Best Dog Beds for Havanese: Warm, Soft Comfort for Tiny Silky Companions

The Havanese is the national dog of Cuba, bred for a tropical climate and a life spent close to its people. Neither of those facts helps much in a northern January. At 7 to 13 pounds with a long, silky, low-insulation coat and the body mass of a small loaf of bread, the Havanese is one of the most cold-sensitive companion breeds you can own — and one of the most determined to stay warm by any means available, usually by climbing onto the nearest lap. In this guide, we'll cover what a Havanese actually needs from a winter bed, the styles that suit a tiny, silky, endlessly social dog, and how to keep Cuba's cuddliest export warm all season.

Havanese share their profile with other small companion breeds we've covered: the Maltese guide and the Bichon Frise guide both describe dogs whose size makes the floor the enemy, and the Havanese adds a silky coat that mats against rough fabrics and a temperament that treats separation from its people as a personal emergency. We'll borrow from our cold floors guide, because a dog this small on a cold floor is losing heat faster than any coat can replace it.

Why Havanese Feel the Cold So Quickly

The Havanese coat is a tropical design: long, silky, and surprisingly light. It looks lush, but it insulates nothing like the dense double coat of a northern breed — the fine, soft hair traps some air near the body, but it lacks the thick, downy undercoat that keeps cold-weather breeds warm. Combined with a 7 to 13 pound frame and very little body fat, the breed's math is simple: small surface area, minimal insulation, fast heat loss. A Havanese on a cold floor cools from the belly and paws within minutes of lying down, and the shiver that follows is the breed's honest review of the surface.

Temperament plays a role too. Havanese are Velcro dogs — bred for centuries to be companions first, and they take the job seriously. A Havanese that can't see its people doesn't sleep well, and a Havanese that can't get warm doesn't either. The breed's ideal winter arrangement is a warm bed placed where the household actually lives, not a cozy cave exiled to a quiet corner. If your Havanese has been shivering near the sofa instead, our guide on keeping a dog warm at night covers the overnight setup that keeps small dogs warm through the coldest hours.

What to Look For in a Bed for a Havanese

Havanese need warmth, curl-friendly walls, and coat-friendly fabric — in that order:

• Small-breed sizing. Most adult Havanese need a 24 to 27 inch bed — big enough to curl with the nose tucked or to stretch out, small enough that the walls actually hold warmth.
• A soft, raised rim. A plush circular wall blocks floor drafts, supports the head, and gives the dog something to lean into — essential for a breed that craves contact.
• A thick insulating base. The most important feature for a tiny breed: real insulation between the belly and a cold floor.
• Smooth, coat-friendly fabric. The silky coat mats against coarse, high-pile materials; a smooth plush or brushed cover keeps the coat tangle-free.
• Washable, quick-dry materials. Long hair collects winter damp and debris; a removable, machine-washable cover is essential.
• Non-slip base. Small dogs rehearse their settle; the bed should stay put through the routine.
• Low entry. A 7 to 13 pound dog should never need to hop into bed.

For sizing detail, our pet bed size guide shows how to measure a curler — measure your Havanese in their tightest ball, then let the walls add the margin.

The Best Bed Styles for Havanese

Donut and round nest beds for curlers

The classic Havanese sleeping position is a tight, complete curl — nose tucked, tail wrapped, a small circle of silky dog. A donut-style round bed with a soft raised rim finishes that circle: the rim blocks floor drafts, cradles the head, and holds body heat in the center where the dog is. For this breed, choose a deep, insulating center and a smooth, coat-friendly cover that won't knot the silky hair. A Havanese that curls into a warm donut bed placed near its people has solved both of the breed's winter problems at once.

The warm circle your Havanese has been searching for — shop the Winter Warm Pet Bed

Bolster beds for the lap-dog substitute

The Havanese wants a lap, and when the lap is unavailable, a rectangular bolster bed with a soft, high side is the next best thing: the bolsters give the head and back a warm surface to lean against, the open interior fits a small sprawl, and the walk-in entry suits a tiny build. Place it within sight of the household's main gathering spot — a Havanese exiled to a quiet room will simply follow you, leaving the bed behind. A rug underneath doubles the insulation; our cold floors guide explains why.

A lap-shaped alternative for the Velcro companion — see the bolster design

Low-entry soft orthopedic beds for senior Havanese

Senior Havanese, like many small breeds, develop stiff knees and patella issues that make hopping into a tall bed uncomfortable. A low-entry orthopedic bed — an open walk-in side, an even supportive foam base, and warm reflective lining — removes the hurdle and keeps warmth where old joints need it. For a tiny breed with minimal insulation, an even supportive surface and steady warmth are preventive care, not pampering. Our guide to the best beds for senior dogs that get cold covers the senior setup in depth.

Walk-in comfort for tiny, senior knees — see the details

Self-warming layers for steady, silent heat

Self-warming beds use a reflective thermal layer that returns your dog's body heat instead of letting it sink into the fabric — no electricity, no cords, no noise. For a 7 to 13 pound dog with a silky coat, this is the single most effective upgrade available: the Havanese warms a thermal-lined surface quickly and keeps it warm for hours. A thermal pad also upgrades a bed your Havanese already tolerates, or warms a crate pad for naps away from home. Our self-warming dog bed guide explains the technology.

Placement: Where a Havanese's Bed Belongs in Winter

For this breed, placement solves half the problem. Keep the bed away from exterior doors, drafty hallways, and single-pane windows, and put it where the household actually lives — a family-room corner with a view of the action, or a bedroom spot next to the bed. A Havanese placed near its people uses its bed; a Havanese placed out of sight abandons it. Keep the bed off bare tile, on a rug or carpet where possible, and our winter dog bed setup guide maps the best corner for every room in the house.

Our Top Pick for Havanese

Our top recommendation for a Havanese is a plush round bed with a soft, high rim, a thick insulating base, and a durable machine-washable cover in a smooth, coat-friendly fabric — the donut format that completes the breed's curl and holds the warmth a tiny body works so hard to make. It covers every requirement on this breed's list: 24 to 27 inch sizing for a curling 7 to 13 pound dog, real insulation from the floor, a smooth surface that respects the silky coat, and washable durability for a winter of small-dog laundry.

Shop the Winter Warm Pet Bed — the top pick for Havanese this winter

Quick Buying Checklist

Before you order, run any Havanese bed through this list:

• 24 to 27 inch size with room for the full curl
• Soft, raised rim that blocks floor-level drafts
• Thick insulating bottom layer — small bodies lose heat fast
• Smooth, coat-friendly fabric that will not mat the silky hair
• Warm but breathable construction, never a sealed cave
• Self-warming thermal layer for steady, silent warmth
• Removable, machine-washable, quick-dry cover
• Non-slip bottom for hardwood and tile
• Low, wide entry for a 7 to 13 pound build
• Placement near the family, on a rug, away from drafts and doors

Caring for a Havanese Bed Through Winter

The Havanese coat sheds lightly but collects everything else — winter damp, crumbs, and the debris of a dog who loves to burrow into things. Vacuum the bed every few days, wash the cover every one to two weeks in winter, and dry it fully so the fill stays supportive — our guide to washing a round fur pet bed without ruining the fluff covers the routine. Because the silky coat mats against damp, coarse fabric, keep the cover smooth and dry, and brush your Havanese after naps; a well-kept bed is part of the breed's coat-care routine, not just its comfort.

Related Articles

• Best Dog Beds for Maltese: Soft, Warm Comfort for Tiny White Clouds
• Best Dog Beds for Bichon Frises: Warm, Soft Comfort for Curly Lap Dogs
• Best Dog Beds for Senior Dogs That Get Cold: Warmth, Support & Winter Comfort
• Best Dog Beds for Cold Floors: Tile, Hardwood & Winter Warmth Guide
• Pet Bed Size Guide: How to Choose the Right Size for Your Dog or Cat

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Havanese get cold?

Very. They're a tropical breed with a long, silky, low-insulation coat, a 7 to 13 pound frame, and almost no body fat to spare. On a cold floor, a Havanese loses heat through the belly and paws faster than the coat can replace it. A warm, insulated bed with a soft rim is one of the kindest investments you can make for this breed.

What size bed does a Havanese need?

Most adult Havanese weigh 7 to 13 pounds and need a bed around 24 to 27 inches. Curlers can go toward the smaller end, since the curled posture is compact; dogs who stretch out should get the full length. Measure your Havanese in their favorite position, then add a few inches of margin for the walls.

Will a plush bed tangle my Havanese's silky coat?

Coarse, high-pile fabric can knot the silky hair, especially where the coat presses into the bed at night. Choose a smooth plush or brushed cover, keep it clean and dry, and give your Havanese a quick brush after naps. The combination of a smooth bed and regular brushing prevents nearly all coat-related problems.

My Havanese follows me everywhere and won't stay in a bed. What should I do?

Work with the temperament instead of against it. Place the bed where you actually spend your evenings, add a worn shirt for your scent, and make the bed genuinely warm — a self-warming pad helps. Havanese are loyal to comfort and to people; when the warmest seat in the room is also where you are, the bed wins.

Warm Winters for Cuba's Cuddliest Export

A Havanese asks for two things in winter: warmth and proximity to its people — ideally at the same time. Choose a small, insulated, washable bed with a soft rim and a smooth, coat-friendly cover, place it where the family gathers, and your Havanese will spend the season exactly as intended: curled, warm, and supervising the household from the coziest seat in the room.

More From the Winter Warm Pet Bed Collection

All three beds below come from our Winter Warm Pet Bed collection — plush, heat-reflective, and machine-washable, sized for curling, cold-sensitive companions like the Havanese.

Shop the full Winter Warm Pet Bed collection

Picks From Our Friends at RuleNo

Three winter picks from the RuleNo store that pair perfectly with a warm Havanese season:

Small Dog Striped Cardigan Sweater A cozy striped cardigan that adds a warm layer for tiny dogs on cold days. US $10.51 US $36.65

Korean Style Cartoon Panda Bear Winter Dog Clothes An adorable panda-themed winter outfit that keeps small dogs warm and stylish. US $22.82 US $68.92

Durable Interactive Dog Chew Toy and Treat Dispenser for Medium and Large Dogs A tough treat-dispensing chew toy that keeps playful dogs busy indoors in winter. US $25.67 US $59.56