The short answer
Watch for a skipping or limping back leg, have the eyes examined and keep up with cataract checks as the dog ages, brush the teeth daily and keep the coat and skin healthy with regular grooming. Keep the dog lean. Price pet insurance in your first week, before anything is written in the file.
What the breed club screens for
The national breed club recommends kneecap (patella), hip and eye evaluations for Havanese, as listed by the American Kennel Club. A rescue Havanese rarely comes with those results, so your vet becomes the screen.
Kneecaps and hips
A slipping kneecap shows as a skip: a few steps on three legs, then back to normal. VCA Animal Hospitals explains that it is graded I to IV, mild cases are managed with weight control, and higher grades are corrected surgically.
In young small dogs, a slowly worsening hind-leg limp can also be Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, a breakdown of the head of the thigh bone that VCA describes in small breeds. Surgery usually has dogs running again within months. Any persistent limp deserves an exam and X-rays.
Browse adoptable Havanese
Foster notes often mention a skipping leg, eyes or teeth, which is exactly what to raise at your first vet visit.
See Available Havanese →Eyes
An eye exam is on the breed club’s list, because inherited eye conditions such as cataracts can appear over time. A cloudy eye, squinting, redness or a dog that hesitates in dim light is a reason to see your vet. Keep the hair around the eyes trimmed so it does not irritate them.
Teeth and skin
Small breeds are more prone to dental disease, according to VCA. Daily brushing and regular dental care protect a small mouth.
The long, silky coat hides the skin, so check it during grooming. VCA lists the Havanese among long-coated breeds that can develop sebaceous adenitis, which causes symmetrical hair loss and white scales stuck to the skin and is managed with lifelong treatment. Mats, itching or flaky patches are worth a vet check.
The first vet visit after adoption
Ask for a knee and hip check, an eye exam, a dental exam, a skin and coat check, a body condition score and baseline bloodwork. Bring the rescue’s records.
Price pet insurance the same week. Every Canadian provider excludes conditions documented before enrolment, and knee surgery and dental care are common costs over a long Havanese life.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common Havanese health issues?
Slipping kneecaps, hip problems including Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease in young dogs, eye conditions such as cataracts, dental disease and skin problems.
What health tests does the Havanese breed club recommend?
Kneecap (patella), hip and eye evaluations, as listed by the American Kennel Club.
Why does my Havanese skip on a back leg?
That is the classic sign of a slipping kneecap. Your vet can grade it; mild cases are managed with weight control and higher grades may need surgery.
How do I care for a Havanese’s teeth?
Brush daily with a dog toothpaste, book regular dental checks and expect professional cleanings over the dog’s life.
Are Havanese healthy dogs?
Generally yes. They are sturdy and often live into their teens, with a fairly short list of breed concerns.
Should I get pet insurance for a rescue Havanese?
It is worth pricing in your first week. Canadian pet insurance excludes conditions documented before enrolment, and knee surgery and dental care are common costs.
Sources
- American Kennel Club: Toy Group Health Testing Requirements: Havanese: patella, hip and ophthalmologist evaluations
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Luxating Patella: skipping sign; grades; surgery
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease: small breeds; young dogs; surgery outcome
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Dental Disease in Dogs: small breeds more prone
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Sebaceous Adenitis in Dogs: Havanese among long-coated examples; lifelong treatment
General information, not veterinary advice. Diagnosis and treatment decisions belong with your veterinarian.
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