Breed Comparison: Fila Brasileiro Versus Havanese

Fila Brasileiro versus Havanese

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Fila Brasileiro Versus Havanese: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro or the Havanese

Fila Brasileiro versus Havanese: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Fila Brasileiro 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.

Fila Brasileiro versus Havanese: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro Havanese
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 2/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 5/5
Height 24 to 30 inches 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 3/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Life Span 9 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Weight 90 to 180 pounds 7 to 13 pounds
Average Lifespan 10.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1270 $2180
Price Range $1000 – $1400 $1700 – $2750
Temperament Score 78.6 percent 81.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • *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 Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro is 62 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 Fila Brasileiro. 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 Fila Brasileiro and the Havanese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Fila Brasileiro and the Havanese

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

  • Fila Brasileiros do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Havaneses adapt well to apartment living.
  • Fila Brasileiros are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Havaneses are good for new dog owners.
  • Fila Brasileiros are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Havaneses are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Fila Brasileiros do not get along well with other dogs. However, Havaneses get along well with other dogs.
  • Fila Brasileiros are not easy to train. However, Havaneses are very easy to train.
  • Fila Brasileiros not very playful. However, Havaneses are very playful.
  • Fila Brasileiros are very easy to groom. However, Havaneses require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Fila Brasileiro and the Havanese

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

  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Havanese cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Havanese do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Havanese gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Havanese are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Havanese have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Havanese require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Fila Brasileiro and the Havanese have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Fila Brasileiro versus Havanese

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

    Fila Brasileiros weigh 90 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Fila Brasileiros are 24 to 30 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.

    Temperament of the Havanese Versus the Fila Brasileiro

    The Havanese has a better temperament than the Fila Brasileiro.

    This is because the temperament score for the Havanese is 81.8 percent while the temperament score for the Fila Brasileiro is 78.6 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 they 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 78.6 percent, the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro and the Havanese by measuring the temperaments of 14 Fila Brasileiros and 11 Havaneses.

    Price of Fila Brasileiro versus Price of Havanese

    The average price of the Fila Brasileiro puppy is $1270. The price of the Fila Brasileiro typically ranges from $1000 – $1400. However, the price of a Fila Brasileiro can be as low as $1000 and as high as $1800. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 3 Fila Brasileiro 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 Havanese is more expensive than the Fila Brasileiro.

    Fila Brasileiro Havanese
    Average Price $1270 $2180
    Price Range $1000 to $1400 $1700 to $2750

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Fila Brasileiros. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Fila Brasileiros. 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 Fila Brasileiro 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.

    Adopting the Fila Brasileiro versus Adopting the Havanese

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Fila Brasileiros 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 Fila Brasileiro named Maverick that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Fila Brasileiros like Maverick on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Fila Brasileiros, Havaneses are also available for adoption. For example, Ted In Norcal – Applications Closed is a Male Havanese that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Havaneses like Ted In Norcal – Applications Closed that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Fila Brasileiro and the Havanese can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

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

    You can find more Fila Brasileiros and Havaneses that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Is the Fila Brasileiro Better for Apartment Owners than the Havanese?

    Fila Brasileiros do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Havaneses adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Fila Brasileiros are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Havaneses are very good for new dog owners.

    Can Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Fila Brasileiros cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Havaneses can moderately tolerate cold weather.

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

    Fila Brasileiros do not get along well with other dogs.

    Havaneses get along very well with other dogs.

    Do Fila Brasileiros shed more than Havaneses?

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

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

    Is the Fila Brasileiro Easier to Train than the Havanese?

    Fila Brasileiros are not easy to train.

    Havaneses are very easy to train.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Fila Brasileiro versus Havanese

    Fila Brasileiros can be left alone only for a short time.

    Havaneses do not like to be left alone.

    Can Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Fila Brasileiros can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Havaneses can tolerate hot weather.

    Are Fila Brasileiros good family dogs? What about Havaneses?

    Fila Brasileiros are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Fila Brasileiros and Havaneses?

    Fila Brasileiros get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Which one drools more, the Fila Brasileiro or the Havanese

    Fila Brasileiros drool moderately.

    Havaneses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Do Fila Brasileiros Bark and Howl? What about Havaneses?

    Fila Brasileiros bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Fila Brasileiro vs. Havanese

    Fila Brasileiros have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Fila Brasileiro or the Havanese?

    Fila Brasileiros are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Fila Brasileiro Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Havanese?

    Fila Brasileiros 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.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Fila Brasileiro

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

  • Afador (75 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Havanese vs Afador.
  • Cane Corso (76 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Havanese vs Cane Corso.
  • Dogo Argentino (80 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). Here is our comparison of the Havanese vs Dogo Argentino.
  • Boerboel (78 percent match with Fila Brasileiro). 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 Fila Brasileiro vs Bichon Frise.
  • Cavachon (84 percent match with Havanese). Here is our comparison of the Fila Brasileiro vs Cavachon.
  • Bich Poo (85 percent match with Havanese). Here is our comparison of the Fila Brasileiro vs Bich Poo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Fila Brasileiro Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Fila Brasileiro versus Azawakh     Fila Brasileiro versus Sussex Spaniel     Fila Brasileiro versus English Setter     Fila Brasileiro versus Kooikerhondje     Fila Brasileiro versus Lowchen     Fila Brasileiro versus Norwich Terrier     Fila Brasileiro versus American Water Spaniel     Fila Brasileiro versus Bloodhound     Fila Brasileiro versus American Hairless Terrier     Fila Brasileiro versus English Toy Spaniel     

    Havanese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Havanese versus Field Spaniel     Havanese versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Havanese versus Affenhuahua     Havanese versus Pyredoodle     Havanese versus Bordoodle     Havanese versus Bouvier des Flandres     Havanese versus Silky Terrier     Havanese versus Border Collie     Havanese versus Valley Bulldog     Havanese versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     

    Conclusion: Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro and the Havanese better suits you and your family.