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Havanese Club of Great Britain
The Health
of Your Havanese
Simple steps to give your dog the best possible start
Choose the right Breeder
This is the single most important decision you will make for your puppy’s health — before they are even born.
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A responsible breeder health tests their dogs before breeding, but that is only part of the picture.
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Their dogs should live as members of the family, in a home environment. The dam should be in good condition, well socialised and calm.
Puppies should be raised with handling, noise, and early life experiences that prepare them for the world.
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A puppy’s earliest weeks shape their emotional health for life. Early stress in the mother or the litter environment can have lasting effects — this is not sentiment, it is science.
A good breeder will ask you as many questions as you ask them. That’s a sign they care where their puppies are going.
Prepare Your Home
Havanese are small, curious, and surprisingly quick.
Before your puppy arrives:
Secure staircases — early and repeated stair climbing has been linked to joint problems in small breeds. Put down non slip washable play rugs over slippery floors.
Remove toxic plants, foods and household chemicals from reach.
Create a safe, calm space that is theirs — a crate or pen where they can rest undisturbed.
Check your garden for escape routes (they will find them). Cover or fence off any garden ponds — a small puppy can get into difficulty in water very quickly.
Think like a puppy. If it’s on the floor, it’s a toy. If it’s a gap, it’s a door.
Feed Well
Whichever diet you choose — raw, dry, wet, or home cooked — feed the best quality you can afford, and feed the right amount.
Obesity is one of the most common and most preventable health problems in dogs, and it contributes to joint disease, diabetes, and reduced lifespan.
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The British Veterinary Association (BVA) publishes a body condition scoring guide to help owners assess whether their dog is a healthy weight. We recommend all owners familiarise themselves with it.
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Foods that are toxic to dogs include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, artificial sweeteners (xylitol), and macadamia nuts. Keep these out of reach at all times.
Exercise — but not too much, too soon
Havanese need daily exercise and mental stimulation, but growing puppies have growing joints.
As a general guide, limit lead walks to around five minutes per month of age until your puppy is fully grown.
Free play in a safe garden is fine — it is sustained, repetitive exercise on hard surfaces that causes problems.
As your dog matures, daily walks, play, and training will keep them physically and mentally healthy.
Havanese are intelligent dogs and need their minds engaged as much as their bodies.
A tired Havanese is a happy Havanese — but let them set the pace when they’re young.
Get to Know Your Breed's Needs
The Havanese has a long, silky coat that requires regular grooming. Matting is not just a cosmetic issue — heavy matting can hide skin problems, cause discomfort, and in severe cases restrict movement.
Whether you keep your dog in full coat or a shorter trim, regular brushing and professional grooming are part of responsible ownership.
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Like all dogs, they are not built for hot weather or prolonged sun exposure.
On warm days, walk early or late, provide shade and fresh water, and never leave your dog in a car.
Grooming is a welfare issue- your breeder should advise you on your puppy's grooming needs.
Emotional wellbeing matters
The Havanese is a companion breed — bred for centuries to be with people. This is a strength and a responsibility. They thrive on human company and can struggle with being left alone for long periods. Separation anxiety is not uncommon in the breed.
The good news is that with the right early experiences, most Havanese learn to cope confidently with normal life.
Good socialisation in the first few months — gentle, positive exposure to different people, sounds, environments and experiences — builds resilience that lasts a lifetime.
We know from research into epigenetics that early life stress — in the mother during pregnancy, or in the puppy in their first weeks — can have lasting effects on health and temperament. This is one of the reasons we place such emphasis on welfare standards in breeding.
It is not separate from health. It is health.
A happy Havanese is a social Havanese. They don't just tolerate your company —
they need it.
Build a relationship with your vet
Find a vet you trust before you need one urgently.
Register your puppy as soon as you bring them home, and attend routine check-ups.
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Discuss vaccinations and preventative measures for worms and fleas- the advice now is more nuanced and it's best to get your puppy risk assessed to see what should be routine and what should be given as needed in your area.
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If you are ever worried about your dog’s health, contact your vet promptly.
Do not rely on advice from social media or online forums — well-meaning as people may be, they are not qualified to diagnose or treat your dog remotely.
When in doubt, call the vet. That’s what they’re there for
Help us Help the Breed
If your Havanese is diagnosed with a health condition, please report it to HCGB.
Our health data comes from owners and breeders just like you. The more we know, the better we can protect the breed for future generations.
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All reports are treated in complete confidence. You do not need to be an HCGB member.