Havanese live a long time. The American Kennel Club puts the typical lifespan at 14 to 16 years, and the Havanese Club of America publishes the breed's documented health concerns: patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, heart disease, deafness, and chondrodysplasia. Calgary specialty referral centres see luxating patella in Havanese routinely, which makes it the issue most adopters here are quietly preparing for.
We tell every Calgary Havanese adopter the same thing on the health conversation. Get pet insurance from day one. Not because every Havanese will need surgery, but because enough do that the math often favours insurance for this breed. Beyond the orthopedics, this is a generally healthy small dog. Annual vet visits, dental care starting around age 3, and a baseline orthopedic exam by age 2 cover the major bases for most owners.
This guide walks through the breed's documented health risk profile, directional Calgary cost ranges (real quotes vary by case and practice, your vet is the right source for your dog's numbers), what pet insurance typically covers and excludes, and the secondary health concerns owners should know about. None of this is medical advice. For diagnosis, grading, surgical planning, or any treatment decision, talk to your primary vet or a Calgary specialty referral centre. If you are still weighing whether to adopt, see the Havanese adoption guide and the Havanese cost-of-ownership guide for the broader budgeting picture.
Havanese Health Risk Profile
Risk labels below are directional, based on what Calgary primary vets and specialty referral centres see commonly versus rarely in this breed. Cost ranges are typical 2026 Calgary quotes (your vet's estimate for your dog is the authoritative number). The conditions list itself follows the documented breed concerns published by the Havanese Club of America and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) breed health profile.
| 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 commonly lands at $3,500 to $6,500 per knee in Calgary 2026 quotes. Bilateral surgery in a single session is generally less expensive than two separate procedures (one anesthesia, one recovery), but the exact saving depends on the specialty practice and the case. Ask the surgeon for a written estimate before you sign the consent.
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 is worth running the numbers on before adoption day. The American Veterinary Medical Association publishes a plain-English explainer on how coverage, deductibles, and pre-existing exclusions actually work, and it's a useful read before you compare quotes. The illustrative scenarios below are directional Calgary 2026 ranges, not a quote.
Without insurance (illustrative)
If a Havanese needs bilateral luxating patella surgery in their lifetime ($7,000 to $13,000 range), one cataract surgery, and routine dental cleanings every 2 years across a 14-year life, lifetime out-of-pocket can stretch into five figures. Many Havanese never see surgery and stay under $5,000 lifetime in vet costs. Both outcomes happen.
With insurance (illustrative)
A young Havanese with accident-plus-illness coverage commonly quotes in the $40 to $80 per month range in Calgary. Coverage ratios (typically 70%, 80%, or 90%), annual deductibles, and per-incident or annual caps vary by carrier. Big-claim households (bilateral knee surgery, cataracts) often net positive on insurance. Low-claim households pay premiums and recover little. Read the policy.
Calgary insurer options: Trupanion, Pets Plus Us, Petsecure, OVMA Pet Health Insurance are the names that come up most in Calgary Havanese owner conversations. Read the orthopedic coverage clause carefully. Some plans cap surgical payouts, which matters for a breed that may need bilateral knee surgery. For lifetime budgeting beyond medical, see the full Havanese cost-of-ownership guide.
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 can become pre-existing on the medical record within 24 hours. Calgary rescues that already disclose a luxating patella diagnosis on the intake paperwork may make insurance less useful for that specific issue (still useful for unrelated future conditions). Read the policy and talk to a licensed broker before signing.
Other Havanese Health Concerns
Eye conditions
Cataracts can develop at any age and are often first noticed around age 7 to 10. Surgical correction by a Calgary veterinary ophthalmologist commonly quotes $3,000 to $5,000 per eye and restores vision in many cases (your surgeon's estimate is the real number). Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is genetic, gradual, and not currently treatable. Responsible breeders annually screen breeding stock and register results with the OFA Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER, formerly CERF). Tear staining (reddish-brown discolouration around the eyes) is mostly cosmetic but sometimes signals plugged tear ducts or low-grade eye irritation. Annual eye exams from age 5 are a reasonable cadence; your vet can adjust based on your dog's history.
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 matters: catching a murmur early lets your vet stage it, order an echocardiogram if needed, and decide whether and when to start medical management. Treatment protocols and prescriptions are your vet's call, not ours. Calgary owners commonly budget $30 to $60 per month for ongoing senior cardiac medications, but the actual plan depends on the dog. Most affected dogs go on to live a normal Havanese lifespan 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 in Calgary sees this pattern often. Cheap puppies from non-health-tested backyard sources can arrive with grade 2 or 3 luxating patella, early cataracts, or PRA already developing. The low up-front price gets repriced over the next few years in specialty surgery and ongoing care, often by an order of magnitude. The Havanese Club of America code of ethics and the OFA-published CHIC Havanese health-testing requirements spell out what responsible breeders test for. If a seller can't produce certificates, walk.
What to ask any Havanese breeder before buying:
- OFA or PennHIP orthopedic certification on both parents (knees and hips)
- OFA CAER (formerly CERF) eye certification on both parents (current within 12 months)
- BAER hearing test on parents (and on puppies if white or merle-patterned)
- Puppy contract with a health guarantee for genetic conditions, 2 years minimum
- Visible willingness to take the dog back at any age if rehoming becomes necessary
If a Calgary breeder cannot or will not produce these certifications, walk away. The CKC-registered Havanese breeders in Alberta who health-test responsibly are a small group; ask your vet, your rescue contacts, or the breed club for verified referrals before paying a deposit. Adopting from a Calgary rescue is usually the cheaper path: rescue dogs come with a vet workup that flags existing issues on the intake record before adoption is finalised.
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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