Havanese vs Papillon

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

Quick Summary

Below are a few quick comparisons between the two breeds.
  • Owner Experience - Both the Havanese and Papillon are excellent choices for new or inexperienced owners.
  • Children - Both breeds are child friendly, but the Havanese is the most friendly between the breeds.
  • Grooming - The Papillon is easy to groom. The Havanese has high grooming requirements.
  • Barking - Both the Havanese and Papillon are average barkers.
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Havanese vs Papillon
Havanese Dog Breed
White & Red Papillon Dog
Breed NameHavanesePapillon
General Details
Breed TypePurebredPurebred
Is Hypo­allergenicYesNo
Lifespan12-15 yrs.12-16 yrs.
Height8-11 in.8-11 in.
Weight7-13 lb4-9 lb
IntelligenceAverageAverage
History
Origin CountryCubaFrance
Origin Year1800 AD1500 AD
Temperament
Overall FriendlinessVery GoodVery Good
Family FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Kid FriendlyVery GoodGood
Pet FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Stranger FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Personality
  • Affectionate
  • Enjoys Attention
  • Loving
  • Does Not Like Being Alone
  • Willing To Please
  • Affectionate
  • Loving
  • Willing To Please
Living Environment
ApartmentYesYes
IndoorYesYes
Small YardNoNo
Medium YardNoNo
Large YardNoNo
Temperature Tolerance ¹50°F to 75°F50°F to 80°F
Barks/HowlsBelow AverageBelow Average
Exercise Needs
Energy LevelHighHigh
Exercise RequiredMediumHigh
Top Running Speed12 mph14 mph
StrengthLowLow
Grooming Needs
Coat Main­tenanceMediumLow
SheddingNone-LowNone-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 NameHavanesePapillon
Breed Mentality
Dominant/AlphaNoYes
Family/PackYesNo
IndependentNoYes
Breed Focus
Distracted EasilyNoNo
AverageYesYes
Focused & PatientNoNo
Breed Instincts
AggressionBelow AverageBelow Average
Burrow/DiggingBelow AverageBelow Average
ChasingBelow AverageBelow Average
Follow CommandsBelow AverageBelow Average
FightingBelow AverageVery Low
GuardingVery LowVery Low
HerdingBelow AverageVery Low
HuntingBelow AverageBelow Average
ProtectionBelow AverageVery Low
Remove VerminBelow AverageAverage
SleddingVery LowVery Low
WatchVery LowAverage
Health Comparison
Breed NameHavanesePapillon
Lifespan
Lifespan12-15 yrs.12-16 yrs.
Common Health Issues
CataractsYesNo
ChondrodysplasiaYesNo
Collapsed TracheaNoYes
DeafnessYesNo
Elbow DysplasiaYesNo
Heart MurmursYesNo
Hip DysplasiaYesNo
HypoglycemiaNoYes
Legg-perthes DiseaseYesNo
Mitral Valve DiseaseYesNo
Open FontanelNoYes
Patellar LuxationYesYes
Portosystemic Liver ShuntYesNo
Progressive Retinal AtrophyNoYes
Appearance Comparison
Breed NameHavanesePapillon
Coat
FurYesNo
HairNoYes
Coat Type
Double CoatYesNo
Single CoatNoYes
Coat Texture
SilkyYesYes
WavyYesNo
StraightNoYes
Coat Length(s)
LongYesYes
Coat Color(s)
BlackYesNo
Black & SilverYesNo
Black & Silver BrindleYesNo
Black & TanYesNo
Black & Tan BrindleYesNo
Black BrindleYesNo
BlueYesNo
Blue BrindleYesNo
ChocolateYesNo
Chocolate BrindleYesNo
Chocolate SableYesNo
CreamYesNo
FawnYesNo
Fawn BrindleYesNo
Fawn SableYesNo
GoldYesNo
Gold BrindleYesNo
Gold SableYesNo
RedYesYes
Red BrindleYesNo
Red SableYesNo
SilverYesNo
Silver BrindleYesNo
Silver SableYesNo
WhiteYesYes
Black, Brown, & WhiteNoYes
Black, Red, & WhiteNoYes
Brown & WhiteNoYes
Fawn & WhiteNoYes
Red, White, & SableNoYes
SableNoYes
White & BlackNoYes
White & LemonNoYes
White & LiverNoYes
White & RedNoYes
White & SableNoYes
White & SilverNoYes
White, Black, & TanNoYes