About Havaneses in Calgary
The Havanese is Cuba's national dog — a small, cheerful, low-shedding companion breed that thrives in Calgary apartments, condos, and family homes. At 7-13 lbs with a long silky coat (sometimes called Havana Silk), the Havanese is one of the most consistently affectionate small breeds: gentle with kids, social with other dogs, and so people-oriented they're nicknamed "Velcro dogs." Lifespan averages 14-16 years, putting Havanese among the longest-lived dog breeds in Canada.
Havanese are rarely available in Calgary general-intake rescues. They're a high-retention breed: $2,500-$4,500 from Alberta breeders, owners are heavily invested, and breed-specific rescue networks intercept most surrenders before they reach generalist shelters. When Havanese DO reach Calgary rescues, they typically come through three paths: (1) seniors surrendered when an elderly owner passes or moves into care, (2) commercial-breeding surrenders from Manitoba/Saskatchewan rescue partners, or (3) Havanese mixes (Havapoo, Havachon, Havashu, Havanese-Maltese, Frenchnese) which are more common than purebreds in shelters. For purebred Havanese specifically, the most reliable Calgary path is Havanese Fanciers of Canada Rescue (havaneserescue.ca) — a national breed-specific rescue with Calgary-area foster volunteers and a structured adoption process.
All currently-available Havanese and Havanese-mix dogs from 15+ Calgary-area rescues appear below, refreshed every 2 hours. Because Havanese are rare and move fast, apply within 24 hours if you find a match. If no Havanese are available right now, similar small hypoallergenic-leaning breeds — Maltese, Shih Tzu, Bichon Frise, and Bichon Shih (Shichon) — are also worth considering, and we list those on adjacent breed pages.
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Browse every available small dog from 15+ Calgary rescues — including Havaneses, Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Maltese, Shih Tzus, French Bulldogs, Pomeranians, Cavaliers, Boston Terriers, and small mixes — in one place. Listings refresh every 2 hours.
Browse all Calgary small dogs → Read the small dog adoption guide →Havanese Adoption FAQ
Are Havanese hypoallergenic?
Yes, Havanese are widely considered one of the best hypoallergenic dog breeds. Their long silky coat is single-layered, sheds minimally, and produces less Can f 1 dander than most breeds. Most Calgary owners with mild dog allergies tolerate Havanese well, but no dog is fully hypoallergenic — severe allergies, asthma triggered by dogs, or specific protein sensitivities can still cause reactions. Before adopting: 2-3 hour in-home visit with the specific Havanese, then a 48-hour wait for delayed allergic response. The coat does need real grooming work to keep it functioning as a low-shed coat: brush 3-4 times per week and professional grooming every 4-6 weeks ($55-$85 in Calgary), or matting will trap dander.
Where can I adopt a Havanese in Calgary?
Three paths in order of reliability. (1) Havanese Fanciers of Canada Rescue (havaneserescue.ca) — the national breed-specific rescue, with Calgary-area foster volunteers. Best for purebred Havanese. Application + home check + waitlist. (2) Calgary general-intake rescues (Calgary Humane Society, AARCS, Pawsitive Match, BARCS) occasionally have Havanese mixes (Havapoo, Havachon) and very occasionally a purebred surrender. The page above aggregates all current Calgary inventory, refreshed every 2 hours. (3) Havanese Rescue Canada Facebook group — adopters often see surrender posts before they reach formal rescues. Avoid Kijiji "rehoming" listings without vet records — most are unspayed/unvaccinated dogs that come with $400-700 in catch-up vet costs.
Are Havanese good apartment dogs?
Yes — Havanese are among the best small dogs for Calgary apartments and condos. They're 7-13 lbs (well under most condo weight limits), don't bark excessively (much quieter than Yorkies or Chihuahuas), adapt to small spaces, and don't need yard access. Two short walks (15-20 minutes) plus indoor playtime meets their daily exercise needs. Their long coat handles Calgary winters well — a sweater for any walks below -10°C is sufficient. They sleep 14-16 hours daily as adults, are quiet during the workday, and form strong bonds with their humans. Best apartment fit: 1 owner or couple, work-from-home or short workdays. They do experience separation anxiety as Velcro dogs — long absences are tough on them.
How much does a Havanese cost in Calgary?
From a breeder, Havanese cost $2,500-$4,500 in Calgary (more for show-line dogs from registered CKC breeders like Rasberry Havanese, Seda Havanese, or Chickadee Havanese). From a rescue, adoption fees run $300-$500 (regular) or $135-$250 (senior/special needs) and include spay/neuter, vaccines, microchip, FIV/FeLV testing, and a vet workup — services that would cost $400-$700 separately. Annual ongoing costs in Calgary average $1,500-$2,500: food ($500-700), grooming ($600-1,000 — high for this breed), vet ($300-500), supplies ($200-400). The grooming line item is much higher than for short-haired small dogs because the Havanese coat genuinely requires regular professional work to stay healthy and tangle-free. See our dog adoption costs Calgary guide for the full breakdown.
Are Havanese good with kids and other pets?
Yes — Havanese are one of the most consistently kid-friendly and pet-friendly small breeds. They have a temperamentally cheerful, gentle disposition, get along well with cats, other dogs, and visitors, and rarely show resource-guarding or fear-based aggression. Their main caution is fragility around very young children: at 7-13 lbs they can be injured by accidental rough handling, falls, or being stepped on. Best fit: families with kids 5+. Most Calgary rescue Havanese are temperament-tested in foster homes for kid and pet compatibility before adoption — read the foster's notes carefully. For households with cats, Havanese rarely chase or harass cats, and many rescue Havanese have lived with cats in their previous home.
Do Havanese shed?
Minimally. Havanese have a single-layer coat of long silky hair (not fur), which sheds far less than double-coated breeds like Huskies, Shepherds, or Labs. The shed hair tends to get caught in the longer coat rather than falling on furniture, which is why regular brushing (3-4 times weekly) is non-negotiable — without it, shed hair mats with growing hair and creates painful tangles next to the skin. Most Havanese owners report finding minimal hair around the house. People who hate vacuuming dog hair generally do well with Havanese. Worth knowing: Havanese coats can change colour and texture as the dog matures (3 years to fully settle), and seasonal Calgary humidity changes affect coat behaviour — winters are dry, requiring more conditioner and less frequent bathing.
Are Havanese velcro dogs?
Yes. The velcro description appears in nearly every Havanese owner discussion online and matches what we see in the Calgary rescue network. Havanese were bred over centuries as Cuban companion dogs whose entire job was to stay close to their humans. Your Havanese will follow you from room to room, sit at your feet while you work, and want to be in physical contact most of the day. This is breed-typical, not separation anxiety on its own. The training challenge is teaching them to tolerate alone time when you must leave. With gradual desensitization from puppyhood and a midday walker or daycare break, most Havanese settle into manageable alone time by 6 to 7 months. See our Havanese separation anxiety guide for the full protocol.
Are Havanese hard to potty train?
Yes. Calgary vets confirm the Havanese reputation for being among the harder small breeds to house train. The owner community calls them "stubborn but smart" — they understand the rules but choose when to follow them. Plan on 6 to 9 months for full reliability, not the 3 to 4 months a Lab needs. Calgary winter from November to March slows training further because Havanese refuse to go outside in deep snow or below minus 20. Frequent accidents at 5 to 8 months are normal for this breed, not a sign of failure. See our Havanese house training guide for the full timeline and protocol.
Do Havanese have luxating patella?
Yes, this is the most common breed-specific health concern. Luxating patella (kneecap dislocation) is so common in Havanese that the owner community has more dedicated forum threads about it than any other health topic. Calgary specialty surgical cost: $2,500 to $5,000 per knee at Western Veterinary Specialist or VCA Canada West. Bilateral surgery in one session: $5,000 to $9,000. This is why pet insurance from day one is the standard recommendation for this breed. See our Havanese health issues guide for the 4 grades, signs to watch for, and Calgary surgical options.