The short answer
Havanese are generally healthy and long-lived (often 14 to 16 years), but they carry specific concerns worth knowing. The most notable is eye disease, especially hereditary cataracts, which can appear in younger dogs, so any cloudy or bluish eye warrants a vet exam at any age. Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) is common, and the breed can have chondrodysplasia (an inherited leg-bone variation), Legg-Calve-Perthes, and hip issues. Some dogs have congenital deafness (a BAER test confirms it), and sebaceous adenitis is a skin disease that thins the coat. Add toy-breed dental disease and later-life heart concerns. Keep the dog lean, screen the eyes, and enrol in pet insurance week one, since every Canadian provider excludes pre-existing conditions.
The Havanese breed health picture, briefly
The Havanese, the national dog of Cuba, is a cheerful long-coated toy companion and one of the longer-lived breeds, commonly reaching 14 to 16 years. As toy breeds go it is relatively robust, but every breed has its patterns, and a Havanese adopter does best knowing the handful of concerns that matter so they can be screened for and caught early across a long life.
The prioritisation list is led by the eyes and the joints. Eye disease, particularly hereditary cataracts, is the most breed-notable concern and the reason eye screening matters. Patellar luxation is the common orthopaedic issue, alongside an inherited leg-bone variation called chondrodysplasia, plus Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and hip dysplasia. Congenital deafness affects some dogs and is confirmed by a BAER test. Sebaceous adenitis is a skin disease that thins the coat. After those: heart murmurs and mitral valve disease in later life, occasional liver shunt, toy-breed dental disease, and hypothyroidism.
The practical theme for an Edmonton Havanese owner is routine attentive care for a generally healthy dog: screen the eyes, keep the dog lean to protect the joints, brush the teeth, watch the coat and skin, and keep up annual exams. Pet insurance enrolled in week one is the financial backstop for the breed-specific possibilities. The American Animal Hospital Association publishes preventive-care guidelines that frame the routine.
The eyes: cataracts and beyond
Eye disease is the most breed-notable Havanese concern, led by hereditary cataracts. A cataract is a clouding of the lens, ranging from a small spot with little effect on vision to a complete opacity that causes blindness. The important breed-specific point is that hereditary cataracts can appear in younger dogs, not only seniors, so a cloudy or bluish look to the eye at any age deserves a vet exam rather than being written off as ageing.
Cataracts themselves are not painful, and dogs adapt remarkably well to gradual vision loss in a familiar home, but some cataracts cause secondary problems such as inflammation or glaucoma that do need treatment, and surgical removal is possible for suitable candidates through a veterinary ophthalmologist. Beyond cataracts, the breed can have progressive retinal atrophy (a DNA test exists for some forms), cherry eye (a prolapsed tear gland that usually needs minor surgery), and dry eye managed with medicated drops.
The practical routine is a baseline eye exam, keeping the hair around the eyes trimmed so it cannot irritate, and watching for any change: cloudiness, a bluish cast, vision trouble in dim light, bumping into things, or a red painful eye. A board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, credentialed through the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, handles cataract surgery and complex cases on referral from your Edmonton vet.
Knees, legs, and hips
Patellar luxation
Patellar luxation, the slipping kneecap, is the common orthopaedic issue, showing as an intermittent skip or hop in a back leg or a leg briefly held up mid-stride. Your vet grades the severity; mild cases are managed conservatively with weight control, sensible exercise, and joint support, while more severe or painful cases may need surgery. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals maintains the patellar evaluation scheme vets use.
Chondrodysplasia and the leg bones
Chondrodysplasia is an inherited variation in leg-bone development recognised in the Havanese that can produce shorter or somewhat bowed legs. In many dogs it is mild and essentially cosmetic; in some, more pronounced changes can affect the joints and gait over time. A vet can assess whether an individual dog's conformation is causing any functional problem. The practical takeaways are general: keep the dog lean to spare the joints and have any persistent limping or gait change checked.
Legg-Calve-Perthes and hips
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, a hip condition of small breeds where the head of the femur loses blood supply and deteriorates, causes hind-leg lameness usually in a young dog and is treated surgically when needed. Hip dysplasia also appears. Any persistent limping, reluctance to use a leg, or pain on movement warrants a vet exam, since several of these are treatable and weight control helps all of them.
Browse adoptable Edmonton Havanese
Current Edmonton Havanese and Havanese-mix listings from SCARS, Zoe's, EHS, GEARS, Hope Lives Here, AHHRB, and AARCS Edmonton fosters. Foster notes flag any documented eye, knee, or hearing history. Plan a first-month vet workup that baselines the eyes, knees, and (if needed) hearing.
See Available Havanese →Congenital deafness and the BAER test
Congenital sensorineural deafness occurs in some Havanese, present from birth. It can affect one ear (unilateral, often unnoticed because the dog copes well) or both ears (bilateral, producing a profoundly deaf dog). In a puppy or rescue dog, signs include not responding to sounds or its name, sleeping very deeply and startling when touched, and not orienting toward noise.
Because behavioural testing is unreliable, the only definitive way to confirm hearing status is a BAER (brainstem auditory evoked response) test, available at some specialty practices and the WCVM in Saskatoon. A deaf Havanese is still a wonderful pet, trained with hand signals and managed with lifelong leash discipline since it cannot hear traffic or a recall, but knowing the status changes how you train and keep the dog safe. If your rescue Havanese seems unusually unresponsive to sound, ask your vet about a BAER test.
Skin, coat, heart, and the rest
Sebaceous adenitis
Sebaceous adenitis is a skin disease recognised in the Havanese in which the skin's oil glands become inflamed and damaged, leading to a dull, thinning coat, scaling and dandruff, hair loss, and sometimes secondary skin infections. It is a chronic condition that is managed rather than cured, often with medicated baths, oils, and other therapy directed by your vet or a veterinary dermatologist. It is not life-threatening, but it needs ongoing care, and any progressive coat thinning, flaking, or hair loss in a Havanese deserves a vet workup to diagnose the cause.
Heart, liver, teeth, and thyroid
In later life, degenerative mitral valve disease (the common toy-breed heart condition) can develop and is first picked up as a heart murmur on a vet exam, then monitored and managed with medication over time. Occasional liver shunt occurs, worth keeping in mind for a young dog with poor growth or post-meal neurological signs. Toy-breed dental disease is close to universal without daily brushing and regular cleanings, so build the brushing habit early. Hypothyroidism is easy to diagnose with bloodwork and inexpensive to treat. Small size means anaesthesia needs care with temperature, blood sugar, and dosing, which experienced clinics manage routinely. Share any known history with your Edmonton vet so the baseline is complete.
The first-month Edmonton vet workup
A rescue adoption fee typically covers the basics: spay or neuter, core vaccines, deworming, a microchip, and treatment of any acute issue found at intake. What it usually does not cover is the breed-specific baseline that makes the years ahead easier to manage.
Plan a first-month visit with your chosen Edmonton vet that establishes the Havanese baseline:
- A careful eye exam, with referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist if a cataract or other issue is seen
- A patellar (knee) check and an orthopaedic exam, noting any gait or leg-conformation concerns
- A hearing check, with BAER testing if deafness is suspected
- A skin and coat assessment, watching for any thinning or scaling that could signal sebaceous adenitis
- A cardiac auscultation to baseline the heart, and a dental assessment with a home-brushing plan
- Baseline bloodwork, including liver values and thyroid where age-appropriate
- A frank talk about pet insurance and enrolling now, before anything is documented
For senior Havanese (roughly eleven and up, given the long lifespan), add full senior bloodwork and urinalysis, closer cardiac and eye monitoring, and dental care. Budget $400 to $1,000 for a senior intake workup at an Edmonton clinic, and bring any vet notes the rescue can share.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find an eye vet for a Havanese near me in Edmonton?
Start with your general-practice Edmonton vet, who screens the eyes and refers to a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist (credentialed through the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists) for cataract assessment, surgery, and complex eye disease. Cataracts are a notable hereditary concern in the breed, so an eye exam is worth building into the Havanese routine, and any sudden change like a cloudy or bluish eye, vision trouble, or a painful red eye warrants prompt attention. Edmonton has a smaller ophthalmology network than Calgary, so some owners travel to Calgary specialty centres or the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in Saskatoon for advanced eye surgery. Establish a primary vet in month one and ask which ophthalmologist they refer to for the breed.
What are the main Havanese health issues to know before adopting?
The Havanese is one of the longer-lived toy breeds, often reaching 14 to 16 years, and is generally robust, but it carries a recognisable set of concerns. In rough order of practical importance: eye disease, especially hereditary cataracts, along with progressive retinal atrophy, cherry eye, and dry eye; patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps, common in toy breeds); chondrodysplasia, an inherited variation in leg-bone development seen in the breed; Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and hip dysplasia; congenital deafness in some dogs (a BAER test confirms hearing); sebaceous adenitis, a skin disease that thins the coat; heart murmurs and mitral valve disease in later life; occasional liver shunt; toy-breed dental disease; and hypothyroidism. Small-dog anaesthesia precautions apply. Most are manageable with attentive care, and week-one pet insurance is well worth it given the eye and orthopaedic potential.
Do Havanese get cataracts?
Yes, hereditary cataracts are one of the more notable eye concerns in the breed, which is why eye screening matters for a Havanese. A cataract is a clouding of the lens that can range from a small spot with little effect on vision to a complete opacity that causes blindness. Hereditary cataracts can appear in younger dogs, not just seniors, so a cloudy or bluish look to the eye at any age deserves a vet exam rather than an assumption that it is just ageing. Cataracts themselves are not painful, and dogs adapt remarkably well to gradual vision loss in a familiar home, but some cataracts can cause secondary problems like inflammation or glaucoma that do need treatment. Surgical removal is possible for suitable candidates and is done by a veterinary ophthalmologist. Beyond cataracts, the breed can also have progressive retinal atrophy (a DNA test exists for some forms), cherry eye, and dry eye, so a baseline eye exam and watching for any change is sensible.
How common is patellar luxation in Havanese?
Patellar luxation, where the kneecap slips out of its groove, is common in the Havanese as in toy breeds generally. The classic sign is an intermittent skip or hop in a back leg, or the dog briefly holding a leg up mid-stride before carrying on normally. Your vet grades the severity from mild and occasional to a kneecap that is out most of the time. Mild cases are managed conservatively with weight control, sensible exercise, and joint support, and many dogs do well for life without surgery; more severe or painful cases may need surgical correction. Keeping the dog lean is protective for the knees and the joints generally. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals maintains the patellar evaluation scheme vets use. The breed can also have Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, a hip condition of small breeds causing hind-leg lameness in a young dog, and hip dysplasia, both worth a vet check if you see persistent limping.
What is chondrodysplasia in a Havanese?
Chondrodysplasia is an inherited variation in how the leg bones develop, recognised in the Havanese, that can produce shorter or somewhat bowed legs. In many dogs it is mild and essentially cosmetic, part of the natural range of the breed, and causes no problem. In some dogs more pronounced changes can affect the joints and gait over time and contribute to orthopaedic strain. There is research interest in the genetics, and a vet can assess whether an individual dog's conformation is causing any functional issue. For most pet owners the practical takeaways are general ones: keep the dog lean to spare the joints, watch for any persistent limping or gait change that warrants a vet exam, and do not assume short legs alone mean a problem. As with the back and joints generally, weight control is the most useful thing within your daily control.
Should I get pet insurance for an Edmonton rescue Havanese?
Yes, and enrol in week one. The Havanese is generally healthy and long-lived, but the breed-specific concerns are exactly the kind that insurance covers well: cataract assessment and surgery can be specialist-level cost, patellar or hip surgery is significant, sebaceous adenitis needs ongoing management, and the dental and cardiac needs of a 14-to-16-year life add up. Any one is manageable; the possibility of several across a long life is what makes insurance sensible. Every Canadian provider excludes pre-existing conditions, and the clock starts the day you adopt, so a cloudy eye, a luxating patella, or a skin condition documented before enrolment becomes a permanent exclusion. Premiums for a small breed are usually moderate. Look for explicit hereditary and congenital coverage (important given the cataract and patellar concerns), a reasonable annual cap, and acceptable wait times.
Why might a Havanese be deaf, and how would I know?
Congenital sensorineural deafness occurs in some Havanese, present from birth and related to the genetics of the breed. It can affect one ear (unilateral, often unnoticed) or both ears (bilateral, producing a profoundly deaf dog). Behavioural signs in a puppy or rescue dog include not responding to sounds or its name, sleeping very deeply and being startled when touched, and not orienting to noise. Because behavioural testing is unreliable, the only definitive way to confirm hearing status is a BAER (brainstem auditory evoked response) test, available at some specialty practices and the WCVM in Saskatoon. A deaf Havanese is still a wonderful pet, trained with hand signals and managed with lifelong leash discipline since it cannot hear traffic or recall, but knowing the status changes how you train and keep the dog safe. If your rescue Havanese seems unusually unresponsive to sound, ask your vet about BAER testing.
Do Havanese handle Edmonton weather?
Reasonably well, with sensible care in both directions. The Havanese has a long, soft double coat that gives it more cold tolerance than a single-coated toy like a Maltese, but it is still a small dog with limited body mass, so deep Edmonton cold calls for a coat or sweater on walks, shorter outings when it is bitter, and paw care against salt and ice. If the coat is kept clipped short for easier maintenance, the dog loses that insulation and needs the winter gear more. In summer the coat can be warm, so provide shade and water and exercise in the cooler parts of the day. The coat also picks up snow, ice balls, and salt in winter, which is part of the grooming load. With a winter sweater for a clipped dog, paw care, and seasonal common sense, a Havanese lives happily as an indoor companion in Edmonton.
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Browse current Edmonton-area Havanese and Havanese-mix listings. Foster temperament notes help you flag any documented eye, knee, or hearing history before you apply, and your first-month vet workup baselines the eyes, joints, and coat that shape the breed's long, healthy life.
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