Premier Pups > Breed Compare > Teddy Bear vs Havanese Comparison
Published Monday, August 23, 2021 by PremierPups
Whether you are a couple, a family of 7, or retirees, we have the perfect puppy for you and your lifestyle. Meet the Teddy Bear and Havanese dog breeds. These two pups are just as excited as you are to embark on a love-filled journey of fun and friendship. Both the Teddy Bear and Havanese are joyful, kind, and sweet dogs. They share in their love for attention and cuddles, and they are just as easy to train as they are to care for and love.
A puppy’s love is a pure thing and, here at Premier Pups, we aim to give our loving puppies the forever homes they deserve. Our specialized team of Puppy Agents is here to help you with the choosing process to make sure your new pup fits right in with your family.
Table of Contents
Teddy Bear vs Havanese Overview
Teddy Bear Overview
Teddy Bear dogs are fluffy little sweethearts who love to love. Originally from the United States, these precious-looking dogs have enchanted pet-parents since the 1990s. They are a designer-mixed breed or hybrid dogs that result from a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Bichon Frise or Maltese. They are also called Shichon, Zuchon, and Mal-Shi.
As many Teddy-Bear owners can attest, these pups are always in a happy mood which is highly contagious. They are easy to train, fond of attention, and excellent company.
Havanese Overview
Havanese dogs have been around for many centuries and in that time, they have proven to be quite remarkable companion pets and service dogs. Originally from Cuba, the Havanese are also known as the National dog of Cuba often being referred to as the Havana Silk Dog.
These gorgeous dogs merit their worldwide popularity to their keen intelligence, high trainability, affectionate nature, and adaptability. They are and have been for centuries excellent performers and entertainers, sweet companions, kind and fun dogs.
Teddy Bear vs Havanese Overview Comparison
The first aspect that sets these two amazing dog breeds apart is their genetic make-up. Teddy Bear dogs are a mixed-breed between two or more purebred breeds, whereas the Havanese have always had Havanese parents. Because they are hybrid dogs with a mixed-gene pool, Teddy Bears are generally healthier and not prone to the same ailments as their purebred parent breeds are.
Although the Havanese are an old breed and the Teddy Bears are the new kids of the canine kingdom, their popularity is very similar. Both breeds are greatly loved worldwide and hold high ranks in popularity charts.
Teddy Bear vs Havanese Overview Key Points
Comparison Table
| Breed | Teddy Bear | Havanese |
| Parent breeds | Shih Tzu - Bichon Frise, Shih Tzu - Maltese | Havanese |
| Place of origin | US | Havana, Cuba |
| Date of origin | 1990 | 1400 |
| Purpose | Companionship, hypoallergenic pet | Companionship |
| Breed type | Designer breed, hybrd | Purebred breed |
| Other names | Shichon, Mal-Shi, Zuchon | Havana Silk Dog, National Dog of Cuba |
| Lifespan | 12-14 years | 12-14 years |
Teddy Bear vs Havanese Temperament
Teddy Bear Temperament
Teddy Bear dogs, although energetic on occasion, are made for laps and cuddles. All of their hobbies are owner or family-related, which means that every game of fetch, nap, chase, and interaction has to be at their owner’s side.
Teddy Bears are highly adaptable dogs and because they are so fond of their pet parents, they like to mirror them in both personality and energy. They are just as happy lazing around the house or cuddling on the couch all day as they are joining their humans to work or going on a family adventure.
Teddy Bears also make fantastic playmates for children and wonderful fur siblings for other household pets. They are known to be patient, gentle, fun, and very affectionate. They are easy to train and care for, and they fit wonderfully in a small apartment. Teddy Bear puppies are to pet parents as candy is to children. They’re beyond adorable, fluffy, and playful. They bounce, zoom, explore, and engage in all kinds of mischief until they are ready to crash on the nearest lap.
Havanese Temperament
The Havanese are lively, fun-loving, and happy-go-lucky dogs. Their hobbies include fetching, tugs of war, friendly chases with fellow fur-babies, canine puzzle games, and cuddling. Just like Teddy Bear dogs, the Havanese have a powerful bond with their humans and crave their attention and affection. They want to be involved in every family activity there is and they are happiest when they get to perform tricks and entertain.
Although not particularly active, these dogs do enjoy an occasional romp around the yard and a few minutes of roaming freely in an open field.
When it comes to training, the Havanese are the perfect puppy students one could wish for. They are focused, eager to learn, and very fond of pleasing their trainer. As clever and easy-going dogs, the Havanese puppies are easy to housebreak and leash train. They rarely need socialization training as they are naturally friendly and open to meeting new people and making friends with other dogs. They are also fantastic with children – toddlers and teens included.
Teddy Bear vs Havanese Temperament Comparison
When comparing the Teddy Bear vs Havanese temperament, you will find that they share a wonderful set of qualities. They are equally patient, kind, gentle, and fond of kids. They love their humans above all else and are naturally friendly towards other dogs and strangers.
When it comes to training, both the Teddy Bear puppies and Havanese puppies are excellent students. They are fast learners with a knack for tricks and a great desire to please their owners.
One aspect that stands out between the two breeds is seen in their energy levels. Although they are both quick to match their owner’s lifestyle, the Teddy Bear pups tend to be a bit more on the relaxed side, whereas the Havanese are a bit more energetic and adventure-driven. Neither can be considered active breeds as they tend to meet in the middle with moderate energy levels and activity requirements.
As dogs that love their humans to the moon and back, neither the Teddy Bear nor Havanese can stand to be apart from them for too long. Although they can both be trained to accept and handle some alone time, these dogs generally do best with an owner that is home for most of the day.
Teddy Bear vs Havanese Temperament Key Points
Comparison Table
| Breed | Teddy Bear | Havanese |
| Good with kids | Yes | Yes |
| Training | Easy | Easy, can be stubborn |
| Friendly | Yes | Yes |
| Separation anxiety | Can be prone to separation anxiety | Can be prone to separation anxiety |
| Energy levels | Laid-back | Moderately energetic |
| Good for | Families with kids, seniors | Families with children, retirees, individuals, couples |
| Barking | Occasionally | Occasionally |
Teddy Bear vs Havanese Appearance
Teddy Bear Appearance
The Teddy Bear is a tiny toy-like breed with cuddly-good looks and a happy demeanor. Teddy Bear dogs appear warm, friendly, and playful. They sport a gorgeous fluffy coat that is either straight, wavy, or curly, low-to-non shedding, and hypoallergenic. Sturdy-built and compact, the Teddy Bear dogs stand at 9 to 12 inches tall and weigh between 6 to 14 pounds. They have a beautiful round face, sparkly dark, and round eyes, a dark button nose, cute floppy ears, and a short curled tail.
The Teddy Bear coat is of a medium length and is generally white, black, yellow, brown, or gray, with various patterns and markings.
Havanese Appearance
The Havanese breed is a member of the American Kennel Club’s Toy Group standing at 9 to 12 inches tall and weighing between 7 to 13 pounds. The Havanese dogs have an elegant appearance with a joyful demeanor and a friendly disposition. Their coat is long, silky, and generally straight, low-shedding, and with hypoallergenic properties.
The beautiful Havanese have a compact body, dark almond-shaped eyes, a full muzzle, gorgeous feathered ears, and a long fluffy and curled tail. The Havanese coat can be a solid color or various color combinations with the most common being white, black, blue, gray, silver, and shades of brown.
Teddy Bear vs Havanese Appearance Comparison
Although they are equally stunning dogs, the Havanese and the Teddy Bear have quite a few differing features with the most prominent being their coats. The Havanese coat is longer and straight with the occasional wave, whereas the Teddy Bear coat is straight, curly, or wavy, and of a medium length.
Unlike the Havanese dogs that have a set breed standard with the American Kennel Club, the Teddy Bear dogs appearance can vary depending on which parent breed they take after most. They can either resemble their Shih Tzu parent, one of their Bichon parents, or they can have a unique mix of both appearances.
Both the Teddy Bear and the Havanese have low-shedding coats and are considered hypoallergenic breeds. They are an excellent fit for owners who suffer from pet-related allergies.
Teddy Bear vs Havanese Appearance Key Points
Comparison Table
| Breed | Teddy Bear | Havanese |
| Adult weight | 6-14 pounds | 7-12 pounds |
| Adult height | 9-12 inches | 9-12 inches |
| Coat type | Straight, wavy, curly | Straight, wavy |
| Colors | White, yellow, brown, gray, black | White, silver, black, blue, brown, gray |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes | Yes |
| Shedding | Minimal | Minimal |
Teddy Bear vs Havanese Comparison Conclusion
The Teddy Bear and Havanese are without question two of the most adorable companion pets of dogdom. They share some wonderful qualities like high trainability and awesome learning skills, great affection towards family and others, and a remarkable temperament. They are great with kids, sociable, cuddly, and great fun. These dogs make excellent companion pets, sweet fur-babies, and perfect playmates for kids. They are small enough to travel with everywhere so they also make the ideal travel companion.
That being said, we recommend both breeds to owners and families who spend lots of time at home; the cuddly Teddy Bear to families with or without children who lead a fun and relaxed lifestyle, and the brilliant Havanese to moderately active owners looking for a fun adventure companion.
Elena R.
About The Author
Elena is a leading expert in the field of dog behavior, care, and training, with over a decade of experience in writing about dogs. As a published writer and lifelong dog enthusiast, Elena currently shares her home with three beloved canine companions. She is dedicated to staying up to date on the latest advancements in dog care and training, ensuring that her articles provide readers with accurate and valuable insights. With her extensive knowledge and passion for all things canine, Elena's contributions to the Premier Pups community offer both expertise and authority on a wide range of dog-related topics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more energetic: Teddy Bear or Havanese? While both the Teddy Bear (either Malshi or Shichon) and Havanese are lively and playful, the Havanese tends to have a slightly higher energy level. Both breeds, however, enjoy playtime and short bursts of activity.
Teddy Bear or Havanese, which barks more? Both breeds can be vocal when alerting to strangers or unusual noises. However, Teddy Bears, especially the Shichon variant, might lean towards being a bit more vocal due to the Bichon Frise's inherent alert nature.
Do Teddy Bears have more separation anxiety than Havanese? Separation anxiety can affect both breeds, especially if left alone for extended periods. Both the Teddy Bear and the Havanese are companion breeds, valuing their human interactions.
Should I get a Teddy Bear or a Havanese? The choice depends on your living situation, grooming preference, and the specific temperament you desire. Both breeds are affectionate and adaptable but might have slight variations in personality and coat maintenance.
Which is better: a Teddy Bear or a Havanese? "Better" is subjective. Both breeds are excellent companions. The Havanese is a purebred with a well-documented lineage, while the Teddy Bear offers a blend of two different breed characteristics.
What is the lifespan of a Teddy Bear vs. Havanese? Teddy Bears typically live around 12-15 years, while Havanese have a similar lifespan of 13-15 years with proper care.
Are Teddy Bears easier to train than Havanese? Both breeds are intelligent and can be trained with consistency. The Havanese might have a slight edge in trainability due to its eager-to-please nature.
Do Teddy Bears shed more than Havanese? Both breeds are considered low-shedding. However, regular grooming is essential for both to prevent their hair from becoming matted.
Which is calmer: a Teddy Bear or a Havanese? Both breeds are generally calm indoors, with the Teddy Bear, especially the Malshi variant, potentially being slightly more laid-back.