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The Havanese is the national dog of Cuba, a small companion breed with a long, silky, wavy coat, a springy gait and a bright, friendly expression. Usually around 4 to 6 kilos, the Havanese is affectionate, sociable and eager to please, a genuine people's dog that was bred purely for companionship and thrives on being with its family. It is a cheerful, adaptable and trainable little dog that suits apartment life and enjoys the company of children, other dogs and visitors.
Havanese reach Sydney and NSW rescue for the usual small-companion reasons: a change in an owner's circumstances, a move, or underestimating the grooming the silky coat needs. As a companion breed that bonds closely, some can also struggle with being left alone for long days. Purebred Havanese appear alongside Havanese crosses, and the coat and temperament of a cross vary, so the foster carer or shelter assessment of the individual dog with people, children and other animals matters more than the breed label.
A Havanese suits an owner or family who want an affectionate, adaptable small companion, are home enough that the dog is not alone for long stretches, and can keep up with regular coat care. In the right home it is a devoted, gentle and joyful companion. Browse the Havanese and Havanese crosses currently listed from rescues and shelters across Sydney and New South Wales.
Get notified when a Havanese is listed
We will email you when a Havanese or Havanese cross becomes available for adoption in Sydney, from a rescue or an owner rehoming.
Need to rehome a Havanese?
If you can no longer keep your Havanese, listing it for rehoming on LocalPetFinder connects it directly with adopters across Sydney and NSW, and keeps it out of a shelter. It is free.
List your dog for rehoming →Havanese Adoption Guides
The pre-adoption reading list specific to Havaneses in Sydney and NSW.
Havanese Adoption in Sydney: Rescue Guide
Where to adopt a Havanese or Havanese cross in Sydney, real costs, why they surrender, and whether this affectionate companion suits your home.
Havanese Health Problems: Sydney Owner Guide
The eye, knee, hip and heart issues Havanese owners should know, with Sydney vet and paralysis tick guidance.
Havanese Apartment Living and Companionship in Sydney
Why the Havanese thrives as a Sydney apartment companion, managing separation and velcro-dog attachment, and daily life in a unit.
Havanese Adoption FAQ
Where can I adopt a Havanese near me in Sydney?
LocalPetFinder lists Havaneses available for adoption from rescues across Sydney and New South Wales, including the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, Northern Beaches, Western Sydney and the Sutherland Shire. Rescues that regularly take in dogs of this type include RSPCA NSW at Yagoona and Animal Welfare League NSW at Kemps Creek, alongside foster-based groups. Listings update regularly, so browse the Havaneses above and apply directly through the rescue.
Are there Havanese rescues near Sydney?
Yes. Several Sydney and NSW rescues regularly have Havaneses and Havanese crosses, including RSPCA NSW, Animal Welfare League NSW, Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Monika's Doggie Rescue and Maggie's Rescue, plus breed-focused foster networks. A dedicated single-breed rescue is not always active, so the fastest path is to set an alert here and watch the general rescues. Use LocalPetFinder to see which rescues currently have Havaneses available near you.
Where can I adopt a Havanese puppy in Sydney?
Purebred Havanese puppies are uncommon in Sydney rescue and are usually adopted very quickly, so the best strategy is to set an alert here and be ready to apply fast. Most Havaneses in rescue are young adults, older dogs, or Havanese crosses, and these make just as loving a pet as a purebred puppy while often being calmer and already part house-trained. A rescue puppy or young dog costs a few hundred dollars fully desexed, vaccinated and microchipped, against several thousand from a breeder with a waitlist. If you searched "havanese puppies sydney" or "havanese puppies for sale", browse the Havaneses above and set an alert for new arrivals.
Are these Havaneses for sale in Sydney?
Not for sale, for adoption, which is usually the better deal. Every Havanese here comes from a Sydney or NSW rescue, not a breeder or classified seller, and the adoption fee already includes desexing, vaccination and microchipping. That fee is typically a few hundred dollars, against often several thousand from a breeder with none of the vet work done. If you searched "havanese for sale sydney", adopting gets you a vetted dog for a fraction of the price.
Where can I buy a Havanese in Sydney, and should I?
You can buy from a registered breeder, but it is worth weighing against adoption first. A reputable breeder often charges several thousand dollars and may have a waitlist, while a rescue Havanese costs a few hundred dollars fully vetted and may be available now. Be cautious of cheap "for sale" ads on classified sites and marketplaces, which are a known hotspot for scams and backyard breeding. The ACCC Scamwatch has documented deposit scams for pets that do not exist. For most Sydney families, adopting a rescue Havanese is cheaper, faster and gives a dog in need a home.
What health problems do Havanese have?
The Havanese is generally a healthy, long-lived small companion breed, which is one of its attractions. The issues to be aware of are kneecap slipping (patellar luxation), seen as an occasional skip or hop in the step, and some inherited eye conditions, so any squinting, cloudiness or vision trouble is worth a vet check. As with any long-coated small dog, ear and skin care matter, and the warm, humid Sydney climate can aggravate skin issues if the coat is neglected. A rescue Havanese arrives desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and vet-checked, and any known issue is noted on the listing. Ask your vet about knee and eye care.
Are Havanese good family dogs?
Yes, they are one of the friendliest and most adaptable small companion breeds. Havanese are affectionate, gentle and sociable, and many are excellent with children they are raised alongside and happy in the company of other dogs. Their small size means young children should be supervised and taught to handle the dog gently, but the breed's easygoing, people-loving nature suits families, couples and single people alike. Each rescue notes how the individual dog has gone with children and other animals in foster or shelter care.
How much exercise does a Havanese need?
A modest amount. A couple of short-to-moderate walks a day plus some play and training indoors keeps a Havanese happy, as this is a companion breed rather than a working one. They are clever and enjoy learning tricks and games, which is good mental exercise. In a Sydney summer, walk in the cool of the early morning or evening and carry water, and keep year-round paralysis tick prevention up if you walk in bushland or coastal areas. Because they bond so closely, the bigger need is company: a Havanese does best when it is not left alone for long days.
How much grooming does a Havanese need?
A good deal, and it is the main practical commitment of the breed. The long, silky coat mats easily and needs brushing every day or two to keep it comfortable, plus regular bathing and professional grooming to keep it in order. Many Sydney owners keep the coat in a shorter clip, which is far easier to maintain and more comfortable in the heat. Keep the hair around the eyes and ears tidy and clean, check the ears regularly, and a neglected coat that mats to the skin causes real discomfort and skin problems, so plan the grooming into your routine before you adopt.