Short answer: The Havanese and the Bichon Frise are both small, fluffy, people-loving companion dogs, but they differ in energy and coat. The Bichon is a bright-white “powderpuff” with higher energy that loves active play, while the Havanese comes in many colors, tends to be a bit more mellow and adaptable, and bonds intensely with its family.

They are the two dogs people mix up most at the dog park — both small, both cloud-soft, both bred for centuries to be loving companions. If you have been comparing the Havanese and the Bichon Frise for your next puppy, you are asking exactly the right question, because their looks are similar but their day-to-day needs are not identical. At Sugar Sweet Georgia Puppies in Lawrenceville, we walk Gwinnett County and Metro Atlanta families through this choice often, so here is a clear, honest side-by-side to help you decide.

Size and appearance

Both breeds sit comfortably in the small-companion range. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, the Havanese typically stands about 8.5 to 11.5 inches tall and weighs roughly 7 to 13 pounds, wearing a silky coat that can be wavy or curly in a wide range of colors and patterns. The Bichon Frise is similar in stature — around 9 to 12 inches and 7 to 12 pounds — but its signature is a fluffy white double coat, groomed into that rounded “powderpuff” silhouette. In short: if you love a snow-white, teddy-bear look, the Bichon delivers; if you want variety in color, the Havanese offers far more.

Coat care and grooming

Neither breed is low-maintenance, so it helps to plan ahead. The Havanese needs frequent brushing — roughly every day or every other day — to keep its long, soft coat from matting. The Bichon’s double coat also demands regular brushing plus a professional trim about every six weeks to maintain its shape, per VCA. Both breeds are low shedders, though every dog sheds some hair and dander.

If keeping up with coats sounds like a lot, you are not alone, and it is easy to build into a routine. Our team offers on-site grooming for small breeds, and you can book a grooming appointment online once your puppy is ready. Starting grooming early helps either breed learn to relax for brushing and trims.

Personality and temperament

This is where the two dogs show their own flavors. VCA describes the Havanese as sweet, playful, and sensitive — a companion that enjoys the company of both people and other pets and responds beautifully to gentle guidance. Havanese are famous “velcro dogs” that like to follow their favorite person from room to room.

The Bichon Frise is characterized as happy, cheerful, affectionate, and quite intelligent — an upbeat little extrovert that loves to be the center of family life. Both breeds are eager to please and both can become yappy or restless if they are bored or left alone too long. Early, positive socialization helps either dog grow into a confident, well-mannered adult that greets guests politely instead of barking at them.

Energy and exercise

Here is a practical difference worth weighing. The Bichon Frise is a higher-energy dog that genuinely needs daily walks plus running and playtime to stay balanced; without enough activity, a Bichon can get yappy. The Havanese sits at a more moderate energy level — happy with daily walks and play, but generally content to settle afterward. For a busy household or a first-time owner who wants a slightly calmer rhythm, the Havanese is often the easier match, while an active family that enjoys daily play may love the Bichon’s spark. Both adapt well to apartment or smaller-home living as long as their exercise needs are met.

Training

Good news: both breeds are smart and eager to please, and both respond best to positive, reward-based training rather than harsh corrections. VCA notes the Bichon can be easily distracted, so early training sessions work best in a quiet space, and the sensitive Havanese does best with patient, upbeat guidance. As with most small breeds, housetraining takes consistency and a predictable schedule. If you would like a head start, our blog covers puppy routines and training tips in more detail.

Health and lifespan

Both breeds are wonderfully long-lived when cared for well — VCA lists the Havanese at about 12 to 15 years and the Bichon Frise at roughly 12 to 17 years. One area that deserves attention for any small dog is dental care. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that small-breed dogs tend to have more trouble with periodontal (gum) disease than large breeds, and that “gum disease will not develop around clean teeth.” Daily tooth brushing at home plus routine veterinary dental checkups make a real difference. This is general information, not a diagnosis — always partner with a licensed veterinarian for your individual puppy’s health plan.

Frequently asked questions