Dog breed comparison
Havanese vs Coton de Tulear
How the two compare on size, temperament, training, grooming and health, and which suits your home.
At a glance
Side by side.
| Trait | Havanese | Coton de Tulear |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Companion Dogs | Companion Dogs |
| Size | Small | Small |
| Height | 8 to 11 inches | 8 to 12 inches |
| Weight | 7 to 13 pounds | 8 to 13 pounds |
| Life span | 12 to 15 years | Starts at 14 years |
| Energy | ||
| Exercise needs | ||
| Easy to train | ||
| Intelligence | ||
| Good with children | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly with strangers | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Easy to groom | ||
| Barking | ||
| Apartment living | ||
| First-time owners | ||
| Copes alone | ||
| Drooling | ||
| General health |
Ratings are 1 to 5, from our breed database. Every pet is an individual.
Background
Where they come from.
The Havanese
Cuba's national dog, descended from Bichon-type dogs brought by Spanish settlers and kept by the Cuban aristocracy. It nearly vanished after the revolution, and the US population was rebuilt from a few dogs.
Its silky coat sheds little but needs regular brushing to prevent mats.
Health to watch
- Patellar luxation
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
- Chondrodysplasia
- Cataracts
The Coton de Tulear
The royal dog of Madagascar, named after the port of Tuléar. It descends from small dogs that probably arrived on ships and became favourites of the Merina nobility.
Its cotton-textured coat sheds little but mats easily without regular brushing.
Health to watch
- Patellar luxation
- Hip dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy
Key differences
Where they differ most.
Easy to train
The Havanese is easier to train than the Coton de Tulear.
General health
The Coton de Tulear tends to have fewer health problems than the Havanese.
Good with children
The Coton de Tulear is better with children than the Havanese.
Shedding
The Havanese sheds more than the Coton de Tulear.
Easy to groom
The Coton de Tulear is easier to groom than the Havanese.
First-time owners
The Havanese suits first-time owners better than the Coton de Tulear.
Which to choose
Havanese or Coton de Tulear?
Choose the Havanese if…
- You want a dog that is easier to train
- You want a dog that suits first-time owners better
Choose the Coton de Tulear if…
- You want a dog that tends to have fewer health problems
- You want a dog that is better with children
- You want a dog that sheds less
- You want a dog that is easier to groom
Questions.
Which is easier to train, the Havanese or the Coton de Tulear?
The Havanese is generally easier to train than the Coton de Tulear. Short, positive, reward-based sessions work best for both.
Which is better for families, the Havanese or the Coton de Tulear?
The Coton de Tulear is usually the better fit for families with children, though a well-socialised Havanese can be great too. Always supervise young children with any pet.
Which sheds less?
The Coton de Tulear sheds less than the Havanese. No breed is completely hair-free; regular brushing helps with both.
What health problems do the Havanese and Coton de Tulear have?
The Havanese is prone to patellar luxation, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, chondrodysplasia. The Coton de Tulear is prone to patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy. Both share a risk of patellar luxation. Ask any breeder for the parents' health test results.
