Lhasa Apso dogs are frequently shown in dog shows and tend to be very eye-catching. Because of this, it raises the question as to where these beautiful dogs come from. To answer said question, I’ve done some research and compiled it for anyone looking for the same information.
How do I adopt a Lhasa Apso? While a Lhasa Apso might come from any source (a friend, picked up a stray, etcetera) the 3 most common ways to adopt a Lhasa Apso is via breeder, a rescue, or a local shelter. Another option is a pet store, though it is a less popular one.
Adoption Options
The options available to those looking to adopt a Lhasa Apso generally go three ways. The available choices always depend on how important it is to the potential owner that the Lhasa Apso is a purebred and the intent for the dog.
If buying from a breeder, a Lhasa Apso owner is usually looking for nothing but a purebred. A purebred is usually used in dog shows or for breeding purposes of their own. Most owners do not have their purebred Lhasa Apso spayed or neutered, so as to continue the bloodline.
Adopting from a rescue can be a great option for a purebred that also saves a life.
See also: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO OWNING A LHASA APSO
This option often requires more time, however, because of the process of ensuring the Lhasa Apso goes to the best home. There are a number of pros and cons to adopting from a rescue that we will go over in later chapters.
Choosing to adopt from a local shelter can be a great way to rescue a Lhasa Apso from euthanization. If a potential owner is looking for a purebred, a shelter is not the way to go. There is also no guarantee that a mixed Lhasa Apso is available.
The options for adopting a Lhasa Apso into the family have similarities and differences in the positives and negatives. Weighing out the options is often the best way to make a decision. Being informed of the options makes that decision easier.
Lhasa Apso Breeder
Lhasa Apso breeders can be found all over the world selling their dogs at a variety of prices. While it can be easy to locate a breeder, it is more difficult to determine if the breeder is reputable.
The first sign of a reputable breeder is that they are registered with the American Kennel Club. Secondly, they will allow you to have a look around their kennel or wherever they keep the puppies and meet the puppy parents. This allows the potential buyer to see the health of the dog family. If there are signs of malnutrition or sickness, the breeder is one to avoid. Additionally, take note on whether the area is clean and odorless. Puppies or dogs kept in dirty kennels are generally not well cared for, especially Lhasa Apso dogs that require a lot of grooming.
The manner in which the animals approach the breeder tells a lot about how they are treated. If the puppies or adult dogs act as if they are shy or avoid contact, the breeder may be abusive. A good breeder will treat the dogs and puppies as though they are part of the family.
Ask about the history of the bloodline. The breeder should know the answers quickly. A reputable breeder will even offer up any weaknesses in the history. Health records should be readily available. In addition to having the necessary answers, a good breeder should also have questions for the buyer. They will not want to send their puppies with just anyone. In fact, they may ask a buyer to agree to bring the puppy back if they are not able to keep it.
Any breeder selling a Lhasa Apso puppy younger than 8 weeks old is a red flag. These puppies require 8-12 weeks with their mother prior to being taken from her. The weaning process is essential for a healthy puppy.
A reputable breeder will provide the puppy’s documentation papers without hesitation. The papers do not come at an extra fee, but with a purebred Lhasa Apso. These papers should be given to the buyer prior to leaving the property with the puppy.
The buyer should be prepared to pay a legitimate breeder at minimum $500 for a full-blooded Lhasa Apso. If the bloodline is more prestigious, the amount for a Lhasa Apso puppy can go up to as much as $5000 or more.
If a breeder is asking several thousand dollars for a puppy that is meant to be a companion only, said breeder is likely not a good one. A Lhasa Apso puppy being sold for thousands is typically the offspring (or close family bloodlines) of a healthy champion of some sort. If the puppy’s bloodline is littered with health issues, it can be expected that the price will be closer to $500.
Ensuring the quality of the breeder will save a lot of trouble down the road. It will also help to prevent the heartbreak of bringing a sick puppy into the family. Adopting from a reputable breeder is a great way to bring a new friend home.
Lhasa Apso Rescue
Rescuing Lhasa Apso dogs is a popular route to take for numerous reasons. Perhaps the most popular of these reasons is the “rescue” part of the adoption. It can be shocking to learn what these Lhasa Apso dogs have been rescued from.
Lhasa Apso rescues will usually disclose where the dog came from. They may have picked up a starving stray, saved the dog from a kill shelter, or worked with law enforcement to get him or her away from an abusive situation.
Some Lhasa Apso owners like the challenge of retraining a “damaged” dog and teaching them to be loved. It can be highly rewarding to change the life of a Lhasa Apso with a tough history. It should be taken into consideration the challenges that a family may face adopting a Lhasa Apso with a previous life. However, the rescue is often great at determining if the fit between dog and new owner will be a good one.
There are a variety of steps that must be taken prior to adopting or even being considered for the adoption of a rescued Lhasa Apso. The process begins with an application. The application will give the rescue organization an idea of who the prospective adopter is and the experience that they have with Lhasa Apsos or dogs in general.
If the application is approved, the next step is often a home visit. A home visit is utilized to ensure that the home and it’s inhabitants are prepared to provide a Lhasa Apso rescue a quality home and family. There are several things that a home visitor will be on the lookout for.
The first thing that is learned from a home visit is about the potential adopters. While the application filled out prior to the visit provides a lot of information, an experienced home visitor can get a feeling for the family that can’t be read off a piece of paper. Determining if the potential adopters are dog-people and if they can provide quality care is an important part of the visit. Bring prepared with previously completed research on the Lhasa Apso breed is recommended.
The next factor in a home visit is whether the home is ready for a Lhasa Apso. Is there a crate or a dog bed available? Have the proper grooming tools been purchased? What about bowls for food and water? It’s also important to dog-proof the home. Are there cords or wires out in the open? Is the yard fenced in? Ensuring that each of these items is completed prior to the visit shows the visitor that the adopters are serious about getting a Lhasa Apso rescue.
It’s also important to remember that rescues often have more adult dogs than puppies. A home visitor will be on the lookout for specific needs for the Lhasa Apso that has been requested. For example, if a family is wanting to adopt an older Lhasa Apso with arthritis, a home with a lot of stairs is not ideal. This is in no way the fault of the homeowner, but it may prevent the adoption of that specific Lhasa Apso from going through.
Many rescues will not adopt a Lhasa Apso dog out to families that have children under the age of 10. If the application states that there are no children in the family, but a home visit indicates that a child spends a lot of time in the home, it is not likely that the adoption would move forward. Young children and Lhasa Apso dogs with a rough past – or even a decent past where they had not been socialized with children – might make for an uncomfortable home environment for both dog and child.
It is the job of the rescue organization to place a Lhasa Apso dog in a home that would be best matched to them. If a family is unable to adopt their first choice, it may not mean anything negative about them. It may simply mean that the dog’s needs would have been better cared for elsewhere. The organization may be able to recommend a Lhasa Apso more suited to the family.
With a rescue Lhasa Apso, the adopting family would most likely pay less than they would from a breeder. Adult dogs are generally priced less than puppies to help provide them forever homes, as most people tend to prefer puppies. Rescues typically cost a few hundred dollars or less. Pricing at this point helps to ensure the Lhasa Apso is going to be properly cared for, as it was a but if an investment for the new owner. It also helps the rescue organization to help additional Lhasa Apso dogs.
Local Pet Shelter
Adopting from a local shelter is a great way to find a quality dog, but it is a rarity to find any purebred. Finding a purebred Lhasa Apso in a shelter would be even rarer. However, it is possible to find a Lhasa Apso mix. It is not likely that the shelter staff will know exactly what percentage of Lhasa Apso is in the dog, but they can often identify which breed is most present.
The process for adopting from a shelter is much more simple than the options previously discussed. Most shelters have the potential adopters look around and find a pup they like. They are then given the opportunity to take the dog from his or her cage into the play area. After spending some time with the dog and deciding to adopt, an application must be filled out.
The application generally asks the basic information: name, address, and phone number. It also requires references that the shelter can call to ask about the adopting family. There should also be a spot to fill out information about current pets and ages of children, if any, in the home.
Once the application has been reviewed, the shelter will notify the adopting individual if they have been approved. Very few shelters accomplish this on the same day. Usually, an adoption is completed by the following day, along with the agreement that the animal will be spayed or neutered if they’re not already. Typically the shelter pays for the surgery. In some cases, the dog will have the surgery prior to being sent home with their new family. Shelters require this to help cut down on the overpopulation issue.
Shelters tend to euthanize animals that have not been adopted after so long in the shelter. This is to make room for others that have no owners or have been surrendered by their previous owners. This is one reason the price of a shelter dog is much less than those adopted elsewhere. It might be expected that a dog from a shelter costs around $100 or less, whether it is a purebred or not. Adopting from a local shelter is a great way to help with the population issue – and save a life in the process.
Pet Store
A pet store is another option for the adoption of a Lhasa Apso, but in all honesty, it is not usually a recommended option for adopting or purchasing any dog. Pet stores are known for obtaining their puppies from puppy mills – breeders that produce high amounts of puppies in unsatisfactory conditions.
If planning to shop for a puppy at a pet store, be sure to get clear information up front regarding where the puppies came from. In some cases, the pet stores work with the local shelter, allowing more exposure for the animals that need to be adopted. If so, adopting from the pet store would be the same as adopting from the shelter.
If this is not the case, the pet store should be able to inform any customer of the exact breeder that the puppies come from. All of the steps in finding a reputable breeder also apply to find a reputable pet store. If there is any doubt, it is best to avoid pet stores for the purpose of adopting, and just shop there for dog supplies.
Adopting a new friend or member of the family is a big responsibility. Knowing the options for adopting is best to find the right friend for you. Whether you choose a reputable breeder, a rescue organization, a local shelter, or a quality pet store, bringing a Lhasa Apso home is not something that will be regretted!
Related Questions
How long does a Lhasa Apso live?
The lifespan of a Lhasa Apso is usually 12 to 14 years. You can expect to have your friend for many years!
See also: LHASA APSO LIFESPAN
Is a Lhasa Apso trainable?
With some time and consistency, along with positive reinforcement, your Lhasa Apso can become trained for just about anything.
See also: ARE LHASA APSO’S EASY TO TRAIN
Does a Lhasa Apso require a lot of socialization?
For a well trained Lhasa Apso that barks minimally and treats guests, children, and other animals well, socialization is key. Exposing your Lhasa Apso to different situations will create a better-behaved dog.