HavaneseVSItalian Greyhound

The Havanese is known for being cheerful, intelligent, outgoing, while the Italian Greyhound is typically described as affectionate, agile, playful. These distinct personality traits mean each breed offers a different kind of companionship.

When it comes to playfulness, the Havanese has the edge with a 5/5 rating compared to the Italian Greyhound's 4/5. If you're looking for a dog that's always ready for a game of fetch, the Havanese is your pick.

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

The Havanese is a small breed standing 22–29 cm (9–11 in) tall and weighing 3–6 kg (7–13 lbs). In comparison, the Italian Greyhound is a small breed at 33–38 cm (13–15 in) and 3–5 kg (7–11 lbs).

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

The Havanese has a long coat available in white, black, havana brown, fawn, tobacco, while the Italian Greyhound sports a short coat in gray, blue, fawn, red, cream, black. Coat type significantly impacts grooming needs and shedding, which we cover below.

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

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

Both breeds shed at a similar rate (1/5), so you can expect comparable amounts of loose fur from either one.

The Havanese demands more grooming attention with a score of 4/5, while the Italian Greyhound is lower-maintenance at 1/5. The Havanese's long coat requires regular brushing and professional grooming sessions, adding to the overall cost of ownership.

Annual grooming costs average around $400 for the Havanese and $50 for the Italian Greyhound. Factor this into your budget when deciding between the two.

The Havanese has a lifespan of 13–15 years, while the Italian Greyhound lives 14–15 years. The Italian Greyhound generally has a longer lifespan.

In terms of overall health robustness, the Havanese scores 4/5 compared to the Italian Greyhound's 3/5. The Havanese is generally a hardier breed with fewer genetic health concerns.

Common health issues for the Havanese include patellar luxation, cataracts, deafness, heart murmurs. The Italian Greyhound is prone to leg fractures, patellar luxation, progressive retinal atrophy, dental disease. Regular vet checkups and health screenings are essential for both breeds.

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

The Havanese is easier to train with a trainability score of 4/5, making it more suitable for first-time dog owners. The Italian Greyhound scores 3/5 and may require more patience and experience during training sessions.

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 Havanese and Italian Greyhound 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.

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.

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.

For families with children, the Havanese is the stronger choice, scoring 5/5 for kid-friendliness compared to the Italian Greyhound's 2/5. The Havanese's cheerful nature makes it a natural fit for households with young ones.

If you have other pets, the Havanese tends to get along better with other dogs (5/5) than the Italian Greyhound (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 Italian Greyhound 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 Havanese ranges from $1,000–$2,500, while a Italian Greyhound typically costs $1,200–$3,000. The Italian Greyhound is the more expensive breed to purchase.

Ongoing annual costs (food, vet, grooming) come to approximately $1,160 for the Havanese and $850 for the Italian Greyhound. The Havanese is more expensive to maintain year over year, mainly due to higher food costs.

Monthly food costs run about $30 for the Havanese and $25 for the Italian Greyhound. 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.