Are Lhasa Apso’s Good Family Dogs?

When I decided to own a Lhasa Apso, I kept pondering how good they were as family dogs, so I delved into research to ascertain how good Lhasa Apso’s are as family dogs.

So, are Lhasa Apso’s good family dogs? Lhasa Apso’s make excellent family dogs. The females make good mothers, and they are long-lived. It cooperates with the master but is wary of strangers. A small family dog tagged to be solitary if not adequately socialized when young will form a strong and permanent bond with the owner and will possibly avoid little children.

But in the hands of first-time owners, the dog may be difficult to train, this breed of a dog loves attention and tend to be manipulative in a way. Lhasa Apso’s take a long time to mature.

Vision may deteriorate as Lhasa Apso’s age, this is usually as a result of Progressive Retinal Atrophy which is a slow degeneration of the retina. Kidney problems are not prevalent but not entirely unheard of. The dynamic characteristic of Apso is its cheerful and bubbly nature. Insincerity, the adult Lhasa Apso, is among the toughest, high spirited, bravest and strong-willed of all dogs. It is said, “when a Lhasa Apso looks in the mirror, he sees a lion.”

LHASA APSO’S SOCIALIZATION CIRCLE

The American Kennel Club (AKC) standard calls the Lhasa Apso “chary with strangers.” Chary stands for cautious or wary. Lhasa’s have impressive observational skills that indeed make their watchdog function a standout responsibility. Regarding socialization, Lhasa Apso’s socialization can only be manipulated and controlled at infancy and before full maturity. This is because it is strong-willed. So, to involve it fully in acceptance and recognition of family and friends, a confident owner who can take charge is needed or a competent trainer is necessary.

Training of Apso’s involves a lot of patience, time, a gentle and diplomatic hand. A Lhasa Apso’s can be willful and obedient, and if they decide to act in disagreement to your command or they don’t want to do something, they simply won’t do it. Harsh treatment will most times result to the dog being recalcitrant or retaliating.

Lhasa’s consider food as the best form of reward. Food can also be used to convince or tame it to succumb to instructions. In training a Lhasa Apso, an understanding of their body language is an advantage. Consistency is vital when training a Lhasa Apso for they will get to abide by your schemes of training. The time it takes to train a Lhasa Apso is absolutely worth it. The moment you strike a relationship, and there is a chain of leadership, then and only then will the Lhasa work and earn a reward that will become or is a stereotype.

In the aspect of socialization, as a family dog, the Apso must be taught to mingle regularly with strangers. Early and frequent socialization is essential with a keen and sensitive breed like this. This dog is naturally wary of strangers, and this could lead to unnecessary barking and even snapping. For this reason, it is important to teach the Lhasa how to accept and treat new people as friends and not strangers. For these reasons, Lhasa’s may not the best choice for families with very little children. This dog may misinterpret child-like gestures for an attack on him. The dog sometimes can be moody, possessive of their toys and edibles. The boundaries of this dog must be respected by older children.

LAHSA APSOS’ PROTECTION TENDENCIES

When it comes to being protective the Lhasa’s are a great sentinel and will protect your home. They will bark until you are alarmed, but their protectiveness ends there because of their miniaturized size. Lhasa’s can live peacefully with other domesticated animals, but for this story to be a happy ever after story, you must socialize them at an early stage of their growth.

Lhasa Apso’s ideally should live indoors with their families and make it exciting, they make loyal and caring pets. On their own conviction, they have ideas about the house rules. I know most people worry about how they will behave or how they will litter the house but don’t worry Lhasa Apso’s are very light shedders, so they leave less fur in homes.

If you are imagining bringing a Lhasa Apso’s into your home, where you have other dogs, and possible canine visitors take conscious consideration about the temperament. Note that your Lhasa’s socialization with the other dog is partly dependent on the character of that very dog. One of the best ways to handle such dilemmas is to make the Lhasa Apso the top dog. If this doesn’t work, you may need to take your dog to obedience classes, this is to open the neutral ground for all your pets.

Lhasa Apso’s enjoy the temporal exposure to cold and other atmospheric constituents. They enjoy being outdoors for walks, little or short runs. This outdoor experience leads to exercises. The exercise Lhasa Apso’s need merely is half an hour for each day, be it from walks or other aerobic activities but they run out of steam. Small dog breeds are no favorite running partners. The American Kennel Club (AKC) change their classification from the terrier group to the non-sporting group in 1959. This is to say the Lhasa is a non-sporting breed of a dog.

HEALTH AND GROOMING

The Lhasa Apso’s beautiful and stylish coat-like body requires time to maintain. Daily brushing helps protect the long coat from mats. A bath or two can be beneficial in keeping the dog very healthy and neat.

Lhasa’s coat will require trimming between grooming appointments. If you are searching for a dog with an easy-care coat, then it is easy to say Lhasa Apso is not a good choice. Any beautiful and amazing looking Lhasa Apso’s is a product of time investment.

For a pet expect to brush and comb the long, straight, heavy coat daily. If you consult with your breeder, they may show you techniques on how to keep the heavy coat healthy or (read the guide we provide by clicking this link5 SIMPLE WAYS TO GROOM YOUR LHASA APSO). A neglected coats can become matted and tangled very quickly, which is hurtful and can lead to serious skin infections.

Trim the nails as required, mostly every 7-13 days. Smaller Lhasa Apso’s are prone to periodontal diseases (diseases relating to the tooth) so brush the teeth frequently with a vet-approved pet toothpaste for strong and healthy teeth.

Feeding is a very essential and vital aspect of any living thing’s well-being Lhasa’s. This dog requires about a three-quarter cup to one cup of good quality and well-dried dog food each day, throughout two feedings. This will vary but based on the activity level and age of the dog. Do not feel less equal to the task to consult a veterinarian about it or ask an experienced Lhasa owner.

All dogs are vulnerable to develop genetic health problems, just as beings who have specific inherent potentials of harboring particular disease. Note that not all of these problematic health conditions are detectable in a growing puppy and it will take an experienced eye to predict whether a puppy will be free from all these maladies.

There are common health conditions that any Lhasa potential owner will have to consider:

Kidney failure and disorders
Progressive retinal atrophy
Blindness and swollen eyes
Allergies

Kidney Failure and Disorders

Lhasa’s kidney does essential things just like other animals. As they help regulate blood pressure, stimulates the bone marrow to synthesize more red blood cells. Removal of waste from the body is another important function of the Kidney. Lhasa’s kidney problems and challenges could be hereditary, or sometimes it begins to fail with age. Untreated Kidney diseases lead to different versions of health challenges. Poisons which are the most evident and common are reasons for acute renal failure. Pesticides, cleaning fluids and certain human medications are highly poisonous to Lhasa’s kidneys, so potential owners should be wary of this when they make one a family. A single capsule or caplet of ibuprofen could make the kidney inactive. You must be sure drugs are not indiscriminately kept. This should not discourage or hold back your affinity for Lhasa Apso’s, for it remains a beautiful piece of creation.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

This is an inherited disease via the genes as a result of mutation. The animal must have inherited two mutated genes. Exposure to particular kind of antibiotics has been a significant challenge the Lhasa Apso’s experience. To give you a better knowledge of what you are letting into your family, you must understand that nutritional deficiency causes progressive retinal atrophy.

Blindness and Swollen Eyes

Conjunctivitis is the most commonly diagnosed eye infections in Lhasa Apso’s. This is where the infection degenerates to inflammation of conjunctivitis. Eye infections can be caused by viral infections or bacterial infections.

Allergies

Allergies are tough to notice because Lhasa’s are manipulative and to get your attention, they can simulate behavior that is unusual. There are symptoms of a Lhasa’s allergies. Coughing and sneezing is a loud allergic symptom. Red and itchy eyes, sneezing. These symptoms may appear in hours or even few minutes. These allergies could be gastrointestinal problems, chronic ear inflammation, sometimes these allergies are genetic problems. Further reading DO LHASA APSO SUFFER FROM ALLERGIES?

Another factor is the environmental factor which varies, Lhasa Apso’s may have challenges with the environment. The introduction to a new climatic condition can pose a whole lot of difficulty that may seem strange to the new owner. It is imperative to understand that allergies the dog encounters must be understood and taken into cognizance for its optimum development is dependent on its psychological and physical engagements.

See also related article: 7 LHASA APSO HEALTH PROBLEMS

WHAT TRAINING DO YOU NEED TO GIVE A LHASA APSO?

Teaching your dog to behave in a certain way means you are involving the dog in an interaction that is encouraging respect in a clear direction. How long it takes to train a dog varies based on the satisfaction level the owner has witnessed. If the Lhasa doesn’t feel it is satisfying its owner, the training period will be longer. When a Lhasa Apso joins a family, they attach themselves in a way that their instincts compels them to get attached.

I believe, in raising a Lhasa Apso, you must hold on firmly to the mantle of leadership in the home. If you don’t, a Lhasa Apso will assume the role. In that situation, you will discover and witness those unaccepted arrogant and disrespectful behavior. There are times you need to do things that seem hard on your Lhasa Apso like I have done with mine. Most times they don’t understand what is intend for them. They don’t like it. But, it’s imperative that you’re strong in training behavior. Things like jumping on little children, peeing indoors, grooming, oral inoculation or trying to get him to take medication, for their own and others safety, the Lhasa Apso must accept direction for a great family bond.

Note that if your dog won’t give you the space to take control and groom him, then the relationship between you two needs to be reviewed and adjusted. For you simply cannot take care of a Lhasa Apso if they don’t view you as a leader.

A Lhasa will very quickly come to understand that there are behaviors that earn them praise and rewards, this vivid distinction helps them choose which action to exhibit and which to avoid. When you put your time and effort into training your Lhasa Apso, then, and only then, will they pay attention to you and do as you command. Which I believe that is precisely what you are looking for.

HOW DO I CHOOSE A LHASA APSO BREEDER?

Finding a good breeder means finding a good healthy Lhasa Apso pup. An excellent breeder will unite you with the right puppy and without question. Making money will be second on the list of the breeder. They will be more concerned about the environment the pup will be raised.

Good breeders will make themselves available to you to take questions that will improve your understanding concerning temperament, health clearance and what the dog is like to live with.

In such a situation the Breeder will ask follow-up questions concerning what you are looking for in a dog and what type of living condition you can provide for him. A good breeder will tell you about the challenges the breed faces, will give you reasons why one puppy is tagged pet quality while another is not. The breeder can go on to provide more light on what health problems affect the breed and the solutions to these health problems.

A breeder will try to be a resource bank for your happiness and your dog’s. The American Lhasa Apso Club (ALAC) insist you choose a breeder that agrees by the ALAC’s code of ethics, which prohibits the sale of puppies to or through pet stores and calls for the breeder to get a recommended health clearance on the dogs before breeding them.

Avoid breeders who seem to seek satisfaction for their own gains rather than yours. Avoid those breeders that insist on unloading a puppy on you for only their interests. Breeders who sell puppies at a high price with paper and low price without paper are unethical and should be reported. It’s an offense.

Put your efforts into looking for and researching about your Lhasa Apso. Many good breeders have a website you can always visit, but how do you know who is good or not?

Red flags include available puppies, having your choice of any puppy and the convenience to make efficient payments online. These kinds of schemes are practical ways to get a breeder, but they are not always associated with good breeders. There is no perfect guarantee to make sure you elude a sick puppy, but engaging in research about the breed, inspecting the facility to pick out unhealthy conditions or sick animals and finally asking the right questions.

Try to contact a veterinary doctor who can refer you to a reputable breeder or specific, reliable sources for healthy puppies. A good breeder will give you assurance and will always be available to attend to you when in doubts and moments of replacing error with knowledge.

If you are getting a puppy it is necessary to ask the right questions, for it will save you from potential heart and headaches. Nobody wants a sick puppy, I mean nobody.

THE GOOD THINGS YOU SHOULD KEEP IN MIND ABOUT LHASA APSO

Lhasa Apso’s have great hearing which makes them excellent watchdogs. The breed is friendly intelligent, friendly, confident and comical. The Lhasa Apso’s’ colors can vary a great deal, but naturally, the colors are a combination of beauty, essence, and elegance. These colors can be cream, gold, red, white, blue, gray, dark grey, silver, tan, etc.

Lhasa Apso is energetic and tend to excel at agility work, show ring training, retrieval, service work. A perfect playmate, and an adult Lhasa carries himself in a regal and dignifying fashion, a high self-esteem to accompany its unique look.

Loyalty is another positive and remarkable thing this dog offers. Lhasa’s do put their loved ones first, anything after that is secondary, they cherish their company, and that’s how you should feel, that efficacy of your relationship with your pet.

A Lhasa Apso is great for a family, I love mine and I hope you do so too.