Quick answer
Which breed is the better overall choice?
For first-time owners and social households, the Havanese's trainability and friendliness give it the edge. The Griffon suits owners who want a more devoted, one-person companion and don't mind a bit more grooming ease.
Brussels Griffon or Havanese? On paper they differ most on good for first-time owners, and on the scales Brussels Griffon is the heavier at 8–12 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.
This is for someone already down to Brussels Griffon and Havanese and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on good for first-time owners and good with other dogs, so those are covered first and in most detail. Both rate 5/5 for flats, so housing does not settle this one. There is no origin story here — only what changes about your week.
Between Brussels Griffon and Havanese, good for first-time owners is what separates them; neither is the lower-effort dog overall.
Choose Brussels Griffon if you do not want a standing grooming appointment and you want a dog that is more watchful with visitors.
Choose Havanese if this is your first dog, there are young children at home and you already have another dog.
| Feature | brussels griffon | havanese | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | small | small | Equal |
| Weight | 8–12 lbs | 7–13 lbs | Equal |
| Height | 7–10 in | 8–11 in | Equal |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years | 13–16 years | havanese |
| Exercise need | Low (2/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Grooming need | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | brussels griffon |
| Shedding | Low (2/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Energy level | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Barking | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Apartment suitability | Very high (5/5) | Very high (5/5) | Equal |
| Good for first-time owners | Moderate (3/5) | Very high (5/5) | havanese |
| Tolerates being alone | Low (2/5) | Very low (1/5) | brussels griffon |
| Trainability | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | havanese |
| Good with kids | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | havanese |
| Good with other dogs | Moderate (3/5) | Very high (5/5) | havanese |
| Friendly to strangers | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | havanese |
| Cost level | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | brussels griffon |
| Coat | Rough or smooth | Long, silky | Equal |
| Origin | Various | Cuba | Equal |
| Typical monthly cost | $80–$150 | $80–$160 | Equal |
| Typical first-year cost | $1,100–$2,300 | $1,200–$2,300 | Equal |
These two are genuinely close in size - the Griffon at 8-12 lbs and 7-10 inches, the Havanese at 7-13 lbs and 8-11 inches. Overlapping weight ranges and only an inch of difference in height mean size isn't going to be the deciding factor here, unlike most Griffon comparisons on this site. This one comes down to coat, temperament and lifespan instead.
Exercise need ties at low (2/5) for both breeds, and energy level ties at moderate (3/5) too. Neither is a high-drive dog - both are content with modest daily activity and indoor play. If exercise requirements were the whole story, you'd be choosing between these two on a coin flip; the real differences show up elsewhere in the data.
The Havanese's long, silky coat is the more demanding one to maintain - high grooming (4/5) against the Griffon's moderate (3/5), typically needing more frequent brushing to prevent matting. Shedding ties at low (2/5) for both, so the difference isn't about hair around the house, it's about the time and effort of upkeep on the coat itself.
Both breeds rate 5/5 for apartment suitability - genuinely well-suited small-space dogs, and barking ties at moderate (3/5) too. Alone tolerance is where they diverge, and not favorably for either: the Griffon is low (2/5), the Havanese very low (1/5), the lowest score in this entire comparison. If you're gone long hours, both breeds will struggle, but the Havanese may struggle more.
The Havanese trains more readily, rated high (4/5) against the Griffon's moderate (3/5), and it's rated very high (5/5) for first-time owners versus the Griffon's moderate (3/5) - a clear edge for anyone new to dog ownership. Its temperament tags of intelligent, adaptable and lively line up with a dog that's generally easier to guide through basic obedience and household routines.
The Havanese outscores the Griffon in every social category here: high with kids (4/5 vs 3/5), very high with other dogs (5/5 vs 3/5), and high with strangers (4/5 vs 3/5). Its affectionate, lively temperament shows up clearly in these numbers. The Griffon isn't unfriendly, just more reserved and, per its own temperament tags, more devoted to one person than eager with everyone it meets.
The Havanese actually outlives the Griffon here - 13-16 years versus 12-15, the only comparison in this batch where the Griffon isn't the longer-lived breed. The Havanese's health list runs longer at ten conditions, including deafness and liver shunts alongside hip dysplasia and patellar luxation - both of which it shares with the Griffon. The Griffon's five-condition list centers on its brachycephalic build.
This is the closest cost match in the entire batch: the Griffon runs $80-150 monthly and $1,100-2,300 first year, the Havanese $80-160 monthly and $1,200-2,300 first year - practically identical numbers, both in the moderate cost tier. If budget is your deciding factor between these two, it isn't going to settle the question; you'll need to weigh temperament and health risk instead.
Brussels Griffon weighs 8–12 lbs and lives 12–15 years; Havanese weighs 7–13 lbs and lives 13–16 years. The two diverge most on good for first-time owners and good with other dogs. They are level on apartment suitability, barking and energy level, so those cannot decide it. Where the table declares a winner it means less work for the owner, nothing more; descriptive rows are left as ties on purpose. The value here is in the differences between the two columns; treat any single score as approximate.
Yes, closer than most breeds compared against the Griffon - 8-12 lbs versus the Havanese's 7-13 lbs, with overlapping weight ranges and only about an inch of height difference.
The Havanese, rated very high (5/5) versus the Griffon's moderate (3/5) - a clear advantage for someone new to dog ownership.
Neither has an edge - both tie at low (2/5) shedding. The real grooming difference is upkeep effort: the Havanese's long coat needs more frequent brushing than the Griffon's.
Almost exactly - $80-150 versus $80-160 monthly, and $1,100-2,300 versus $1,200-2,300 for the first year. This is the closest cost match in any Griffon comparison on this site.
The Havanese, at 13-16 years versus the Griffon's 12-15 - notably, the only pairing here where the Griffon doesn't have the longer lifespan.
Neither handles it well, but the Griffon is marginally better - low (2/5) tolerance versus the Havanese's very low (1/5), the lowest alone-tolerance score in this batch.
The Havanese, rated very high (5/5) against the Griffon's moderate (3/5) - one of the larger gaps in this particular comparison.
For first-time owners and social households, the Havanese's trainability and friendliness give it the edge. The Griffon suits owners who want a more devoted, one-person companion and don't mind a bit more grooming ease.
Griffon: $80-150. Havanese: $80-160 - essentially the same, the closest cost match in this comparison set.
Both are low-exercise breeds (2/5) - short walks and indoor play satisfy either dog equally well.
The Havanese, typically 13-16 years, against the Griffon's 12-15 years.
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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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