One of the oldest designer breeds, a Cocker Spaniel-Poodle cross known for its happy, outgoing personality and teddy-bear looks. Cockapoos are low-shedding, easy to train, and get along with everyone.
Cuba's national treasure, the Havanese is a cheerful, silky-coated companion that wins hearts everywhere. They are outgoing, funny, and thrive on human attention.
Quick Answer
Choose Cockapoo if you want a great companion. Choose Havanese if you want more apartment-friendly.
Cockapoo
Attribute
Havanese
Size
Weight
Height
Lifespan
Trainability
Energy
Good with Kids
Shedding
Grooming
Apartment
Health
Price
Cockapoo needs more exercise; Havanese is lower-maintenance.
Cockapoo
Havanese
Energy Level
Exercise Needs
Apartment Friendly
The Cockapoo needs slightly more exercise (3/5) than the Havanese (2/5), but neither breed is at an extreme. Both have high to moderate energy levels, so the difference in your daily routine will be modest — perhaps an extra 15-20 minutes of activity for the Cockapoo.
Havanese is calmer; Cockapoo is more energetic.
Cockapoo
Havanese
Playfulness
Barking Level
Energy
Personality is where these two breeds diverge most visibly. The Cockapoo — an American breed — has a happy, outgoing and affectionate disposition.
Both breeds have similar grooming needs.
Cockapoo
Havanese
Shedding
Grooming Needs
Both breeds shed at the same rate (1/5), so fur management will be identical for either choice. Neither breed will leave much hair around the house.
Both breeds have similar health profiles.
Cockapoo
Havanese
Lifespan (years)
Health Robustness
Lifespan is a near-tie: the Cockapoo lives roughly 13–17 years while the Havanese averages 13–15 years. Neither breed has a clear longevity advantage, so other factors should drive your choice.
Both breeds cost about the same to own.
Cockapoo
Havanese
Purchase prices are in the same ballpark: $1,000–$3,000 for a Cockapoo and $1,000–$2,500 for a Havanese. The initial investment won't differ dramatically between these two breeds.
Cockapoo is the larger breed; Havanese is more compact.
Cockapoo
Havanese
Weight (kg)
Height (cm)
The Cockapoo stands 25–38 cm (10–15 in) and weighs 5–11 kg (11–24 lbs), while the Havanese measures 22–29 cm (9–11 in) and 3–6 kg (7–13 lbs). The Cockapoo is the larger of the two, though not by a dramatic margin.
Both breeds are equally trainable.
Cockapoo
Havanese
Trainability
Intelligence
Both breeds score 4/5 for trainability — you'll have a similar experience training either one. Both are cooperative, eager learners.
Both breeds are similarly family-friendly.
Cockapoo
Havanese
Good with Kids
Good with Dogs
Strangers
Both breeds score 5/5 with children, making them equally suitable for families. Either breed would make an excellent family dog.
On balance, the Havanese has the edge — it's more apartment-friendly (5/5), lower exercise needs (2/5). For most families, the Havanese is the more practical choice, particularly if you value low-maintenance ownership.
Question 1 of 3
Do you have children at home?
Choose Cockapoo if...
Choose Havanese if...
Looking for more options?
The Cockapoo scores 5/5 for being good with kids, tying with the Havanese at 5/5. The Cockapoo is specifically recommended for families.
The Cockapoo is equally easy to train with a score of 4/5, matching the Havanese. The Cockapoo is recommended for first-time owners thanks to its cooperative nature.
A Cockapoo puppy costs $1,000–$3,000 while a Havanese costs $1,000–$2,500. Annual maintenance runs about $1,220 for the Cockapoo and $1,160 for the Havanese. The Cockapoo is the more expensive breed to own long-term.
The Cockapoo lives 13–17 years on average, while the Havanese lives 13–15 years. The Cockapoo generally has a longer lifespan. Proper diet, exercise, and regular vet care help maximize lifespan for either breed.
The Havanese adapts better to apartment living (5/5) than the Cockapoo (4/5). The Havanese ranks among our best apartment breeds.