Differences and Similarities between the English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese.

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English Toy Spaniel Versus Havanese: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel or the Havanese

English Toy Spaniel versus Havanese: Overview

Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese are similar in size. The English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese are both small-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese are Companion Dogs. This means both the English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese 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.

English Toy Spaniel versus Havanese: Comparison Table

The table below compares the English Toy Spaniel 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.

Factor English Toy Spaniel Havanese
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 1/5 4/5
Height 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 5/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 4/5
Weight 8 to 14 pounds 7 to 13 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2350 $2180
Price Range $2250 – $2525 $1700 – $2750
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 134 23

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the English Toy Spaniel 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 a English Toy Spaniel is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Havanese is 91 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Havanese is a better pet than the English Toy Spaniel. 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 English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese

    Below is a list of where the English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese are most different:

  • English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Havaneses get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom. However, Havaneses require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • English Toy Spaniels 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 English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese

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

  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese have low exercise needs.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese are very playful.
  • Both the English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of English Toy Spaniel versus Havanese

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese.

    English Toy Spaniels weigh 8 to 14 pounds when fully grown. English Toy Spaniels are 10 to 11 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.

    Price of English Toy Spaniel versus Price of Havanese

    The average price of the English Toy Spaniel puppy is $2350. The price of the English Toy Spaniel typically ranges from $2250 – $2525. However, the price of a English Toy Spaniel can be as low as $2000 and as high as $2550. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 3 English Toy Spaniel 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 a 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 English Toy Spaniel is more expensive than the Havanese.

    English Toy Spaniel Havanese
    Average Price $2350 $2180
    Price Range $2250 to $2525 $1700 to $2750

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

    A breakdown of the prices of English Toy Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of English Toy Spaniels. 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 English Toy Spaniel 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

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

    The Popularity of English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel. 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 English Toy Spaniel is 134 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of English Toy Spaniel

    Popularity of English Toy Spaniel

    Popularity of Havanese

    Popularity of Havanese

    Year English Toy Spaniel Popularity Rank Havanese Popularity Rank
    2013 135 25
    2014 138 25
    2015 129 24
    2016 130 23
    2017 134 23
    2018 135 24
    2019 139 22
    2020 138 24

    Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel versus Health Problems of Havanese

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

    Both the English Toy Spaniel 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 the same number of genetic health problems as the English Toy Spaniel.

    4 health tests are recommended for English Toy Spaniel while 4 tests are recommended for the Havanese.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Toy Spaniels and in Havaneses.

    English Toy Spaniel Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Toy Spaniels 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 English Toy Spaniels 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 English Toy Spaniel Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the English Toy Spaniel ranks 2 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 470 English Toy Spaniels, 21 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

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

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 2 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 4 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 4 out of 145 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 English Toy Spaniel and in Havanese and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese:

    Disease English Toy Spaniel Rank Havanese Rank
    Congenital Cardiac problems 2 out of 159 dog breeds 70 out of 159 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 4 out of 182 dog breeds 111 out of 182 dog breeds
    Patella problems 4 out of 145 dog breeds 59 out of 145 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
    Hips problems Not Common 123 out of 198 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: English Toy Spaniel versus Havanese

    English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Havaneses do not like to be left alone.

    How Kid-friendly are English Toy Spaniels and Havaneses?

    English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather?

    English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Havaneses can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather?

    English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Havaneses can tolerate hot weather.

    Which one drools more, the English Toy Spaniel or the Havanese

    English Toy Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Havaneses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. Havanese

    English Toy Spaniels 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.

    Is the English Toy Spaniel Easier to Train than the Havanese?

    English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Havaneses are very easy to train.

    Do English Toy Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Havaneses?

    English Toy Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Is the English Toy Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Havanese?

    English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Havaneses adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Toy Spaniel or the Havanese?

    English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Havaneses are very good for new dog owners.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Toy Spaniel or the Havanese?

    English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Havaneses get along very well with other dogs.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the English Toy Spaniel or the Havanese?

    English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the English Toy Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Havanese?

    English Toy Spaniels 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.

    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.

    Are English Toy Spaniels good family dogs? What about Havaneses?

    English Toy Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than Havaneses?

    English Toy Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Toy Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel:

  • Japanese Chin (74 percent match with English Toy Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Havanese vs Japanese Chin.
  • Pug (73 percent match with English Toy Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Havanese vs Pug.
  • French Bulldog (74 percent match with English Toy Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Havanese vs French Bulldog.
  • 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 English Toy Spaniel vs Bichon Frise.
  • Cavachon (84 percent match with Havanese). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs Cavachon.
  • Bich Poo (85 percent match with Havanese). Here is our comparison of the English Toy Spaniel vs Bich Poo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    English Toy Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Toy Spaniel versus Neapolitan Mastiff     English Toy Spaniel versus Whippet     English Toy Spaniel versus Norwegian Buhund     English Toy Spaniel versus Pekingese     English Toy Spaniel versus Beaglier     English Toy Spaniel versus Maremma Sheepdog     English Toy Spaniel versus West Highland White Terrier     English Toy Spaniel versus Whoodle     English Toy Spaniel versus Kai Ken     English Toy Spaniel versus Swedish Vallhund     

    Havanese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Havanese versus Lakeland Terrier     Havanese versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Havanese versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Havanese versus Bloodhound     Havanese versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Havanese versus Bordoodle     Havanese versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Havanese versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Havanese versus Patterdale Terrier     Havanese versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     

    Conclusion: English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel and the Havanese better suits you and your family.