Havanese vs Pekingese

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

Quick Summary

Below are a few quick comparisons between the two breeds.
  • Owner Experience - Both the Havanese and Pekingese are excellent choices for new or inexperienced owners.
  • Children - The Havanese is very child friendly. The Pekingese does okay around kids, but is not as tolerant as the Havanese.
  • Grooming - Both breeds have high grooming requirements, but the Havanese is slightly easier to groom between the two.
  • Barking - The Pekingese bark/howls frequently. The Havanese has an average level of barking.
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Havanese vs Pekingese
Havanese Dog Breed
Pekingese Puppy
Breed NameHavanesePekingese
General Details
Breed TypePurebredPurebred
Is Hypo­allergenicYesNo
Lifespan12-15 yrs.12-15 yrs.
Height8-11 in.6-9 in.
Weight7-13 lb7-14 lb
IntelligenceAverageAverage
History
Origin CountryCubaChina
Origin Year1800 AD20 BC
Temperament
Overall FriendlinessVery GoodGood
Family FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Kid FriendlyVery GoodBelow Average
Pet FriendlyVery GoodBelow Average
Stranger FriendlyVery GoodBelow Average
Personality
  • Affectionate
  • Enjoys Attention
  • Loving
  • Does Not Like Being Alone
  • Willing To Please
  • Affectionate
  • Enjoys Attention
  • Jealous
  • Does Not Like Being Alone
  • Stubborn
Living Environment
ApartmentYesYes
IndoorYesYes
Small YardNoNo
Medium YardNoNo
Large YardNoNo
Temperature Tolerance ¹50°F to 75°F55°F to 75°F
Barks/HowlsBelow AverageVery Often
Exercise Needs
Energy LevelHighLow-Medium
Exercise RequiredMediumLow
Top Running Speed12 mph12 mph
StrengthLowLow
Grooming Needs
Coat Main­tenanceMediumMedium
SheddingNone-LowHigh
DanderLowMedium
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 NameHavanesePekingese
Breed Mentality
Dominant/AlphaNoYes
Family/PackYesNo
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 AverageVery Low
GuardingVery LowBelow Average
HerdingBelow AverageBelow Average
HuntingBelow AverageBelow Average
ProtectionBelow AverageBelow Average
Remove VerminBelow AverageBelow Average
SleddingVery LowBelow Average
WatchVery LowAverage
Health Comparison
Breed NameHavanesePekingese
Lifespan
Lifespan12-15 yrs.12-15 yrs.
Common Health Issues
Brachycephalic SyndromeNoYes
CataractsYesYes
ChondrodysplasiaYesNo
Cleft PalateNoYes
CryptorchidismNoYes
DeafnessYesNo
DistichiasisNoYes
Ectopic CiliaNoYes
Ectopic CiliaNoYes
Elbow DysplasiaYesNo
EntropionNoYes
Exposure Keratopathy SyndromeNoYes
Heart MurmursYesNo
Hip DysplasiaYesNo
HydrocephalusNoYes
Intervertebral Disk DiseaseNoYes
Keratoconjunctivitis SiccaNoYes
Legg-perthes DiseaseYesNo
Mitral Valve DiseaseYesYes
Patellar LuxationYesYes
Portosystemic Liver ShuntYesNo
Progressive Retinal AtrophyNoYes
Appearance Comparison
Breed NameHavanesePekingese
Coat
FurYesYes
Coat Type
Double CoatYesYes
Coat Texture
SilkyYesNo
WavyYesYes
StraightNoYes
Coat Length(s)
LongYesYes
Coat Color(s)
BlackYesYes
Black & SilverYesNo
Black & Silver BrindleYesNo
Black & TanYesYes
Black & Tan BrindleYesNo
Black BrindleYesNo
BlueYesNo
Blue BrindleYesNo
ChocolateYesNo
Chocolate BrindleYesNo
Chocolate SableYesNo
CreamYesYes
FawnYesYes
Fawn BrindleYesYes
Fawn SableYesYes
GoldYesNo
Gold BrindleYesNo
Gold SableYesNo
RedYesNo
Red BrindleYesYes
Red SableYesYes
SilverYesNo
Silver BrindleYesNo
Silver SableYesNo
WhiteYesYes
BiscuitNoYes
GrayNoYes
Gray SableNoYes
Light RedNoYes