Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Havanese Versus Kai Ken: Introduction
- Havanese versus Kai Ken: Overview
- Havanese versus Kai Ken: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Havanese and the Kai Ken
- The Similarities Between the Havanese and the Kai Ken
- Size (Weight and Height) of Havanese versus Kai Ken
- Lifespan of Havanese versus Kai Ken
- Temperament of the Havanese Versus the Kai Ken
- Health Problems of Havanese versus Health Problems of Kai Ken
- Tolerates Being Alone: Havanese versus Kai Ken
- Do Havaneses shed more than Kai Kens?
- Which one drools more, the Havanese or the Kai Ken
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Havanese or the Kai Ken?
- Does the Havanese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Kai Ken?
- Do Havaneses Bark and Howl? What about Kai Kens?
- Can Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Kai Kens Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Havanese vs. Kai Ken
- Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Kai Kens Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Havanese or the Kai Ken?
- Are Havaneses good family dogs? What about Kai Kens?
- How Kid-friendly are Havaneses and Kai Kens?
- Is the Havanese Easier to Train than the Kai Ken?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Havanese
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Kai Ken
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Havanese versus Kai Ken. Which One is a Better Pet?
Havanese Versus Kai Ken: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Havanese and the Kai Ken? 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 Havanese and the Kai Ken 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 Havanese and the Kai Ken.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Havanese and the Kai Ken 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 Havanese and for the Kai Ken. 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 Havanese and the Kai Ken.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Havanese or the Kai Ken.
Havanese versus Kai Ken: Overview
A very important difference between the Havanese and the Kai Ken is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Havanese is a small-sized dog while the Kai Ken is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Havanese and the Kai Ken are Companion Dogs. This means both the Havanese and the Kai Ken 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.
Havanese versus Kai Ken: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Havanese to the Kai Ken 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 Havanese and the Kai Ken
| Factor | Havanese | Kai Ken |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 7 to 13 pounds | 25 to 45 pounds |
| Height | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 17 to 22 inches |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $2180 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1700 – $2750 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 81.8 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
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Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Havanese 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 Kai Ken. 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 Havanese is 91 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Kai Ken is 73 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Havanese is a better pet than the Kai Ken. 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 Havanese and the Kai Ken so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Havanese and the Kai Ken
Below is a list of where the Havanese and the Kai Ken are most different:
The Similarities Between the Havanese and the Kai Ken
The Havanese and the Kai Ken are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Havanese and the Kai Ken are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Havanese versus Kai Ken
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Havanese and the Kai Ken.
Havaneses weigh 7 to 13 pounds when fully grown. Havaneses are 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Kai Kens weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Kai Kens are 17 to 22 inches when fully grown.
Lifespan of Havanese versus Kai Ken
The lifespan of Havaneses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Havaneses is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Kai Kens is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Kai Kens is 14.0 years.
Kai Kens live longer than Havaneses.
Temperament of the Havanese Versus the Kai Ken
The Kai Ken has a better temperament than the Havanese.
This is because the temperament score for the Kai Ken is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Havanese is 81.8 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 81.8 percent, the Havanese has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Kai Ken has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Havanese and the Kai Ken by measuring the temperaments of 11 Havaneses and 1 Kai Kens.
Health Problems of Havanese versus Health Problems of Kai Ken
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 Havanese and the Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Havanese than for the Kai Ken.
4 health tests are recommended for Havanese while 2 tests are recommended for the Kai Ken.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Havaneses and in Kai Kens.
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.
Kai Ken Health Problems
Kai Kens are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Kai Ken 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 Kai Kens for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Kai Kens here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Havanese versus Kai Ken
Havaneses do not like to be left alone.
Kai Kens can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Havaneses shed more than Kai Kens?
Havaneses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Kai Kens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Havanese or the Kai Ken
Havaneses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Kai Kens do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Havanese or the Kai Ken?
Havaneses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Kai Kens require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Havanese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Kai Ken?
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.
Kai Kens 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 Havaneses Bark and Howl? What about Kai Kens?
Havaneses are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Kai Kens are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Kai Kens Tolerate Cold Weather?
Havaneses can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Kai Kens can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Havanese vs. Kai Ken
Havaneses do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Kai Kens have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Kai Kens Tolerate Hot Weather?
Havaneses can tolerate hot weather.
Kai Kens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Havanese or the Kai Ken?
Havaneses get along very well with other dogs.
Kai Kens get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Havaneses good family dogs? What about Kai Kens?
Havaneses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Kai Kens are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Havaneses and Kai Kens?
Havaneses get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Kai Kens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Havanese Easier to Train than the Kai Ken?
Havaneses are very easy to train.
Kai Kens are fairly easy to train.
Is the Havanese Better for Apartment Owners than the Kai Ken?
Havaneses adapt very well to apartment living.
Kai Kens do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Havanese or the Kai Ken?
Havaneses are very good for new dog owners.
Kai Kens are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
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 Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Kai Ken
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Havanese and how the Kai Ken compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Havanese and of the Kai Ken to other breeds:
Havanese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Havanese versus Labrador Retriever Havanese versus Bernedoodle Havanese versus Swedish Vallhund Havanese versus Pharaoh Hound Havanese versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Havanese versus Silky Terrier Havanese versus Beagle Havanese versus Chorkie Havanese versus Australian Terrier Havanese versus Pyrenean Shepherd Havanese versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Havanese versus Chinook Havanese versus Toy Fox Terrier Havanese versus Goldendoodle Havanese versus Catahoula Bulldog Havanese versus Bernedoodle Havanese versus Scottish Terrier Havanese versus Spinone Italiano Havanese versus Pomchi Havanese versus German Shepherd Dog Havanese versus King Shepherd Havanese versus Black Russian Terrier Havanese versus Korean Jindo Dog Havanese versus American Bulldog Havanese versus Curly-Coated Retriever
Kai Ken Versus Other Dog Breeds
Kai Ken versus Belgian Malinois Kai Ken versus Swedish Vallhund Kai Ken versus Havanese Kai Ken versus Welsh Terrier Kai Ken versus Schipperke Kai Ken versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Kai Ken versus Brittany Kai Ken versus Bordoodle Kai Ken versus Irish Water Spaniel Kai Ken versus Boxerdoodle Kai Ken versus Bolognese Kai Ken versus Carolina Dog Kai Ken versus Chinese Shar-Pei Kai Ken versus Borzoi Kai Ken versus Doberman Pinscher Kai Ken versus Shiranian Kai Ken versus Estrela Mountain Dog Kai Ken versus Chihuahua Kai Ken versus Tibetan Spaniel Kai Ken versus Golden Retriever Kai Ken versus Greyhound Kai Ken versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Kai Ken versus Morkie Kai Ken versus Bernedoodle Kai Ken versus Toy Fox Terrier
Conclusion: Havanese versus Kai Ken. 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 Havanese and the Kai Ken better suits you and your family.