How to Post a Havanese Wanted Ad and Get Replies in the United States
To post a Havanese wanted ad that gets replies in the United States, say whether you want a puppy or an adult, describe who is home during the day, give a realistic budget and how far you will travel, and ask for parents with the breed club's health tests. Careful breeders and owners answer ads that show a Havanese will have company and grooming, and clear details make scam replies easier to spot.
PetMD gives the Havanese a lifespan of 14 to 16 years, so the right match matters for a long time. This guide covers whether the breed suits you, what to write, your budget, how to post and how to stay safe when replies arrive.
Key points
- Lead with your home: who is there in the day, children's ages, other pets and your grooming plan.
- Budget from real figures: PetMD puts a breeder puppy at typically $800 to $1,500, and Havanese Rescue Inc. charges $100 to $600.
- Ask for parents with BAER, eye, patella and hip results, the Havanese Club of America's CHIC tests.
- Never pay a deposit by gift card, wire, cryptocurrency or payment app to someone you have not met.
Is a Havanese the right dog to ask for?
The AKC calls the Havanese the national dog of Cuba and the only breed native to the island, descended from the Bichon family of Mediterranean companion dogs. Vetstreet says the breed, once nearly extinct on the island, fell on hard times after the Cuban revolution of 1959, and a few dogs came to the United States with Cuban refugees; the AKC says the American breeder Dorothy Goodale began with six pedigreed Havanese.
Bred as a companion, it still wants to be one. PetMD warns that some Havanese develop separation anxiety and recommends about 30 minutes of exercise a day and brushing at least four days a week. If you are out all day and want a low-maintenance coat, say so honestly to yourself before you post; a different breed or an older, calmer dog may suit you better.
What should you put in a Havanese wanted ad?
- Puppy or adult. Adults have a known temperament and coat; saying you are open to one widens your replies.
- Your home. Who is home during the day, children's ages, other pets, house or apartment.
- Grooming plan. Daily brushing or a groomer every six to eight weeks for a short cut, as Vetstreet describes.
- Health. That you want parents with BAER, eye, patella and hip results, or an adult with vet records.
- Sex and color. Say if you are flexible; the AKC standard gives all colors and markings equal merit.
- Location and travel. Your state and how far you will drive to collect a dog.
- Budget. A realistic figure, below.
Leave out words like teacup or mini; the BBB treats teacup as a scam warning sign, and the AKC standard sets an acceptable Havanese height of 8.5 to 11.5 inches.
How much should you budget for a Havanese?
| Route or item | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy from a breeder | $800 to $1,500, more for some lines | PetMD |
| Pet-quality puppy | $1,400 to $2,000 | Vetstreet |
| Breed rescue adoption | $100 to $600 | Havanese Rescue Inc. |
| Shelter adoption | $50 to $300 | American Kennel Club |
| Private rehoming fee for an adult | Often around $50 to $150 | Adopt a Pet |
| Professional grooming | $50 to $100 a session | Spot Pet Insurance |
A budget far below these figures attracts scammers and untested litters, so state a fair one and say you will pay only after meeting the dog.
How do you post your Havanese wanted ad?
- Post your wanted ad for free, choosing the wanted listing type and Havanese as the breed.
- Write a short title, such as Havanese wanted, family home in your state.
- Add the details above in plain sentences; a photo of your home or yard helps owners picture it.
- Keep your phone number and home address out of the ad text, and ask people to message you.
- Save a search for Havanese listings in your area, so new litters and adults reach you by alert.
- Reply to every serious answer, even with a no, and keep the conversation in writing.
Replies will come through PetzLover's messages. If you see a dog you like in a sale or adoption listing, read how to buy a Havanese puppy or how to adopt a Havanese before you commit.
How do you avoid scams when replies come in?
- The FTC warns about prices far below normal, sellers who will not meet or video chat, and payment by gift card, wire, cryptocurrency or payment app.
- The BBB put the median reported loss to pet scams at $600 in the first nine months of 2025.
- The CDC requires dogs entering the US to be at least six months old and microchipped, so a young imported puppy is a red flag.
- Ask for a live video of the dog, and of a puppy with its mother, before you travel.
- Ask for the parents' registered names and look up their results with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.
- Use the Report Scam button on any reply or listing that asks for money up front.
Owners who answer wanted ads have their own guide, how to respond to a Havanese wanted ad, so you can see the questions they are likely to ask you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I write in a Havanese wanted ad?
Say whether you want a puppy or an adult, who is home in the day, children's ages, other pets, your grooming plan, your location and a realistic budget. Ask for health-tested parents or vet records.
How much should I budget for a Havanese?
PetMD puts a breeder puppy at typically $800 to $1,500 and Vetstreet gives $1,400 to $2,000 for pet quality. Havanese Rescue Inc. charges $100 to $600, and shelters typically $50 to $300, according to the AKC.
Which health tests should I ask for?
The Havanese Club of America's CHIC tests: a BAER hearing test, a yearly eye exam by a board-certified ophthalmologist, a kneecap evaluation and a hip evaluation. Ask for both parents' registered names so you can check them.
How do I know a reply to my Havanese wanted ad is genuine?
A genuine seller or owner will video chat, let you meet the dog in person and give vet records. Requests for a deposit by gift card, wire or payment app before you meet are signs of a scam.
Can I ask for an adult or senior Havanese?
Yes, and it often brings more replies. With a lifespan PetMD puts at 14 to 16 years, an adult can have many years ahead, and its coat and temperament are already known.
Is a Havanese a good apartment dog?
PetMD says Havanese do well in apartments if they are taught not to bark excessively. Mention your building in the ad so owners can judge the fit.
Helpful guides
Pet WantedHow to Respond to a "Havanese Wanted" Ad in the United StatesFor breeders and owners answering a Havanese wanted ad in the US: who posts them, the questions to ask, how to verify the person, common scams and a safe handover.
Pet for SaleHow to Buy a Havanese Puppy in the United StatesHavanese puppies for sale should come from parents with current CHIC results (hearing, eyes, kneecaps, hips). This guide covers the breed, its front legs, breeders, price and scams.
Pet for SaleHow to Sell Havanese Puppies in the United StatesA practical guide for owners selling a Havanese litter in the US: state rules, the club's four CHIC tests, front legs, preparing puppies, pricing, the ad, buyer screening and handover.
Pet for AdoptionHow to Adopt a Havanese in the United StatesHow to adopt a Havanese in the US: breed rescue versus shelters, the application and home visit, typical fees, health questions to ask and how to help the dog settle in.
Pet for AdoptionHow to List a Havanese for Adoption in the United StatesFor owners and fosters placing a Havanese in the US: when to use Havanese Rescue Inc., adoption criteria that fit the breed, a fair fee, screening, a written contract and follow-up.
Pet for RehomingHow to Take In a Rehomed Havanese in the United StatesBefore taking in a rehomed Havanese in the US, ask about its history, health and time alone, check it in person, pay any fee only at handover and give it time to settle.
Pet for RehomingHow to Rehome Your Havanese Responsibly in the United StatesHow to rehome a Havanese in the US: options compared, what to disclose about health and behavior, preparing the dog, writing the ad, a fair fee, screening and a safe handover.