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Havanese Club of Great Britain
Health Conditions in Havanese
Overall, the Havanese is a breed with relatively few health problems — but like all living things, they can and do develop health conditions at times.
At the Havanese Club of Great Britain, we take a proactive approach to breed health. We collect health data from owners and breeders, discuss the Annual Breed Health Report at each AGM, and provide guidance to help members make informed decisions.
On this page you will find information about our health monitoring programme, the data we have collected, and the conditions that can occur in the breed — so that owners and breeders know what to look for and when to act.
What the HCGB is doing
Continuous health reporting. Since 2018 the HCGB has operated an open health reporting system, collecting reports from owners and breeders across the UK. To date we have received over 200 reports covering conditions ranging from skin disease and dental problems to orthopaedic conditions and heart disease. This data directly shapes our health recommendations and is published in the Annual Breed Health Report each year.
Formal surveys. In 2016 the HCGB ran a Breed Health Survey covering 621 Havanese, of which 263 were UK-bred — the first systematic picture of health in the UK population. In 2023–24 we ran the Rainbow Bridge Survey, asking owners to tell us about Havanese they had lost and how they had died.
Thirty-seven dogs were reported- this is a small sample and we have to use caution when interpreting the data. In this group, there was a median age at death of 12 years and a third living to 14 or beyond.
These surveys complement the continuous reporting data and allow us to track change over time.
Focus on Heart disease — in particular mitral valve disease — has emerged as a growing concern in the breed. In October 2026 the HCGB submitted a formal report to the Royal Kennel Club setting out the evidence for a rising trend, drawing on published data and our data sources.
We are actively encouraging cardiac auscultation in all breeding dogs and plan to increase awareness of early cardiac signs among owners.
Working with the Royal Kennel Club. The Breed Health Co-ordinator works within the RKC's framework for breed health. We have proposed that the RKC support an enquiry to the VetCompass programme at the Royal Veterinary College, which would provide the first large-scale picture of Havanese heart health drawn from UK veterinary records.
What we need from you. All of this work depends on owners and breeders reporting what they see.
If your Havanese has been diagnosed with any condition — however minor it may seem — please tell us.
Every report makes the picture clearer.
What UK owners are reporting
— and what to watch for
The HCGB has collected health reports from owners and breeders since 2018. The figures below are drawn from over 200 reports received to date.
Please note: Voluntary reporting is not the same as a survey. Owners of affected dogs are more likely to come forward than owners of healthy ones — so these figures show **which conditions occur in the breed**, not how common they are in the general Havanese population.
Every report matters. The more data we hold, the better we can protect the breed.
The TOP 5 Health Issues
🦵 Patella Luxation
The most commonly reported condition in UK Havanese
The patella (kneecap) normally sits in a groove at the front of the knee. In patella luxation, it slips out of position — medially (inward) in small breeds. This can cause a skipping gait, intermittent lameness, or persistent pain and difficulty walking.
Grades: 1 to 4. Grade 1 is mild; Grade 4 is permanent displacement and usually requires surgery.
What to look for: Occasionally holding up a back leg, skipping a step, or shaking the leg before continuing. Some dogs show no obvious signs.
What breeders do: The HCGB recommends patella testing in all breeding dogs from 12 months using the Putnam protocol. Grade 0 or 1 is preferred.
What to do: Speak to your vet. Many Grade 1–2 cases are managed with weight management and controlled exercise. Surgery may be considered for higher grades.
❤️ Heart Disease — Mitral Valve Disease
Mitral valve disease (MVD) gradually damages the heart's mitral valve, causing blood to flow backward and potentially leading to heart failure if untreated. It appears to be increasing in reported frequency in Havanese.
In the past twelve months: 12 new cardiac conditions were reported, 10 of them MVD.
What to look for: A cough, reduced exercise tolerance, faster breathing, or fatigue. Early MVD is often symptom-free and found at routine check-ups.
What breeders do: Annual cardiac auscultation, with a cardiologist from age 5, is recommended.
What to do: Your vet will advise on monitoring and medication. Many dogs live comfortably for years with the right treatment.
🦴 Cruciate Ligament Rupture
The cranial cruciate ligament stabilises the knee joint. Rupture causes acute lameness and, if untreated, chronic pain and arthritis.
It is often degenerative rather than a single traumatic event and can affect both knees over time.
What to look for: Sudden hind-leg lameness, reluctance to bear weight, swelling around the knee, or a sitting-to-the-side posture.
What to do: Veterinary assessment is needed. Surgical repair, such as TPLO or TTA, is most effective for active dogs.
Conservative management may suit smaller, lighter dogs. Weight management is important in all cases.
👁️ Eye Conditions
Cherry eye: 16 reports | Cataracts: 14 reports | 39 eye reports in total
Cherry eye is a red, fleshy lump in the inner corner of the eye caused by prolapse of the third-eyelid gland. Surgical repositioning, not removal, is preferred.
Cataracts are lens opacities that reduce vision and can cause blindness in advanced cases.
Annual eye testing is the HCGB's essential health test for breeding dogs.
What to look for: A red lump, a cloudy or bluish eye, bumping into objects, or reluctance to enter dark spaces.
What breeders do: Annual BVA eye testing from 12 months. A clear certificate is required.
What to do: Speak to your vet promptly.
🤧 Itching and Skin Conditions
Skin problems include chronic itching, paw licking and contact dermatitis .
Triggers can include grass, pollen, dust mites, food ingredients, or contact allergens.
Sebaceous adenitis has also been reported and can cause coat and skin changes.
What to look for: Persistent scratching, paw or flank licking, recurring ear infections, redness, rashes, or patchy hair loss.
What to do: Speak to your vet. Finding the trigger may involve a dietary trial or allergy testing. Most cases are manageable once the cause is found.
Other conditions we are monitoring
Neurological: Encephalitis and paroxysmal canine dyskinesia (PCD) have each been reported 4 times.
PCD causes episodes of involuntary movement or abnormal posture; dogs remain conscious and are not in pain.
Urinary tract: Bladder stones (6 reports), perineal hernia (4), and ectopic ureter (3) all appear in the data.
HCGB DNA recommendations include testing for hereditary calcium oxalate urolithiasis (HCOU Type 1).
Behavioural: Shyness and fearfulness (8 reports) remind us that emotional health matters too.
Early socialisation and breeding from calm, confident parents can help.
*Data covers all reports received by HCGB since 2018, totalling over 200 reports as of August 2026 .
Voluntary reporting does not reflect population prevalence.*
The Annual Health Report
Each year, the Health Co-ordinator publishes a full Breed Health Report, presented at the Annual General Meeting and shared with members.
It covers registrations, genetic diversity, health testing data, and a full breakdown of reported conditions.