PuppyBase

Greyhound vs Havanese

Side-by-side comparison across all 14 AKC trait ratings, with a clear verdict on which breed fits which kind of household.

Perfect Puppy Quiz · 5 questions · 90 seconds

Not sure which breed fits your life?

Answer five questions about your home, your schedule, and your tolerance for shedding. We’ll match you to your top three breeds from over 200.

The bottom line

Greyhound vs Havanese

You’re not really comparing a Greyhound to a Havanese. you’re choosing between a sleek racecar and a pocket-sized comedian. People lump them together because both are surprisingly apartment-friendly and low shedders, but that’s where the similarities end. One was built to outrun a cheetah on open fields, the other to charm nobles on silk pillows. The Greyhound looks like a statue come to life. tall, lean, and noble. They’re couch potatoes by nature, crashing at your feet after a quick sprint. Don’t expect obedience school magic, though; their independence means they’ll assess your command before deciding to comply. They’re gentle with older kids but can be spooked by sudden movements. If you’re adopting, know that many come from racing careers and need time to decompress. And never underestimate their prey drive. your neighborhood squirrels are living on borrowed time. The Havanese, meanwhile, is all heart and mischief. They’ll learn tricks fast, adore every family member equally, and bark at the toaster if it surprises them. They’re the ultimate companion dogs, but that means they hate being alone. Leave them for hours and you’ll come home to shredded pillows and guilt trips. Their fluffy coat looks soft but demands brushing every other day. skip it and mats form fast. Here’s the real talk: Greyhounds give you space and silence, perfect if you want a dog that’s present but not clingy. Havanese? They’ll weave themselves into every part of your life. Pick the Greyhound if you value calm and quiet dignity. Pick the Havanese if you want a tiny, joyful shadow who laughs with you. and sometimes at you.

Greyhound
Havanese
27–30 in
Height
8.5–11.5 in
60–70 lb
Weight
7–13 lb
10–13 yr
Lifespan
14–16 yr
$1.0–3.0k
Puppy price
$1.5–4.0k
#145
AKC popularity
#24

Trait-by-trait

Higher bar = more of that trait. Shedding, barking, drooling, grooming flipped for readability.
Affectionate w/ Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Dogs
Shedding Level
Coat Grooming
Drooling Level
Good with Strangers
Playfulness
Watchdog / Protective
Adaptability
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Mental Stimulation Needs
AffectionGood w/ KidsGood w/ DogsShedding LevelGroomingDrooling LevelGood w/ StrangersPlayfulnessProtectiveAdaptabilityTrainabilityEnergy LevelBarking LevelMental Stim.
Greyhound Havanese
Overlay

Where they diverge

Good with Young Children
Havanese is better with kids (2-point difference)
Havanese
Coat Grooming
Greyhound needs less grooming (2-point difference)
Greyhound
Good with Strangers
Havanese is friendlier with strangers (2-point difference)
Havanese
Playfulness
Havanese is more playful (2-point difference)
Havanese
Affectionate w/ Family
Havanese is more affectionate (1-point difference)
Havanese
The verdict

Choose the Greyhound if…

  • Apartment dwellers (surprisingly calm indoors)
  • Adoption-minded owners (many ex-racers)
  • Low-maintenance coat owners
  • You value energy levelGreyhound scores noticeably higher.

Choose the Havanese if…

  • Apartment dwellers
  • Seniors
  • Families with children
  • You value good with young childrenHavanese scores higher here.
Greyhound Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Greyhound home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide
Havanese Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Havanese home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide

Other comparisons people run