Havanese are a long-lived breed with an average lifespan of 14 to 16 years, but they are prone to a handful of health conditions that most commonly cut that life short. The leading causes of death in Havanese dogs are cancer, heart disease, and liver shunts, with old-age organ decline and inherited conditions rounding out the list. Understanding these risks can help you spot problems early and give your dog the best chance at a full life.
Cancer
Cancer is the most common cause of death in Havanese that reach middle age or older, just as it is for dogs in general. The types seen most often include lymphoma, mammary tumors, and various soft tissue cancers. Because Havanese live so long compared to larger breeds, they simply have more years in which abnormal cells can develop. Spaying females before their second heat cycle significantly reduces the risk of mammary tumors, which are among the most preventable cancers in dogs.
Signs to watch for include unexplained lumps or bumps, sudden weight loss, loss of appetite, lethargy, and any wound that won’t heal. Many cancers are treatable when caught early, so routine veterinary exams become especially important once your Havanese passes age 10.
Heart Disease
Havanese are susceptible to degenerative mitral valve disease, a condition where one of the heart’s valves gradually weakens and begins to leak. Over time, this forces the heart to work harder, eventually leading to congestive heart failure. The disease typically develops in the later years of life, and a heart murmur detected during a routine exam is often the first sign.
Early stages may produce no symptoms at all. As the disease progresses, you might notice a persistent cough (especially at night or after lying down), reduced energy, rapid breathing, or reluctance to exercise. With medication, many dogs live comfortably for years after diagnosis, but heart failure remains one of the more common reasons Havanese eventually decline.
Liver Shunts
One condition that stands out as a genuine breed-specific risk is the portosystemic shunt, a liver abnormality where blood bypasses the liver instead of flowing through it. The overall incidence in dogs is just 0.18%, but roughly 3% of Havanese are diagnosed with the condition, making them one of the most overrepresented breeds alongside Yorkshire Terriers.
Because the liver can’t filter toxins from the blood properly, affected dogs often show signs early in life: stunted growth, disorientation or “spaciness” after meals, excessive thirst and urination, or seizures. Some cases are mild enough to manage with a special diet that reduces the liver’s workload. More severe shunts require surgery to redirect blood flow back through the liver. When left undiagnosed, a liver shunt can be fatal, which is why it’s an important cause of early death in the breed.
Kidney Problems
Havanese have a known predisposition to renal dysplasia, a condition where the kidneys don’t develop normally. Dogs with severe forms may show signs of kidney failure as puppies or young adults: excessive drinking, frequent urination, poor appetite, and failure to thrive. Milder cases may not surface until later in life, when the kidneys gradually lose function.
Chronic kidney disease from any cause is a common contributor to death in senior Havanese. The kidneys lose filtering capacity slowly, and by the time symptoms appear, a significant amount of function has already been lost. Regular bloodwork, particularly after age 8 or 9, can catch rising kidney values before your dog feels sick, giving you time to slow the progression through diet and fluid support.
Inherited Bleeding and Disc Disease
Two genetic conditions worth knowing about won’t always kill a Havanese directly but can create life-threatening complications. The first is von Willebrand disease type 1, an inherited bleeding disorder caused by low levels of a clotting protein. Dogs with this condition bleed excessively after injuries, dental procedures, or surgery. It’s rarely fatal on its own with proper management, but it becomes dangerous during emergencies if the condition isn’t already known.
The second is chondrodystrophy, a genetic trait that predisposes Havanese to premature disc degeneration and disc herniation in the spine. A severe disc rupture can cause sudden paralysis, and while many dogs recover with treatment, some cases are serious enough that euthanasia becomes a consideration. Genetic testing panels exist for both conditions, and responsible breeders screen for them before breeding.
Cognitive Decline in Old Age
Because Havanese routinely live into their mid-teens, cognitive dysfunction syndrome (essentially canine dementia) becomes a real factor in end-of-life decisions. It’s a slowly progressive condition that many elderly dogs experience, and it can look like aimless wandering, getting stuck in corners, forgetting housetraining, disrupted sleep cycles, or failing to recognize family members.
Early intervention with diet changes, mental enrichment, and medication can slow progression and improve quality of life. But dogs who are severely affected, especially those dealing with other age-related conditions at the same time, often don’t respond well to treatment. For many Havanese owners, cognitive decline combined with other health issues is ultimately what leads to the difficult decision to say goodbye, even when no single disease is immediately life-threatening.
What Screening Can Catch Early
Several of the conditions most likely to shorten a Havanese’s life are either genetically testable or detectable through routine screening. The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory offers a Havanese-specific health panel that tests for chondrodystrophy, a retinal condition called canine multifocal retinopathy, and von Willebrand disease. If you’re getting a puppy, ask the breeder whether both parents have been tested.
For dogs already in your home, annual bloodwork starting around age 7 or 8 can catch liver and kidney problems before they become emergencies. A veterinarian listening for heart murmurs at each visit is one of the simplest ways to detect valve disease early. And keeping your Havanese at a healthy weight reduces strain on the heart, kidneys, and joints simultaneously, which collectively buys more good years than almost any single intervention.