The Havapoo is a designer dog bred from Poodle and Havanese parents which can also go by the name of Poovanese. To develop an understanding of the nature of the Havapoo, such as the temperament and health conditions, we must look at the parent breeds of this bundle of fur. Poodles were originally bred to be hunter and retriever dogs and are incredibly intelligent and loyal dogs. The Havanese originally hails from Cuba and is a gentle, affectionate, and smart dog. Combining the Poodle and Havanese breeds results in a loyal, intelligent companion dog.

Breed Overview

 

The Havapoo is considered a hybrid dog breed and has steadily gained in popularity during the last 10 years in the United States. Since the Havapoo has only been around for about 10 years or so, it does not have a long history to look back on to determine the behavior and health of the breed. Read on to learn more about the happy companion dog called the Poovanese.

Havapoo Puppies

Many breeders offer the socialization of puppies, vaccinations, and deworming. Your puppy will also likely cost more if the parent breeds are registered purebreds with the American Kennel Club. Reputable breeders will be willing to talk to you about the health of the parent breeds and are also likely to offer a health guarantee for a length of time or a certificate of general good health upon adoption. Be sure to ask your breeder the right questions to you’re sure your pup is healthy and the breeding practices are ethical.

The hybrid combination of the Poodle and the Havanese makes for an intelligent and easy-to-train dog. They want to play with their owners and enjoy positive reinforcement training.

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Havapoo

The Poovanese was bred to be a companion animal and is a very affectionate dog. It’s intelligent, loyal, and happy, and will enjoy spending time with you. This dog is a laid-back dog and is not an avid barker. Poovanese dogs love to play, are trainable, and are good with children. Poovanese like to cuddle and are happy to be lapdogs. They are very friendly pets and will not have any issues with meeting new people.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Poovanese are good family dogs as they do well around children. Young children should learn to be gentle with the Poovanese and the dog should be socialized with children from a young age to avoid any potential conflicts. They are good companions to family members as they love to spend time with their owners. They are not big barkers and will be unlikely to let you know an intruder is in the home.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

This friendly pup gets along well with other dogs and pets. Early socialization with other animals in the household will be important for pet harmony within the home.

 

Things to Know When Owning a Havapoo:

Food & Diet Requirements

Poovanese can vary in weight from as little as 15 pounds up to 45 pounds depending on their genetics. Choose a quality pet food with a good protein and feed your pup the recommended amount based on the weight of your pet. It may take a few tries to find a food your pet likes, so be ready to try different brands. If you are uncertain what food to feed your dog, ask your vet for recommendations of quality dog food.

If you need to switch your dog’s food at any time, switch the food a little at a time until the whole meal is the new food. For example, if you feed your dog 1 cup twice a day, make ¼ of each cup of the new food at each meal to slowly introduce the new food to your dog. Many dogs get digestive upset when their food is switched abruptly so it is important to slowly adjust their diet over 7-10 days to prevent diarrhea or vomiting.

Exercise

The Havapoo will require daily walks as part of a moderate exercise routine each day. It is recommended that you walk your Poovanese about 9 miles over a week to keep it happy and healthy. They will also need playtime every day with you to stay healthy and fit. They are intelligent dogs and mental stimulation will be needed to prevent boredom. Puzzle games and training exercises will help keep boredom at bay.

Training

The Havapoo inherited its intelligence from its Poodle parent, and it loves to learn new tricks. Poovanese are highly trainable and will be able to learn new skills quickly. Training can be done at home with positive reinforcements, such as pets and treats. Puppy training classes will help both owner and pup learn training skills, as well as expose your puppy to socialization. As your dog grows, you can enroll it in additional training courses, so it behaves well and gets mental stimulation from the training courses at the same time.

Grooming ✂️

The coat of a Havapoo varies in length, but it’s curly or wavy. It has a double coat with a short layer underneath and the topcoat is fluffy. Poovanese shed very little and only need to be brushed 2-3 times a week to prevent tangles or to remove any knots from their fur. A comb, dematter, and a pin brush will be useful tools for proper care of your dog’s coat.

Bathe your pet only as needed- although light-colored dogs may need to be bathed more often due to the color of their coat showing dirt. Keep their ears dry after baths and ask your vet how often you should clean your dog’s ear to help prevent ear infections from occurring. Remember to clip your dog’s nails every few weeks and if you can’t do it yourself, hire a good groomer to take care of bathing and nail care.

Health and Conditions

The Poovanese is a relatively young designer dog breed, and it is not known yet what common health problems may affect it during its life. In this case, it’s important to look to the parent breeds to see what conditions you may see in your pet as it ages.

It’s important to note that your dog may not experience any of these health conditions as they age. The Poovanese is a new designer dog breed and there just isn’t enough data to say if the conditions that affect the parents will, or will not, affect the puppy.

Male vs Female

There are few differences between make and female Poovanese. The males may experience some more alpha characteristics, but it is unlikely to cause issues in the home as the Poovanese is such a laid-back character. If it becomes an issue, take your dog to a trainer to help with the problem. Females will have a higher-pitched bark. Other than those two issues, male versus female comes down to the personal preference of the pet owner and whether they want a male or female doggy companion.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Havapoo

1. It has several names

The Poovanese is also known by several other names, including Havapoo, Havadoodle, or Island Mini Doodle.

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2. They are considered “hypoallergenic”

They are considered “hypoallergenic” because they have a low-shedding coat.

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3. They’re sturdier than they look

Although they may be small, they are generally solid throughout with good musculature. Adults, children, and other pets still need to take their small size into account when playing, but they handle playing and other physical activities, such as walking, fetch, hide-and-seek, with ease.

Final Thoughts

Havapoo are loveable companion animals that are happy to spend their time with their humans. The hybrid combination of the Poodle and the Havanese makes for a smart and trainable pet. They want to please their owners and respond well to positive reinforcement training. It will be important to take your Havapoo on walks every day as exercise because they can gain weight if they don’t have physical activity every day. It will also be important to groom your dog a couple of times a week, brush its teeth, trim its nails, and keep its ears clean to prevent infection. If you’re prepared to take excellent care of this furry bundle of joy, then you’re all set to become a dog parent to the loveable Poovanese.

See also:

• Will a Dachshund Be Good with Other Dogs in My Home?
• How Long Will a Dachshund Stay in Heat?

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Featured Image Credit: Tara Lynn and Co, Shutterstock