The short answer
You can adopt a Havanese in Melbourne, though purebreds are uncommon in rescue and small fluffy crosses turn up more often, so set alerts across the main Victorian rescues and be patient. Adoption runs about $350 to $700 for an adult and $500 to $900 for a puppy, all-inclusive, against well into the thousands from a breeder, and the breed is not restricted in Victoria. The honest part is the commitment: a Havanese wants company and does not cope with long days alone, and the coat needs daily brushing or a regular clip. Give it that and a rescue Havanese is a devoted, cheerful companion.
Why Havanese reach Melbourne rescue
A purebred Havanese is uncommon in rescue, but a steady few reach Victorian rescue along with small fluffy crosses, usually because of the owner's circumstances rather than the dog.
A companion that needs company. The Havanese is bred to be with its people, so long days home alone can lead to separation anxiety and the problem behaviours that follow. A change in work or family life that leaves the dog alone more can end in a surrender.
Grooming underestimated. The long silky coat mats quickly and needs daily brushing or regular clipping, and owners who did not plan for that time and cost sometimes give the dog up.
Puppy farming. Small fluffy companion breeds are a favourite of commercial and backyard breeders, often without health screening or early socialisation, and rescues take in surrendered or ex-breeding dogs that, in the right home, become loving pets.
Where to adopt a Havanese in Melbourne
Because a purebred Havanese is uncommon in general rescue, a wide alert net is the key. Set listing alerts on every rescue you would consider, and stay open to a Havanese cross or a similar small companion dog. For a fuller directory, see our list of Melbourne rescues and shelters.
1. RSPCA Victoria
The state body runs adoption centres at Burwood East and RSPCA Peninsula at Pearcedale. A broad intake means a Havanese or small companion cross comes through from time to time, and every adoption includes desexing, vaccination, microchipping and a vet workup. Apply at rspcavic.org.
2. The Lost Dogs' Home
Melbourne's long-established metro shelter, based in North Melbourne with a second facility at Cranbourne. It handles a large intake of stray and surrendered dogs, so a Havanese or small fluffy cross turns up periodically. Adoption includes desexing, vaccination, microchipping and a vet check. Listings at dogshome.com.
3. Lort Smith
Lort Smith runs an Adoption Centre at Campbellfield with a full vet workup behind every dog, which is reassuring for a small breed with knee and eye risks. A broad mix of breeds means a Havanese or Havanese cross features occasionally. More at lortsmith.com.
4. Save-A-Dog Scheme
A Melbourne-based no-kill rescue running since 1985, with a mix of shelter and foster placements. Because many dogs live in foster homes, the notes on a Havanese's temperament, how it copes alone and its behaviour with people and other animals tend to be detailed and honest. More at saveadog.org.au.
5. Second Chance Animal Rescue
A Victorian foster-based rescue that takes a broad mix of dogs and crosses, including small companion dogs. Because dogs live in foster, you get a clear picture of the real temperament before you commit, and the application usually includes a home check. Listings at secondchanceanimalrescue.com.au.
Beyond these, Animal Aid at Coldstream and the Australian Animal Protection Society at Keysborough both rehome dogs including small companion breeds, and the fastest way to scan many Victorian rescues at once is PetRescue, a national aggregator that lists animals from hundreds of member rescues in one searchable place. Be wary of any group calling itself a Havanese rescue that asks for money before you have confirmed a real address, a current adoptable-dog list and charitable status. Browse the current Havanese and Havanese crosses on the Melbourne Havanese listings.
What a Havanese costs: adopt versus buy
Adoption is far cheaper at the outset. A rescue fee for an adult Havanese through a Melbourne rescue commonly runs about $350 to $700 for an adult, with puppies usually $500 to $900, and that fee already covers desexing, vaccination, microchipping, worm and flea treatment and a vet check.
A purebred Havanese puppy from a breeder in Victoria, by contrast, typically runs well into the thousands, with none of that vet work done yet. So adopting is many times cheaper up front, and the dog arrives already vetted and, if you adopt an adult, with a known temperament.
The ongoing cost worth planning for is grooming: a regular clip from a groomer or daily brushing to keep the coat from matting, plus the usual small-dog dental and vet care. Council registration under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 is a modest yearly cost, reduced for a desexed and microchipped dog, and pet insurance taken out while the dog is young is worth having.
Living with a Havanese, and the health picture
The Havanese is gentle, friendly, playful and intensely people-focused, happiest when it is with its family and generally easy to train with reward-based methods. Its size and temperament suit apartments and smaller homes, and it is usually good with children and other pets when socialised. The one firm requirement is company: this is not a breed to leave alone all day, and a home that can offer it companionship will get a devoted, cheerful dog in return.
On health the breed is fairly sturdy but prone to luxating patella, some eye conditions, and a few inherited joint and heart issues, and the ears need regular checking. The daily commitment is the coat, which mats without brushing or a regular clip. A rescue Havanese arrives vet-checked, so ask the rescue what the in-care assessment found, keep up the grooming, and insure the dog while it is young.
Havanese and Victorian breed law
The Havanese is not one of Victoria's restricted breeds, which under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 are the pit bull terrier, dogo argentino, fila brasileiro, japanese tosa and perro de presa canario. A Havanese is legal to own and rehome normally, and simply needs to be microchipped and registered with your local council from three months of age, re-registered each year. A rescue Havanese arrives already desexed and microchipped, so in practice you transfer the microchip into your name and register with your council. Check Agriculture Victoria and your council for registration details.
Browse adoptable Havanese in Melbourne
Purebreds are uncommon in rescue, so set an alert and stay open to a Havanese cross. Browse live Victorian listings now.
See Available Havanese →If you have been searching “Havanese puppies for sale”
Plenty of people arrive here after searching for a Havanese puppy to buy, drawn by that friendly fluffy appeal, and adoption has a real advantage: an adult rescue Havanese lets you see the temperament and health you are taking on, where a puppy is more of a gamble. The for-sale listings are easy to find, but small fluffy companion breeds are a favourite of puppy farms and the occasional scammer, so a cheap Havanese puppy or a deposit request for a dog you have not met is a warning sign rather than a bargain. In Victoria, any advertisement to sell or give away a dog must display the animal's microchip number and a Pet Exchange Register source number, so check that number on the Pet Exchange Register before you pay, and cross-check anything that feels off against Scamwatch.
Adoption costs a fraction of a breeder price and gives a vet-checked dog a home. If your heart is set on the breed, register your interest with rescues, stay open to a Havanese cross, set alerts, and be patient; the right dog does come up.
Adult or puppy, and is a Havanese right for you?
For most adopters an adult is the better choice, because an adult shows you the real temperament, size and how it is with people and other animals, where a puppy is more of an unknown. An adult also often has some training and toilet habits in place and a lower adoption fee. A vet-checked, foster-assessed adult Havanese, matched carefully to your household, is the easiest way into the breed.
Be honest about whether this breed fits your life. A Havanese is a cheerful, affectionate companion for a home that can give it company through the day and keep up the grooming. It is not the dog for a household out long hours or unwilling to brush or clip a long coat. If you can offer companionship and care, a rescue Havanese is a devoted little friend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I adopt a Havanese near me in Melbourne?
Start with the live listings on this page, which pull Havanese and Havanese crosses from shelters and foster-based rescues across Victoria, then widen out. RSPCA Victoria, the Lost Dogs' Home, Lort Smith, Save-A-Dog Scheme and Second Chance Animal Rescue all rehome small companion dogs, and PetRescue aggregates many smaller Victorian rescues in one place. A purebred Havanese is uncommon in rescue and small fluffy crosses turn up more often, so set listing alerts, have your application ready, and be patient.
Why do Havanese end up in rescue?
Almost always because of the owner's circumstances, not the dog. The Havanese is a devoted companion breed that wants to be with its people, so it does not cope with long days alone and can develop separation anxiety, and some owners underestimate the grooming the coat needs. A house move, a change in work or family circumstances, or the time and cost of grooming can all lead to a surrender. Small fluffy crosses appear too. In a home that gives it company and regular grooming, the Havanese is a cheerful, affectionate companion.
How much does it cost to adopt a Havanese in Melbourne versus buying one?
Adoption is far cheaper at the outset. A rescue fee for an adult Havanese through a Melbourne rescue commonly runs about $350 to $700 for an adult, with puppies usually $500 to $900, and that fee already covers desexing, vaccination, microchipping, worm and flea treatment and a vet check. A purebred Havanese puppy from a breeder, by contrast, typically runs well into the thousands, with none of that vet work done yet. The ongoing cost worth planning for is grooming: regular professional clipping or daily brushing keeps the long coat from matting.
Are Havanese a restricted breed in Victoria?
No. The Havanese is not one of Victoria's restricted breeds, which are the pit bull terrier, dogo argentino, fila brasileiro, japanese tosa and perro de presa canario. A Havanese is legal to own and rehome normally and simply needs to be microchipped and registered with your local council from three months of age. A rescue Havanese arrives already desexed and microchipped, so you mostly just transfer the microchip into your name and register with your council.
Are Havanese a good family dog?
Yes, for the right household. A well-socialised Havanese is typically gentle, friendly, playful and people-focused, which makes it a lovely family companion and a good fit for apartments and smaller homes. The main things to plan for are its need for company, since it does not like long days alone, and the grooming the coat requires. A foster carer who has lived with the individual dog can tell you exactly how it is with children, other pets and being left alone.
Should I adopt an adult Havanese or a puppy?
For most adopters an adult is the better choice, because an adult shows you its real temperament, size and how it is with people and other animals, where a puppy is more of an unknown. An adult also often has some training and toilet habits in place and a lower adoption fee. A vet-checked, foster-assessed adult Havanese, matched carefully to your household, is the easiest way into the breed, and plenty of lovely adults are waiting.
Are there free Havanese in Melbourne, or ones under $500?
Be careful with free or very cheap Havanese. A legitimate rescue charges an adoption fee, commonly $350 to $700 for an adult and $500 to $900 for a puppy, so the lower end lands under the $500 people search for, because that fee part-covers the desexing, vaccination, microchipping and vet check the dog has already had. A Havanese advertised free to a good home, or well under a rescue fee, is one of the classic scam and puppy-farm setups for small companion breeds, so treat a bargain as a warning sign and check any seller against the Victorian rules below before paying anything.
I keep seeing Havanese puppies for sale. Is adopting really an option?
It is, and an adult rescue Havanese lets you see the temperament and health you are taking on, where a puppy is more of a gamble. The for-sale listings are easy to find, but small fluffy companion breeds are a favourite of puppy farms and the occasional scammer, so a cheap Havanese puppy or a deposit request for a dog you have not met is a warning sign rather than a bargain. In Victoria, any advertisement to sell or give away a dog must display the microchip number and a Pet Exchange Register source number, so check that number on the Pet Exchange Register before paying anything. Adoption costs a fraction of a breeder price and gives a vet-checked dog a home.
Do Havanese have health problems, and how much grooming do they need?
The Havanese is a fairly sturdy small breed, but it is prone to luxating patella, some eye conditions, and a few inherited joint and heart issues, and its ears need regular checking. Grooming is the bigger day-to-day commitment: the long silky coat mats easily, so it needs daily brushing or a regular clip from a groomer. A rescue Havanese arrives vet-checked, so ask the rescue what the in-care assessment found, keep up the grooming, and insure the dog while it is young.
Keep reading
Adoptable Havanese in Melbourne
Live listings with foster carer notes on temperament and grooming.
Best Dog Rescues in Melbourne
The verified shelters and foster rescues to set alerts with across Victoria.
Registering a Dog in Melbourne
Council registration, microchipping and the Victorian rules for a new dog.
Melbourne Adoption Resources
Guides on adopting, costs, council rules and settling a rescue dog in Melbourne.