🐕 Havanese
Temperament
Affectionate, friendly, gentle, playful. Havanese thrive on family company and don't do well left alone for long.
Exercise
30–60 minutes of daily walking plus indoor play. Mental work is just as important as physical.
Grooming
Long silky double coat. Daily brushing if kept long; most owners do a "puppy clip" every 6 weeks. Low-shedding.
Health
Patellar luxation. Eye conditions (cataracts, cherry eye, PRA). Hip dysplasia. Heart murmurs. Generally a long-lived breed.
Full Havanese profile →
🐶 Shih Tzu
Temperament
Gentle, friendly, slightly aloof, content. Shih Tzus thrive on company and dislike being left alone. They're playful but not high-energy, and generally good with children, other dogs and cats.
Exercise
30 minutes of daily walking plus indoor play is plenty. Brachycephalic features mean they overheat easily — avoid hot weather and strenuous exercise.
Grooming
Long double coat. Daily brushing if kept long; most owners choose a "puppy cut" every 4–6 weeks for ease. Hair around eyes needs daily wiping (eye discharge collects). Top-knot to keep hair out of eyes.
Health
Brachycephalic airway syndrome (mild). Eye issues (proptosis — eye popping out — in trauma). Patellar luxation. Hip dysplasia. Dental disease (small crowded mouths). Generally long-lived for a brachycephalic breed.
Full Shih Tzu profile →
