Havanese vs Bichon Frise
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| Havanese | Bichon Frise | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Toy | Small |
| Adult weight | 3.2 to 5.9 kg | 5.4 to 8.2 kg |
| In pounds | 7 to 13 lb | 12 to 18 lb |
| Adult height | 22 to 29 cm | 24 to 29 cm |
| Energy | Moderate | High |
| Grooming | High | High |
| Coat | Long silky and double | Long curly and double |
| Shedding | Low | Low |
| Lifespan | 14 to 16 years | 14 to 15 years |
| Good with children | Reliably good | Reliably good |
| Good with other dogs | Reliably good | Reliably good |
| Country of origin | Cuba | Belgium, France |
The main differences
- The Bichon Frise is the bigger dog: 5.4 to 8.2 kg against 3.2 to 5.9 kg for the Havanese.
- The Bichon Frise needs more exercise: high energy against moderate for the Havanese.
- Grooming is high for both.
- Life expectancy is similar: 14 to 16 years for the Havanese and 14 to 15 years for the Bichon Frise.
Temperament
Havanese: The Havanese is funny, intelligent and outgoing, a friendly companion that is also a loyal watchdog for their family.
Bichon Frise: Curious, peppy and playful, the Bichon Frise is an adaptable companion that gets on well with other dogs and children.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
Havanese
- Patellar luxation, graded by a veterinary orthopaedic exam
- Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be hip scored by x-ray before mating
- Eye disease, screened by an annual ophthalmologist eye examination
- Congenital deafness, detectable by BAER testing
Bichon Frise
- Early tooth loss and gum infection where dental care is not a priority, found at a routine dental check
- Allergies, including skin reactions and flea allergy
- Patellar luxation, a weakness in the knee joints
- Genetic cataracts and other eye disease, screened by an annual ophthalmologist eye examination
Common questions
Which is bigger, the Havanese or the Bichon Frise?
The Bichon Frise. Adults weigh 5.4 to 8.2 kg, against 3.2 to 5.9 kg for the Havanese, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the Havanese or the Bichon Frise?
The published life expectancy is 14 to 16 years for the Havanese and 14 to 15 years for the Bichon Frise. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the Havanese or the Bichon Frise better with children?
They score the same: reliably good with children. Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Related comparisons
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- royalkennelclub.com for the Royal Kennel Club exercise or grooming band, used where it asks for more than the AKC score
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin