How much exercise does a Havanese need?

By Tyler Polk, founder of PupnikUpdated September 24, 2026How we calculate

Most adult Havanese need about 30–45 minutes of exercise a day, split into 2 walks, plus some play.

ModerateEnergy

1–2 miDaily distance

ModerateHeat tolerance

ModerateCold tolerance

Get a plan for your Havanese's exact age with the walk calculator.

Why Havanese need this much exercise

The Havanese is Cuba's national dog, a cheerful companion bred to be with people and adaptable to city or country life.

Havanese exercise by age

Life stage	Daily exercise	How to split it
Puppy (2–12 months)	5 min per month of age, per walk	Up to 2 short walks, plus free play
Adult	30–45 min	2 walks, plus some play
Senior (10+ years)	15–35 min	2 to 3 shorter, gentler walks

Havanese puppy walk schedule

Age	Per walk	Per day
2 months	about 10 min	up to 20 min
3 months	about 15 min	up to 30 min
4 months	about 20 min	up to 40 min
5 months	about 25 min	up to 50 min
6 months	about 25 min	up to 50 min
8 months	about 25 min	up to 50 min
10 months	about 25 min	up to 50 min
12 months	about 25 min	up to 50 min

Free play doesn't count toward these numbers. Skip jogging and long hikes until growth plates close, around 9–12 months for a small breed.

Best exercise for Havanese

Moderate leash walks
Indoor fetch
Trick training
Sniff walks

Walking tips for Havanese

Havanese are happy with a couple of moderate walks plus playtime.
They are people dogs. Walks together matter more than distance.
Keep the long coat brushed out after walks through grass and burrs.

Havanese in hot and cold weather

Heat: Havanese handle heat about as well as the average dog. That means care above about 75°F (24°C): shade, water, shorter walks, and a pavement check. Above about 82°F (28°C), stick to potty breaks. Check today's heat risk.

Cold: Most healthy adult Havanese are comfortable until it’s well below freezing. Puppies, seniors, and slimmer dogs may appreciate a coat on cold, wet, or windy days. Check today's cold risk.

Havanese exercise FAQ

How long should I walk my Havanese?

A healthy adult Havanese needs about 30–45 minutes of exercise a day, best split into 2 walks, plus some play. Walks, play, and training games all count toward the total.

How far can a Havanese walk?

At a normal walking pace, that works out to roughly 1–2 miles (1.5–3 km) a day for a healthy adult. For Havanese, time and sniffing matter more than distance, so keep the pace comfortable.

When can a Havanese puppy go on long walks or runs?

Wait until growth plates close, around 9–12 months for a small breed like the Havanese. Until then, follow the 5-minutes-per-month rule: about 20 minutes per walk at 4 months, up to twice a day, plus free play.

Can Havanese handle hot weather?

About as well as the average dog. That means care above about 75°F (24°C): shade, water, shorter walks, and a pavement check. Above about 82°F (28°C), stick to potty breaks.

Do Havanese need a coat in winter?

Most healthy adults don’t need one until it’s well below freezing. Puppies, seniors, and slimmer dogs may appreciate a coat on cold, wet, or windy days.

Ranges are typical for healthy dogs and rounded on purpose. Individual dogs vary, and your vet's advice comes first. How we calculate.