Havanese live 14 to 16 years on average, which makes the breed one of the longest-lived dogs in Canada. The catch is that those 14 to 16 years often include at least one significant orthopedic surgery. Luxating patella is so common in this breed that owner forums have entire dedicated threads about it, Calgary vet ortho practices see Havanese regularly, and the most-cited financial story in the community is a Trupanion policy that paid out $15,000 for bilateral knee surgery plus a torn ACL on the second family dog.
We tell every Calgary Havanese adopter the same thing about health. Get pet insurance from day one. Not because every Havanese will need surgery, but because enough of them do that the math works out in favour of insurance for most owners. Beyond the orthopedics, this is a fairly healthy breed. Annual vet visits, dental care from age 3, and one good orthopedic baseline exam by age 2 cover the major bases.
This guide walks through the breed's real health risk profile, what surgeries actually cost at Calgary specialty practices, what pet insurance covers and excludes, and the secondary health concerns owners should know about. If you are still deciding whether to adopt a Havanese, see the full Havanese adoption guide.
Havanese Health Risk Profile
Risk levels are based on prevalence in the breed and severity if it occurs. The list runs from highest to lowest priority for monitoring.
| Condition | Risk level | Calgary cost if surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Luxating patella (MPL) | High | $2,500 to $5,000 per knee |
| Cataracts | Medium | $3,000 to $5,000 per eye |
| Dental disease | High | $400 to $1,200 per cleaning |
| Heart murmurs (senior) | Medium | $30 to $60/month meds |
| Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) | Low to medium | No surgical treatment |
| Deafness (white coat dogs) | Low | No treatment, manageable |
| Liver shunt (portosystemic) | Rare | $3,000 to $7,000 surgery |
| Chondrodysplasia (skeletal) | Rare | Manageable, no surgery |
Luxating Patella: The Big One
If you remember one thing from this guide, remember this. Luxating patella is the most common surgical issue in Havanese, the most expensive over a lifetime, and the most preventable through breeder selection plus early diagnosis.
The 4 grades
- • Grade 1. Kneecap can be manually moved out of place but returns on its own. Most dogs are asymptomatic. Monitor only.
- • Grade 2. Kneecap dislocates spontaneously and pops back during activity. Owners notice intermittent skipping or brief lameness. Surgical decision is case-by-case.
- • Grade 3. Kneecap is dislocated most of the time but can be manually repositioned. Surgery is usually recommended.
- • Grade 4. Kneecap is permanently dislocated and cannot be repositioned by hand. Surgery is required.
Signs to watch for
The classic sign is a sudden brief skip or hop while walking. Your dog runs normally, then for one or two strides holds up a back leg, then resumes normal movement. The kneecap pops out, the dog adjusts, the kneecap pops back. Some dogs will sit and kick a leg out straight to reposition the joint. Watch for:
- Brief skipping or hopping during walks
- Kicking a back leg out straight while sitting
- Reluctance to jump up to furniture
- Slowing down on walks
- Audible clicking from the knee joint
- Limping that switches sides (bilateral cases)
Surgery cost in Calgary
2026 quoted ranges from Calgary specialty practices:
| Cost element | Range (Calgary 2026) |
|---|---|
| Initial specialist consult | $200 to $400 |
| X-rays (both knees) | $300 to $500 |
| Pre-op blood work | $150 to $250 |
| MPL surgery (per knee) | $2,500 to $5,000 |
| Anesthesia and hospitalization | Often included in surgery quote |
| Post-op medications | $80 to $200 |
| Recheck visits (2 to 3) | $80 to $150 each |
| Optional rehab sessions | $60 to $120 each, 4 to 8 sessions typical |
Total full-episode cost lands at $3,500 to $6,500 per knee. Bilateral surgery in the same session typically saves about 20 percent over two separate procedures.
Browse adoptable Havanese in Calgary
Rescue Havanese from established Calgary rescues come with disclosed health histories. The orthopedic surprise risk is much lower than buying a backyard-bred puppy with no health testing.
See Available Havanese →
Pet Insurance for Calgary Havanese: The Math
For most Calgary Havanese owners, pet insurance pays for itself within 3 to 5 years even if your dog never needs surgery. Here is the math we run for adopters.
Without insurance
Bilateral luxating patella surgery: $7,000 to $13,000. Cataract surgery: $3,000 to $5,000 per eye. Dental cleaning every 2 years for 14 years: $2,800 to $8,400. Realistic lifetime out-of-pocket for a Havanese with average breed-typical issues: $10,000 to $25,000.
With insurance
Premium $50 per month average for a young Havanese with accident plus illness coverage. 14-year lifetime premium: about $8,400. Most policies cover 80 to 90 percent of major surgeries. Owner out-of-pocket lifetime including premiums and deductibles: $10,000 to $14,000. Big-claim families often net positive on insurance.
Calgary insurer options: Trupanion, Pets Plus Us, Petsecure, OVMA Pet Health Insurance. Read the orthopedic coverage carefully. Some plans cap surgical payouts, which matters for a breed that may need bilateral knee surgery.
The day-one rule: sign up before your first vet visit at the new home. Pet insurance excludes pre-existing conditions, and a luxating patella noted at the first vet visit becomes pre-existing within 24 hours. Calgary rescues that already disclose a luxating patella diagnosis on the medical record may make insurance less useful for that specific issue. Read the policy.
Other Havanese Health Concerns
Eye conditions
Cataracts can develop at any age, often noticed around age 7 to 10. Surgical correction at Calgary veterinary ophthalmologists costs $3,000 to $5,000 per eye and restores vision in most cases. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is genetic, gradual, and not currently treatable. Reputable breeders test for it. Tear staining (reddish-brown discoloration around the eyes) is mostly cosmetic but sometimes signals plugged tear ducts. Annual eye exams from age 5 are recommended.
Dental disease
Like all small breeds, Havanese have crowded teeth in a small jaw and faster plaque buildup than larger dogs. First professional cleaning typically needed by age 3, then every 1 to 3 years after. Calgary cleaning costs $400 to $1,200 depending on extractions. Daily tooth brushing from puppyhood significantly reduces lifetime dental costs. Use dog-specific toothpaste, never human (xylitol is toxic).
Heart murmurs in senior dogs
Small breeds including Havanese commonly develop mitral valve disease in their senior years. Early detection during annual vet exams allows medical management ($30 to $60 per month for medications) and slows progression. Most affected dogs live normal lifespans with treatment.
Deafness in white-coat dogs
Some white or merle-pattern Havanese are born partially or fully deaf. The genetic link is real but uncommon. BAER hearing test before adoption confirms. Deaf Havanese live normal lives with hand-signal training and a vibration-collar protocol. Reputable breeders test BAER before placement.
Liver shunt (rare)
Portosystemic liver shunt is rare in Havanese but documented. Pre-anesthetic blood work catches it before surgery and the condition is correctable in most cases. Calgary specialty surgical cost $3,000 to $7,000.
Calgary Specialty Vets for Havanese
Western Veterinary Specialist and Emergency Centre
Calgary's primary 24-hour specialty hospital. Board-certified surgeons handle MPL, cataract, and other Havanese surgeries routinely. Referral from your primary vet typically required.
VCA Canada West Veterinary Specialists
Multi-specialty practice with surgical, internal medicine, and ophthalmology departments. Handles Havanese cases from grade 3 luxating patella to cataract surgery.
Calgary primary vets that do MPL surgery
For grade 1 and 2 cases, some Calgary primary practice vets perform MPL surgery at lower cost ($1,800 to $3,000 per knee). For grade 3 and 4, specialist outcomes are typically better. Ask your primary vet about their surgical experience with this specific procedure before deciding.
For emergency situations see our Calgary emergency vet guide. For low-cost vet options see our Calgary low-cost vet guide.
Why Backyard Breeders Make Health Issues Worse
The Havanese owner community has documented this pattern repeatedly. Cheap puppies from non-health-tested backyard breeders frequently arrive with grade 2 or 3 luxating patella, cataracts, or PRA already developing. The $1,500 puppy from a Kijiji breeder often costs $8,000 to $15,000 in surgery within the first 3 years.
What to ask any Havanese breeder before buying:
- OFA or PennHIP orthopedic certification on both parents (knees and hips)
- CERF or OFA eye certification on both parents (current within 12 months)
- BAER hearing test on parents and puppies if white-coated
- Puppy contract that includes a health guarantee for genetic conditions for 2 years minimum
- Visible willingness to take the dog back at any age if issues arise
If a Calgary breeder cannot or will not produce these, walk away. Reputable Calgary CKC-registered Havanese breeders like Rasberry Havanese, Seda Havanese, and Havasmallpaw all health-test as standard. Adopting from a Calgary rescue is the cheaper path: rescue dogs come with a vet workup that catches existing issues before adoption.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common Havanese health problem?
Luxating patella is the dominant breed-specific concern. The owner community has more dedicated discussion threads about it than any other health topic. Calgary vet ortho practices see Havanese regularly for grade 2 and 3 cases. Bilateral surgery is common enough that pet insurance is genuinely worth the premium for this breed.
How much does luxating patella surgery cost in Calgary?
$2,500 to $5,000 per knee at specialty practices. Bilateral in one session: $5,000 to $9,000. Full episode cost (consult, X-rays, blood work, surgery, anesthesia, post-op meds, rehab): $3,500 to $6,500 per knee. Without insurance, many Havanese owners pay $10,000 to $15,000 lifetime for orthopedic care.
Should I get pet insurance for a Havanese?
For most Calgary Havanese owners, yes, from day one. Sign up before the first vet visit at the new home (pre-existing conditions are excluded). Calgary insurer options: Trupanion, Pets Plus Us, Petsecure, OVMA. Premium $40 to $80 per month for a young Havanese.
What are the grades of luxating patella?
Grade 1: kneecap moves out manually but returns. Grade 2: dislocates spontaneously and pops back. Grade 3: dislocated most of the time but manually repositionable. Grade 4: permanently dislocated. Grades 3 and 4 usually need surgery.
What eye problems do Havanese have?
Cataracts (correctable surgically at $3,000 to $5,000 per eye in Calgary), progressive retinal atrophy (genetic, not treatable, breeders should test), and tear staining (cosmetic in most cases). Annual eye exams from age 5.
Are Havanese prone to dental disease?
Yes, like most small breeds. First cleaning by age 3, then every 1 to 3 years. Calgary cleaning $400 to $1,200. Daily tooth brushing from puppyhood with dog-specific toothpaste reduces lifetime dental costs significantly.
How can I tell if my Havanese has luxating patella?
Sudden brief skipping or hopping while walking, kicking a leg out straight while sitting, reluctance to jump up, audible knee clicking. Any of these warrant a vet exam. Primary vets diagnose grades 1 and 2, specialists handle grades 3 and 4.
Where do I go for Havanese orthopedic surgery in Calgary?
Western Veterinary Specialist and Emergency Centre or VCA Canada West Veterinary Specialists. Both handle MPL surgery routinely. Referral from your primary vet typically required. Some Calgary primary practice vets do MPL at lower cost ($1,800 to $3,000 per knee) for grade 1 and 2 cases.
More Havanese guides
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