Havanese Size Guide How Big Does a Havanese Get

Don’t let those charming good looks fool you though, those expressive eyes mask a cheeky and energetic soul. These dogs excel at many surprising things – everything from canine sports to circus performing to therapy animal. They are no mere lapdogs. If you have decided to adopt one of these fun pups, you may be wondering what a Havanese size is and just how big one can get. 

Havanese
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Our handy interactive puppy growth chart and calculator takes all the hard work out of predicting your puppy’s potential adult size. This helps you to know exactly what you are in for.

Psst! Check Out These Awesome Puppy Things!

Havanese Size Predictions by Age 

Also known as the Havana Silk Dog and the Spanish Silk Poodle, Havaneses are the only dog breed native to Cuba. With their gorgeous silky coat and distinctive curled-over tail, these lovely dogs make popular family pets for those looking for a cute toy breed to love and look after. 

Sociable, comical, and smart Havanese ancestor dogs arrived in Cuba with the Spanish settlers. Here they interbred, creating what we recognize today as the Havanese. These pups proved so popular as companion animals that European travelers brought them back to England, Scotland, and France. Here they were established as a distinct breed in their own right. 

These hounds will make you laugh with their goofy antics, but they are also incredibly loving. They bond with their owner for life and will most often be found following them all about the house. This does, however, mean they can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long. 

Havanese
Photo by Elijah Ekdahl on Unsplash

With thorough socialization, these tiny guys adapt well to almost any environment. This makes them great for apartment living. However, that signature silky coat of theirs requires daily maintenance, so owners need to dedicate time to that. Havaneses are clever enough to pick up training and new commands with ease. Still, they need a consistent hand as they will try to utilize that cuteness to get their own way. 

In terms of size and development, Havaneses are classified as toy dogs meaning that they remain diminutive in size even in adulthood, as can be seen below:

Age3 months6 months1 yearAdult
Weight 3 – 4 lbs  6 – 8 lbs 7 – 13 lbs 7 – 13 lbs 
Height  4 – 6 inches  8 – 12 inches 8 – 12 inches 8 – 12 inches

*A dog’s height is measured from its withers – this is the point between the shoulder blades.

Like most smaller dogs, Havaneses reach their full height early, somewhere between 6 and 8 months, but may continue to grow outwards until they are around a year old. At this age, they are considered to be fully mature. 

By the time your pup is around 3 to 4 months, they will already have reached around half their adult size. This will give you some indication of exactly how big you can expect them to get. Knowing how large their parents are will also help you to guesstimate their potential adult size. 

Are There Different Sizes of Havanese?

Havaneses are pretty standardized as a breed, so it’s uncommon to find dogs that sit vastly outside the size averages. 

Some breeders may advertise miniature or teacup varieties due to the increasing popularity of ever-smaller dogs. However, be very cautious about opting for one of these pups. Usually, they are bred from litter runts, who naturally tend to be the least healthy. This isn’t good breeding practice, and you will likely find yourself with a pup needing regular veterinary care. 

Havanese
Photo by Elijah Ekdahl on Unsplash

With larger dogs, there are often some size differences between the males and females of the breed. This is not the case with the Havenese. Males and females of these pups tend to be around the same height and weight. 

Havanese Growth Patterns

As mentioned above, toy breeds reach their adult height and weight much quicker than larger dogs. By the time they are 3 months of age, your pup will already be around half their adult weight and likely more than half their average height. 

Havaneses reach their adult height somewhere between 6 and 8 months. This depends on whether they are on the smaller or larger end of the size spectrum – with smaller dogs naturally getting there first. However, don’t be surprised if your pup continues to gain in weight until their first birthday. 

Additionally, this is why it’s particularly important that your Havanese puppy gets the correct nourishment he needs to grow that adorable little body into a healthy adult one. Check out these guides on best dog food for puppies here.

How Big is a Full-Grown Havanese?

Your adult Havanese will be between 8 and 12 inches to the shoulder and will weigh around 7 to 13 pounds. Their exact size will depend very much on the parent dogs, so it’s always a good idea to ask the breeder. Gender is not a factor. 

Havanese

Diet and lifestyle, though, will obviously play a key role in your pup’s final size. This will impact their muscle mass and overall weight. Less active dogs can easily gain too much weight. Pay close attention to food manufacturer guidelines, and do your best to ignore those pleading puppy dog eyes. 

The following calculations can help you to know exactly what to expect from your pal:  

Havaneses usually get to half their total weight around 3 to 4 months and their adult size at roughly 12 months. You can calculate their potential mature weight at 3.5 months by taking what they weigh at that age and multiplying it by two.

You can calculate their potential adult weight at 23 weeks by taking what they weigh at that age and multiplying it by two.

A different formula you could use is:

  1. Growth = current weight / current age in weeks
  2. Adult weight = Growth x 52 (number of weeks in one year)

So, for example, if your 12-week old pup weighs 18 pounds. You simply divide the current weight by their age in weeks and multiply the result with 52:

18/ 12 = 1.5
1.5 x 52= 78 pounds

78 pounds would be the expected weight of your adult-sized Havanese.

At What Age is a Havanese Fully Grown?

Your Havanese will already be at around half their adult height and weight between 3 and 4 months. By the time they are 6 to 8 months, they will have achieved their full height but may continue to increase in weight until they are 12 months. At this age they are said to be fully grown. 

Haveneses make great pets for active owners who have a little less space for a larger breed. Their smaller size makes them perfect for apartment living, just as long as they get their daily walk and plenty of fun and games in between. These pooches are loving, loyal, fun, and great company. Just make sure you factor in enough time each day to care for their beautiful but tangle-prone coats. 


If you have already adopted one of these darling dogs, then you already know just how lucky you are to have them in your life. Hopefully, this guide will help you to know just what to expect in terms of their size as they grow from playful puppies into healthy, happy hounds. 

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