Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Havanese Versus Pug: Introduction
- Havanese versus Pug: Overview
- Havanese versus Pug: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Havanese and the Pug
- The Similarities Between the Havanese and the Pug
- Size (Weight and Height) of Havanese versus Pug
- Lifespan of Havanese versus Pug
- Temperament of the Pug Versus the Havanese
- Price of Havanese versus Price of Pug
- Adopting the Havanese versus Adopting the Pug
- The Popularity of Havanese versus Popularity of Pug
- Health Problems of Havanese versus Health Problems of Pug
- Tolerates Being Alone: Havanese versus Pug
- Do Havaneses shed more than Pugs?
- Which one drools more, the Havanese or the Pug
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Havanese or the Pug?
- Does the Havanese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pug?
- Do Havaneses Bark and Howl? What about Pugs?
- Can Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pugs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Havanese vs. Pug
- Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pugs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Havanese or the Pug?
- Are Havaneses good family dogs? What about Pugs?
- How Kid-friendly are Havaneses and Pugs?
- Is the Havanese Easier to Train than the Pug?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Havanese
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pug
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Havanese versus Pug. Which One is a Better Pet?
Havanese Versus Pug: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Havanese and the Pug? 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 Pug 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 Pug.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Havanese and the Pug 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 Pug. 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 Pug.
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 Pug.
Havanese versus Pug: Overview
Both the Havanese and the Pug are similar in size. The Havanese and the Pug are both small-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Havanese and the Pug are Companion Dogs. This means both the Havanese and the Pug 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 Pug: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Havanese to the Pug 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 Pug
| Factor | Havanese | Pug |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 7 to 13 pounds | 14 to 18 pounds |
| Height | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $2180 | $1620 |
| Price Range | $1700 – $2750 | $1200 – $1875 |
| Temperament Score | 81.8 percent | 91.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 23 | 31 |
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 Pug. 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 Pug is 80 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Havanese is a better pet than the Pug. 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 Pug so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Havanese and the Pug
Below is a list of where the Havanese and the Pug are most different:
The Similarities Between the Havanese and the Pug
The Havanese and the Pug are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Havanese and the Pug are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Havanese versus Pug
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Havanese and the Pug.
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, Pugs weigh 14 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Pugs are 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Havanese versus Pug
The lifespan of Havaneses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Havaneses is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Pugs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pugs is 13.5 years.
Temperament of the Pug Versus the Havanese
The Pug has a better temperament than the Havanese.
This is because the temperament score for the Pug is 91.7 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 91.7 percent, the Pug has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Havanese and the Pug by measuring the temperaments of 11 Havaneses and 48 Pugs.
Price of Havanese versus Price of Pug
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 Pug puppy is $1620. The price of the Pug typically ranges from $1200 – $1875. However, the price of the Pug can be as low as $300 and as high as $6525. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 654 Pug puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Havanese is more expensive than the Pug.
| Havanese | Pug | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2180 | $1620 |
| Price Range | $1700 to $2750 | $1200 to $1875 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Havanese and Pug. For different price points, the charts show how many Havanese puppies or how many Pug 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 Pugs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Havanese puppy or the Pug 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 Havanese versus Adopting the Pug
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Havaneses and many Pugs 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 Havanese named Parker that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Havaneses like Parker on pefinder.com.
Also, like Havaneses, Pugs are also available for adoption. For example, Sir Nicholas is a Male Pug that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pugs like Sir Nicholas that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Brooklyn is the name of another Havanese (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, A559272 is an adorable Male Pug on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Havaneses and Pugs that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Havanese versus Popularity of Pug
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 Pug over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Havanese is more popular with dog owners than the Pug. 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 Pug is 31 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Havanese
Popularity of Pug
| Year | Havanese Popularity Rank | Pug Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 25 | 31 |
| 2014 | 25 | 33 |
| 2015 | 24 | 33 |
| 2016 | 23 | 32 |
| 2017 | 23 | 31 |
| 2018 | 24 | 28 |
| 2019 | 22 | 31 |
| 2020 | 24 | 29 |
Health Problems of Havanese versus Health Problems of Pug
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 Pug 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 Pug is prone to more genetic health problems than the Havanese.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Pug than for the Havanese.
4 health tests are recommended for Havanese while 7 tests are recommended for the Pug.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Havaneses and in Pugs.
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.
Pug Health Problems
Pugs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Pug 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 Pug puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Pug 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 Pugs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pugs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Havaneses and Pugs
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:
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 Pug Breed is Hips problems.
This is because the Pug ranks 1 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 942 Pugs, 676 of them had Hips problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Pugs, and how common these diseases are in Pugs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Havanese and in Pug and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Havanese and the Pug:
| Disease | Havanese Rank | Pug 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 | 2 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 59 out of 145 dog breeds | 32 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 70 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 111 out of 182 dog breeds | 60 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 123 out of 198 dog breeds | 1 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| Tracheal Hypoplasia problems | Not Common | 1 out of 4 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | Not Common | 14 out of 70 dog breeds |
| Legg-Calve-Perthes problems | Not Common | 14 out of 40 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 Pug
Havaneses do not like to be left alone.
Pugs do not like to be left alone.
Do Havaneses shed more than Pugs?
Havaneses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Pugs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Havanese or the Pug
Havaneses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Pugs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Havanese or the Pug?
Havaneses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Pugs are very easy to groom.
Does the Havanese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pug?
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.
Pugs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Havaneses Bark and Howl? What about Pugs?
Havaneses are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Pugs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pugs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Havaneses can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Pugs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Havanese vs. Pug
Havaneses do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Pugs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pugs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Havaneses can tolerate hot weather.
Pugs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Havanese or the Pug?
Havaneses get along very well with other dogs.
Pugs get along very well with other dogs.
Are Havaneses good family dogs? What about Pugs?
Havaneses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Pugs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Havaneses and Pugs?
Havaneses get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Pugs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Havanese Easier to Train than the Pug?
Havaneses are very easy to train.
Pugs are fairly easy to train.
Is the Havanese Better for Apartment Owners than the Pug?
Havaneses adapt very well to apartment living.
Pugs adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Havanese or the Pug?
Havaneses are very good for new dog owners.
Pugs are very good 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 Pug
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pug 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 Pug:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Havanese and how the Pug compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Havanese and of the Pug to other breeds:
Havanese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Havanese versus Akbash Havanese versus Shetland Sheepdog Havanese versus Komondor Havanese versus Valley Bulldog Havanese versus Bichon Frise Havanese versus Tibetan Mastiff Havanese versus Affenhuahua Havanese versus Silky Terrier Havanese versus Alaskan Malamute Havanese versus Saint Berdoodle Havanese versus Sussex Spaniel Havanese versus Weimaraner Havanese versus Pyrenean Mastiff Havanese versus Pomapoo Havanese versus Lhasa Apso Havanese versus Chinese Shar-Pei Havanese versus American Hairless Terrier Havanese versus Carolina Dog Havanese versus Collie Havanese versus Norwegian Buhund Havanese versus Dalmatian Havanese versus Black and Tan Coonhound Havanese versus Doberman Pinscher Havanese versus Mudi Havanese versus Berger Picard
Pug Versus Other Dog Breeds
Pug versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Pug versus Cockapoo Pug versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Pug versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Pug versus Chi-Poo Pug versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Pug versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Pug versus American Water Spaniel Pug versus Neapolitan Mastiff Pug versus Belgian Sheepdog Pug versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Pug versus Samoyed Pug versus German Pinscher Pug versus Pekingese Pug versus Mal Shi Pug versus Sealyham Terrier Pug versus Kai Ken Pug versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Pug versus Shih Tzu Pug versus Lagotto Romagnolo Pug versus Clumber Spaniel Pug versus French Bulldog Pug versus Carolina Dog Pug versus Lakeland Terrier Pug versus Pointer
Conclusion: Havanese versus Pug. 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 Pug better suits you and your family.