Havanese or Maltapoo's

[Mjasp]

We are ready to get a dog, and we're having trouble deciding between a Havanese or a Maltipoo. Can anyone who has any of these breeds tell me what you think? We have 2 girls ages 13 and 9. The kids will want to hold the dog and I know the Havanese are hearty but are the Maltipoo's too fragile to play with kids.

Any advice is welcome, we need a dog that is hypo-allergenic, DH has allergies.

TIA

 

[janette]

We have Bichon Frise's which are in the Havenese family. Very good with kids. Someone that used to post here has a Havenese and she is a wonderful dog.

Not sure about a Malti-poo. I know my older DD was looking at those also, they are very cute. I think with the age of your kids they should be fine for even a more fragile dog.

 

[ZachnElli]

We have a Maltipoo, he just turned 2 this week! He is very sweet and plays well with my 6 year old and 9 1/2 year old. He is VERY cuddly. I call him our little teddy bear! He's about 10 pounds and apricot colored.

 

[Mjasp]

OK Went to the kennel today, saw a Bichonpoo, and how cute they were. The parents were on premises, so that was good. They were $900 each but that included the first year of shots/vet care. So it may not be that bad.

Am thinking about it.

Joanna

 

[Aimeedyan]

I'll be honest - I couldn't pay so much for a mutt. Don't flame me, but a maltepoo is just a designer mutt right now, the breed is not established well enough, it's uncertain the kind of dog you will get, and I just wouldn't pay designer prices for one. Honestly. They are adorable, but so are Maltese and Poodles - both of which are established breeds, well known traits and health issues, etc. There's more of a guarantee in a real breed.

I understand wanting a hypoallergenic dog, that's why I have a Shih Tzu. We decided on him over a Maltese and Poodle because he is so sturdy and power packed. DEF can hold his own with children (and has!). I should say he can handle himself with my DH, who is rougher than any child could possibly be! LOL!

I am not familiar with Havanese, so I'll be interested in seeing what others say about them!

Good luck in your choice, it's so hard to find the perfect dog for your family! Kudos to you for doing your homework! =0

 

[bsnyder]

We have a Bichon, and adore the breed.

But one of the big advantages of the Havanese over the Bichon or the Maltese is the ability to choose a darker colored dog. White dogs are definitely more high maintenance.

Good luck with your decision, and have fun!

 

[Mjasp]

No flames here. DH feels the same way. The only thing I feel is they may be more healthy as they are mixed, but yet they have hair.

By the way, your dog is real cute. Is he named DEF for DEF Leopard (sp?)

 

[Aimeedyan]

No flames here. DH feels the same way. The only thing I feel is they may be more healthy as they are mixed, but yet they have hair.

By the way, your dog is real cute. Is he named DEF for DEF Leopard (sp?)

Oh, I should be more clear! Sorry - def=definitely (I can never spell it right so I just shorten it to def LOL)

Mine is named Harley - I'd post a bigger pic of him, but the dadgum image thing is giving me an error!

Have you looked at Bichons and Yorkies? Those also have hair. There are a few more, I believe... but I can't remember what they are.

Most of those toy breeds are pretty healthy, and if you use a quality breeder, they will have done genetic testing on their parents to ensure no genetic traits are passed down - Shih Tzus live 12-15 years on average, with relatively no health issues. I am honestly not sure about the other breeds. =)

 

[CookieGVB]

I agree that paying $900 for a "mixed breed" dog is outrageous. Better to stick with a recognized breed, or go to the pound and pick out a mutt. Not quite $900, and still a great choice!

 

[janette]

We paid $200 for one of our Bichons, he doesn't have papers though. The other one we got from the pound.

Check at www.petfinder.com , they usually have many dogs to adopt. Hard to look without finding some that you'd love to have.

I know it differs in areas but the $900 is extreme.

 

[tripplanner2]

I know this is an old thread but I am looking into a Havanese and this thread came up in google. I am wondering how your dog choices went. I have been searching online for a Havanese and the prices seem to range from $750 -$2000. I called a local breader and he wanted $2000 but would let one go for $1700 (still way too much for us). We found a local kennel today and they had a couple of females but they were $2500 plus tax. I can not even believe the prices of dogs. I thought going to $1000 would be more than enough money. Anyway, I am now looking into good breeders that are out of state. I would rather travel on a weekend out of NY to find one out of state that may be less money.

Thanks for any info, it is kind of hard to find info on the breed.

 

[Abbie]

Our neighbors have a Havanese, also paid a small fortune for him. He's a sweet dog but timid and "barky". I know they love the dog to death, but they have had so many problems with him and allergies. Not theirs, the dog's! It seems he is allergic to so many things and is on a very strange diet in an attempt to alleviate some of its suffering (itching, etc.). He also has a difficult time getting groomed and needs a sedative prior. He seems to have many "issues". In short, he is needy and neurotic. I have no idea if the whole breed is like him but if it is, I'd go in a different direction!

 

[Mjasp]

Tripplanner...Hi neighbor, I am also from LI. You aren't going to believe this. BUT this thread is dated 01/05 and in September 2005 a woman at work told me her friend had a Bichon and she was never home (working too much) etc etc Well a long story short, The woman at work told her we were looking for a dog etc etc...She GAVE him to us and he was only 9 months old.
All I can say is he is NOT a yapper, barks only for a reason. He is very hearty, meaning you can play with him, he is NOT fragile. He weighs only 10 pounds and is full grown.
He was bought from www.majestickennel.com

We are so happy with this breed, as far as the white goes, if you brush them everyday then they stay pretty clean.
Good Luck and let me know how you make out. Where do you live?

 

[tripplanner2]

Thanks so much for getting back to me (both of you) and so soon. The kids are dying for a pet and of course once you open the door, the wait seems more impossible.

We live in Miller Place, not sure where you are but it is on the north shore about 2 towns east of Port Jefferson. Most people don't know Miller Place but everyone seems to know Port Jeff.

Thank you again for the info. I am going to look into the info you sent me and also reconsider the Bichon. That breed was on our list but the kennel we stopped at yesterday talked us out of it. She said the breed was yappy, which is something my husband specifically does not want but I guess it all depends on the animal.

Congrats on getting your Bichon as a gift. That is just amazing. Some people can really be just so generous.

 

[DawnCt1]

I do not know anything about Havanese but as a poodle owner, standard and toy, I would recommend a poodle for just about any situation. They come in three sizes, toy, mini and standard. I also have big issues with "designer dogs". I can understand having a mutt when fido gets out. Mutts can make great dogs, but blending two breeds and creating a mutt and charging big bucks for them is not a good idea. Genetic diseases and issues of temperment can easily develop. This includes Shi Poos, Cockapoos, Maltapoos, Labradoodles, etc, etc. etc.