Havanese
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.
VS
Labrador Retriever
America's most beloved family dog, known for a friendly temperament and eager-to-please attitude. Labs excel at everything from hunting to therapy work and are incredibly versatile.
Quick Answer
Choose Havanese if you want more apartment-friendly and less shedding. Choose Labrador Retriever if you want easier to train.
Quick Comparison
Havanese
Attribute
Labrador Retriever
small
Size
large
3–6 kg (7–13 lbs)
Weight
25–36 kg (55–79 lbs)
22–29 cm (9–11 in)
Height
55–62 cm (22–24 in)
Better13–15 yrs
Lifespan
10–13 yrs
4/5
Trainability
5/5Better
3/5
Energy
5/5
5/5
Good with Kids
5/5
Better1/5
Shedding
4/5
4/5
Grooming
2/5Better
Better5/5
Apartment
2/5
Better4/5
Health
3/5
$1,000–$2,500
Price
$800–$2,000Better
Attribute Comparison
Exercise & Activity
Labrador Retriever needs more exercise; Havanese is lower-maintenance.
Havanese
Labrador Retriever
Energy Level
3/5
vs5/5
Exercise Needs
2/5
vs5/5
Apartment Friendly
Better5/5
vs2/5
These breeds sit on opposite ends of the activity spectrum. The Labrador Retriever (energy: 5/5, exercise: 5/5) was bred to work all day and still has that drive.
Size & Appearance
Labrador Retriever is the larger breed; Havanese is more compact.
Havanese
Labrador Retriever
Weight (kg)
3–6
vs25–36
Height (cm)
22–29
vs55–62
You'll notice the size difference immediately. The Labrador Retriever stands 55–62 cm (22–24 in) tall and weighs 25–36 kg (55–79 lbs), making it considerably larger than the Havanese at 22–29 cm (9–11 in) and 3–6 kg (7–13 lbs).
Grooming & Shedding
Labrador Retriever sheds more; Havanese is easier to maintain.
Havanese
Labrador Retriever
Shedding
Better1/5
vs4/5
Grooming Needs
4/5
vs2/5Better
Shedding is a major differentiator. The Labrador Retriever is a prolific shedder (4/5) — expect fur on your clothes, furniture, and car seats year-round.
Health & Lifespan
Havanese tends to be the healthier breed overall.
Havanese
Labrador Retriever
Lifespan (years)
Better13–15
vs10–13
Health Robustness
Better4/5
vs3/5
The lifespan difference is significant. Havaneses live 13–15 years on average, while Labrador Retrievers live 10–13 years.
Temperament & Personality
Havanese is calmer; Labrador Retriever is more energetic.
Havanese
Labrador Retriever
Playfulness
5/5
vs5/5
Barking Level
3/5
vs3/5
Energy
3/5
vs5/5
When you live with a Havanese, you'll notice their cheerful, intelligent and outgoing character in everything they do. A Labrador Retriever, by contrast, shows a friendly, outgoing and active nature.
Training & Intelligence
Labrador Retriever is generally easier to train.
Havanese
Labrador Retriever
Trainability
4/5
vs5/5Better
Intelligence
4/5
vs5/5Better
The Labrador Retriever has a slight training edge (5/5 vs 4/5). Both respond to positive reinforcement, but the Labrador Retriever tends to catch on a bit faster.
Cost of Ownership
Havanese is less expensive to own annually.
Havanese
Avg. Purchase$1,750
Annual Food$360
Annual Vet$400
Annual Grooming$400
Annual Total$1,160 ✓
Labrador Retriever
Avg. Purchase$1,400
Annual Food$720
Annual Vet$500
Annual Grooming$150
Annual Total$1,370
Both breeds cost a similar amount upfront — $1,000–$2,500 for a Havanese versus $800–$2,000 for a Labrador Retriever. Where the real cost differences emerge is in ongoing expenses.
Family & Social Life
Both breeds are similarly family-friendly.
Havanese
Labrador Retriever
Good with Kids
5/5
vs5/5
Good with Dogs
5/5
vs5/5
Strangers
5/5
vs5/5
Both breeds score 5/5 with children, making them equally suitable for families. Either breed would make an excellent family dog.
Summary: Which Should You Choose?
The Havanese comes out ahead in most categories — it's more apartment-friendly (5/5), lower exercise needs (2/5), less shedding (1/5). If you can meet its low exercise needs and don't mind regular grooming, the Havanese is the more versatile choice for most households.
Which Breed Is Right for You?
Question 1 of 3
Do you have children at home?
The Verdict
The Havanese and Labrador Retriever are both popular breeds, but they suit different lifestyles. The key differences: Labrador Retriever needs significantly more daily exercise than Havanese, Labrador Retriever sheds considerably more. Annual ownership costs are lower for the Havanese by roughly $200/year.
Choose Havanese if...
- ✓You live in an apartment or don't have a yard — Havaneses adapt much better to smaller spaces (5/5 vs 2/5 apartment rating).
- ✓You hate vacuuming or have allergies — Havaneses shed dramatically less (1/5 vs 4/5 shedding score).
Choose Labrador Retriever if...
- ✓You have other dogs at home — Labrador Retrievers tend to get along well with other dogs (5/5).
- ✓Their temperament and lifestyle fit aligns better with your situation — use our quiz for a personalized recommendation.
Looking for more options?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for families, Havanese or Labrador Retriever?
The Havanese scores 5/5 for being good with kids, tying with the Labrador Retriever at 5/5. The Havanese is specifically recommended for families.
Is a Havanese or Labrador Retriever easier to train?
The Labrador Retriever is easier to train, scoring 5/5 versus the Havanese's 4/5. The Labrador Retriever's forgiving nature makes it ideal for beginners.
Which costs more, a Havanese or Labrador Retriever?
A Havanese puppy costs $1,000–$2,500 while a Labrador Retriever costs $800–$2,000. Annual maintenance runs about $1,160 for the Havanese and $1,370 for the Labrador Retriever. The Labrador Retriever costs more to maintain annually.
Do Havaneses or Labrador Retrievers live longer?
The Havanese lives 13–15 years on average, while the Labrador Retriever lives 10–13 years. The Havanese generally has a longer lifespan. Proper diet, exercise, and regular vet care help maximize lifespan for either breed.
Can a Havanese or Labrador Retriever live in an apartment?
The Havanese is better suited for apartments (5/5) compared to the Labrador Retriever (2/5). The Havanese is one of our top picks for apartment living.