Brussels GriffonVSHavanese

The Brussels Griffon is known for being alert, loyal, curious, while the Havanese is typically described as cheerful, intelligent, outgoing. These distinct personality traits mean each breed offers a different kind of companionship.

The Havanese tends to be more playful, scoring 5/5 versus the Brussels Griffon's 4/5. Expect the Havanese to be more eager for playtime and interactive games.

The Brussels Griffon is a small breed standing 18–20 cm (7–8 in) tall and weighing 3–5 kg (7–11 lbs). In comparison, the Havanese is a small breed at 22–29 cm (9–11 in) and 3–6 kg (7–13 lbs).

These two breeds are quite similar in size, so space and food requirements will be comparable for either choice.

The Brussels Griffon has a wiry coat available in red, black and tan, black, belge, while the Havanese sports a long coat in white, black, havana brown, fawn, tobacco. Coat type significantly impacts grooming needs and shedding, which we cover below.

The Brussels Griffon has moderate energy (3/5) with low exercise needs (2/5). The Havanese has moderate energy (3/5) and low exercise needs (2/5).

Both breeds have similar exercise requirements, so your daily activity routine won't change much regardless of which you choose. Plan for regular walks and play sessions to keep either breed content.

When it comes to shedding, the Brussels Griffon drops more fur with a shedding level of 2/5, while the Havanese is lighter at 1/5. If pet hair on furniture is a concern, the Havanese will be easier to live with.

Grooming-wise, the Havanese needs more upkeep (4/5) than the Brussels Griffon (3/5). The Havanese's long coat demands regular professional grooming to stay in top shape.

Annual grooming costs average around $200 for the Brussels Griffon and $400 for the Havanese. Factor this into your budget when deciding between the two.

The Brussels Griffon has a lifespan of 12–15 years, while the Havanese lives 13–15 years. The Havanese generally has a longer lifespan.

The Havanese is generally the healthier breed, scoring 4/5 for health robustness versus the Brussels Griffon's 3/5. This often translates to fewer vet visits and lower medical costs.

Common health issues for the Brussels Griffon include patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, eye problems, respiratory issues. The Havanese is prone to patellar luxation, cataracts, deafness, heart murmurs. Regular vet checkups and health screenings are essential for both breeds.

Annual vet costs average $500 for the Brussels Griffon and $400 for the Havanese. Pet insurance is worth considering for either breed.

Training comes more naturally with the Havanese, which scores 4/5 for trainability. The Brussels Griffon's score of 3/5 means you may need more patience and consistency to see results.

Both breeds match in intelligence at 4/5, so expect similar learning speeds and mental stimulation needs from either choice.

Regardless of which breed you choose, early socialization and consistent positive reinforcement training are key to raising a well-behaved dog. Puppy classes are a great investment for either breed.

Both the Brussels Griffon and Havanese score 4/5 for intelligence, putting them on equal footing mentally. They'll learn commands at similar speeds and need comparable amounts of mental stimulation to stay happy and well-behaved.

These breeds excel in different types of intelligence. The Brussels Griffon leans toward instinctive intelligence — naturally excelling at the tasks their breed was designed for, like guarding or herding. The Havanese, on the other hand, shows strong adaptive intelligence — figuring out new situations on their own and reading social cues effectively.

For either breed, mental enrichment is just as important as physical exercise. Puzzle feeders, training sessions, scent work, and interactive toys keep intelligent dogs engaged and prevent the boredom that leads to chewing, digging, or excessive barking.

The Havanese edges ahead as a family dog, scoring 5/5 with children versus the Brussels Griffon's 2/5. The Havanese's cheerful temperament makes it especially patient around kids.

If you have other pets, the Havanese tends to get along better with other dogs (5/5) than the Brussels Griffon (3/5). Proper introductions are still important, but the Havanese is naturally more sociable with canine companions.

The Havanese is more welcoming to strangers (5/5), while the Brussels Griffon tends to be more reserved (2/5). If you frequently have guests, the Havanese's sociable nature will make entertaining easier.

The initial purchase price for a Brussels Griffon ranges from $1,500–$3,000, while a Havanese typically costs $1,000–$2,500. The Brussels Griffon has a higher upfront cost.

Ongoing annual costs (food, vet, grooming) come to approximately $1,000 for the Brussels Griffon and $1,160 for the Havanese. The Havanese costs more annually, largely because of higher food costs.

Monthly food costs run about $25 for the Brussels Griffon and $30 for the Havanese. Over a typical lifespan, the total cost of ownership can differ by thousands of dollars, so it's worth factoring in the long-term financial commitment.