Traits, Personality and Behavior
At their best, Lhasapoos are friendly and affectionate, although some may have the suspicious nature of the Lhasa Apso, whose original purpose was to serve as a temple watchdog. Lhasapoos generally weigh 10 pounds to 20 pounds, making them a comfortable size for most homes. They are excellent watchdogs but can be on the yappy side. They also have a quick-thinking brain, making them highly trainable.
Lhasapoos have a moderate activity level that is adaptable to their owner's lifestyle. They need a nice walk or active playtime each day, and if you're interested, they are athletic enough to participate in such dog sports as agility, obedience and rally.
Both of the breeds used to create Lhasapoos are smart and learn quickly. If you begin socialization and training early and use positive reinforcement techniques such as praise, play and food rewards, you will be rewarded with a wonderful companion.
Poodles have a reputation for being hypoallergenic, meaning that they can be tolerated by people who have allergies to dogs. Because they have the Poodle in their heritage, Lhasapoos are sometimes promoted as being hypoallergenic. But allergies are caused not by a particular dog coat type but by dander, the dead skin cells that are shed by all dogs. There is no scientific evidence that any breed or cross breed is more or less allergenic than any other dog. Some people with allergies react less severely to particular dogs, but no reputable breeder will guarantee that her dogs are hypoallergenic.
Lhasapoos can have different types of fur, including soft, tight curls, big looping curls, loose waves or straight hair. Most have a curly or wavy coat with a minority having either the typical Poodle coat or the straight Lhasa coat. Curly or straight, it's always soft. A Lhasapoo coat looks its best with professional grooming every four to six weeks, and it requires brushing or combing every two to three days to prevent mats or tangles as well as regular bathing in between appointments with the groomer.
Lhasapoos are among the breeds that commonly develop reddish-brown tear stains beneath their eyes. Sometimes the stains are related to the dog's diet, and changing foods can help. Your best bet, though, is to wash the face daily, carefully wiping beneath the eyes, to prevent stains from setting.
Your Lhasapoo doesn't need a bikini wax, but you do need to trim the genital area for cleanliness or have the groomer shave the lower belly area. This prevents urine from staining and stinking up the coat and feces from getting caught in the hair around the anus.
In addition, trim his nails at least monthly --more frequently if necessary --keep his ears clean and dry to prevent ear infections and brush his teeth as often as possible. Small dogs are especially prone to periodontal disease.
Lhasapoos are companion dogs. They need to live in the house, never outdoors.
Lhasapoo puppies are adorable, and it's one of the reasons they are so popular. Cute puppies sell, and that makes the Lhasapoo a favorite of puppy mills and greedy, irresponsible breeders. But there's no need to pay big bucks for a Lhasapoo. You can often find a wonderful example of this hybrid dog at your local shelter or through adoption organizations.
If you do choose to buy one, however, select a breeder who has done the health testing to ensure that her puppies won't carry the genetic diseases common to both Lhasa Apsos and Poodles. And while there are no guarantees in life, it's also a good way to minimize the possibility of big veterinary bills in the future.
Health Issues Common to Lhasapoos
All hybrid dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems, just as purebred dogs can and just as all people have the potential to inherit a particular disease. Run, don't walk, from any breeder who does not offer a health guarantee on puppies, who tells you that the Lhasapoo is 100 percent healthy and has no known problems, or who tells you that her puppies are isolated from the main part of the household for health reasons. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the Lhasapoo and the incidence with which they occur in her lines.
Lhasapoos may develop health conditions common to both Lhasa Apsos and Poodles, especially if you aren't cautious about whom you buy from. They include luxating patellas and eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy, entropion, cataracts and glaucoma.
Many toy breeds and small dogs have a condition known as luxating patellas, in which one or both knees are unstable and occasionally slip out of place. Depending on the level of severity (1 being mild and 4 being severe), luxating patellas can be a minor issue that cause the dog little problem or pain or serious enough to require surgical correction.
Ask the breeder to show evidence that both of a puppy's parents have OFA patella (knee) clearances as well as certification from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation that their eyes are healthy. Do not purchase a puppy from a breeder who cannot provide you with written documentation that the parents were cleared of health problems that affect the breed. Having the dogs "vet checked" is not a substitute for genetic health testing.
| Condition | Risk Profile | Cost to Diagnose and Treat |
|---|---|---|
| Cataracts | Medium | $1,000-$5,000 |
| Entropion | Medium | $300-$1,500 |
| Patellar Luxation | Medium | $1,500-$3,000 |
5 Tips to Bring Home a Healthy Lhasapoo Puppy
Finding a good breeder is more important than finding the right puppy. A good breeder will match you with the right puppy, and will without question have done all the health certifications necessary to screen out health problems as much as possible.
Consider an adult dog from a shelter or a rescue group. Many of the health problems in Lhasapoos aren't apparent in puppyhood, but by adopting an adult dog, most of them can be ruled out. In addition, Lhasapoos can live 15 or more years, so an adult dog will still be a part of your family for a long time to come.
Puppy or adult, take your Lhasapoo to your veterinarian soon after adoption. Your veterinarian will be able to spot visible problems, and will work with you to set up a preventive regimen that will help you avoid many health issues. Ask specifically about dental care, as most toy breeds suffer from dental problems, as well as tips on dealing with tear staining.
Don't ever, ever, ever buy a puppy from a pet store. You're more likely to get an unhealthy, unsocialized and difficult to housetrain puppy and will be supporting the cruelty of high-volume puppy mills.
Make sure you have a good contract with the seller, shelter or rescue group that spells out responsibilities on both sides. In states with "puppy lemon laws," be sure you and the person you get the dog from both understand your rights and recourses.
Pet Insurance for Lhasapoos
Pet insurance for Lhasapoos costs more than for mixed breed dogs. This is because Lhasapoos are more likely than mixed breed dogs to make claims for hereditary conditions that are expensive to treat.
Embrace dog insurance plans offer full coverage for all breed-specific conditions (excluding those that are pre-existing) to which Lhasapoos are susceptible. The best time to get pet insurance for your Lhasapoo is when he's a healthy puppy. You can't predict what will happen in the future, and pet insurance is the one thing you can't get when you need it the most.