If you live in an apartment or a limited space and wonder about owning a Havanese dog, this is a “must-read” article for you.
Here is whether Havanese are good apartment dogs.
Considering their size, barking patterns, non-destructiveness, low shedding, easily trainable, Havanese are good apartment dogs. But they tend to be yuppy and energetic. So, they require adequate mental and physical exercise, proper training, nutrition, affection, attention, & regular vet checkups.
But you have to make sure of some things before you make your Havanese your pet; otherwise, your apartment life would be miserable.
Havanese and apartments. Can you make it happen?
Of course, it can.
Havanese is a small breed in size, and you can see them as a small moving silk ball. Because their coat is abundant, long, and silky. Usually, they weigh 4.5kg to 7.3kg.
Though they look immature and innocent, these little creatures are highly adaptable to any environment. Another reason makes them perfect companions for humans.
Recommended reading: Are dogs aware of heights? (Stop them jumping from heights)
The Pros and cons of keeping Havanese in apartments
Can you believe that about ⅕ of People in America are living in apartments nowadays? So space has become a limited resource for a pretty good amount of people.
Living with a life companion makes your life delightful by keeping your company, but it’s hard sometimes to have a pet most of the time. Because the apartment owners wouldn’t let you do it. But,
When it comes to toy breeds of Havanese, they do make a good apartment companion. Here are the pros of having a Havanese as your companion for your apartment life
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| They are non-destructive | Difficult to maintain Mental health. |
| Pocket size | Development issues |
| Zipper mouth | |
| No shedding, no worries | |
| Havanese say “yes” to the house training. |
Pros
1. They are non-destructive
Havanese are not a kind of breed with higher physical activity. If you have read my article about Belgian Malinois, you will get an idea about their physical activity level and destructive behavior.
Havanese are hardly doing those things like digging, chewing, herding, and hunting. They are not bred for herding, so most of the herding qualities are dropped out from them.
2. Pocket size
Havanese is a small breed, and they just weigh like 7-13 lbs. So it is much easier for you to handle them in a limited space. So, guess what? In terms of space, Havanese is a perfect breed for apartment life.
3. Zipper mouth
Havanese are pretty quiet dogs. It’s not a regular thing for them that bark, whine, mutter, grumble, growl, squeak, etc. It’s not like they are unaware at all.
They will deliver the news of someone’s arrival but not for so long. Once you see in and are properly welcome, it is over. Though they are a kind of toy breeds, their voice is a little deeper than other toy breeds.
4. No shedding, no worries
When it comes to Havanese, they do not shed as other dog breeds do, and therefore you don’t have to wake up to see a dirty floor every morning.
But there can be some shredding during early spring and the late fall, but except those, they wouldn’t bother you much with their coat.
5. Havanese say “yes” to the house training.
Havanese are a very intelligent breed. They can be easily trained to eliminate outside, which will prevent many troubles from your angry neighbors and the apartment owner for sure!
And also, they are cleaner and odorless than most other breeds.
Cons
As well as there are pros of having a Havanese in your apartment, there are some disadvantages.
1. Difficult to maintain Mental health.
Usually, as an apartment owner, you wouldn’t have enough space for two dogs, so you’re satisfied with having one dog.
But If you are someone with a really tight schedule and a busy work line, you wouldn’t be able to spend a little bit more time with your Havanese, and these dogs so smart that they could feel lonely most of the time, and that is not good for their mental health. It would be difficult for you to maintain their mental health in a limited space.
2. Development issues
Havanese are an active dog breed, so they need to be physically stimulated to some extent. So in a limited space, it might be hard for them to be active.
What are the requirements to fulfill for adopting a Havanese in an apartment?
As Havanese are suitable for apartments, you should be concerned if the apartment is suitable for your Havanese too.
Before you get yourself a Havanese, you should check on about somethings first. Before you own a companion, you should be careful enough to check your apartment is safe, happy, and healthy for them. Otherwise, you should wait to get a dog.
These are the main things you should consider.
Does my apartment management agree with having pets?
So, the first thing you should check is if your apartment owners allow animals. Some apartment owners will say big fat No! to animals, while others are selective with certain kinds of pets.
They sometimes have trouble with certain breeds considering their size and behavior, so you need to acknowledge them about the Havanese breed before making their decision. And also, giving them information makes it easier for them to find a perfect apartment for you and your companion.
Is it big enough?
Though Havanese is a toy breed, they still need some space for their lifestyle. You should be careful to notice that you can live without tripping over each other in the apartment.
In fact, you need to make sure that your apartment is well arranged, that doesn’t make your companion stressed out.
Neighbors- approved?
Some people don’t like animals much, so you have to make sure that your neighbors have no problems with your dog. You have to make sure that they are not disturbed by the sounds that your companion is making.
But with Havanese, it won’t be that much difficult for sound management for you because they are not that much louder. You can also get your dog familiar with your neighbors to make your Havanese get used to their scent.
How to train a Havanese for apartment life?
Living with a dog in an apartment costs a lot of dedication. But you gotta believe me, it is totally worth it. You have to give your effort to keep your Havanese healthy, happy, and safe in your apartment environment. Let’s check out what you have to do.
Don’t leave them alone.
Havanese Are intelligent, loving, and compassionate breeds, so they are expecting more attention and affection. So no matter what you do where you go, they always wanna be with you. But if you are a working person, it might be tough for you to be with your pet all the time.
So if your Havanese isn’t house trained yet, it’s not a good idea to leave them in your apartment alone for too long. If you wanna know about house training methods, read out my previous article.
And though your Havanese is well trained, you mustn’t leave him for a very long time. Like you shouldn’t lock him down in our apartment for more than 4 hours. And be careful not to leave them alone for more than 8 hours a day.
If you are very busy with the company of your dog, you can use your neighbors’ help or a pet sitter.
Maintaining physical health
Havanese are an active breed though they are small, so they definitely need physical exercise. Exercises affect their weight, temperament, energy level, and less desirable behaviors.
You can play with them and walk them for like one hour a day before you are going to work and after you get home. A good walk is really important for their shape and will also use their high energy stores.
You can make it enjoyable by walking your pet’s favorite neighborhood. It will lighten up their mood and mentally stimulate them too. More importantly, these activities are crucial to your Havanese’s health when you live in an apartment.
And you can also play with your dog with a throwing ball or frisbee. It’s good exercise for them, and it would be more fun for them than walking.
And when walking, make sure to keep your dog on a leash. In a fenced dog park, it won’t be necessary to restrict your pet’s unlimited freedom.
“Play with your own self champ.”
You can also get your dog some toys like stuffed animals or rawhide bones. This will keep your dog occupied and also distract them from the absence of your touch.
And this will also help you prevent them from destroying your sofa, shoes, or pillows when you are not home.
Make sure your doggo is ready.
Before you leave your Havanese for more extended periods of time in the apartment, you should make sure that he’s ready to be left alone. That means if your dog has completed house training well and is taking your absence with no anxiety.
It differs from dog to dog, depending on their personality. Some dogs tend to have separation anxiety. This will pave the way for some destructive behaviors. I have talked about this in my previous article, and you can check that out also.
Well-trained dogs have fewer problems with separation anxiety cus; they are taught that their owner will return every day according to a usual schedule.
I also explained how to train your dog for getting ready to leave cues of yours in the previous article. You can also check that out. But here is the small guidance again to train them for your leaving.
I urge you to understand all these facts before leaving your Havanese in the apartment.
On day one of the training, you are not gonna leave for real, but you have to just prepare yourself like you’re gonna leave. You can just put on your coat, take the keys and put on your shoes, and head to the door like you’re gonna leave.
But here comes the interesting and fun part. Instead of leaving the house, you just return and wait there for some time. You have to repeat this to let them have the idea that even when you prepare to leave, surely you will return.
And after a short time, leave the apartments but careful enough to return in a short time. Gradually you can increase the time you are out of the apartment. Like 5 minutes,10 minutes, etc.
Repeating this method on different days can set your dog’s mindset to see that you will return when you leave them. That’s gonna help with their separation anxiety.
What is the best apartment environment for a Havanese?
This is a must-aware thing you have to consider before you get a dog for yourself. A super pet-friendly apartment complex with a dog park is well suited for your Havanese.
If you don’t have a dog park in your complex, don’t worry. You can also use a nearby dog park but not so far away so you and your pup can go and exercise without any trouble.
Things to be aware of.
Vaccinate your dog
You have to keep your dog vaccinated cus in an apartment environment, your Havanese can engage dogs in the neighborhood easily. So your dog can easily get some diseases like parvovirus.
Parvovirus is a virus that can spread from feces. So if your dog makes contact with another place that another unvaccinated dog lived, there can be a chance that your dog is infected.
Training to eliminate in a bathroom spot
Usually, your Havanese needs to use the bathroom every 4 hours. So you have to train them to eliminate a specific spot that is not disturbing to yourself and your neighbors.
If they aren’t taken out to go to the bathroom, they’re gonna make their own bathroom in some spot that you are not happy about.
If you are unable to provide those things
If you can’t give your dog much attention because of your busy lifestyle, the better thing is NOT getting one until you can make time to give your attention and affection and the exercises they need.
But if it’s the apartment regulations and space that are holding you from providing those things, you can move to a new place where those things are accessible. But it’s up to you.
That’s a decision you have to take but having a dog really fulfills your life and makes it easier to go through some tough times. I’m telling you from my personal experiences.
Conclusion
Havanese are well suitable for apartment life. But you should consider some things before they are introduced to your apartment. And also you should train them properly for apartment life.
