English Toy SpanielVSHavanese

The English Toy Spaniel is known for being gentle, quiet, loving, 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 English Toy Spaniel's 3/5. Expect the Havanese to be more eager for playtime and interactive games.

Noise-wise, the Havanese is more vocal with a barking level of 3/5, while the English Toy Spaniel is quieter at 2/5. If you prefer a calmer household, the English Toy Spaniel may be the better choice.

The English Toy Spaniel is a small breed standing 25–28 cm (10–11 in) tall and weighing 4–6 kg (9–13 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 English Toy Spaniel has a long coat available in blenheim, prince charles, king charles, ruby, 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 English Toy Spaniel has low energy (2/5) with very low exercise needs (1/5). The Havanese has moderate energy (3/5) and low exercise needs (2/5).

You'll need to dedicate more time to exercising the Havanese, which thrives on vigorous daily activity. The English Toy Spaniel is less demanding in this regard and settles more easily into a relaxed routine.

When it comes to shedding, the English Toy Spaniel drops more fur with a shedding level of 3/5, 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 English Toy Spaniel (3/5). The Havanese's long coat demands regular professional grooming to stay in top shape.

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

The English Toy Spaniel has a lifespan of 10–12 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 English Toy Spaniel's 2/5. This often translates to fewer vet visits and lower medical costs.

Common health issues for the English Toy Spaniel include mitral valve disease, patellar luxation, open fontanel, retinal dysplasia. 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 $600 for the English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel's score of 3/5 means you may need more patience and consistency to see results.

The Havanese ranks higher in intelligence (4/5 vs 3/5), which can be both a blessing and a challenge. Smarter dogs learn commands faster but also get bored more easily and may develop behavioral issues without mental stimulation.

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.

The Havanese is the more intelligent of the two, scoring 4/5 to the English Toy Spaniel's 3/5. This means the Havanese generally picks up new commands faster and is better at figuring things out independently. On the flip side, their sharp mind needs regular engagement through puzzle toys, training games, and varied activities to prevent behavioral issues.

Both breeds share a similar intelligence profile rooted in adaptive intelligence. Both are skilled at reading human emotions, adapting to new environments, and solving everyday problems on their own.

The Havanese's higher intelligence translates directly into better trainability (4/5 vs 3/5), making them both the quicker learner and the easier breed to train. This combination is ideal for owners who want a responsive, obedient companion.

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 English Toy Spaniel's 3/5. 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 English Toy Spaniel (4/5). 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 English Toy Spaniel tends to be more reserved (3/5). If you frequently have guests, the Havanese's sociable nature will make entertaining easier.

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

Ongoing annual costs (food, vet, grooming) come to approximately $1,100 for the English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel 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.