DogsLifeBreed profile
Havanese: size, sleep, exercise and care
Cuba's national dog: a small, silky-coated companion that is playful, sociable and devoted to its family. Havanese hate being left out of things.
At a glance
- Size
- Toy
- Adult weight
- 3–6 kg
- Height at the shoulder
- 22–29 cm
- Life expectancy
- 14–16 years
- Exercise needs
- Low · 30 min per day
Sleep needs
Typical total sleep per 24 hours, including naps.
| Puppy | Adult | Senior |
|---|---|---|
| 18–20 h | 12–14 h | 12–15 h |
These are general life-stage ranges for dogs from the AKC and Hill's; no study gives a separate figure for the Havanese. Individual dogs vary, and a sudden change in how much your dog sleeps is worth mentioning to your vet.
Exercise needs
PDSA and The Royal Kennel Club both put the Havanese at around 30 minutes a day. It is a lively little dog that enjoys walks, games and trick training, and many happily do more once fit. Keep play gentle with very young puppies.
Potty training
As a toy-sized breed, a Havanese puppy has a small bladder and needs frequent trips out: after every nap, meal and play session and every hour or so while awake at first.
Small-breed puppies often take a little longer to be fully reliable indoors. Keep the routine going for longer than you think you need, and limit access to the house until accidents have stopped.
Puppy potty schedule calculator →
Feeding
Toy puppies can develop low blood sugar if they go too long without food; the AKC recommends small, frequent meals for young puppies. Feed a small-breed puppy food three to four times a day at first, then two meals for adults.
Weigh portions; for a dog of 3–6 kg a handful of extra treats is a lot. Comb food out of the facial hair after meals to prevent tangles.
Frequently asked questions
How much exercise does a Havanese need?
Around 30 minutes a day according to PDSA and The Royal Kennel Club, plus play at home.
How often should a Havanese puppy go out to pee?
Very often in the early weeks: after naps, meals and play and roughly every hour while awake. See our puppy potty schedule.
Sources
- Havanese dog breed information — American Kennel Club
- Havanese: breed information and exercise — The Royal Kennel Club
- Havanese breed guide — PDSA
- Hypoglycemia in dogs — American Kennel Club
- How much do puppies sleep? — American Kennel Club
- How much should my dog sleep per day? — Hill's Pet Nutrition
- Can senior dogs sleep too much? — American Kennel Club