Last Updated: May 01, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Miniature Schnauzer Versus Havanese: Introduction
- Miniature Schnauzer versus Havanese: Overview
- Miniature Schnauzer versus Havanese: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Havanese
- The Similarities Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Havanese
- Size Comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer versus Havanese
- Appearance (Colors) of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Havanese
- Lifespan of Miniature Schnauzer versus Havanese
- Temperament of the Havanese Versus the Miniature Schnauzer
- Price of Miniature Schnauzer versus Price of Havanese
- Adopting the Miniature Schnauzer versus Adopting the Havanese
- The Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer versus Popularity of Havanese
- Health Problems of Miniature Schnauzer versus Health Problems of Havanese
- Tolerates Being Alone: Miniature Schnauzer versus Havanese
- Do Miniature Schnauzers shed more than Havaneses?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Havanese?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Havanese?
- Are Miniature Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Havaneses?
- Is the Miniature Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Havanese?
- Which one drools more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Havanese
- How Kid-friendly are Miniature Schnauzers and Havaneses?
- Does the Miniature Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Havanese?
- Do Miniature Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Havaneses?
- Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Schnauzer vs. Havanese
- Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Miniature Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Miniature Schnauzer versus Havanese. Which One is a Better Pet?
Miniature Schnauzer Versus Havanese: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Miniature Schnauzer and the Havanese? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Havanese better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Havanese.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Havanese is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Miniature Schnauzer and for the Havanese. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Havanese.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Miniature Schnauzer or the Havanese.
Miniature Schnauzer versus Havanese: Overview
Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Havanese are similar in size. The Miniature Schnauzer and the Havanese are both small-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Miniature Schnauzer belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.
On the other hand, the Havanese belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
Miniature Schnauzer versus Havanese: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Miniature Schnauzer to the Havanese based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Miniature Schnauzer and the Havanese
| Factor | Miniature Schnauzer | Havanese |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 11 to 20 pounds | 7 to 13 pounds |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1950 | $2180 |
| Price Range | $1400 – $2500 | $1700 – $2750 |
| Temperament Score | 79.3 percent | 81.8 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 17 | 23 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Miniature Schnauzer in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Havanese. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the Miniature Schnauzer is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Havanese is 91 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Havanese, we still believe that the Miniature Schnauzer is a better pet than the Havanese.
This is because Miniature Schnauzers are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Miniature Schnauzer will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Miniature Schnauzer :-). We are for the Miniature Schnauzer. So get a Miniature Schnauzer!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Havanese
Below is a list of where the Miniature Schnauzer and the Havanese are most different:
The Similarities Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Havanese
The Miniature Schnauzer and the Havanese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Miniature Schnauzer and the Havanese are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer versus Havanese
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Havanese.
The Miniature Schnauzer weighs 11 to 20 pounds when fully grown. The Miniature Schnauzer is 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Havanese weighs 7 to 13 pounds when fully grown. The Havanese is 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Havanese
Miniature Schnauzer Colors
The Miniature Schnauzer comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Bicolor
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Brown / Chocolate
- Black
- White / Cream
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
The Miniature Schnauzer comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Black
- Gray / Blue / Silver
Havanese Colors
The Havanese comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Apricot / Beige
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Black
- White / Cream
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Brown / Chocolate
- Bicolor
The Havanese comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Bicolor
- Black
- Brown / Chocolate
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
Lifespan of Miniature Schnauzer versus Havanese
The lifespan of the Miniature Schnauzer is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Miniature Schnauzer is 13.0 years.
The lifespan of the Havanese is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Havanese is 13.5 years.
The Havanese live longer than the Miniature Schnauzer.
Temperament of the Havanese Versus the Miniature Schnauzer
The Havanese has a better temperament than the Miniature Schnauzer.
This is because the temperament score for the Havanese is 81.8 percent while the temperament score for the Miniature Schnauzer is 79.3 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 79.3 percent, the Miniature Schnauzer has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 81.8 percent, the Havanese has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Havanese by measuring the temperaments of 116 Miniature Schnauzers and 11 Havaneses.
Price of Miniature Schnauzer versus Price of Havanese
The average price of the Miniature Schnauzer puppy is $1950. The price of the Miniature Schnauzer typically ranges from $1400 – $2500. However, the price of a Miniature Schnauzer can be as low as $500 and as high as $8500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 913 Miniature Schnauzer puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Havanese puppy is $2180. The price of the Havanese typically ranges from $1700 – $2750. However, the price of the Havanese can be as low as $600 and as high as $4550. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 647 Havanese puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Havanese is more expensive than the Miniature Schnauzer.
| Miniature Schnauzer | Havanese | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1950 | $2180 |
| Price Range | $1400 to $2500 | $1700 to $2750 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Miniature Schnauzer and Havanese. For different price points, the charts show how many Miniature Schnauzer puppies or how many Havanese puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Miniature Schnauzers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Havaneses
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Miniature Schnauzer puppy or the Havanese puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Adopting the Miniature Schnauzer versus Adopting the Havanese
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Miniature Schnauzers and many Havaneses are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Miniature Schnauzer named Max that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Miniature Schnauzers like Max on pefinder.com.
Also, like Miniature Schnauzers, Havaneses are also available for adoption. For example, Bentley is a Male Havanese that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Havaneses like Bentley that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Mcgee is the name of another Miniature Schnauzer (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Marshmallow is an adorable Male Havanese on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Miniature Schnauzers and Havaneses that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer versus Popularity of Havanese
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Havanese over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Miniature Schnauzer is more popular with dog owners than the Havanese. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Miniature Schnauzer is 17 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Havanese is 23 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer
Popularity of Havanese
| Year | Miniature Schnauzer Popularity Rank | Havanese Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 17 | 25 |
| 2014 | 16 | 25 |
| 2015 | 16 | 24 |
| 2016 | 17 | 23 |
| 2017 | 18 | 23 |
| 2018 | 19 | 24 |
| 2019 | 18 | 22 |
| 2020 | 19 | 24 |
| 2021 | 18 | 25 |
Health Problems of Miniature Schnauzer versus Health Problems of Havanese
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Havanese are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Havanese is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Miniature Schnauzer.
4 health tests are recommended for Miniature Schnauzer while 4 tests are recommended for the Havanese.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Miniature Schnauzers and in Havaneses.
Miniature Schnauzer Health Problems
Miniature Schnauzers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Miniature Schnauzer puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Miniature Schnauzer puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Miniature Schnauzer breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Miniature Schnauzers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Miniature Schnauzers here.
Havanese Health Problems
Havaneses are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Havanese puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Havanese puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Havanese breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Havaneses for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Havaneses here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Miniature Schnauzers and Havaneses
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Miniature Schnauzer Breed is Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.
This is because the Miniature Schnauzer ranks 13 out of 40 dog breeds for Legg-Calve-Perthes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 157 Miniature Schnauzers, 0 of them had Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Miniature Schnauzers, and how common these diseases are in Miniature Schnauzers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Havanese Breed is Dentition Database problems.
This is because the Havanese ranks 3 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 371 Havaneses, 106 of them had Dentition Database problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Havaneses, and how common these diseases are in Havaneses relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Miniature Schnauzer and in Havanese and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Miniature Schnauzer and the Havanese:
| Disease | Miniature Schnauzer Rank | Havanese Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Legg-Calve-Perthes problems | 13 out of 40 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 96 out of 182 dog breeds | 111 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 125 out of 145 dog breeds | 59 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 187 out of 198 dog breeds | 123 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Dentition Database problems | Not Common | 3 out of 49 dog breeds |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | Not Common | 18 out of 21 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | Not Common | 20 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 38 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 55 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 70 out of 159 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Miniature Schnauzer versus Havanese
Miniature Schnauzers can be left alone for some time without problems.
Havaneses do not like to be left alone.
Do Miniature Schnauzers shed more than Havaneses?
Miniature Schnauzers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Havaneses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Havanese?
Miniature Schnauzers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Havaneses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Havanese?
Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Havaneses get along very well with other dogs.
Are Miniature Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Havaneses?
Miniature Schnauzers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Havaneses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Miniature Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Havanese?
Miniature Schnauzers are very easy to train.
Havaneses are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Havanese
Miniature Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Havaneses do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Miniature Schnauzers and Havaneses?
Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Havaneses get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Miniature Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Havanese?
Miniature Schnauzers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Havaneses have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Miniature Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Havaneses?
Miniature Schnauzers bark and howl, but not very much.
Havaneses are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather?
Miniature Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Havaneses can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Schnauzer vs. Havanese
Miniature Schnauzers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Havaneses do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather?
Miniature Schnauzers can tolerate hot weather.
Havaneses can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Miniature Schnauzer Better for Apartment Owners than the Havanese?
Miniature Schnauzers adapt very well to apartment living.
Havaneses adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Havanese?
Miniature Schnauzers are OK for new dog owners.
Havaneses are very good for new dog owners.
Miniature Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Miniature Schnauzer compares to other breeds aside from the Havanese. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer to other breeds:
Miniature Schnauzer versus Schipperke Miniature Schnauzer versus Samoyed Miniature Schnauzer versus Great Pyrenees Miniature Schnauzer versus Boxerdoodle Miniature Schnauzer versus American Hairless Terrier Miniature Schnauzer versus Bullmastiff Miniature Schnauzer versus Mastiff Miniature Schnauzer versus Skye Terrier Miniature Schnauzer versus Cairn Terrier Miniature Schnauzer versus Redbone Coonhound Miniature Schnauzer versus Australian Terrier Miniature Schnauzer versus Mountain Cur Miniature Schnauzer versus Patterdale Terrier Miniature Schnauzer versus Cavapoo Miniature Schnauzer versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier Miniature Schnauzer versus Biewer Terrier Miniature Schnauzer versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Miniature Schnauzer versus Karelian Bear Dog
Conclusion: Miniature Schnauzer versus Havanese. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Havanese better suits you and your family.