Which is Better between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese? A Very Detailed Review.

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Caucasian Shepherd Dog Versus Havanese: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and for the Havanese. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Havanese.

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Havanese

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Havanese: Overview

A very important difference between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a giant-sized dog while the Havanese is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

On the other hand, the Havanese belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Havanese: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Caucasian Shepherd Dog to the Havanese based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese

Factor Caucasian Shepherd Dog Havanese
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 5/5
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 1/5
Easy To Train 2/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 3/5
Height 24 to 34 inches 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 3/5
Weight 80 to 220 pounds 7 to 13 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2110 $2180
Price Range $1500 – $2500 $1700 – $2750
Temperament Score 85.0 percent 81.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Dentition
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye examination, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Havanese. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 69 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Havanese is 91 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Havanese is a better pet than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog. So, you should get the Havanese!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Havanese

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese

    Below is a list of where the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese are most different:

  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Havaneses are good for new dog owners.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Havaneses adapt well to apartment living.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs. However, Havaneses get along well with other dogs.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Havaneses are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not easy to train. However, Havaneses are very easy to train.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool. However, Havaneses do not have the tendency to drool.
  • The Similarities Between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese

    The Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese are most similar:

  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese have low exercise needs.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Havanese

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs weigh 80 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are 24 to 34 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Havaneses weigh 7 to 13 pounds when fully grown. Havaneses are 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Havanese

    The lifespan of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Havaneses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Havaneses is 13.5 years.

    Havaneses live longer than Caucasian Shepherd Dogs.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Havanese

    Temperament of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Versus the Havanese

    The Caucasian Shepherd Dog has a better temperament than the Havanese.

    This is because the temperament score for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 85.0 percent while the temperament score for the Havanese is 81.8 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 85.0 percent, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 81.8 percent, the Havanese has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese by measuring the temperaments of 20 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and 11 Havaneses.

    Price of Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Price of Havanese

    The average price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy is $2110. The price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of a Caucasian Shepherd Dog can be as low as $1000 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 56 Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Havanese puppy is $2180. The price of the Havanese typically ranges from $1700 – $2750. However, the price of the Havanese can be as low as $600 and as high as $4550. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 647 Havanese puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Havanese is more expensive than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Havanese
    Average Price $2110 $2180
    Price Range $1500 to $2500 $1700 to $2750

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and Havanese. For different price points, the charts show how many Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppies or how many Havanese puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Havaneses?

    A breakdown of the prices of Havaneses?

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy or the Havanese puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Havanese

    Adopting the Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Adopting the Havanese

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and many Havaneses are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Caucasian Shepherd Dog named Chuck that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Caucasian Shepherd Dogs like Chuck on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Caucasian Shepherd Dogs, Havaneses are also available for adoption. For example, Bert is a Male Havanese that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Havaneses like Bert that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Ronnie is the name of another Caucasian Shepherd Dog (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Ernie is an adorable Male Havanese on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and Havaneses are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and Havaneses that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Health Problems of Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Health Problems of Havanese

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Havanese.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog than for the Havanese.

    7 health tests are recommended for Caucasian Shepherd Dog while 4 tests are recommended for the Havanese.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and in Havaneses.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Health Problems

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Caucasian Shepherd Dog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Caucasian Shepherd Dogs for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Dentition
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye examination, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Caucasian Shepherd Dogs here.

    Havanese Health Problems

    Havaneses are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Havanese puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Havanese puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Havanese breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Havaneses for:

  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Havaneses here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Havanese

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Havaneses do not like to be left alone.

    Do Caucasian Shepherd Dogs shed more than Havaneses?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Havaneses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Havanese

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Havaneses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Havanese?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Havaneses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Havanese?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Havaneses have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Havaneses?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Havaneses are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Havaneses can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs. Havanese

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Havaneses do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Havaneses can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Havanese?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Havaneses get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs good family dogs? What about Havaneses?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Havaneses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and Havaneses?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Havaneses get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Easier to Train than the Havanese?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not easy to train.

    Havaneses are very easy to train.

    Is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Havanese?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Havaneses adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Havanese?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Havaneses are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Caucasian Shepherd Dog:

  • Afador (76 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Havanese vs Afador.
  • Akbash (73 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Havanese vs Akbash.
  • Mastiff (72 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Havanese vs Mastiff.
  • Boerboel (71 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Havanese vs Boerboel.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Havanese

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Havanese that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Havanese:

  • Bichon Frise (86 percent match with Havanese). Here is our comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs Bichon Frise.
  • Cavachon (84 percent match with Havanese). Here is our comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs Cavachon.
  • Bich Poo (85 percent match with Havanese). Here is our comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs Bich Poo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and how the Havanese compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and of the Havanese to other breeds:

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Clumber Spaniel     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Pomsky     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Miniature Schnauzer     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Norwegian Lundehund     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Mudi     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Chihuahua     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Labradoodle     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Black Mouth Cur     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Pomeranian     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Pomchi     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Aussiedoodle     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Boerboel     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Affenhuahua     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Dachshund     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Cockapoo     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Tibetan Spaniel     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus French Spaniel     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Schipperke     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Miniature Poodle     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Belgian Tervuren     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Redbone Coonhound     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Patterdale Terrier     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Basenji     

    Havanese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Havanese versus Chorkie     Havanese versus Black Mouth Cur     Havanese versus Redbone Coonhound     Havanese versus Labradoodle     Havanese versus Lhasapoo     Havanese versus Maltipoo     Havanese versus Akita Chow     Havanese versus Barbet     Havanese versus Portuguese Pointer     Havanese versus Boxer     Havanese versus Affenhuahua     Havanese versus Scottish Deerhound     Havanese versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Havanese versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Havanese versus Bichon Frise     Havanese versus Boxerdoodle     Havanese versus Black Mouth Cur     Havanese versus Lowchen     Havanese versus Dutch Shepherd     Havanese versus Azawakh     Havanese versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Havanese versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Havanese versus Japanese Spitz     Havanese versus Black Mouth Cur     

    Conclusion: Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Havanese. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Havanese better suits you and your family.