Bichon Frise vs Havanese

If the movie biz was composed entirely of canines, the Bichon Frise would win a People’s Choice Award. Their charming personality effortlessly captures everyone’s attention, including other pups. The Bichon is a lover, not a fighter and wants to engage with other people and pets. Smart with plenty of emotional intelligence, a Bichon can be adept to navigating the needs of people around them—especially if trained and socialized at an early age.

The Bichon Frise dog breed is great with kids and babies and can happily spend the morning romping with toddlers in the backyard. Later in the day, they’re content to spend hours curled on the lap of your great grandma. In fact, it’s this calming characteristic that makes them great emotional support and therapy dogs.

Velcro dog alert: Bichons do not like to be left alone for long (their name does mean “curly lapdog,” after all), but that doesn’t mean you need to entertain them 24/7. (It does mean you can say goodbye to peaceful soaks in the bathtub.) They need to have people around during the day.

If you feel that strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet, then you and the Havanese are MFEO (made for each other). These friendly, playful social butterflies can’t help but pick up ten new friends on a three-block walk. They love people, and people can’t help but love their frisky and fun personalities.

Their big personalities belie their small stature, and they give affection in leaps and bounds. They may look dainty with that silky hair and wagging tail, but the small, solidly built Havanese dog keeps up easily when out making the neighborhood rounds. Keeping a spare hostess gift with you at all times may not be a bad idea, as Havanese like to visit with the people they meet. More petting is a primary goal for these affectionate pups, and it’s just impossible to ignore that cuteness factor.

Even with all that attention, your dog’s favorite place is going to be with you. They’ll lie on your lap when you’re relaxing and watching a movie and will even keep you company when you’re folding clothes. (And they won’t judge you for the way you fold your shirts.) And if they happen to be lounging on the floor, it’s guaranteed they’ll be on your feet; you’ve got the best foot warmer in town.

Havanese are intelligent clowns by nature and will find ways to put a smile on your face. They’ll let you know it’s time for a play break when they drop a toy at your feet and give you that look with their head cocked to one side. When they get the zoomies, you better watch out! They’ll tear through the home and use your furniture for parkour. And you’d better hold on to your notepads: Havanese love paper. They’ll hunt for it around your house and may even wait by your printer for what’s coming out. (You’ll never be lying when you say, “My dog ate my homework.”)

Most Havanese dogs have incredible mental competency and are easily trained and eager to learn. (They’ve lived previous lives as circus performers.) Their repertoire of tricks is guaranteed to be crowd-pleasers at your next party. (And you’ll look like a genius for teaching your dog so many tricks—we promise never to tell.)

A major concern for many families is how the dog will interact with kids and other pets. No problems here! When they aren’t chilling with you, your fur baby will love spending time with two and four-legged siblings. They thrive on playing, snuggles and convincing human brothers and sisters to sneak them treats. Just make sure they don’t get too many, or they may end up overweight.

If you value your peace and quiet, you’re in luck. Havanese bark only when they feel a warning is needed or when playing a rousing game of fetch. They aren’t known for biting, so inviting friends over isn’t a problem.

You’ll never feel lonely when your Havanese—and the 15 friends they made on your morning walk—is nearby.