Havanese Health Issues

The Havanese is generally a healthy, long-lived breed, but responsible owners should know its predispositions. The main ones: luxating patellas (slipping kneecaps, common in small breeds); a range of eye conditions including cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA); hip dysplasia and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (a hip condition affecting small breeds); dental disease (the small crowded mouth develops tartar and gum disease); heart murmurs and heart disease; a liver shunt in some lines; and chondrodysplasia (a skeletal/limb condition). Deafness occurs in some Havanese too. None of this means a Havanese will be unhealthy, most live 14 to 16 years, but choosing a dog from health-tested lines (or a rescue that has vetted the dog), keeping up with eye and dental care, and staying alert to knee and heart signs all help.

Yes, eye conditions are among the more notable Havanese health concerns, which is why reputable breeders eye-test their dogs and why it is worth being alert to. The main ones are cataracts (clouding of the lens, which can impair or lose vision and are sometimes surgically treatable) and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA, a genetic degeneration of the retina that gradually leads to blindness and has no cure). Havanese can also get cherry eye and other issues. The practical takeaways: have your vet check the eyes at regular visits, watch for signs like cloudiness, bumping into things, reluctance in dim light, or changes in the eyes, and if you notice anything, see the vet or an ophthalmologist promptly. Dogs adjust remarkably well to gradual vision loss, and many affected Havanese live happy lives, but early detection helps you manage it. A rescue that has had the dog vet-checked is a good start.

A luxating patella is a kneecap that slips out of its normal groove, and it is one of the most common orthopedic issues in small breeds like the Havanese. It ranges from mild (the kneecap pops out occasionally and slips back, causing a brief skip or hop in the step) to severe (frequent or permanent luxation causing lameness and, over time, arthritis). Mild cases are often managed conservatively with weight control and monitoring, while more severe cases may need surgery, which is generally very successful. Signs to watch for: an intermittent skip or hitch in the back-leg gait, holding a leg up briefly, or stiffness. Keeping your Havanese lean is one of the best things you can do to protect the knees (and overall joint health), and your vet will check the patellas at routine exams. Many Havanese with mild patella issues live completely normal, active lives.

Havanese are long-lived, commonly reaching 14 to 16 years, and attentive care helps them thrive throughout. The highest-impact things: keep the dog lean (protects the knees, hips, heart, and overall health); prioritize dental care with brushing and professional cleanings (small breeds are dental-prone); keep up with regular vet checkups so eye, knee, heart, and other issues are caught early; stay current on eye monitoring given the breed’s cataract and PRA risk; and keep them mentally and physically engaged, since they are bright, active little dogs. Because they are so people-bonded, meeting their companionship needs also supports their emotional health. Adopting from a rescue that has done a vet check, and (for puppies) choosing health-tested lines, both start you off on a healthier footing.

Pet insurance is worth serious consideration for a Havanese. While generally a healthy breed, they are prone to conditions that can be costly, cataract surgery, patella surgery, hip procedures, dental work under anesthesia, and heart or liver diagnostics among them, and a single major issue can run into the thousands. As with any breed, the key is to insure while the dog is young and healthy, before any condition is diagnosed and excluded as pre-existing (relevant here given the hereditary eye and joint risks). Compare Canadian providers on their coverage of hereditary and congenital conditions and dental, read the exclusions carefully, and weigh insurance against a dedicated savings fund. For a companion you plan to keep for 14-plus years, having a financial plan for the occasional big vet bill is simply prudent.

On balance, yes, the Havanese is considered one of the healthier small companion breeds, and its long 14-to-16-year average lifespan reflects that. Unlike the extreme brachycephalic breeds, the Havanese has a normal muzzle and a sturdy (if small) build, so it avoids the serious breathing and heat problems that burden flat-faced dogs. That said, "healthier than average" does not mean problem-free: the patella, eye, hip, dental, and occasional heart or liver issues above are real and worth knowing. The best ways to stack the odds in your favour are to adopt from a rescue that has vet-checked the dog (or, for a puppy, insist on health-tested parents), keep the dog lean, stay on top of dental and eye care, and keep up with routine vet visits. Do that, and most Havanese are hardy, cheerful companions well into their teens.