Which is Better between the Havanese and the Komondor? A Very Detailed Review.

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Havanese Versus Komondor: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Havanese and the Komondor 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 Komondor. 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 Komondor.

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 Komondor.

Havanese versus Komondor

Havanese versus Komondor: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Komondor 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.

Havanese versus Komondor: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Havanese to the Komondor 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 Komondor

Factor Havanese Komondor
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 1/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 7 to 13 pounds 80 to 100 pounds
Height 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 25 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $2180 $840
Price Range $1700 – $2750 $550 – $800
Temperament Score 81.8 percent 90.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- min age 9 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 23 170

    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 Komondor. 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 Komondor is 70 out of 125.

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Havanese and the Komondor

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

  • Havaneses are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Komondors are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Havaneses adapt well to apartment living. However, Komondors do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Havaneses are good for new dog owners. However, Komondors are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Havaneses get along well with other dogs. However, Komondors do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Havaneses are very friendly towards strangers. However, Komondors are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • The Similarities Between the Havanese and the Komondor

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

  • Both the Havanese and the Komondor do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Havanese and the Komondor do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Havanese and the Komondor require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Havanese and the Komondor do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Havanese and the Komondor do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Havanese and the Komondor 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 Havanese and the Komondor can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Havanese and the Komondor get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Havanese and the Komondor gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Havanese and the Komondor are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Havanese and the Komondor are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Havanese and the Komondor are very easy to train.
  • Both the Havanese and the Komondor are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Havanese versus Komondor

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

    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, Komondors weigh 80 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Komondors are 25 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Havanese versus Komondor

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

    The lifespan of Komondors is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Komondors is 11.0 years.

    Havaneses live longer than Komondors.

    Temperament of the Havanese Versus the Komondor

    The Komondor has a better temperament than the Havanese.

    This is because the temperament score for the Komondor is 90.0 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 90.0 percent, the Komondor has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Havanese and the Komondor by measuring the temperaments of 11 Havaneses and 10 Komondors.

    Price of Havanese versus Price of Komondor

    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 reviewing the prices of 647 Havanese puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Komondor puppy is $840. The price of the Komondor typically ranges from $550 – $800. However, the price of the Komondor can be as low as $500 and as high as $1800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 17 Komondor puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Havanese is more expensive than the Komondor.

    Havanese Komondor
    Average Price $2180 $840
    Price Range $1700 to $2750 $550 to $800

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

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Komondors?

    A breakdown of the prices of Komondors?

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Havanese puppy or the Komondor 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.

    The Popularity of Havanese versus Popularity of Komondor

    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 Havanese and the Komondor over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Havanese is more popular with dog owners than the Komondor. 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 Komondor is 170 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Havanese

    Popularity of Havanese

    Popularity of Komondor

    Popularity of Komondor

    Year Havanese Popularity Rank Komondor Popularity Rank
    2013 25 159
    2014 25 168
    2015 24 163
    2016 23 177
    2017 23 163
    2018 24 173
    2019 22 181
    2020 24 178

    Health Problems of Havanese versus Health Problems of Komondor

    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 Komondor 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 Komondor.

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

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

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

    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.

    Komondor Health Problems

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

  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- min age 9 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Komondors here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Havaneses and Komondors

    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
  • 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 Komondor Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the Komondor ranks 19 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 54 Komondors, 1 of them had Eyes problems.

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

  • Eyes problems: Rank 19 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 30 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 90 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Havanese and in Komondor and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Havanese and the Komondor:

    Disease Havanese Rank Komondor Rank
    Dentition Database problems 3 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Baer Hearing Test problems 18 out of 21 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 20 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Advanced Cardiac problems 38 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 55 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 59 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 70 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 111 out of 182 dog breeds 19 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 123 out of 198 dog breeds 90 out of 198 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 30 out of 70 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: Havanese versus Komondor

    Havaneses do not like to be left alone.

    Komondors do not like to be left alone.

    Do Havaneses shed more than Komondors?

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

    Komondors shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Havanese or the Komondor

    Havaneses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Komondors do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

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

    Does the Havanese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Komondor?

    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.

    Komondors 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.

    Do Havaneses Bark and Howl? What about Komondors?

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

    Komondors are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Havaneses can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Komondors can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Havanese vs. Komondor

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

    Komondors have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Komondors Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Havaneses can tolerate hot weather.

    Komondors can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Havaneses get along very well with other dogs.

    Komondors do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Havaneses good family dogs? What about Komondors?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Havaneses and Komondors?

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

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

    Is the Havanese Easier to Train than the Komondor?

    Havaneses are very easy to train.

    Komondors are very easy to train.

    Is the Havanese Better for Apartment Owners than the Komondor?

    Havaneses adapt very well to apartment living.

    Komondors do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Havaneses are very good for new dog owners.

    Komondors 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:

  • Bichon Frise (86 percent match with Havanese). Here is our comparison of the Komondor vs Bichon Frise.
  • Cavachon (84 percent match with Havanese). Here is our comparison of the Komondor vs Cavachon.
  • Bich Poo (85 percent match with Havanese). Here is our comparison of the Komondor vs Bich Poo.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Komondor

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

  • Belgian Tervuren (70 percent match with Komondor). Here is our comparison of the Havanese vs Belgian Tervuren.
  • Black Russian Terrier (70 percent match with Komondor). Here is our comparison of the Havanese vs Black Russian Terrier.
  • Giant Schnauzer (72 percent match with Komondor). Here is our comparison of the Havanese vs Giant Schnauzer.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Havanese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Havanese versus Lhasa Apso     Havanese versus Cockalier     Havanese versus German Shepherd Dog     Havanese versus Gordon Setter     Havanese versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Havanese versus Finnish Spitz     Havanese versus Silky Terrier     Havanese versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Havanese versus Redbone Coonhound     Havanese versus Alaskan Malamute     Havanese versus Toy Fox Terrier     Havanese versus Hovawart     Havanese versus Finnish Spitz     Havanese versus Chinese Crested     Havanese versus Bullmastiff     Havanese versus Clumber Spaniel     Havanese versus Pharaoh Hound     Havanese versus Bich Poo     Havanese versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Havanese versus Harrier     Havanese versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Havanese versus English Cocker Spaniel     Havanese versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Havanese versus Border Terrier     Havanese versus Swedish Vallhund     

    Komondor Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Komondor versus Briard     Komondor versus Japanese Spitz     Komondor versus Siberian Husky     Komondor versus Shiba Inu     Komondor versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Komondor versus Portuguese Pointer     Komondor versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Komondor versus Chihuahua     Komondor versus Black Russian Terrier     Komondor versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Komondor versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Komondor versus Whippet     Komondor versus Welsh Terrier     Komondor versus Collie     Komondor versus Dutch Shepherd     Komondor versus Irish Setter     Komondor versus Boxer     Komondor versus English Cocker Spaniel     Komondor versus German Shepherd Dog     Komondor versus Goldendoodle     Komondor versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Komondor versus Chi-Poo     Komondor versus Afghan Hound     Komondor versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Komondor versus Finnish Spitz     

    Conclusion: Havanese versus Komondor. 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 Komondor better suits you and your family.