When you first meet a Havanese, one of the most striking things, aside from their affectionate personality, is their incredible range of coat colors. I first discovered this when my neighbor brought home two Havanese puppies from the same litter.
One had a silky cream coat, while the other was chocolate brown with white markings. I was amazed to learn they were siblings, both purebred. That curiosity led me to explore the Havanese color chart with pictures, which opened a world of color genetics, coat variations, and unique combinations that make every Havanese truly one of a kind.
The Havanese breed is recognized for having one of the most diverse color palettes among toy dogs, from jet black and chocolate to gold, silver, and even blue hues. These colors can appear solid, mixed, or marked in beautiful patterns.
Understanding your Havanese’s coat shade isn’t just about looks; it can also offer insights into their genetics, lineage, and even slight variations in grooming needs.
Table of Contents
Havanese Color Chart
Before diving into individual shades, the Havanese color chart with pictures offers a visual guide to the breed’s incredible diversity. It includes every color recognized by kennel clubs and highlights how lighting, genetics, and age can subtly change the coat over time.
This chart is especially useful for identifying your pup’s unique hue and predicting how it might evolve as they grow.
| Color Name | Description | Coat Type Appearance | Rarity |
| White | Pure white coat, often fluffy and soft | Straight or slightly wavy | Common |
| Cream | Light beige to off-white shade | Silky texture | Common |
| Fawn | Pale brown or tan with warm tones | Wavy or curly | Common |
| Gold | Deep honey-golden coat | Long and shiny | Fairly Common |
| Silver | Pale gray coat that lightens with age | Soft and fluffy | Uncommon |
| Black | Solid jet-black coat | Glossy and dense | Common |
| Blue | Diluted black with a grayish-blue hue | Smooth and silky | Rare |
| Chocolate | Deep brown, rich cocoa tone | Soft and shiny | Common |
| Red | Warm reddish or copper-toned coat | Long and silky | Rare |
| Champagne | Light golden or pale tan coat | Silky and fine | Rare |
| Brindle | Pattern of dark streaks over lighter base | Wavy or curly | Rare |
| Parti-Color | Two or more distinct colors (often white + another) | Fluffy and soft | Common |
| Sable | Dark tips on lighter base (gold, cream, or silver) | Long, shaded coat | Uncommon |
| Black & Tan | Black body with tan markings on face and legs | Glossy, smooth | Uncommon |
| Chocolate & White | Brown and white patches | Soft and fluffy | Common |
AKC Havanese Colors
The American Kennel Club recognizes a wide range of Havanese coat colors, from classic black and white to rare silver and gold tones. These official colors ensure breed standard consistency for shows and pedigree records.
Interestingly, some breeders also observe that coat shade can subtly correlate with Havanese weight, as lighter-colored dogs sometimes have slightly finer coats and more delicate frames compared to darker, more solid-colored Havanese, though this difference is mostly aesthetic rather than genetic.
| Color Name | Description | Rarity | Coat Type | Notes | Grooming Impact |
| Black | Deep jet black all over | Common | Long & silky | Classic show color | Shows dust easily |
| White | Pure white with soft shine | Common | Fluffy & straight | Needs regular cleaning | Stains easily |
| Chocolate | Rich brown shade | Fairly common | Silky | Darkens with age | Requires moisturizing |
| Silver | Pale gray tone | Rare | Wavy or straight | Often fades as dog matures | Needs coat brightener |
| Gold | Warm golden hue | Common | Fluffy | Sunlight can lighten coat | Brush regularly |
Common Havanese Colors
The most frequently seen Havanese colors combine both elegance and charm. These shades tend to be passed down through generations and are admired for their natural shine and low-maintenance appeal.
| Color | Tone Description | Coat Texture | Pattern Possibilities | Popularity | Maintenance |
| Cream | Light, soft shade | Silky | Can blend with white | Very popular | Easy to maintain |
| Fawn | Tan with gold tones | Smooth | Often has markings | Moderate | Brush often |
| Black & White | Classic mix | Silky | Common in litters | Very popular | Highlight contrasts |
| Chocolate & White | Dark brown with white | Straight | Eye-catching | Popular | Needs extra grooming |
| Red | Deep rust shade | Soft | Solid or bi-color | Rare | Use color-safe shampoo |
Rare Havanese Colors
Rare Havanese coat colors are prized by collectors and breeders alike. These shades often result from recessive genes or unique pigment dilutions that give each dog a truly one-of-a-kind look.
| Color | Tone Description | Rarity Level | Genetic Note | Care Tips | AKC Recognition |
| Blue | Soft grayish-blue | Very rare | Diluted black gene | Protect from sun fading | Yes |
| Lavender | Pale purplish-brown | Rare | Dilute of chocolate | Use gentle products | No |
| Champagne | Light golden beige | Rare | Mutation of gold | Maintain with brightener | Yes |
| Silver Brindle | Gray with stripe pattern | Very rare | Mix of black/silver genes | Brush gently | Yes |
| Sable | Layered dark-tipped coat | Fairly rare | Polygenic trait | Coat color may fade | Yes |
Popular Havanese Colors
Some Havanese colors have captured the hearts of owners everywhere. These combinations not only photograph beautifully but also tend to maintain vibrancy longer.
| Color Combo | Description | Popularity | Seen In Puppies? | Changes With Age | Maintenance |
| Black & Tan | Striking two-tone | High | Yes | May lighten slightly | Low |
| Gold & White | Warm, creamy mix | Very high | Yes | Can darken with age | Easy |
| Chocolate & Tan | Rich dual brown | Moderate | Sometimes | May shift to lighter brown | Medium |
| Silver & White | Shimmery combo | Moderate | Yes | Fades over time | Moderate |
| Cream & Apricot | Soft pastel look | Growing in popularity | Yes | Slightly darkens | Easy |
Havanese Coat Patterns and Markings
Patterns and markings add character to every Havanese, making them instantly recognizable. Whether solid or multi-colored, these patterns are influenced by complex genetic combinations.
| Pattern | Description | Color Base | Frequency | Uniqueness | Grooming Needs |
| Parti | Two or more colors | Any | Common | High variation | Standard care |
| Brindle | Striped coat pattern | Gold, black | Rare | Very distinct | Regular brushing |
| Irish Pied | White base with patches | Any | Common | Classic look | Easy |
| Sable Overlay | Dark-tipped ends | Gold, tan | Fairly common | May fade | Gentle grooming |
| Solid | One pure color | Any | Common | Uniform tone | Minimal |
Havanese Price by Color
Coat color can also influence the price of a Havanese puppy, depending on rarity, demand, and breeder availability. Unusual shades like blue or sable often fetch higher prices due to their genetic exclusivity.
| Color | Average Price (USD) | Rarity | AKC Recognition | Notes | Demand |
| White | $1,200–$2,000 | Common | Yes | Show quality color | High |
| Chocolate | $1,500–$2,500 | Moderate | Yes | Sought for rich tone | Medium |
| Blue | $2,000–$3,000 | Rare | Yes | Unique dilute gene | High |
| Gold | $1,300–$2,000 | Common | Yes | Classic color | High |
| Sable | $1,800–$2,800 | Rare | Yes | Shifts with age | Moderate |
Do Havanese Change Color as They Grow?
Yes, and it’s one of the most fascinating aspects of the breed. Many Havanese puppies are born with darker coats that lighten significantly as they age. For example, sable or chocolate puppies often fade to cream or silver tones by adulthood. This happens because pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) become less active as the coat matures.
Changes can also occur due to sun exposure, nutrition, and grooming habits. Regular bathing with gentle, color-safe shampoo and balanced nutrition can help maintain coat vibrancy. So if your puppy looks different a year later, don’t worry, it’s perfectly normal. Each stage of color transformation tells part of your Havanese’s beautiful story.
How Genetics Affect Havanese Coat Color
The color palette of the Havanese is a direct reflection of genetic interplay. Two main pigments, eumelanin (black-based) and pheomelanin (red-based), determine base color, while dilution and modifier genes influence shades like blue, cream, or sable.
Breeding pairs with diverse genetic makeup often produce unexpected hues or mixed patterns. For instance, two cream Havanese could carry recessive genes for chocolate or gold, resulting in puppies of varied colors. While genetics guide coat appearance, ethical breeding ensures healthy pigmentation without compromising coat texture or skin health.
FAQs
What is the most common Havanese color?
White, cream, and gold are the most common Havanese colors recognized by the AKC.
Do Havanese puppies change color as they grow?
Yes, many do. Their coat often lightens or shifts slightly in shade as they mature.
Which Havanese color is the rarest?
Blue, lavender, and champagne are among the rarest colors.
Does coat color affect a Havanese’s health or temperament?
No, color has no proven link to health or personality in Havanese dogs.
How can I tell if my Havanese’s coat will change?
Check their root color and pedigree, puppies born dark or sable often lighten over time.