Havanese Dogs & Their Health Problems

The Havanese is the national dog of Cuba. The American Kennel Club recognizes it as a toy dog, bred for companionship.


It is an ideal family pet. The dog is intelligent, naturally affectionate and eager to please its human companion. It could be a watchdog or a child's playmate.


The Havanese is generally a healthy breed, but a few health problems do exist. It is important to know potential health problems when adding a dog to the family.

  1. Retinal Atrophy

    • Havanese dogs are susceptible to progressive retinal atrophy. This is the degeneration of the retina (the layer of blood rich tissue at the back of the eye) and can lead to blindness.

      This condition is painless to dogs, but there is no cure. It is inherited from the dog's parents. A reputable Havanese breeder will make sure the parents of the puppy has had eye testing to rule out the condition.

    Juvenile Cataracts

    • Cataracts is common in aging dogs, but the Havanese can get the condition as a young dog. Cataracts is a cloudy spot on the eye lens. The condition can start small then grow. In fact, it may be invisible to the human eye on the young Havanese. Cataracts can reduce the dog's vision over time. The only cure for the condition is surgery.

    Patellar Luxation

    • The Havanese can have problems with its kneecap. A patellar luxation is a kneecap that has slipped out of place. This can be painful for the dog and cause it to walk with a limp. The only fix is surgery.

      A reputable breeder will check the breed for this condition and provide documentation on the health check.

    Hip Dysplasia

    • Hip dysplasia is a hip joint not properly formed. This is common in the Havanese and many other dog breeds. The condition can lead to arthritis. In some cases, the dog may maintain normal levels of mobility.

      Hip dysplasia is a condition that can be passed down from the parents. Breeders should screen their dogs for the condition before breeding them.

    Ear Infections

    • The Havanese has floppy ears. All dogs with floppy ears can be prone to regular ear infections because moisture and bacteria can build up. The veterinarian can clean the dog's ears as part of its regular exam. You can also regularly clean your dog's ears with ear solution and a cotton ball.

    Eye Infections

    • The Havanese is a small dog breed. Most small dogs are susceptible to eye infections. If you think your dog has an eye infection, take it to the veterinarian. In most cases, the infection can be cleared up with medication.