Dog health

Havanese health problems and costs

The health issues a real source ties to the Havanese, what each one is, and what it tends to cost, so you can plan ahead.

Last updated: October 2026 · 22 sources · see sources

Quick answerThe breed club and AKC point to 6 health issues to plan for: hip dysplasia, luxating patella, inherited eye disease, mitral valve disease, congenital deafness and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. A typical vet bill for a small dog runs $273 – $1,110.

Health problems linked to the Havanese

Conditions and what they can cost
ConditionWhat it isRelated costs
Hip dysplasiaNamed by: breed club screening [3]The hip joint forms loosely, so the ball and socket rub and wear. Over time this usually leads to arthritis and pain. [2]Hip surgery (owner bills): $2,500–$5,500 (estimate) [4]
Ongoing arthritis care: $500–$2,500 total [5]
Luxating patella (slipping kneecap)Named by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]The kneecap slips out of its groove. Mild cases may only cause an odd skip in the step; severe cases can need surgery. [6]Surgery, median invoice: $1,284 (typical $578–$3,229) [7]
Dog X-rays (owner bills): $130–$300 [8]
Inherited eye diseaseNamed by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]Breed clubs ask for regular exams by a veterinary eye specialist to catch inherited eye problems before they cause trouble. [9]Sick visit (owner bills): $160–$525 [10]
Mitral valve diseaseNamed by: AKC breed page [1]A heart valve thickens and leaks. It often starts as a murmur and can lead to heart failure in older dogs. [11]Dog ultrasound (owner bills): $80–$500 [12]
Congenital deafnessNamed by: AKC breed page [1]Some puppies and kittens are born deaf in one or both ears. A hearing test called BAER can check puppies early. [13]Vet exam fee (published prices): $75 (most $65–$88) [14]
Legg-Calve-Perthes diseaseNamed by: AKC breed page [1]The top of the thigh bone loses its blood supply and breaks down, causing a limp in young small-breed dogs. Surgery is the usual fix. [15]Hip surgery (owner bills): $2,500–$5,500 (estimate) [4]

Costs are national figures from our sourced cost guides, not breed-specific prices. Being on this list doesn't mean a pet will get the condition.

Here is how the AKC breed page puts it: There are several conditions that the breed can be prone to, including eye disorders, chondrodysplasia, deafness, heart murmurs, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (which affects the hip joint), and patellar luxation. The Havanese Club of Americapresents awards for members' dogs passing and registering Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) results for at least four specific health tests for the breed: an annual eye exam (CAER), a hearing test (BAER), a hip x-ray, and patella (knee) certification. [1]

Health screening

The national breed club recommends these health tests for breeding dogs: Patella Evaluation, Hip Evaluation, Ophthalmologist Evaluation. [1][3] If you are buying a puppy, it is fair to ask the breeder for the parents' results. OFA keeps a public database of many of them.

The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory lists 1 DNA health test for the Havanese, including Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd). [16] One health test costs $58 there, and its breed health panel is $105. [17]

What to budget

For a small dog like the Havanese, a typical vet bill runs $273 – $1,110 (median $508), and surgery, when needed, runs $435 – $1,484. [18]

Lifetime cost, roughly. Our yearly estimate for an adult Havanese at US-average prices, before insurance, is $880–$1,400. Multiply that by a life expectancy of 14–16 years and you get roughly $12,200–$22,100 over a lifetime, before inflation and before any major illness. The low end is the ASPCA's yearly cost of care; the high end adds one typical vet bill a year. [18][19] It's simple math on sourced figures, not a quote.

Insurance and savings

The average accident and illness policy cost $836 a year for a dog in the US in 2025. [20] Timing matters more than the price. A condition that shows up before you enroll is usually treated as pre-existing and isn't covered. [21] Many plans also have a 6 to 12 month waiting period for orthopedic problems like knees and hips. [22]

Prefer saving instead? Putting money aside each month works too; see insurance vs a savings fund.

Common questions

What health problems are common in the Havanese?

Based on the AKC breed page and the national breed club's screening list, the conditions to know about are hip dysplasia, luxating patella, inherited eye disease, mitral valve disease, congenital deafness and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. That doesn't mean every Havanese will get them.

How much are vet bills for a Havanese?

Breed-specific bills are rare, so VetReceipt groups dogs by size. For small dogs, a typical vet bill runs $273 – $1,110 (median $508).

Should I get pet insurance for a Havanese?

It's a personal call. The average accident and illness policy was $836 a year in 2025 (NAPHIA). If you want it, enroll while your pet is young and healthy, because conditions found before enrollment are usually excluded.

What health tests should a Havanese breeder do?

The national breed club recommends: Patella Evaluation, Hip Evaluation, Ophthalmologist Evaluation. Ask to see the parents' results.

How long does a Havanese live?

The AKC lists a life expectancy of 14–16 years.

Havanese breed guideHip dysplasia in dogsLuxating patella surgery cost for dogsCarprofen (Rimadyl)Dog ACL (TPLO) surgery costArthritis treatment cost

This page is general information for planning, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own pet.

Sources (22) — tap to show
  1. AKC – Havanese breed page (with the national breed club)
  2. VCA – Hip dysplasia in dogs
  3. OFA – CHIC program: breed-specific health screening requirements
  4. VetReceipt – Dog Hip Surgery Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  5. VetReceipt – Dog Arthritis Treatment Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  6. VCA – Luxating patella in dogs
  7. VetReceipt – Vet care cost by category (2026)
  8. VetReceipt – Dog X-Ray Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  9. OFA – Eye certification
  10. VetReceipt – Dog Sick Visit Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  11. VCA – Mitral valve disease in dogs
  12. VetReceipt – Dog Ultrasound Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  13. OFA – Congenital deafness
  14. PawsRx – Vet prices published by 1,009 US practices (Oct 2026)
  15. VCA – Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
  16. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Havanese DNA tests
  17. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Dog DNA test prices (effective Aug 3, 2026)
  18. VetReceipt – Dog breed vet costs by size
  19. ASPCA – Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021 table)
  20. NAPHIA – State of the Industry 2026 report highlights (2025 premiums)
  21. RealVetCost – Feline diabetes treatment cost
  22. VetReceipt – Dog TPLO Surgery Cost (owner bills, 2026)