Havanese Maltese Mix: Complete Havamalt Breed Profile & Care Guide

If you've been researching small companion dogs that fit apartment living and low-shedding households, the Havanese Maltese mix — commonly called the Havamalt — likely appeared on your radar. This designer cross blends two ancient toy breeds into a dog that typically weighs under 15 pounds and forms intense bonds with its people. But like all mixed breeds, the Havamalt comes with a range of possible outcomes that no breeder can fully guarantee.

After years of helping families evaluate whether a designer mix fits their lifestyle, I've found that the Havanese Maltese mix works beautifully for the right household — and frustrates owners who expect uniformity. This guide breaks down exactly what you can reasonably predict, what you can't, and how to make an informed decision before bringing one home.

The Parent Breeds: Havanese and Maltese Compared

Understanding a mixed breed starts with understanding its parents. Both the Havanese and the Maltese belong to the Bichon family of companion dogs, which means they share some foundational traits — but they diverge in meaningful ways that directly affect what a Havamalt puppy might become.

The Havanese tends to be the sturdier, more outgoing parent, while the Maltese contributes a finer bone structure and a more watchful disposition. A Havamalt puppy can land anywhere on this spectrum — and siblings from the same litter can differ noticeably from each other.

Generation Types: F1, F1B, and Multigen Havamalts Explained

Most Havamalts available from breeders are F1 crosses. F1B and multigen litters are less common because neither parent breed is large enough to justify the specialized breeding programs you see with Labradoodles or Goldendoodles. When you encounter a "multigen Havamalt," ask for documentation of at least three generations of Havamalt-to-Havamalt pairings.

Size, Weight, and Physical Appearance

Because both parent breeds are toys, the Havamalt stays small — but "small" still covers a meaningful range.

Puppies leaning toward the Maltese parent tend to be more delicate-boned and lighter. Those favoring the Havanese parent are stockier with a slightly broader chest. If size is a critical factor for you — say, you need a dog under 10 lb for airline cabin travel — an F1B backcrossed to a Maltese gives you the best odds, but there are never guarantees with mixed breeds.

Coat Type Possibilities

This is where Havamalt variability is most visible. You may encounter:

• Straight, silky coat (Maltese-dominant): Long, flowing hair that hangs straight down. Single coat with no undercoat. Least shedding but most prone to tangling.
• Slightly wavy, soft coat (Havanese-dominant): Silky with a gentle wave or curl. May have a light undercoat. Sheds slightly more than the straight type but is often easier to brush.
• Mixed texture: Some Havamalts develop a coat that's straight on the body but wavy on the ears and legs — a blend of both parent types.

All variations require regular grooming (more on this below). The coat color range includes white, cream, silver, champagne, fawn, chocolate, black, and parti-color (white with patches). The Havanese parent contributes a wider color palette, while Maltese-dominant puppies are almost always white or cream.

Temperament: What to Expect (and What Might Surprise You)

Both parent breeds were developed as companion dogs, so the Havamalt's core drive is to be near people. But the specific expression of that drive varies.

Best-Case Temperament Scenario

A well-socialized Havamalt with balanced genetics is cheerful, adaptable, and moderately playful. They greet visitors warmly (Havanese influence), enjoy learning tricks, tolerate being handled for grooming, and settle calmly when their people are working from home. They're alert enough to bark at the doorbell but not prone to sustained nuisance barking.

Challenging Temperament Scenario

A Havamalt that inherits the Maltese's wariness without adequate early socialization may become timid with strangers, bark excessively at noises, or develop separation anxiety when left alone. Some individuals show the Maltese's stubborn streak during training, requiring more patience and higher-value treats to stay motivated. Resource guarding — particularly of food and favorite people — can appear in dogs from poorly managed breeding programs where early neurological stimulation was skipped.

Temperament Variability Chart

Health Considerations: Hybrid Vigor vs. Reality

Let's address a persistent myth: mixed breeds are not automatically healthier than purebreds. The concept of "hybrid vigor" (heterosis) suggests that genetic diversity reduces the risk of inherited diseases. While this has some scientific basis, it only applies when the parent breeds carry different recessive disease genes. When both parents share the same genetic vulnerabilities — as the Havanese and Maltese do in several areas — the mix inherits those risks just as strongly.

Shared Health Risks From Both Parent Breeds

• Patellar luxation: The kneecap slips out of position. Grades I–II may cause occasional skipping; Grades III–IV can require surgical correction ($1,500–$3,500 per knee). Both breeds carry high prevalence rates. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends patellar evaluation for both breeds before breeding.
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): A degenerative eye disease leading to blindness. Both breeds carry PRA-associated genes. DNA testing (Optigen or equivalent) can identify carriers.
• Mitral valve disease (MVD): A heart condition common in small breeds. The Maltese has documented predisposition; Havanese are also affected. Onset typically occurs after age 7–8.
• Dental disease: Both breeds have crowded teeth in a small jaw, making them exceptionally prone to periodontal disease. Without daily brushing and annual professional cleanings ($300–$800 per session under anesthesia), tooth loss can begin as early as age 3–4.
• White shaker syndrome (cerebellar hypoplasia): A neurological condition causing tremors, primarily documented in small white dogs including Maltese. Inheritance pattern is not fully mapped.

Havanese-Specific Risks That May Appear

• Chondrodystrophy and IVDD (intervertebral disc disease): The Havanese carries the CDDY gene variant associated with disc degeneration. While less prevalent than in Dachshunds, the risk is present and can pass to mixed offspring.
• Cataracts: Hereditary cataracts can appear in Havanese as young as 2–3 years old.

Maltese-Specific Risks That May Appear

• Hypoglycemia: Particularly in puppies under 4 months or dogs under 5 lb. Blood sugar can drop dangerously low if meals are missed. Requires feeding 3–4 small meals daily.
• Luxating patella (already listed above, but especially prevalent in Maltese lines).
• Portosystemic shunt (PSS): A congenital liver defect. While uncommon, Maltese are among the breeds with documented cases. Surgical correction costs $3,000–$7,000.

Grooming Requirements by Coat Type

Regardless of which coat type your Havamalt inherits, grooming is a non-negotiable time and financial commitment. Here's what to budget:

Many owners opt for a "puppy cut" or "teddy bear cut" — trimming the coat to 1–2 inches all over. This dramatically reduces daily brushing to every other day and cuts professional grooming visits to every 8 weeks. If you plan to keep the coat long, invest in a quality slicker brush (the Chris Christensen Big G series, around $65–$85, is a professional favorite) and a stainless steel comb for finishing.

Cost Breakdown: Purchase Price and Annual Expenses

Puppy Purchase Price

For context on finding reputable sources, the AKC's responsible breeder guidelines apply equally to designer breed breeders — health testing documentation, willingness to answer questions, and a take-back clause are non-negotiable.

First-Year Cost Estimate

• Puppy purchase: $1,200–$2,800
• Veterinary care (initial exams, vaccine series, spay/neuter): $600–$1,200
• Professional grooming (6–8 sessions): $300–$720
• Food (high-quality small-breed formula, ~1/2 cup/day): $240–$480/year
• Supplies (crate, bed, harness, bowls, grooming tools, toys): $200–$400
• Pet insurance (optional but recommended for small breeds): $300–$600/year
• Total first year: $2,840–$6,200

Ongoing annual costs after the first year typically run $1,800–$3,500, depending on grooming frequency, insurance, and any emerging health conditions.

Who This Mix Suits Best

The Havanese Maltese mix is not a universal fit. Based on temperament range, size, and care requirements, here's a decision framework:

Ideal Households

• Apartment or condo dwellers who want a small companion dog that doesn't need a yard.
• Retirees or work-from-home professionals who can provide the near-constant companionship this breed craves.
• Families with children aged 8+ who understand how to handle a small dog gently. (Children under 6 are a poor match — a Havamalt can be injured by rough handling, and even a fall from a couch can fracture a toy breed's leg.)
• First-time dog owners willing to invest in positive reinforcement training and early socialization classes. The Havamalt's intelligence and people-orientation make them relatively forgiving of beginner mistakes.
• Allergy-sensitive households — while no dog is truly hypoallergenic, the Havamalt's low-shedding coat produces less airborne dander than most breeds. Spend time with the specific puppy before committing, as individual allergen levels vary.

Households That Should Reconsider

• Families away from home 8+ hours daily without a dog walker or pet sitter. Separation anxiety is a genuine risk.
• Households with very young children who cannot yet be taught gentle handling.
• Owners unwilling to commit to regular grooming. A matted coat causes skin infections, pain, and expensive emergency shave-downs.
• Those seeking a highly predictable dog. If you need guaranteed temperament, size, and coat type, a well-bred purebred from a tested line offers more certainty than any designer mix.

Training and Socialization Essentials

Havamalts respond best to positive reinforcement methods — reward-based training using small, high-value treats (freeze-dried chicken or lamb lung bits work well for small mouths), verbal praise, and play. Force-free, LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) methods are the only approaches I recommend. Shock collars, prong collars, and alpha rolls are not only unnecessary for this sensitive breed — they actively damage the trust-based bond that makes a Havamalt thrive.

Critical Socialization Window

Between 3 and 14 weeks of age, expose your Havamalt puppy to:

• At least 10 different people (varying ages, genders, appearances)
• 5–7 other vaccinated, friendly dogs
• Different surfaces (grass, gravel, tile, metal grates)
• Common sounds (vacuum cleaners, doorbells, traffic, thunder recordings at low volume)
• Handling exercises: paw touching, ear inspection, mouth opening, nail clipping practice

A structured puppy socialization class (often called "puppy kindergarten") typically costs $100–$200 for a 6-week course and is one of the best investments you can make. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) recommends starting socialization classes as early as 7–8 weeks, provided puppies have received their first vaccination at least 7 days prior.

Frequently Asked Questions

What two breeds make up the Havamalt?

The Havamalt is a cross between a purebred Havanese and a purebred Maltese. Both are toy-group companion breeds from the Bichon family. The Havanese originated in Cuba, while the Maltese traces its lineage to the Mediterranean island of Malta, with a history spanning over 2,000 years.

How big will a Havanese Maltese mix get?

Most Havamalts reach 7–12 lb (3.2–5.4 kg) and stand 8–11 inches (20–28 cm) at the shoulder. However, the full possible range is 5–15 lb (2.3–6.8 kg) and 7–12 inches (18–30 cm), depending on which parent's size genes dominate and the dog's generation type.

Is the Havanese Maltese mix hypoallergenic or low-shedding?

No dog is truly hypoallergenic — allergies are triggered by dander (skin flakes), saliva, and urine proteins, not just fur. However, the Havamalt is considered low-shedding because both parent breeds shed minimally. People with mild to moderate dog allergies often tolerate Havamalts well, but individual reactions vary. Always spend at least 30 minutes with the specific dog before committing.

What health issues might a Havamalt inherit?

The most common shared risks are patellar luxation (knee dislocation), progressive retinal atrophy (vision loss), mitral valve disease (heart), and severe dental disease. Havanese-dominant dogs may also be at risk for IVDD, while Maltese-dominant dogs may face hypoglycemia (especially as puppies) and portosystemic liver shunts. Request health testing documentation for both parents before purchasing.

How much does a Havanese Maltese mix cost?

From a responsible breeder, expect to pay $1,200–$2,800 for an F1 Havamalt puppy with health-tested parents. Multigen or "premium" marketed litters may cost $2,500–$4,500. Adoption through rescue typically costs $150–$500 but Havamalts are uncommon in shelters. First-year total expenses (including vet care, grooming, food, and supplies) typically range from $2,840 to $6,200.

Can Havamalts be left alone during the workday?

Most Havamalts struggle with solitude exceeding 4–5 hours. Both parent breeds were developed as constant companions and are prone to separation anxiety. If you work outside the home, plan for a midday dog walker, doggy daycare (2–3 days per week), or a pet camera with treat-dispensing capability to break up alone time. Crate training helps with safety but does not address the underlying anxiety — that requires gradual desensitization training.

Are Havanese Maltese mixes recognized by the AKC?

No. The American Kennel Club does not recognize designer crosses as breeds. The Havamalt may be registered with organizations like the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC) or the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), but these registrations do not carry the same health-testing requirements or breed-standard enforcement as AKC purebred registration. This is not inherently a problem — just understand what the registration means and doesn't guarantee.