A Havanese is the national dog of Cuba and is admired due to its appearance. With their long silky hair and expressive eyes, they are of a cuddly size and a popular companion pet that loves attention. They have small but sturdy bodies with an adaptable nature. Havanese dogs are also thought to be an excellent city pet courtesy of their social skills and smart personas, however, they are also credited for being excellent watchdogs too.
For many, the process of selecting their dog often sees the rise of a particular question; which is better male or female Havanese? Some may find this a difficult decision to make with no particular preference in mind in regards to the gender of the dog that they choose. Conducting some detailed research before making your choice is beneficial in gaining an understanding of the breed, and the traits displayed by the male and female Havanese.
Others may find this a much easier decision to make with the preference of a particular gender in mind. It is important to select the dog that you feel would be most compatible with you and your lifestyle. While the male and female Havanese display some very similar behavioral patterns, it is also necessary to note that there are some distinguishable features between them too.
Below we have listed a few categories highlighting the differences between the male and female Havanese, along with some areas where both genders display very similar qualities.
Behavior
Male and female dogs who have not been neutered or spayed tend to display different behaviors. Whilst the Havanese breed in general has a very friendly nature and a love for your attention, the males tend to be the most easy going. With a more laid back and calmer personality for some, they are the preferred gender. As they are more tolerant and playful they tend to display more affection and are often better when in an environment with children, although it is important to note that both the male and female Havanese are known to be very friendly and affectionate dogs who develop strong bonds with their families.
Female Havanese tend to be a lot moodier and emotional. They are typically more dominant and present an attitude of ”love me” instead of acting overly loving towards you. This isn’t to say that they aren’t a nice or affectionate gender they just typically tend to come across as more stubborn and territorial, whereas the males tend to be the most loving regardless of whether they have been neutered.
The Size
Females Havanese generally tend to be smaller than males in regards to both weight and overall size. However, in some cases, you will find females that are larger than the males, but it is most commonly the case that the females will be slightly smaller. This is sometimes another reason why individuals opt for one gender over the other, as they are looking for a dog of a particular size and build.
In regards to their weight, the females typically tend to be around 7-12 lbs, whilst the males tend to be around 8-13 lbs. The weight of the dog can also change depending on the character of the dog itself. Just like any other breed of dog, you aren’t necessarily going to find that all Havanese dogs are the exact same size and build. Some may be smaller initially but this can be affected by their dietary habits and exercise. However, as mentioned they do tend to average around the particular weights stated.
Sexual behaviors and hormones
Male dogs are typically known for being the most excitable breed, however, in regards to Havanese as mentioned above, they are known to be the most laid back. For dogs that aren’t neutered or spayed, they are more than likely to display sexual behaviors which can become apparent at a young age. This can include arousal, mounting, and marking, which are common traits that you will find in the females too. If anything the females are actually likely to do this more than the males.
Aside from calming down these behavioral traits, many choose to have their dogs neutered or spayed as this is known to make excitable dogs much calmer, as hormones can have a big impact upon how a dog behaves and acts towards other dogs or people. Spaying or neutering your pet is said to have some health benefits too.
The sexual behaviors that a dog displays typically tend to relate to a display of dominance, hence why the females are known to be just as bad as the males. However, this can make the females moodier and see them becoming increasingly emotional following their seasons or pregnancies. Fluctuations in these hormones can cause coat loss in the females too.
Spaying and Neutering
When it comes to most breeds of dog, spaying or neutering them eases many hormones that are initially displayed during their puppy phase. Spaying or neutering them at a younger age, when it is safe to do so, means that they are less likely to display these behavioral traits so much as they grow up. If you are going to neuter a male Havanese it is best to do this before they reach maturity as this prevents them from developing any bad habits, such as lifting their legs to pee. In the case of females, spaying them eliminates the possibility of them coming into a heat cycle every six months when they are past the puppy stage.
Training
As a breed, Havanese are known to be intelligent and straightforward to train, due to their ability to pick up commands easily, so the training process should be relatively simple regardless of whether they are male or female. Due to their cooperative nature, they are known to be one of the easiest dogs for families to train too. This also applies to potty training, so regardless of whether you opt for a male or female Havanese, you shouldn’t find yourself experiencing many difficulties when it comes to training. Of course, each dog is different so some may be more temperamental than others, attempting to use their cuteness as a trick to prolong the training, however, on the whole, their smart nature should make this a relatively easy and stress free process for both dog and owner.
Interaction
As we have already mentioned, a Havanese is a very happy and affectionate breed of dog, they love their humans and lots of love and attention and this is the case with the males and females alike. The most noticeable differences between the males and females are that the females are a little more territorial and demanding, expecting a little more love and attention. In contrast, the males tend to be more content with being in your company.
However, individuals who have owned both males and females stated they have not found this to be a severe issue on the whole, and it hasn’t affected their attitudes towards other dogs either.
To Conclude – Which is better male or female Havanese?
The gender of the dog that you choose may be down to your preference and the characteristics that you look for in your companion. While we have drawn upon noticeable differences between both, the male and female Havanese display very similar character traits too.
On the whole, this breed of dog is very affectionate and loving, and whilst they may display this in slightly different ways they are credited for being an excellent companion with a friendly nature and a love of human attention. Whilst they don’t cope as well alone or in kennels they thrive when in the company of their owners.
The main differences to note are that females are slightly more needy and emotional whereas the males are more laid back and less dependent on you. There are contrasts to be made regarding their size with the females known to be slightly smaller than the males.
However, as an intelligent breed, training your Havanese should be a stress free task regardless of whether they are male or female and both generally tend to be good around other pets if they have been properly trained and socialized.
Aside from their gender, several other factors should be considered before selecting your Havanese. Each dog can be very individual in terms of their characteristics, needless to say, they are exceptionally loving dogs of which you will experience endless amounts of affection from whether they are male or female.
Some individuals may have a particular preference in regards to the gender of dog that they choose. For example, if they currently have dogs in their home, they may find one breed to be more compatible with their lifestyle over the other. However, as an affectionate breed both the males and females are deserving of loving homes and it is very likely that you will enjoy many years of love, fun, and affection with your companion.
