Are Havanese good in hot weather?
Havanese tolerate warm weather reasonably well. Sensible summer habits are still worth having in place before the first heatwave.
How Havanese handle the heat
The cooling problem
Havanese cool themselves through normal panting without the added handicap of a flat face or a heavy northern coat. A healthy dog of this type manages typical UK summers without much drama.
Practical summer management
Shift walks to early morning and late evening, and skip them entirely on the hottest days. Carry water on every outing, provide deep shade in the garden, and give access to cool floors indoors. The pavement test is simple: press the back of your hand to the ground for seven seconds, and if it is too hot for your hand it is too hot for paws.
Never leave any dog in a parked car, conservatory, or caravan, even briefly and even with a window open. Interior temperatures climb to lethal levels within minutes.
Exercise in warm weather
Havanese have moderate exercise needs, which makes summer easier to manage. It is straightforward to shift their activity into the cooler hours without leaving them under-exercised.
What temperature is too hot?
There is no single cutoff, because humidity, age, weight, and coat all matter. As a guide, take extra care above 20C and treat anything above 25C as high risk for any dog during exercise. When in doubt, keep them home and cool.
Personality and summer walks
Cuba's national dog. Silky, social, and shockingly adaptable to flat life or countryside.
Friendly dogs still want to greet visitors and other walkers in warm weather, and it takes deliberate management to keep those interactions brief when the temperature is high. A playful dog can be coaxed into another round of fetch even while overheating, since the drive to keep playing does not come with a built-in instinct to stop and rest. Outgoing dogs will keep approaching people and other dogs at the park even in high heat, and that constant engagement leaves less time settled quietly in the shade.
Heat, training and behaviour
Teaching a dog to settle in the shade
Havanese generally learn a reliable "settle" or "go to your bed" command without much difficulty, which is useful on a hot day when the goal is to keep the dog resting in a cool spot rather than pacing about.
Barking and restlessness in a heatwave
Havanese bark a moderate amount day to day, and that can increase during a heatwave if the dog is uncomfortable and unable to settle properly.
Family and other pets in a heatwave
Havanese generally do well around children, though hot weather adds a job for parents: making sure excitable play with kids in the garden does not run on longer than the dog can safely handle. They typically share a house with a cat without issue, and both species tend to gravitate to the same cool spots during a heatwave.
Cost and ageing in hot weather
Havanese typically live 14 to 16 years, and older dogs of any breed regulate heat less efficiently than a fit adult, so senior havaneses need shorter, cooler outings and closer watching during a heatwave. Insurance for a Havanese in the UK typically costs about £20 to £50 a month, and heatstroke is exactly the kind of sudden, serious vet visit that cover exists for. A Havanese puppy, usually priced around £1000 to £2500, overheats more easily than an adult dog as well, since puppies have less developed temperature regulation and tire without always showing it.
Full guide to Havanese
Read the complete Havanese guide →