix earned a Star Wars-inspired name. Ewokians usually weigh just 4 to 10 pounds and inherit the thick double coat and foxy expression of the Pom combined with typical Havanese coat colors. They tend to be smart, active little dogs with a stubborn streak, so they require patience and consistency to train. Ewokians can adapt well to apartment life but still need daily walks and playtime. If they take after their Pom parent, expect regular brushing and seasonal shedding.

6. Hava-Apso (Havanese x Lhasa Apso)

The Hava-Apso is an adorable cross between the Havanese and the Lhasa Apso, an ancient breed from Tibet known for its beautiful coat and confident demeanor. This mix typically weighs between 8 to 18 pounds and has a long, silky coat that may have a slight wave. Colors include shades of gold, cream, black, and white. The friendly, outgoing Havanese temperament often balances out the Lhasa‘s more independent, wary nature in this mix. Hava-Apsos need daily brushing to keep their long coats mat-free. They are suited for apartment living but still require regular exercise.

7. Havanese Shih Tzu (Havanese x Shih Tzu)

Two of the most popular small companion breeds come together in this sweet-natured, cuddly mix. The Havanese Shih Tzu usually weighs between 8 to 18 pounds and has a long, soft coat in a range of colors including black, white, gold, and silver. They tend to be affectionate, loyal dogs that bond closely with their families. The playful Havanese spirit balances the more sedate Shih Tzu temperament, resulting in an adaptable, easy-going companion. The Havanese Shih Tzu requires regular brushing and grooming to keep its coat looking its best. They generally do well in apartments and can adapt to many living situations.

8. Havaco (Havanese x Coton de Tulear)

The Havaco brings together two cousin breeds, the Havanese and Coton de Tulear, both thought to descend in part from the defunct Bichon Tenerife. The result is an adorable, fluffy little dog with a sweet expression and gentle nature. Havacos usually weigh between 7 to 13 pounds and inherit the soft, cotton-like coat of the Coton, which may be solid white or have shadings of cream, gold, or black. They are playful, affectionate dogs that do well in many households. Havacos require regular brushing and grooming and do best with daily walks and playtime.

9. Havachin (Havanese x Japanese Chin)

The Havachin combines the lively, outgoing Havanese with the calm, cat-like Japanese Chin. These small dogs usually weigh 4 to 11 pounds and have a silky coat in a variety of colors. They often inherit the Chin‘s flattened facial features and bug eyes. Havachins tend to be affectionate, easy-going companions that are playful but not overly active. They can adapt well to apartment life but still need daily exercise and mental stimulation. Havachins may inherit the Chin‘s tendency to be heat-sensitive and are not suited for extreme weather. Their long coats require regular brushing.

10. Havamalt (Havanese x Maltese)

The Havamalt is a charming cross between two related breeds, the Havanese and Maltese. Both breeds descended in part from the same extinct Mediterranean "Bichon" type dogs. Havamalts are petite dogs weighing just 6 to 12 pounds with soft, silky white coats. They combine the gentle, affectionate Maltese nature with the Havanese‘s playful, clownish personality. Havamalts make wonderful companion dogs for many households and can adapt well to apartment life. They have moderate exercise needs but still enjoy daily walks and playtimes. Regular brushing and grooming is needed to maintain their beautiful white coats.

Other Havanese Mixes

In addition to the popular crosses described above, the versatile Havanese can be mixed with many other breeds. Here are a few more interesting Havanese mixes:

• Papanese (Papillon x Havanese) – Lively, smart little dogs well-suited for training and dog sports.
• Cavanese (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel x Havanese) – Sweet, gentle lap dogs with the Cavalier‘s silky coat.
• Havallon (Papillon x Havanese) – Energetic, trainable small dogs with big personalities.
• Hava-Klee (Alaskan Klee Kai x Havanese) – Unusual cross with the look of a miniature husky.
• Havagese (Pekingese x Havanese) – Cute, fluffy lap dogs with a calm, affectionate nature.
• Dachshund x Havanese – Lively, spunky little dogs with long bodies and short legs.
• Schnese (Miniature Schnauzer x Havanese) – Smart, energetic dogs with a protective nature.

With so many adorable mixes to choose from, you‘re sure to find a Havanese cross that suits your lifestyle and steals your heart.

Choosing a Healthy Havanese Mix

Like all mixes, Havanese crosses can inherit health issues from either parent breed. While the hybrid vigor effect may lower risks for some inherited diseases, it‘s still important to choose a puppy from health-screened parents. Reputable Havanese mix breeders test parent dogs for issues like hip dysplasia, heart conditions, eye disorders, and luxating patellas and are willing to share documentation of screening results.

Adopting an adult Havanese mix from a rescue group is another great way to add one of these sweet dogs to your home. Rescues typically provide veterinary care and assessments of each dog‘s health, temperament, and ideal home environment. This can take some of the uncertainty out of adopting a mixed breed.

Is a Havanese Mix Right For You?

Choosing the right dog involves evaluating your lifestyle, home environment, and what you‘re looking for in a canine companion. Havanese mixes are ideally suited for owners who:

• Want a small but not too tiny dog
• Appreciate an outgoing, affectionate companion
• Have time for daily exercise and play sessions
• Don‘t mind regular brushing and grooming
• Want an adaptable dog suited for apartment life
• Enjoy training and spending time with their dog

With their happy dispositions and convenient size, Havanese mixes make delightful companions for many different households. If you think one of these cheerful charmers might be your perfect match, reach out to reputable breeders or rescue groups to learn more about available pups or dogs. No matter which adorable Havanese cross you ultimately choose, you‘re sure to gain a joyful, devoted best friend.