Havanese vs Coton de Tulear

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.

Cotons du Tulear are happy, easy-going and lovable, with a talent for charming the pants off people. They were bred to be your canine BFFs, and they take that job seriously (it may, in fact, be the only thing they do take seriously). With their comedic sense of timing, good humor and the way they try to “talk” to you with their human-like vocalizations, Cotons will keep your loneliness at bay and bring sunshine to even your gloomiest days.

Although they’re not yappy like some small dogs, Cotons will bark to let you know someone’s at the door or in the yard. But don’t expect them to make good watchdogs unless you prefer your burglars to be greeted with kisses. Cotons are way more bark than bite, and once they’ve told you company’s arrived, they’ll rush to be the first to welcome the newcomers with sweet, slobbery greetings.

These bubbly extroverts love meeting new people and also get along well with other dogs and cats. If you can’t be home most of the day or take your Coton with you when you leave, a pet sibling will soothe their loneliness and help prevent separation anxiety. Cotons de Tulear get along great with kids of all ages, which make them terrific family dogs.

Cotons’ eagerness to please makes them obedient and easy to train. They also do well in agility and conformation (dog show) sports. But while they have a lot of energy to burn, they’re not hyper, and it doesn’t take much to tire them out. They’re really happiest just keeping you company and following you around all day. Sure, your therapist might accuse them of being co-dependent, but you’ll be too charmed to care.