Choosing a puppy

A healthy, well-raised Havanese puppy looks a lot like any other adorable puppy in a photo. The difference shows up in the paperwork, the parents, and the answers you get when you ask questions. Here is what actually separates a good puppy from a risky one.

• Health testing on both parents

  Ask for proof of hip and patella evaluations, a CERF or CAER eye exam, a cardiac check, and BAER hearing testing on the mother and father. A reputable breeder will hand this over without hesitation.
• Age at homecoming, 8 to 12 weeks

  Havanese puppies benefit from time with their mother and littermates before joining a new home. Most reputable breeders release puppies between 8 and 12 weeks, once they are eating solid food and fully weaned. Walk away from anyone offering a puppy far younger than that.
• AKC or CKC registration

  A registered litter means the pedigree is on record and the breeding dogs meet a registry's standards. Ask to see the litter registration or the individual puppy's pedigree paperwork.
• A written health guarantee

  This should cover genetic conditions for a defined period, typically one to five years, and spell out what happens if a covered issue shows up. Read it before you pay a deposit, not after.
• A puppy raised in the home

  Puppies raised underfoot in a family living room, exposed to normal household noise and handling, socialize better than puppies raised in an isolated kennel. Ask to video call the puppy in its everyday environment.

• No health testing records, or vague answers about them

  If a breeder cannot produce actual documents, hip, patella, eye, and heart results are not optional extras.
• Multiple litters always available

  A small, careful breeding program has occasional litters, not a constant rotating inventory.
• Payment only by wire transfer or gift card, no contract

  A legitimate breeder uses a written sales contract and standard payment methods.
• Refusal to let you video call or visit

  Reasonable biosecurity limits on in-person visits are normal, but a flat refusal to even video call is a warning sign.

Still comparing breeds before you commit to a Havanese? Read the honest Havanese vs Yorkie comparison, including where the Yorkie genuinely wins, the Havanese vs Maltese comparison, including where the Maltese genuinely wins, or the Havanese vs Shih Tzu comparison, including where the Shih Tzu genuinely wins.

Ready to go step by step? The first-time Havanese buyer checklist covers this page's five things to check plus budget, deposits, contracts, and AKC registration, in the order you'll actually hit them.