Living
Which fits your household better?
A small apartment and low exercise tolerance point to the Havanese; more space and a want for an active field dog point to the Brittany.
Brittany Spaniel vs Havanese: Which Suits Your Home?
Brittany Spaniel or Havanese? On paper they differ most on exercise need, and on the scales Brittany Spaniel is the heavier at 30–40 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.
This is for someone already down to Brittany Spaniel and Havanese and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on exercise need and grooming need, so those are covered first and in most detail. Anyone choosing from a flat has a clear answer here: Havanese rates 5/5 against 3/5. The focus throughout is on daily consequences rather than breed background.
Quick verdict
Between Brittany Spaniel and Havanese, exercise need is what separates them, and Havanese is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.
Choose brittany if...
Choose Brittany Spaniel if you do not want a standing grooming appointment, there are young children at home and you want a dog that picks up training quickly.
Choose havanese if...
Choose Havanese if you are in a flat or a smaller home, this is your first dog and shedding is a problem in your house.
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | brittany | havanese | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | medium | small | Equal |
| Weight | 30–40 lbs | 7–13 lbs | Equal |
| Height | 17–20 in | 8–11 in | Equal |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years | 13–16 years | havanese |
| Exercise need | High (4/5) | Low (2/5) | havanese |
| Grooming need | Low (2/5) | High (4/5) | brittany |
| Shedding | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | havanese |
| Energy level | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Barking | Low (2/5) | Moderate (3/5) | brittany |
| Apartment suitability | Moderate (3/5) | Very high (5/5) | havanese |
| Good for first-time owners | High (4/5) | Very high (5/5) | havanese |
| Tolerates being alone | Low (2/5) | Very low (1/5) | brittany |
| Trainability | Very high (5/5) | High (4/5) | brittany |
| Good with kids | Very high (5/5) | High (4/5) | brittany |
| Good with other dogs | Very high (5/5) | Very high (5/5) | Equal |
| Friendly to strangers | High (4/5) | High (4/5) | Equal |
| Cost level | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | brittany |
| Coat | Medium, wavy coat | Long, silky | Equal |
| Origin | France | Cuba | Equal |
| Typical monthly cost | $90–$180 | $80–$160 | Equal |
| Typical first-year cost | $1,300–$2,500 | $1,200–$2,300 | Equal |
Deep dive
Size and build
The Havanese is tiny by comparison, 7-13 lbs and 8-11 inches, against the Brittany's 30-40 lbs and 17-20 inches. You could carry a Havanese in a bag; a Brittany needs its own seat in the car. This is one of the widest size gaps in any Brittany matchup on this site.
Energy and exercise
The Havanese rates low (2/5) for exercise need, the Brittany high (4/5), a genuine gap in daily commitment. A Havanese is content with modest indoor play and short walks; a Brittany, bred as a bird-hunting dog, wants sustained outdoor time most days.
Grooming and shedding
Coat care flips the usual small-dog pattern: the Havanese's long, silky coat demands high (4/5) grooming, well above the Brittany's low (2/5). Shedding runs the other way, though, low (2/5) for the Havanese against the Brittany's moderate (3/5). Expect more brushing but less vacuuming with the Havanese.
Apartment living, noise and time alone
The Havanese is built for small spaces, very high (5/5) apartment suitability against the Brittany's moderate (3/5). It does bark a bit more, moderate (3/5) versus the Brittany's low (2/5), and neither dog handles being left alone well; the Havanese actually scores worse here, very low (1/5) against the Brittany's already-low 2/5. Whichever you choose, plan for company during the day.
Training and owner experience
Both train easily, though the Brittany edges ahead at 5/5 versus the Havanese's still-strong 4/5. The Havanese actually rates higher for first-time owners, very high (5/5) against high (4/5), its smaller size and lower exercise demands make early mistakes less costly.
Kids, other dogs and visitors
The Brittany rates very high (5/5) with kids against the Havanese's high (4/5), worth noting if you have small children and a small dog in the same room, since toy breeds are more easily injured in rough play. Both breeds score identically with other dogs (5/5) and strangers (4/5).
Health and lifespan
The Havanese wins on raw longevity, 13-16 years against the Brittany's 12-15. The two share hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, allergies, ear infections, and hypothyroidism as risks. The Havanese's list leans toward eye and joint issues, cataracts, patellar luxation, liver shunts, that show up more often in small breeds.
Cost to keep
Despite the grooming difference, the Havanese is the cheaper dog to run day to day: $80-160 a month against the Brittany's $90-180, and $1,200-2,300 versus $1,300-2,500 in year one. Smaller dogs eat less, and that outweighs the grooming premium here.
Brittany Spaniel vs Havanese at a glance
Brittany Spaniel weighs 30–40 lbs and lives 12–15 years; Havanese weighs 7–13 lbs and lives 13–16 years. The two diverge most on exercise need, grooming need and apartment suitability. They are level on good with other dogs and friendly to strangers, so those cannot decide it. The table below marks a winner only where one breed is genuinely easier for a typical owner; size and origin are facts rather than merits and stay level. Ratings come from one source applied to both breeds, so they are meaningful against each other rather than as absolute scores.
Frequently asked questions
How much smaller is a Havanese than a Brittany?
Roughly a third the weight, 7-13 lbs against the Brittany's 30-40 lbs.
Which sheds more?
The Brittany, moderate (3/5) versus the Havanese's low (2/5).
Is a Havanese good for apartment living?
Yes, very high (5/5) suitability, one of the better apartment scores on the site. The Brittany rates only moderate (3/5).
Which is easier for a first-time owner?
The Havanese edges it, very high (5/5) versus high (4/5), mostly due to lower exercise demands.
Which lives longer?
The Havanese, 13-16 years against the Brittany's 12-15.
How much grooming does a Havanese need?
High (4/5), its long silky coat needs regular brushing, more upkeep than the Brittany's low (2/5) coat.
What does each cost per month?
Havanese $80-160, Brittany $90-180, close, with the Havanese slightly cheaper overall.
Quick answers
View more answersCosts
What's the monthly cost?
Havanese $80-160 versus Brittany $90-180.
Training
How much exercise does each need?
The Havanese rates low (2/5), the Brittany high (4/5), a real gap in daily activity required.
Health
Which lives longer?
The Havanese, 13-16 years, versus the Brittany's 12-15 years.
Related DogBreedCompass guides
- Brittany Spaniel breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of Brittany Spaniel before deciding.
- Havanese breed guide – The same for Havanese, so the comparison can be checked against the detail.
- Brittany Spaniel vs Beagle – Beagle is the closest breed to Brittany Spaniel on the measured axes, so it is the natural next comparison.
- Havanese vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – Cavalier King Charles Spaniel sits closest to Havanese, which makes it the alternative worth ruling out.
- Brittany Spaniel vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the other breed Havanese is most often weighed against.
- Havanese health problems – The health pages set out what each breed is actually screened for.
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Important reminder
Health information here is general and is not veterinary advice. If your dog shows pain, sudden behaviour change, or worsening symptoms, consult a licensed veterinarian.
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