Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Greyhound Versus Havanese: Introduction
- Greyhound versus Havanese: Overview
- Greyhound versus Havanese: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Greyhound and the Havanese
- The Similarities Between the Greyhound and the Havanese
- Size (Weight and Height) of Greyhound versus Havanese
- Lifespan of Greyhound versus Havanese
- Temperament of the Greyhound Versus the Havanese
- Price of Greyhound versus Price of Havanese
- Adopting the Greyhound versus Adopting the Havanese
- The Popularity of Greyhound versus Popularity of Havanese
- Health Problems of Greyhound versus Health Problems of Havanese
- Tolerates Being Alone: Greyhound versus Havanese
- Do Greyhounds shed more than Havaneses?
- Which one drools more, the Greyhound or the Havanese
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Greyhound or the Havanese?
- Does the Greyhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Havanese?
- Do Greyhounds Bark and Howl? What about Havaneses?
- Can Greyhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Greyhound vs. Havanese
- Can Greyhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Greyhound or the Havanese?
- Are Greyhounds good family dogs? What about Havaneses?
- How Kid-friendly are Greyhounds and Havaneses?
- Is the Greyhound Easier to Train than the Havanese?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Greyhound
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Havanese
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Greyhound versus Havanese. Which One is a Better Pet?
Greyhound Versus Havanese: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Greyhound 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 Greyhound 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 Greyhound and the Havanese.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Greyhound 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 Greyhound 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 Greyhound 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 Greyhound or the Havanese.
Greyhound versus Havanese: Overview
A very important difference between the Greyhound and the Havanese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Greyhound is a large-sized dog while the Havanese is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Greyhound belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
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.
Greyhound versus Havanese: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Greyhound 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 Greyhound and the Havanese
| Factor | Greyhound | Havanese |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the sho | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 85 pounds | 7 to 13 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $660 | $2180 |
| Price Range | $500 – $800 | $1700 – $2750 |
| Temperament Score | 79.7 percent | 81.8 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
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| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 149 | 23 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Greyhound 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 Greyhound is 73 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 Greyhound. 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 Greyhound and the Havanese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Greyhound and the Havanese
Below is a list of where the Greyhound and the Havanese are most different:
The Similarities Between the Greyhound and the Havanese
The Greyhound and the Havanese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Greyhound and the Havanese are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Greyhound versus Havanese
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Greyhound and the Havanese.
Greyhounds weigh 50 to 85 pounds when fully grown. Greyhounds are 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the sho 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 Greyhound versus Havanese
The lifespan of Greyhounds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Greyhounds 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 Greyhound Versus the Havanese
The Havanese has a better temperament than the Greyhound.
This is because the temperament score for the Havanese is 81.8 percent while the temperament score for the Greyhound is 79.7 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 79.7 percent, the Greyhound 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 Greyhound and the Havanese by measuring the temperaments of 69 Greyhounds and 11 Havaneses.
Price of Greyhound versus Price of Havanese
The average price of the Greyhound puppy is $660. The price of the Greyhound typically ranges from $500 – $800. However, the price of a Greyhound can be as low as $400 and as high as $1100. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 20 Greyhound 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 Greyhound.
| Greyhound | Havanese | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $660 | $2180 |
| Price Range | $500 to $800 | $1700 to $2750 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Greyhound and Havanese. For different price points, the charts show how many Greyhound puppies or how many Havanese puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Greyhounds. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Havaneses?
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Greyhound 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.
Adopting the Greyhound versus Adopting the Havanese
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Greyhounds 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 Greyhound named Flight Risk that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Greyhounds like Flight Risk on pefinder.com.
Also, like Greyhounds, Havaneses are also available for adoption. For example, Ernie is a Male Havanese that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Havaneses like Ernie that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Gangster is the name of another Greyhound (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Bert is an adorable Male Havanese on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Greyhounds and Havaneses that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Greyhound 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 Greyhound 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 Greyhound. 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 Greyhound is 149 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Greyhound
Popularity of Havanese
| Year | Greyhound Popularity Rank | Havanese Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 148 | 25 |
| 2014 | 147 | 25 |
| 2015 | 147 | 24 |
| 2016 | 151 | 23 |
| 2017 | 156 | 23 |
| 2018 | 145 | 24 |
| 2019 | 162 | 22 |
| 2020 | 142 | 24 |
Health Problems of Greyhound 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 Greyhound 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 Greyhound.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Havanese than for the Greyhound.
2 health tests are recommended for Greyhound while 4 tests are recommended for the Havanese.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Greyhounds and in Havaneses.
Greyhound Health Problems
Greyhounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Greyhound 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 Greyhound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Greyhound 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 Greyhounds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Greyhounds 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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Havaneses here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Greyhounds 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 Greyhound Breed is Eyes problems.
This is because the Greyhound ranks 76 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 119 Greyhounds, 2 of them had Eyes problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Greyhounds, and how common these diseases are in Greyhounds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
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:
The table below lists the common health problems in Greyhound and in Havanese and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Greyhound and the Havanese:
| Disease | Greyhound Rank | Havanese Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Eyes problems | 76 out of 182 dog breeds | 111 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 81 out of 115 dog breeds | 20 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 186 out of 198 dog breeds | 123 out of 198 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 |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 38 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 55 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 59 out of 145 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: Greyhound versus Havanese
Greyhounds do not like to be left alone.
Havaneses do not like to be left alone.
Do Greyhounds shed more than Havaneses?
Greyhounds 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 Greyhound or the Havanese
Greyhounds have a very high tendency to drool.
Havaneses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Greyhound or the Havanese?
Greyhounds are very easy to groom.
Havaneses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Greyhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Havanese?
Greyhounds 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.
Do Greyhounds Bark and Howl? What about Havaneses?
Greyhounds 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 Greyhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather?
Greyhounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Havaneses can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Greyhound vs. Havanese
Greyhounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily 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.
Can Greyhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather?
Greyhounds can tolerate hot weather.
Havaneses can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Greyhound or the Havanese?
Greyhounds get along very well with other dogs.
Havaneses get along very well with other dogs.
Are Greyhounds good family dogs? What about Havaneses?
Greyhounds 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 Greyhounds and Havaneses?
Greyhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Havaneses get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Greyhound Easier to Train than the Havanese?
Greyhounds are very easy to train.
Havaneses are very easy to train.
Is the Greyhound Better for Apartment Owners than the Havanese?
Greyhounds adapt very well to apartment living.
Havaneses adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Greyhound or the Havanese?
Greyhounds 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 Greyhound
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Greyhound 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 Greyhound:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Greyhound and how the Havanese compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Greyhound and of the Havanese to other breeds:
Greyhound Versus Other Dog Breeds
Greyhound versus Cairn Terrier Greyhound versus Kishu Ken Greyhound versus Newfoundland Greyhound versus Pomeranian Greyhound versus Black Mouth Cur Greyhound versus Australian Shepherd Greyhound versus Akita Chow Greyhound versus Australian Terrier Greyhound versus Estrela Mountain Dog Greyhound versus Chinese Crested Greyhound versus Norwich Terrier Greyhound versus Azawakh Greyhound versus American Bulldog Greyhound versus French Spaniel Greyhound versus American Eskimo Dog Greyhound versus Boxerdoodle Greyhound versus Chi-Poo Greyhound versus Vizsla Greyhound versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Greyhound versus Schnoodle Greyhound versus Japanese Chin Greyhound versus English Setter Greyhound versus Lagotto Romagnolo Greyhound versus King Shepherd Greyhound versus Finnish Lapphund
Havanese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Havanese versus Rottweiler Havanese versus Spinone Italiano Havanese versus American Foxhound Havanese versus Vizsla Havanese versus Labrador Retriever Havanese versus Ibizan Hound Havanese versus Frenchton Havanese versus Bullmastiff Havanese versus Yorkshire Terrier Havanese versus Kooikerhondje Havanese versus Whoodle Havanese versus American Eskimo Dog Havanese versus Westiepoo Havanese versus Estrela Mountain Dog Havanese versus German Wirehaired Pointer Havanese versus Bulldog Havanese versus Mal Shi Havanese versus Bernese Mountain Dog Havanese versus Shiba Inu Havanese versus Goldendoodle Havanese versus Clumber Spaniel Havanese versus Sussex Spaniel Havanese versus Basenji Havanese versus Norwegian Lundehund Havanese versus Shichon
Conclusion: Greyhound 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 Greyhound and the Havanese better suits you and your family.