Breed Comparison: Chinook Versus Havanese

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Chinook Versus Havanese: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook and the Havanese.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook or the Havanese.

Chinook versus Havanese

Chinook versus Havanese: Overview

A very important difference between the Chinook and the Havanese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chinook is a large-sized dog while the Havanese is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Chinook 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.

Chinook versus Havanese: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chinook 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 Chinook and the Havanese

Factor Chinook Havanese
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Easy To Groom 2/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
Height 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Weight 55 to 70 pounds 7 to 13 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $1700 – $2750
Average Price No Data $2180
Temperament Score 77.8 percent 81.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 177 23

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chinook 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 Chinook is 87 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 Chinook. 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 Chinook and the Havanese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chinook and the Havanese

    Below is a list of where the Chinook and the Havanese are most different:

  • Chinooks are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Havaneses are good for new dog owners.
  • Chinooks shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Havaneses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Chinook and the Havanese

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

  • Both the Chinook and the Havanese do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Chinook and the Havanese do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chinook and the Havanese require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Chinook and the Havanese are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Chinook 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 Chinook and the Havanese adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Chinook and the Havanese can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Chinook and the Havanese are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chinook and the Havanese are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Chinook and the Havanese are very easy to train.
  • Both the Chinook and the Havanese are very playful.
  • Both the Chinook and the Havanese are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Chinook and the Havanese are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chinook and the Havanese get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Chinook and the Havanese get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Chinook and the Havanese are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chinook versus Havanese

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chinook and the Havanese.

    Chinooks weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Chinooks are 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 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 Chinook versus Havanese

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

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

    Temperament of the Chinook Versus the Havanese

    The Havanese has a better temperament than the Chinook.

    This is because the temperament score for the Havanese is 81.8 percent while the temperament score for the Chinook is 77.8 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 77.8 percent, the Chinook has a below-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 Chinook and the Havanese by measuring the temperaments of 9 Chinooks and 11 Havaneses.

    The Popularity of Chinook versus Popularity of Havanese

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Chinook and the Havanese over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Havanese is more popular with dog owners than the Chinook. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Havanese is 23 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Chinook is 177 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Chinook

    Popularity of Chinook

    Popularity of Havanese

    Popularity of Havanese

    Year Chinook Popularity Rank Havanese Popularity Rank
    2013 156 25
    2014 171 25
    2015 177 24
    2016 175 23
    2017 179 23
    2018 190 24
    2019 184 22
    2020 186 24

    Health Problems of Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Havanese is prone to more genetic health problems than the Chinook.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Havanese than for the Chinook.

    3 health tests are recommended for Chinook while 4 tests are recommended for the Havanese.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chinooks and in Havaneses.

    Chinook Health Problems

    Chinooks are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chinook 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 Chinook puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chinook 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 Chinooks for:

  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chinooks 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.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Chinooks and Havaneses

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Chinook Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Chinook ranks 5 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 52 Chinooks, 5 of them had Patella problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Chinooks, and how common these diseases are in Chinooks relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Patella problems: Rank 5 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 63 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 82 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Havanese Breed is Dentition Database problems.

    This is because the Havanese ranks 3 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 371 Havaneses, 106 of them had Dentition Database problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Havaneses, and how common these diseases are in Havaneses relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 3 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 18 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 20 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 38 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 55 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 59 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 70 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 111 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 123 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Chinook and in Havanese and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chinook and the Havanese:

    Disease Chinook Rank Havanese Rank
    Patella problems 5 out of 145 dog breeds 59 out of 145 dog breeds
    Hips problems 63 out of 198 dog breeds 123 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 82 out of 182 dog breeds 111 out of 182 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 3 out of 49 dog breeds
    Baer Hearing Test problems Not Common 18 out of 21 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 20 out of 115 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems Not Common 38 out of 71 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 55 out of 144 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 70 out of 159 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chinook versus Havanese

    Chinooks do not like to be left alone.

    Havaneses do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chinooks shed more than Havaneses?

    Chinooks 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 Chinook or the Havanese

    Chinooks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Havaneses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chinook or the Havanese?

    Chinooks 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 Chinook Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Havanese?

    Chinooks have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other 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 Chinooks Bark and Howl? What about Havaneses?

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

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

    Can Chinooks Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chinooks can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Havaneses can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chinook vs. Havanese

    Chinooks 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 Chinooks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chinooks can tolerate hot weather.

    Havaneses can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Chinooks get along very well with other dogs.

    Havaneses get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Chinooks good family dogs? What about Havaneses?

    Chinooks 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 Chinooks and Havaneses?

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

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

    Is the Chinook Easier to Train than the Havanese?

    Chinooks are very easy to train.

    Havaneses are very easy to train.

    Is the Chinook Better for Apartment Owners than the Havanese?

    Chinooks adapt very well to apartment living.

    Havaneses adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Chinooks 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 Chinook

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chinook 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 Chinook:

  • Keeshond (76 percent match with Chinook). Here is our comparison of the Havanese vs Keeshond.
  • King Shepherd (75 percent match with Chinook). Here is our comparison of the Havanese vs King Shepherd.
  • 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 Chinook vs Bichon Frise.
  • Cavachon (84 percent match with Havanese). Here is our comparison of the Chinook vs Cavachon.
  • Bich Poo (85 percent match with Havanese). Here is our comparison of the Chinook vs Bich Poo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Chinook Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chinook versus Norfolk Terrier     Chinook versus Irish Setter     Chinook versus Giant Schnauzer     Chinook versus Whippet     Chinook versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Chinook versus Swedish Vallhund     Chinook versus English Cocker Spaniel     Chinook versus Golden Retriever     Chinook versus Australian Cattle Dog     Chinook versus Havanese     Chinook versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Chinook versus Tibetan Spaniel     Chinook versus English Toy Spaniel     Chinook versus Chi-Poo     Chinook versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Chinook versus Bluetick Coonhound     Chinook versus Shihpoo     Chinook versus Frenchton     Chinook versus Shiba Inu     Chinook versus American Foxhound     Chinook versus Great Pyrenees     Chinook versus Finnish Lapphund     Chinook versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Chinook versus Goldendoodle     Chinook versus Puggle     

    Havanese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Havanese versus Bulldog     Havanese versus Spanish Mastiff     Havanese versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Havanese versus Cairn Terrier     Havanese versus Vizsla     Havanese versus Miniature Poodle     Havanese versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Havanese versus Kooikerhondje     Havanese versus Bracco Italiano     Havanese versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Havanese versus Mastiff     Havanese versus German Pinscher     Havanese versus Bernedoodle     Havanese versus Kai Ken     Havanese versus Manchester Terrier     Havanese versus Tibetan Terrier     Havanese versus Rottweiler     Havanese versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Havanese versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Havanese versus Canaan Dog     Havanese versus Bernedoodle     Havanese versus Pug     Havanese versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Havanese versus Irish Water Spaniel     Havanese versus Morkie     

    Conclusion: Chinook 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 Chinook and the Havanese better suits you and your family.