Are you looking for a cute, cuddly friend for yourself or your kids?
The Havapoo, which is also called Havadoodle, Poovanese, or Island Mini Doodle, is a small, cuddly, and fluffy creature that will melt your heart for sure. This little dog is a Havanese Poodle mix and makes a perfect little pet, especially for families with small kids. This little cutie pie is the best furry friend anyone can own with the fear of triggering allergies.
In general, Havapoo puppies are smart, affectionate, and easy to train, just like their parents. All these traits make them an attractive choice for people who love pets. You can keep Havadoodle puppies in small apartments and houses because they are not hyperactive. So here is all you need to know about the Havapoos before you bring them to your home.
What is a Havapoo – How it originated?
We can’t say anything with certainty about the Havapoo puppy’s origin as there is no documented evidence available to us. However, one thing is exact; the first Havanesepoo was started in the U.S about nearly 30 – 35 years ago. Yet we have clear information about its parents.
The Havanese: Originated in Havana, Cuba, these dogs are named after the capital of Cuba. These cute, small dogs were members of the Bichon family and were bred by Spanish colonists for nobles. They are also a part of the AKC Toy Group and are known as trick dogs. They are adorable little creatures that can be trained easily.
The Poodle: The second parent of the Havapoo, the Poodle originally belongs to Germany. It has a history of more than 400 years and is famous for its endearing personality. They come in three standard sizes and have given birth to numerous Poodle mixes and designer dogs. They are among the most popular and trendiest breeds globally because of their good nature, which Havapoos also inherit.
Havapoo Size and Havapoo Weight – What size can you expect for an adult Havapoo?
The size of both parents, especially the Poodle parent, causes the differences in sizes of Havapoodle puppies.
As a general rule, you can expect your Havapoo puppy to grow up to a height somewhere between 8 and 15 inches when measured from paw pad to shoulder.
The average weight of adult Havapoodles varies between seven and twenty pounds, which means they are very lightweight.
Determining Havapoo Price – How much does a Havapoo Costs?
The price of Havapoo varies greatly depending on the parents and the breeder. You can easily find an average Havapoo somewhere around $800. However, there are some premium Havapoos as expensive as $1800.
Some breeders include the high prices of genetic testing in the dog’s worth because it is also an essential part of determining a Havapoo’s health and life expectancy.
Havapoo Characteristics – all you need to know before owning a Havapoo as your pet:
Havapoo in a Glance
| Size | 8 – 15 inches | Socialization | Good with other pets |
| Weight | 7 – 30 lbs | Destructive behavior | Chew anything when frustrated |
| Lifespan | 10 – 14 years | Behavior with people | Great, but they can be aloof with strangers |
| Coat | Medium long with wavy or curly hair | Behavior with children | Very playful and friendly |
| Shedding | Minimal | Energy level | High |
| Intelligence | High | ||
| Temperament | Playful, affectionate, charming, and confident |
Havapoo Personality and Temperament
Both of the Havapoo’s parents, the Havanese and the Poodle, are popular for their calm personality and temperament. Let us see what we can expect from the character and temperament of Havapoodles.
Havapoo dogs are generally happy, affectionate, and friendly.
They like to interact with other dogs and also with people. This is because they are bred to become great companions for men.
You can make them good watchdogs with proper training; they are more inclined towards friendliness by nature. You cannot use it as a guard dog because it has tiny in size. If you haven’t trained them properly, you might get irritated with the way they bark.
They are moderately active and intelligent. They learn new tricks reasonably quickly and enjoy playing with their owners. They need proper socialization so that they do not show timid behavior when they face strangers.
To identify the expected traits from your Poovanese puppy when it grows into an adult dog, you have to ask the breeder. Socialization and training have their utmost importance, but they can never surpass genetic programming.
Havapoo Lifespan and Health
Before you make a lifelong commitment to own your fur baby, you must investigate the dog’s health and longevity from its breeder. When it comes to the little Havanese Poodle mix, we have good news that both of its parents are considered traditionally long-lived.
The Havanese has an average life span of 14 to 16 years, whereas the second parent, the Poodle, usually survives for 10 to 18 years. When you are dealing with a responsible and reputable breeder, you have the surety of all necessary genetic testing and detailed health records so that you can choose the dog with a useful life expectancy.
Genetic health is a growing concern in the owners of purebred dog breeds. Some purebred dogs are narrowly bred. Therefore gene pool is minimal for them. This limited gene pool makes them more susceptible to gene-based health problems.
However, hybrid dog breeding is a better solution, so it is becoming so popular. It combines two genres in a way that the genetic line of both parents becomes more strengthened. Luckily, both Havanese and Poodle purebred dog breeds are considered more muscular purebred lines with less potential for r genetic disorders.
Training a Havapoo
Havapoos inherit their intelligence from the Poodles. They are highly trainable because they want to please the people around them.
Positive reinforcement is the best way to train them. Reward them when they follow a command or stop unwanted behavior. They are sensitive to your body language and voice tones.
Punishments can further ruin their behavior.
Living With a Havapoo
Havapoo dogs and puppies have an excellent socializing potential, but they require training and interaction for becoming social.
They usually can adjust and live with other pets you have in your house. They love to spend time outdoors.
The Havapoo makes an ideal pet if you want to own a small, active, cuddly creature that does not require a lot of yard space for living. You can keep them happy with frequent walks and fetching games. They do not like to be left alone.
The average lifespan of a Havapoo dog is typically between 10 to 15 years.
Havapoo Dietary Needs – What should I feed my Havapoo, and how much?
There is no single diet plan that can fit all dogs. All dogs’ dietary requirements vary even if they are of the same breed; their owner designs the feeding program individually.
Here is a general dietary guideline for average-sized Havapoo dogs;
- Proteins: Proteins are the body’s building blocks and should be supplied in ample amounts to keep the dog happy and healthy.
- Dietary Fats: They are not only a good source of energy, but they are also required for several vital functions of the body.
- Carbohydrates: They serve as the primary source of energy. In the absence of dietary carbohydrates, the body starts burning fats and proteins for energy.
- Vitamins and Minerals: They are required for performing essential functions of the body.
- Fiber: It maintains the tone of the intestinal tract and prevents abdominal problems.
For a Havapoo that weighs 15 pounds, 1 cup of kibble is sufficient for a day. A 30 lbs dog can enjoy a 1.5 cup of kibble daily. Most dog feed brands also measure the best suggested dietary intake concerning the weight of your dog.
High-quality natural dog food is better for dogs’ health than feeding them dry food containing fillers such as corn syrup. Fruits and vegetables can also be given to fill their vitamin and mineral requirements.
Havapoo Exercise Needs – How much physical activity your Havapoo require daily?
Most people are concerned with the amount of exercise and physical activity required for their new canine friend’s health and well-being.
As a general rule, if your Havapoo plays 1 to 3 hours indoors, it should be enough to burn the energy contained in the little furball.
Taking them for a walk is also a good idea as they love outdoor environments. You can also let them roam freely if you have a fenced backyard.
If it is not feasible for you to take them for a walk daily, playing indoors should be sufficient for them.
The size of its Poodle parent also determines the athletic and exercise needs of a Havapoo dog. For the offspring of an average-sized Poodle, you will need to provide more daily athletic activity and exercise opportunities.
Havapoo Grooming Basics – All you need about grooming a Havapoo
When we talk about Havapoo grooming, their coat is the most important thing to consider. Mix breed dogs such as Havapoo inherit various traits from their parent breeds, which determine their coat characteristics.
We can describe the coat of a Havanese dog as smooth, silky, long, and lightweight. Their coat may have a wavy or a refined look, depending on their genes. On the other hand, Poodles own a much denser, curlier coat.
Therefore you can expect your Havapoo to resemble either of them in its coat characteristics. It may be a mixture of both of them. But the good news is that both breeds are hypoallergenic and low shedding. Therefore Havapoo is also.
Here are some grooming basics that every Havapoo owner know to make their furball look more cute and adorable;
Brushing:
Regular brushing is necessary to prevent tangling and matting. The coat and hairstyle will determine the number of times you need to brush your Havapoo. Dogs with longer coats require daily brushing, but if you keep them clipped shorter, brushing them few times a week is enough to resolve their tangles and mats.
Bathing:
The number of times you need to bathe your Havapoo depends on the type of activities you involve it in. for a dog that stays most of the time indoors, bathing once a month is sufficient. But if the dog is more involved in outdoor activities that make it muddy or dirty, you should bathe it more frequently.
All the products you use while bathing, such as shampoo, conditioner, and cleansers, should be specially formulated for dogs. Make sure that you rinse the dog thoroughly to remove all the traces of products used during bathing. Residual chemicals that stick to the skin can cause irritation, itching, and redness to the dog.
Drying:
Once you are done bathing your Havapoo, it’s time to dry them completely. It is better to take the help of a dog-safe dryer to ensure the entire coat gets dried. Leaving the coat in moisture can lower their body temperature, making them feel cold and uncomfortable.
General Cleaning:
It is interesting to know that Havapoos often get a tear-stain around their eyes, especially if they have a light-colored coat. Regularly cleaning this area with a soft wet towel or cloth will ensure that your fur baby looks neat and clean. It is good to brush their teeth and clean their ears regularly.
When you hear the sound of nails on your floor when the Havapoo walks, it’s time to clip their nails. Most of the dog owners plan a schedule for clipping their dog’s nails to make things simple. Similarly, Havapoo’s coat also needs a regular trim as it grows very fast. Traditional hair cut will let the fur ball’s coat remain in a tip-top shape.
What Is a Havapoo – The Final Verdict
Havapoo dogs are little, lightweight creatures that are filled with playful energy. They are always ready to play with you and your children. In the outdoor environment, they get even more excited. They are non-shedding and hypoallergenic.
They are intelligent and easy to train. With a little bit of training, they will become your best companion and never let you feel alone.
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