Chihuahua vs Havanese

Compare the Chihuahua to the Havanese. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between Chihuahuas and Havanese.

Quick Summary

Below are a few quick comparisons between the two breeds.
  • Owner Experience - Both the Chihuahua and Havanese are excellent choices for new or inexperienced owners.
  • Children - Both the Chihuahua and Havanese are great with children.
  • Grooming - The Chihuahua is very easy to groom. The Havanese has high grooming requirements.
  • Barking - The Chihuahua has an above-average tendency to bark, while the Havanese is an average barker.
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Chihuahua vs Havanese
Chihuahua Dog Breed
Havanese Dog Breed
Breed NameChihuahuaHavanese
General Details
Breed TypePurebredPurebred
Is Hypo­allergenicNoYes
Lifespan15-20 yrs.12-15 yrs.
Height6-9 in.8-11 in.
Weight3-6 lb7-13 lb
IntelligenceHighAverage
History
Origin CountryMexicoCuba
Origin Year1850 AD1800 AD
Temperament
Overall FriendlinessVery GoodVery Good
Family FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Kid FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Pet FriendlyBelow AverageVery Good
Stranger FriendlyBelow AverageVery Good
Personality
  • Affectionate
  • Enjoys Attention
  • Jealous
  • Loving
  • Does Not Like Being Alone
  • Likes To Snuggle
  • Willing To Please
  • Affectionate
  • Enjoys Attention
  • Loving
  • Does Not Like Being Alone
  • Willing To Please
Living Environment
ApartmentYesYes
IndoorYesYes
Small YardNoNo
Medium YardNoNo
Large YardNoNo
Temperature Tolerance ¹50°F to 80°F50°F to 75°F
Barks/HowlsOftenBelow Average
Exercise Needs
Energy LevelHighHigh
Exercise RequiredMediumMedium
Top Running Speed18 mph12 mph
StrengthLowLow
Grooming Needs
Coat Main­tenanceLowMedium
SheddingMediumNone-Low
DanderLowLow
Drool AmountNoneNone

¹This is estimated min/max temperature range for a healthy adult dog. Dogs that live indoors, puppies, seniors, unwell dogs, and/or dogs with improperly groomed coats may overheat sooner and get cold more quickly.
Instincts & Behavior Comparison
Breed NameChihuahuaHavanese
Breed Mentality
Dominant/AlphaNoNo
Family/PackYesYes
IndependentNoNo
Breed Focus
Distracted EasilyNoNo
AverageYesYes
Focused & PatientNoNo
Breed Instincts
AggressionBelow AverageBelow Average
Burrow/DiggingBelow AverageBelow Average
ChasingBelow AverageBelow Average
Follow CommandsBelow AverageBelow Average
FightingBelow AverageBelow Average
GuardingBelow AverageVery Low
HerdingVery LowBelow Average
HuntingAverageBelow Average
ProtectionBelow AverageBelow Average
Remove VerminHighBelow Average
SleddingVery LowVery Low
WatchHighVery Low
Health Comparison
Breed NameChihuahuaHavanese
Lifespan
Lifespan15-20 yrs.12-15 yrs.
Common Health Issues
CataractsNoYes
ChondrodysplasiaNoYes
Collapsed TracheaYesNo
DeafnessNoYes
Elbow DysplasiaNoYes
Heart MurmursYesYes
Hip DysplasiaNoYes
HydrocephalusYesNo
HypoglycemiaYesNo
Legg-perthes DiseaseNoYes
Mitral Valve DiseaseNoYes
Open FontanelYesNo
Patellar LuxationYesYes
Portosystemic Liver ShuntNoYes
Pulmonic StenosisYesNo
ShiveringYesNo
Appearance Comparison
Breed NameChihuahuaHavanese
Coat
FurYesYes
Coat Type
Double CoatYesYes
Single CoatYesNo
Coat Texture
SilkyYesYes
StraightYesNo
WavyNoYes
Coat Length(s)
ShortYesNo
LongYesYes
Coat Color(s)
BlackYesYes
Black & RedYesNo
Black & SilverYesYes
Black & TanYesYes
Black & WhiteYesNo
Black Sabled FawnYesNo
Black Sabled SilverYesNo
BlueYesYes
Blue & WhiteYesNo
Blue Brindled FawnYesNo
Blue FawnYesNo
ChocolateYesYes
Chocolate & TanYesNo
Chocolate & WhiteYesNo
Chocolate BlueYesNo
Chocolate Brindled FawnYesNo
Chocolate Sabled FawnYesNo
CreamYesYes
Cream & WhiteYesNo
FawnYesYes
Fawn & WhiteYesNo
Fawn Brindled BlackYesNo
GoldYesYes
Gold & WhiteYesNo
RedYesYes
Red & WhiteYesNo
SilverYesYes
Silver & WhiteYesNo
WhiteYesYes
Black & Silver BrindleNoYes
Black & Tan BrindleNoYes
Black BrindleNoYes
Blue BrindleNoYes
Chocolate BrindleNoYes
Chocolate SableNoYes
Fawn BrindleNoYes
Fawn SableNoYes
Gold BrindleNoYes
Gold SableNoYes
Red BrindleNoYes
Red SableNoYes
Silver BrindleNoYes
Silver SableNoYes