Dog breeds / Small breeds

What a Havanese really costs

The Havanese is one of the healthier toy breeds by OFA screening numbers, so its big recurring cost is the coat, not the vet. A pet trim every six weeks or so replaces the daily brushing a long coat needs, and the breed's 14–16 year lifespan stretches those grooming bills over a long time.

Size: Small, 7–13 lb
Life expectancy: 14–16 years
Grooming: High
Insurance risk: Below average
Puppy price: $2,200–$3,000
Food a day: About 350 calories

Where the money goes each year

A typical adult year for a Havanese with mainstream food, a groomer, no insurance, in an average-cost area. That's $430 less than the median breed.

Grooming$538
Illness and injury (average)$451
Dental cleanings$425
Heartworm, flea and tick prevention$404
Checkups, vaccines and tests$330
Food$180
Toys, beds and everyday supplies$180
Treats and chews$36
License$20
Typical year$2,570

Most years land between $1,800 (budget food, home grooming, lower-cost area) and $3,530 (premium food, groomer, insurance, big city). Dogs over about 8 add about $180 a year for senior checkups.

The first year

Buying a puppy front-loads the bill: the price, gear, puppy shots and spay or neuter.

Bringing a puppy home

Breeder price$2,600
Crate, bed, leash, bowls and gear$400
Spay or neuter$490
Microchip$50
Puppy or basic obedience class$149
Upfront$3,690

Running costs in year one

Food$180
Treats and chews$36
Puppy vaccines and checkups$738
Heartworm, flea and tick prevention$404
Grooming$538
License$20
Illness and injury (average)$451
Year-one running costs$2,370

First-year total: $6,060. Adopting instead brings it to about $2,950.

Health costs to plan for

No breed premium data was found; the Havanese is long-lived with low OFA abnormality rates for knees, hips and eyes compared with other toy breeds, so expected claims are below average.

Condition	How it affects Havaneses	Typical treatment	Cost
Cataracts and other eye disease	OFA eye exams list 3.1% of 16,416 Havanese as abnormal, and the AKC lists eye disorders first among breed concerns. Source	Cataract surgery with lens implant, per eye	$1,500–$5,000
Patellar luxation	OFA lists 3.4% of 11,420 screened Havanese as abnormal. Source	Surgical correction by a board-certified surgeon, per knee	$1,500–$3,000
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and hip dysplasia	The AKC names Legg-Calve-Perthes as a breed concern, and OFA lists 9.2% of 7,667 Havanese hip X-rays as dysplastic. Source	Femoral head ostectomy (FHO), per hip	$1,200–$3,000
Dental disease	Like most toy breeds, Havanese need regular professional cleanings; PetMD's veterinary dentist recommends yearly cleanings for small dogs. Source	Professional cleaning under anesthesia ($350–$500 routine), rising to $1,500+ with extractions	$350–$1,500

The yearly estimate already includes an average allowance of $451 for illness and injury. A single surgery can cost several times that, which is the case for an emergency fund or insurance.

What drives the cost of a Havanese

Grooming is the main expense: a short pet trim every 4–8 weeks, or daily combing to the skin if you keep the coat long.
Daily wiping under the eyes prevents tear staining that is otherwise hard to remove from light coats.
The breed does poorly when left alone for long stretches, so long workdays may mean paying for daycare or a midday visit.
Low shedding suits many allergy-sensitive owners, which can save on air purifiers and extra cleaning.
Ask for parents' OFA eye, BAER hearing, hip and patella results; health-tested litters cost more but lower the odds of a $1,500–$5,000 surgery.

Breeder or rescue

Reputable breeder: $2,200–$3,000
Rescue or shelter: $275–$600
Lifetime, from a breeder: $42,800
Lifetime, adopted: $39,700

Good Dog's buyer's guide range is $2,200–$3,000 (median about $2,400). The Havanese Club of America recognizes breeders who post OFA eye, hearing (BAER), hip and patella results. Havanese Rescue Inc. charges $300–$600 for dogs 2 and under and $275–$550 for ages 2–7; seniors are $100–$175.

Adopting vs buying: the full cost comparison

Similar-size breeds by yearly cost

Brussels Griffon$2,510 a year
Shetland Sheepdog$2,540 a year
Pomsky$2,550 a year
Maltese$2,570 a year
Yorkshire Terrier$2,570 a year
Coton de Tulear$2,590 a year
Compare all breeds

Common questions

How much does a Havanese puppy cost?

A Havanese puppy from a reputable US breeder typically costs $2,200–$3,000. Adopting one through a rescue usually costs $275–$600.

How much does a Havanese cost per year?

After the first year, a Havanese costs about $2,570 a year, or $214 a month, for food, vet care, preventives, grooming, supplies and average illness costs. Depending on food, grooming, insurance and where you live, a typical year ranges from about $1,800 to $3,530.

How much does a Havanese cost over its lifetime?

About $42,800 over a 15-year life when bought from a breeder, or $39,700 if adopted, in 2026 dollars.

Sources

Prices are averages from the sources above and the cost baselines on our methodology page, in 2026 US dollars. Your vet, groomer and city will differ. Updated October 14, 2026.