Havanese vs Bichon Frise
Havanese or Bichon Frise? A side-by-side comparison of size, lifespan, temperament, care needs and observed prices, from our Animal Library.
At a glance
| Havanese | Bichon Frise | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Toy | Non-sporting |
| Size | Small · 7–13 lb | Small · 12–18 lb |
| Lifespan | 14–16 years | 14–15 years |
| Coat | Long, silky, low-shedding | White, curly, low-shedding |
| Temperament | Cheerful, social, gentle | Cheerful, gentle, social |
| Best fit | Families, apartments, seniors | Families, apartments, seniors |
| Energy | ●●●●● Walks and play daily | ●●●●● Walks and play daily |
| Trainability | ●●●●● Eager, slow potty train | ●●●●● Eager, slow to potty train |
| Grooming load | ●●●●● Brush often or short clip | ●●●●● Clip every 4–6 wks |
| Beginner fit | ●●●●● Easy and adaptable | ●●●●● Easygoing and friendly |
| Observed price | $1,200 median (124 prices) | $725 median (88 prices) |
How they differ
- Energy: about the same (3 of 5 each).
- Trainability: about the same (4 of 5 each).
- Grooming load: the Bichon Frise rates higher than the Havanese (5 of 5 vs 4).
- Beginner fit: about the same (5 of 5 each).
The Havanese
The national dog of Cuba, the Havanese was bred as a companion for wealthy families and is sociable, cheerful and deeply people-focused. Sturdy for a toy breed and adaptable, it needs company, regular grooming and patient house-training.
Havanese dislike being alone and may bark or fret. The coat mats quickly without regular brushing or a short clip, and house-training can take time.
The Bichon Frise
A cheerful Mediterranean lapdog once popular in European courts and circuses, the Bichon Frise is small, playful and friendly with everyone. It sheds very little but needs frequent grooming, and it prefers company to time alone.
Bichons need brushing several times a week and regular professional grooming, and house-training can take longer than average. They dislike long periods alone and may bark or fret.
Questions
Is a Havanese or a Bichon Frise better for a beginner?
Neither has the edge: both rate 5 of 5 for beginners in our Animal Library. Havanese: Easy and adaptable. Bichon Frise: Easygoing and friendly.
What is the main difference between a Havanese and a Bichon Frise?
Havanese dislike being alone and may bark or fret. The coat mats quickly without regular brushing or a short clip, and house-training can take time. By contrast, bichons need brushing several times a week and regular professional grooming, and house-training can take longer than average. They dislike long periods alone and may bark or fret.
Which costs more, a Havanese or a Bichon Frise?
On the prices we observed, the Havanese median is $1,200 (124 prices) and the Bichon Frise median is $725 (88 prices).