A new type of vertical truncated dumbbell-shaped cylinder is commonly adopted as the cap or cofferdam in sea-crossing bridges and may be subject to large typhoon waves. Focused waves can be employed to simulate typhoon-induced waves, which produce longer periods and larger wave heights. In this study, a series of wave flume tests of focused wave interactions with a vertical truncated dumbbell-shaped cylinder are conducted. The influences of the maximum wave amplitude, peak frequency and frequency range of focused waves are considered experimentally and numerically. Based on the verified numerical model, the influence of the focusing position is analyzed. Furthermore, the flow patterns, including the free surface, velocity and hydrodynamic pressure distribution around the structure, are given numerically to better explore the interactions between the focused waves and the cylinder. The results show that the maximum wave amplitude, peak frequency, and focusing locations have significant impacts on the flow field characteristics and focused wave forces. However, the influence of the frequency range on the flow patterns and wave forces seems very slight. This study will enhance the understanding of the interaction mechanics between focused waves and a vertical truncated dumbbell-shaped cylinder under various working conditions.