What are the main health problems in Havanese?

Havanese are generally a fairly healthy and notably long-lived breed (typically 14 to 16 years), but they do have several notable health considerations. The most significant area is eye conditions, Havanese are prone to a number of hereditary eye problems, including cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA, leading to vision loss), and others, making eye health an important consideration. Joint issues are another area, patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps, common in small breeds) and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (a hip condition affecting the femoral head, seen in some small breeds) can affect Havanese, as can hip dysplasia and elbow issues in some dogs. Other potential conditions include heart problems (such as heart murmurs and certain cardiac conditions), deafness (congenital deafness occurs in some Havanese lines), a breed-associated liver condition (portosystemic shunt in some dogs), dental disease (common in small breeds with small mouths), and some others. Responsible breeders health-test for eyes, hips, knees, hearing, and heart. With a rescue you cannot control breeding, but you manage risk through routine veterinary care, good dental care, weight control, good grooming and skin care, and awareness of the breed's eye, joint, and other tendencies. Overall the Havanese is a healthy, long-lived companion, but the eye conditions in particular are a defining consideration, and most concerns benefit from preventive care, routine monitoring, and prompt attention.

What eye problems are Havanese prone to?

Eye conditions are one of the most important health considerations for Havanese, as the breed is prone to a number of hereditary eye problems, and eye health should be a priority for owners. The conditions include: cataracts (clouding of the lens that can impair or lose vision and sometimes requires surgery, and Havanese can develop cataracts including at a younger age in some cases); progressive retinal atrophy (PRA, a degenerative condition leading to gradual vision loss and eventual blindness, which is inherited); and other conditions such as cherry eye, dry eye, and others. Because of this range of potential eye problems, Havanese owners should be vigilant about eye health, watch for signs like cloudiness, changes in vision (bumping into things, hesitancy in dim light or unfamiliar places), redness, squinting, discharge, or a visible change in the eye, and have any eye concerns assessed promptly by a veterinarian, as many eye conditions are treatable or manageable if caught early. Keeping the facial hair around the eyes trimmed (part of grooming) also helps prevent irritation. Routine veterinary care that includes eye examination, and prompt attention to any eye changes, is the key, and responsible Havanese breeders have breeding dogs' eyes examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist. Given the number and potential seriousness of Havanese eye issues, some of which (like PRA) lead to blindness and some of which (like cataracts) may need expensive surgery, the breed's eye-health predisposition is a real consideration and part of the argument for pet insurance, and eye health is one of the areas where Havanese owners should be especially attentive.

Do Havanese have joint problems?

Yes, Havanese can be affected by several joint conditions, as is common in small breeds. Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) is one of the more common joint issues, where the kneecap slips out of its groove, causing an intermittent skip or hop in the gait, occasional lameness, or a hind leg held up briefly; mild cases are managed conservatively (weight control, appropriate exercise, sometimes supplements), while more severe cases may need surgery. Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is another joint condition seen in some small breeds including the Havanese, involving degeneration of the head of the femur (the ball of the hip joint), which causes pain and lameness and often requires surgical treatment; it typically appears in young dogs. Havanese can also be affected by hip dysplasia and elbow issues in some cases, and other joint problems. Signs of joint problems include limping, an altered or skipping gait, reluctance to exercise or jump, difficulty rising, or holding up a leg. Keeping a Havanese lean is important for protecting the joints (excess weight worsens joint issues), and appropriate exercise helps maintain fitness without overstressing the joints. When adopting, ask the rescue about any known mobility issues, and start good weight management from day one. Joint conditions in Havanese are generally manageable, ranging from conservative management for milder cases to surgery for more severe ones, but they are a genuine part of the breed's health picture and worth being aware of and watching for.

What heart, hearing, and other conditions affect Havanese?

Beyond the eyes and joints, Havanese can be affected by several other conditions. Heart: Havanese can develop heart conditions, including heart murmurs and certain cardiac issues (such as mitral valve disease and others), so cardiac health is worth monitoring as part of routine veterinary care, and any signs like coughing, exercise intolerance, or weakness warrant veterinary attention. Hearing: congenital deafness (in one or both ears) occurs in some Havanese lines; a deaf or partially-deaf Havanese can live a happy, full life but needs accommodations (hand-signal training, extra care around traffic), and a good rescue or vet can assess hearing. Liver: some Havanese can be affected by a portosystemic (liver) shunt, a congenital condition where blood bypasses the liver, which can cause various symptoms and may require management or surgery. Dental: like many small breeds, Havanese are prone to dental disease due to small, sometimes crowded mouths, so dental care (regular tooth brushing and professional cleanings) is important. Skin and coat: while not a major health issue, the coat requires good care to prevent skin problems from matting. These conditions vary in seriousness, most Havanese do not develop all or even most of them, but the breed's range of potential issues means routine veterinary care (including cardiac monitoring), good dental care, weight control, and prompt attention to any symptoms are all worthwhile, and collectively these considerations, along with the eye and joint issues, support the value of routine care and considering pet insurance for the breed.

How long do Havanese live and how do I keep mine healthy?

Havanese are a notably long-lived breed, typically living 14 to 16 years, which is excellent, and much of keeping one healthy is within your control. The priorities: monitor eye health closely and have any eye changes assessed promptly (given the breed's eye-condition tendencies); keep up good dental care (regular brushing and professional cleanings, given the small-breed dental risk); keep the dog lean (protecting the joints, given the patellar luxation and other joint tendencies); maintain good grooming and coat care (regular brushing and professional grooming to prevent matting and skin issues, especially in damp Vancouver); provide the moderate exercise and, importantly, the companionship the breed needs (as velcro dogs, Havanese are healthier and happier with plenty of company); stay on top of routine veterinary care including cardiac monitoring so eye, joint, heart, and other issues are caught early; and be aware of the breed-specific conditions (eye issues, joint problems, heart conditions, and, in some dogs, deafness or liver issues). Feed a good-quality diet, and maintain parasite prevention and vaccinations. Be alert to relevant signs, eye changes, limping or joint issues, and heart symptoms, and seek veterinary care promptly. A Havanese that receives good eye monitoring, dental care, weight management, grooming, and routine veterinary care has an excellent chance at a long, healthy, happy life, indeed, the breed's long lifespan means an engaged owner who keeps up the specific care can enjoy many years with a healthy Havanese.

Havanese Health Issues: A Vancouver Owner's Guide

The short answer

The Havanese's signature health area is eye conditions (cataracts, PRA, and others, some leading to blindness or needing surgery). Other concerns: joint issues (patellar luxation and Legg-Calve-Perthes, both potentially surgical), heart conditions, occasional deafness, a possible liver shunt, and dental disease. Lifespan is an excellent ~14 to 16 years. The levers you control: eye monitoring, dental care, weight control, good grooming, companionship, and routine (cardiac-aware) vet care. Because eye and joint treatment can be costly, the insurance case is real, insure while young (and understand pre-existing exclusions for an adopted adult).

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A Havanese having its eyes checked at a Vancouver veterinary clinic — Eye monitoring, dental care, and weight control are the Havanese owner's most valuable health habits for a long, comfortable life.

The Havanese is a healthy, long-lived companion, but it has a distinctive set of considerations led by eye conditions. Knowing the breed's tendencies lets you prevent and catch issues early. Here is the medical picture, condition by condition.

Eye conditions, the signature area

Eye conditions are one of the most important health considerations for Havanese, as the breed is prone to a number of hereditary eye problems. These include cataracts (clouding of the lens, sometimes needing surgery, and Havanese can develop them younger in some cases), progressive retinal atrophy (PRA, an inherited degenerative condition leading to gradual vision loss and eventual blindness), and others such as cherry eye and dry eye. Because of this range, be vigilant: watch for cloudiness, vision changes (bumping into things, hesitancy in dim light), redness, squinting, discharge, or a visible change, and have concerns assessed promptly, as many conditions are treatable if caught early.

Keeping the facial hair around the eyes trimmed helps prevent irritation, and responsible breeders have breeding dogs' eyes examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist. Routine vet care including eye examination, and prompt attention to changes, is the key. Given the number and potential seriousness of Havanese eye issues (some lead to blindness, some need expensive surgery), the eye-health predisposition is a real consideration and part of the argument for insurance. The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists maintains hereditary eye-condition resources.

Joint conditions

Havanese can be affected by several joint conditions, as is common in small breeds. Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) is common, causing a skip or hop in the gait, occasional lameness, or a hind leg held up briefly, mild cases managed conservatively, severe ones with surgery. Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (degeneration of the head of the femur) causes pain and lameness in young dogs and often requires surgery. Hip dysplasia and elbow issues can also occur.

Signs include limping, an altered or skipping gait, reluctance to exercise or jump, difficulty rising, or holding up a leg. Keeping a Havanese lean is important for protecting the joints, and appropriate exercise maintains fitness without overstressing them. Ask the rescue about known mobility issues, and start good weight management from day one. Joint conditions are generally manageable, from conservative management to surgery for more severe cases, but they are a genuine part of the breed's health picture and worth watching for.

Heart, hearing, liver, and dental

Beyond the eyes and joints, Havanese can be affected by several other conditions. Heart: heart murmurs and cardiac issues (like mitral valve disease) can occur, so cardiac health is worth monitoring, and coughing, exercise intolerance, or weakness warrant attention. Hearing: congenital deafness occurs in some lines; a deaf Havanese lives a full life with accommodations (hand-signal training, traffic care). Liver: some can have a portosystemic (liver) shunt, which may need management or surgery. Dental: common small-breed dental disease, so brushing and cleanings matter.

These vary in seriousness, and most Havanese do not develop all or even most, but the range means routine vet care (including cardiac monitoring), good dental care, weight control, and prompt attention to symptoms are all worthwhile. Collectively these considerations, along with the eye and joint issues, support the value of routine care and considering insurance.

Lifespan and keeping a Havanese healthy

Havanese are notably long-lived, typically 14 to 16 years, and much of keeping one healthy is within your control. Monitor eye health closely and assess changes promptly, keep up good dental care, keep the dog lean (protecting the joints), maintain good grooming and coat care (especially in damp Vancouver), provide moderate exercise and companionship (velcro dogs are healthier with company), and stay on routine vet care including cardiac monitoring so eye, joint, heart, and other issues are caught early.

Be aware of the breed-specific conditions and alert to relevant signs, eye changes, limping, and heart symptoms. Feed a good-quality diet, and maintain parasite prevention and vaccinations. A Havanese that receives good eye monitoring, dental care, weight management, grooming, and routine care has an excellent chance at a long, healthy, happy life, indeed, the breed's long lifespan means an engaged owner who keeps up the care can enjoy many years with a healthy Havanese.

Is pet insurance worth it?

Pet insurance is worth considering for a Havanese, because the breed's range of potential health issues can add up, particularly the eye conditions (cataract surgery, and PRA leading to blindness), the joint conditions (patellar luxation and Legg-Calve-Perthes can require surgery), and the potential for heart, liver, or other conditions, and Vancouver vet care is not cheap. The eye and joint conditions in particular, both potentially needing expensive treatment or surgery, make the case relevant.

As always, take out insurance while the dog is young and healthy, before any condition, especially an eye or joint issue, is diagnosed and excluded. Compare providers, understand coverage and any limits, and read the fine print. For many owners, insurance, or at minimum a dedicated vet fund, provides good protection against the breed's likely eye, joint, and other costs, and given the long lifespan, planning for the health care of a long-lived companion is worthwhile. For an adopted adult or senior, understand what a policy covers; a vet fund remains valuable. See our Vancouver adoption and ownership costs guide for the numbers.

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Rescue Havanese come vet-checked, and a good rescue will share a dog's known eye, joint, and health history so you can adopt informed. Refreshed regularly across Lower Mainland rescues.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main health problems?

Eye conditions (the signature area, cataracts, PRA), joint issues (patellar luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes), heart conditions, occasional deafness, a possible liver shunt, and dental disease. An excellent 14 to 16 year lifespan. Eye monitoring, dental care, and weight control matter most.

What eye problems are they prone to?

Cataracts (sometimes needing surgery), PRA (inherited, leading to blindness), and others like cherry eye and dry eye. Watch for cloudiness, vision changes, redness, or squinting, and see the vet promptly, many are treatable early. Keep the facial hair around the eyes trimmed. Part of the insurance case.

Do they have joint problems?

Yes, patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) and Legg-Calve-Perthes (a hip condition in young dogs, often surgical), plus possible hip and elbow issues. Watch for limping or a skipping gait. Keep the dog lean to protect the joints. Manageable, from conservative care to surgery.

What heart, hearing, and other conditions affect them?

Heart murmurs and cardiac issues (monitor with routine care), congenital deafness in some lines (a deaf Havanese lives a full life with accommodations), a possible liver shunt, and common small-breed dental disease. Routine care and prompt attention manage most.

How long do they live?

An excellent 14 to 16 years. Monitor the eyes, keep up dental care, keep the dog lean, groom well, provide companionship, and stay on routine (cardiac-aware) vet care. An engaged owner who keeps up the specific care can enjoy many years with a healthy Havanese.

Is pet insurance worth it?

Worth considering, the eye conditions (cataract surgery, PRA) and joint conditions (patellar luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes surgery) can be expensive, plus heart and liver issues. Take insurance out while the dog is young, before conditions are excluded. For an adopted senior, understand what a policy covers.