Ownership of a Lhasa Apso dog is much like any other dog, but there are a handful of differences that are important to note. In this ultimate guide, we will start at the very beginning of a Lhasa Apso’s life and continue on through the very end. Each topic of discussion is an important aspect of the dog’s life and will provide some insight into owning and raising such beautiful creatures in an easy read.
Finding the Perfect Lhasa Apso
There are two standard options to choose from when it comes to finding the Lhasa Apso for you. For many people, the best option is a Lhasa Apso rescue organization. Others prefer to get their Lhasa Apso directly from a breeder. Knowing what to expect from each option may help to determine the best route for you.
A rescue organization is popular because you’re saving a life upon adoption. It is fantastic to know that the Lhasa Apso you’ve taken home is now living a better life. However, there are some hoops to jump through to be approved for adoption. One of those hoops is a home visit from the rescue. There are many things that the home visit will bring to light indicating if the person applying to adopt is ready for such a responsibility. It will also help the potential owner learn more about what it takes to be a Lhasa Apso owner.
Factors that a rescue home visit takes note of include whether the yard is fenced in, if there are potential hazards for a Lhasa Apso, if the family has children, whether potential owners have had dogs before, what kind of knowledge they have regarding this specific breed, and the person or people in general – would they make a good Lhasa Apso owner? Bringing a Lhasa Apso into your home is a big responsibility and rescues want to be as sure as possible that the dog would be well cared for and would not be coming back to the rescue organization at a later date.
There are some notable pros and cons to adopting a Lhasa Apso from a rescue. Other than the previously mentioned positive factor of saving a life, a recurring is generally much lower in price than most other options. Many rescues request an adoption fee on the lower end of the spectrum, occasionally even lower. The possible downside to adopting a Lhasa Apso from a rescue is that the dog may already have learned behaviors. It can be difficult to retrain a dog that has bad habits. Secondly, a rescue usually has adult dogs more so than puppies.
Purchasing a Lhasa Apso from a breeder can be a different experience than adopting one from a rescue, but there will also be similarities. These similarities often occur when the breeder is reputable and cares about more than just making a sale. Like a rescue, a good breeder will have a lot of questions for any potential owner. There might be emphasis placed on the time a Lhasa Apso requires – particularly the time needed for grooming and proper training. A reputable breeder would also be able to answer any questions that a potential owner might have for them.
When purchasing from a breeder, it is important to see the quality of life that the puppies and dogs have lived in. If a breeder is unwilling to allow a visit, it is not a good sign. Puppy mills and breeders without a good reputation produce Lhasa Apso puppies for profit only. They often sell sick puppies, leaving the new owners with a hefty vet bill, a dead or very sick puppy, and a broken heart. It is best to avoid these breeders at all costs.
To avoid these breeders, an excellent resource to check with is the American Lhasa Apso Club. This group helps both reputable breeders and honest Lhasa Apso owners connect so that there is less of a chance of any issues. When a potential owner pays hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars on a quality Lhasa Apso puppy and then grow to love that puppy, it is essential to have that extra guarantee that the puppy is one that will live a quality life.
Getting a Lhasa Apso from a breeder has its own positive and negative aspects. A positive is that you are guaranteed to get a Lhasa Apso puppy and not an adult dog. However, the price tag is much heftier than that of a rescue dog.
When you are ready to adopt your Lhasa Apso puppy, be prepared to pay at least $500 for a purebred. Depending on the bloodline, you could even spend $1200 to $5100. Breeders that charge a higher amount for their puppies will have the appropriate documentation proving the history and overall family tree. Usually, it is the family tree and the health of the animal that makes a Lhasa Apso priced as it is.
An additional factor to consider is whether you would prefer a male or female Lhasa Apso. There are a few differences between the sex of the dogs that push owners towards one gender or the other. For example, a male Lhasa Apso is generally more protective in nature than a female. A female, however, is calmer and easier to train. Choosing one gender over the other is a matter of preference.
Choosing the Lhasa Apso for you may require thinking about different options and how they might affect you, but ultimately what you might do for the dog. In reading the following paragraphs, keep in mind if you will be able to provide the necessary care for a Lhasa Apso.
Creating a Home Environment for Your Lhasa Apso
If you decide to bring a Lhasa Apso into your family, there are a handful of changes that may be required in your home before bringing your dog home. The first change that is probably needed is to move things that might harm the dog out of reach. Any chemical cleaners, electrical wires, or other potential dangers should be locked away or put somewhere your Lhasa Apso will not get into it. Baby gates are a great way to keep your new friend from the places in the home they should not go.
You will want to determine where your Lhasa Apso will be sleeping at night. If you plan to provide them a crate, that will need purchasing ahead of time. If you’d rather have them sleep with you or another family member, be prepared to puppy-proof that room very thoroughly. A Lhasa Apso dog generally does not have a huge amount of energy, so don’t expect to see them playing a lot or being overly destructive while you sleep. However, when they do get that burst of energy, it is imperative that they are in a safe space. (Check out the crates and beds that I recommend HERE!!!)
It is also crucial that your Lhasa Apso dog had a safe space when you are not home. If you plan to let your new companion run free throughout the house, it needs to be completely dog-friendly from top to bottom. However, many owners prefer to keep their Lhasa Apso confined to one room or a crate when not home. Doing so can keep your Lhasa Apso safe and your home in the same condition as when it was left.
Another space that needs setting up is where you plan for them to eat. Familiarity helps with a Lhasa Apso’s feeding routine, so keeping the bowls in the same place at each meal is best.
While some owners prefer not to allow their Lhasa Apso on the furniture, many prefer it. Although this is a personal decision, it is important to make that decision before bringing your Lhasa Apso home. If you definitely do not want your new friend on the couch, providing them a dog bed to lounge on will allow for a better transition. Even if you allow your Lhasa Apso on the furniture, a dog bed will enable the dog to have a choice.
To have your puppy feel welcomed and at home, have toys for the Lhasa Apso before bringing them home. Toys should be sturdy and not easily broken apart. If chunks come off of the toy, they can cause a choking hazard. Providing quality toys can help to prevent your Lhasa Apso from chewing on things he or she shouldn’t.
If you already have another pet, bringing a Lhasa Apso dog into your home can be a challenge. If you bring in a Lhasa Apso as a puppy, it can adjust to another animal quite easily. However, bringing an adult Lhasa Apso home may be a bit more challenging.
Unless your Lhasa Apso has been around other dogs or animals in general since puppyhood, getting him/ her to accept another animal might require some patience in socializing them. This generally means keeping them in a separate room and allowing exposure in small increments until the Lhasa Apso has developed a bit more trust and tolerance. The same may need to occur if there are children in the home. The children will need to understand it may take some time for the Lhasa Apso to adjust to its new environment.
Feeding Your Lhasa Apso
It is important to feed your Lhasa Apso an appropriate diet. Additionally, the diet will evolve over time. A Lhasa Apso puppy’s food will differ from that of an adult. Because of this, we will go over both the needs of a puppy and the needs of an adult Lhasa Apso.
As a puppy, a Lhasa Apso must eat more frequently than an adult. While it may seem like a lot, eating 4 times a day is generally considered normal. Because of their smaller stomachs, a Lhasa Apso puppy needs to eat smaller meals more often.
An adult Lhasa Apso can typically be fed twice daily. These meals will be larger than the puppy meals and will need to contain the proper amount of calories. The number of calories that a Lhasa Apso requires is based on weight. With an average weight for a Lhasa Apso being 14 pounds, it can be expected that he or she consumes about 505 calories each day. (Check out this Petco link for the latest puppy food prices).
If choosing to feed a Lhasa Apso packaged dog food, it may be best to feed them the puppy food for the first few months. Puppy food tends to have a higher protein content than the adult dog food. Check the ingredients list for a food that has quality ingredients, such as real meat and vegetables. A product with a lot of words that can’t be pronounced is usually one to steer away from.
It is preferred that Lhasa Apso owners serve their dogs’ real food. Meats, vegetables, eggs, and other foods that are found in nature provide the most nutrition. Meats can be fed raw to avoid losing nutrition in the cooking process. If cooking the meat is a preference of the owner, no additional seasonings should be added. Feeding a Lhasa Apso a real, raw diet can help to ensure that their coat is healthy and shiny.
Exercise for Your Lhasa Apso
A Lhasa Apso is a breed that does not require a lot of exercises. In fact, just half an hour a day of activity is the standard amount. Keeping up with a regular exercise routine will help your Lhasa Apso dog live a healthier, longer life. It will also keep them happier!
A half an hour of walking each day is one way to get adequate exercise. However, a Lhasa Apso has short legs and a short nose, meaning that this half an hour may need to be broken up into two or three walks in a day. Why? With their little legs, a Lhasa Apso is unable to walk as far as a larger breed. A short nose means it can be more difficult to breathe when exerting themselves. It is important to make sure your Lhasa Apso is not struggling on their walk.
A Lhasa Apso will also usually appreciate a game of fetch. While it is important to keep a watchful eye on your companion, they tend to enjoy themselves while running after a ball or frisbee. Playing a 10-minute game with your Lhasa Apso will add some variety to their usual exercise.
A dog park can also offer a good amount of exercise. An additional perk is an exposure to other dogs. Most dog parks do not allow unfriendly dogs, so your companion will usually be safe in this space. However, if you have any doubts, organizing a puppy play date will help your new friend with socialization and a buddy to play with. Socializing at a dog park or in general will offer great exercise once or twice a week to add yet another differing activity.
There are a couple of activities to avoid to keep your Lhasa Apso safe. These activities include exercising your Lhasa Apso while biking or similar activity and exercising in hot weather. Biking with your Lhasa Apso is not a good idea because of two reasons. Firstly, it can be too hard for them to keep up. Secondly, a leash can easily get tangled up in the wheels or the bike itself and cause harm to the dog and to you. Being safe is an integral part of their exercise.
Excessive heat should also be avoided simply because the small stature of a Lhasa Apso can easily contribute to overheating. If excessive panting or wheezing occurs, fresh water to your Lhasa Apso’s head and neck can help to cool them down. Do not provide the dog with a lot of water at once, but rather small amounts at a time. Vomiting will occur if too much water is given at one time. This will only worsen dehydration.
Exercising your Lhasa Apso is a great way to keep them healthy and in shape, but it is also an excellent tool for bonding. Building up the trust with your friend is imperative for a long and happy life with your Lhasa Apso.
Grooming Your Lhasa Apso
One of the most significant tasks in your life with a Lhasa Apso is grooming. Because of their long coat of fur, a Lhasa Apso requires a lot more work than most breeds in this department. The first question that comes with grooming is whether the grooming will be done by a paid professional or by the owner.
Not only does a Lhasa Apso need daily brushing, but they require frequent bathing. Most Lhasa Apso dogs need a bath every 2-4 weeks. After bathing, it is best to ensure the dog is completely dried with a towel and a hairdryer. Allowing moisture to remain under the fur and on the skin can cause dry skin and itching.
The best process for bathing your Lhasa Apso begins with a tub that has a handheld sprayer. Use warm water – not cold and not hot. If there are tangles or any sections of matted fur, use the water and a dog conditioner in combination with your fingers to release the knots. Then use a wide-toothed comb to ensure all tangles have been freed. Try to avoid tugging the fur as much as possible, as it can hurt your Lhasa Apso and irritate their skin.
Once they have been thoroughly rinsed, do a quick towel dry to capture any excess water before utilizing a comb and hair dryer to dry the dog completely. Be sure to clip hair between the toes, as it is an easy (and painful) place to get matted fur. Hair inside the ears should also be kept trimmed. The ears also need to be cleaned out, but remember to avoid putting anything inside the ear canal. Only wipe the outside of the canal.
Due to the time it takes to wash a Lhasa Apso’s long fur, dry it, comb it out, and then perform the other grooming tasks, many owners feel that the cost of paying a groomer is well worth it. With a professional groomer, there is a better chance that the grooming will be done properly, as new Lhasa Apso owners may meet a learning curve.
It is also important to know that a typical Lhasa Apso requires their first 10 months to be haircut free, as it takes those first 10 months to grow in a more mature coat. A mature coat is slightly harder and provides a protective layer to the Lhasa Apso dog’s sensitive skin.
Proper grooming is essential to raising a healthy Lhasa Apso. Despite the expense or time required to provide your companion with grooming, it is important that the need is met to give the dog his or her best life.
Training Your Lhasa Apso
Training for a Lhasa Apso is much like that of any other dog. The difference mostly lies in their temperament, which means that the approach must be altered to fit the Lhasa Apso. This makes positive reinforcement the best option for training this breed.
Another big aspect of training is patience. When training a Lhasa Apso, it cannot be expected for the dog to learn new things immediately, especially since they are known to be a stubborn breed. The combination of consistency and patience will best help your Lhasa Apso to learn. Hitting a Lhasa Apso is the worst way to attempt training, as it damages the trust between dog and owner. Rather than striking your Lhasa Apso, a stern “No” will generally get the point across.
“No” is usually used for potty accidents, nipping, or jumping up on people. However, a well-trained dog can be taught just about anything if you have realistic expectations. An easy trick to training is to vocalize the command as your Lhasa Apso is beginning to do the action on their own. For example, when you notice your Lhasa Apso starting to walk towards you, simply say, “Come, Scout.” Insertion of your dog’s name helps to reinforce the command.
When it comes to training your Lhasa Apso to walk on a leash, there are a few tips to take into consideration. Firstly, it is important to have a collar that fits properly (two fingers fit inside the collar when on the dog, but will not slip over their head). When walking and the Lhasa Apso begins to pull, immediately stop and do not continue to walk until the dog is by your side. Consistency in this will help to reinforce the need for your Lhasa Apso to stay near.
House training can be a lengthy process, as puppies, in general, have small bladders and are unable to hold back the need to go. Developing the ability to hold it comes with time and consistent training. One if the most popular ways to do this is crate training.
A Lhasa Apso does not enjoy a dirty environment so they will try to avoid accidents at all costs in their crate, which is also their bed potty. By keeping your puppy in the crate for some time, but letting them out to go potty every hour, the dog will begin to gain bladder control. Each time he or she uses the potty outside, be sure to reward them with treats, affection, and vocal praise.
Another method of house training is using paper or puppy pads. When you are unable to be home, confine your Lhasa Apso to space without carpet. Line the floor with newspaper or puppy pads to ensure that no messes make it to the floor. Once you notice a certain area where the puppy continually eliminates, remove some of the paper and cover only the common areas where he or she goes. When you are home and notice the puppy moving to this area, it is a good idea to take him immediately or her outside to reinforce the idea that they should go potty outside if possible.
It is important to let a puppy outside often. It is a good idea to start with every hour and then graduates to every two hours. Eventually, your Lhasa Apso will find a way to alert you to their need to go out. It helps if you continue to take them out at regular intervals. Allowing your Lhasa Apso time to relieve themselves every 4 hours is a reasonable estimate, but listen to your dog if they are telling you they need to go sooner.
A Lhasa Apso is prone to barking, as they were initially bred to be watchdogs. It can be incredibly frustrating to have the patience to properly train your Lhasa Apso to avoid barking at every little noise, but it is important to remember to not hit or scream at your dog. Lhasa Apso is a breed that can quickly develop depression or anxiety issues if training is reverted to these methods. Instead, keep your composure and deliver the command “Quiet” or “Hush.” It will take time, but your Lhasa Apso will do better in time.
An additional step to prevent barking is to allow your Lhasa Apso to socialize with many people and animals. When they do bark, use the decided upon command. If no barking occurs, be sure to give your Lhasa Apso a treat or a reward. Continuous training in this area will improve the barking issue.
Veterinary Care for Your Lhasa Apso
The first necessary veterinary care for your Lhasa Apso will come early in their life in the form of vaccinations. There are 5 vaccinations that most vets ask that you allow your puppy to have: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus (usually provided in one vaccine known as DHLP-P). In addition to these, your veterinarian may give the bordetella vaccine to prevent
While the above vaccines will help prevent your Lhasa Apso from getting those specific illnesses, there are still health concerns that could cause harm. Unfortunately, there are no vaccines for conditions such as patellar luxation, progressive retinal atrophy, or renal dysplasia.
Patellar luxation is a condition in which the Lhasa Apso dog suffers from dislocated patellas, or kneecaps. This condition is usually hereditary but can be made worse by weight problems. This is one issue that is made less if a problem when the Lhasa Apso’s weight is healthy. Keeping your dog fed properly and exercised is the ideal situation to avoid such problems.
Progressive retinal atrophy is another condition that can harm a Lhasa Apso. PRA is an eye condition that any dog breed can get, but it is most commonly found in a Lhasa Apso at old age. It does not cause any pain for the dog, but it does cause blindness. If your Lhasa Apso does indeed lose his or her sight, they will require a little extra care from the owner.
Renal dysplasia is a kidney disease that is prone to smaller breeds of dogs. This disease is one in which the kidneys do not develop, and a puppy with this condition likely will not live past a year of life. To spot this disease, look out for excessive drinking of water and poor weight gain. If these factors are noticed in your Lhasa Apso, please seek veterinary care immediately.
Lhasa Apso also can suffer from allergies. A vet can run tests to determine what causes the allergies, but most commonly these allergies are the cause of wheat and corn. The allergies that your Lhasa Apso might have include itchy or dry skin, red eyes, or constant licking. Determining the cause of these allergies is the first step to preventing further issues.
If you decide to spay or neuter your Lhasa Apso, it can be done at any time after he or she is 16 weeks of age. Your vet will inform you of aftercare necessities, but it is normal to have to keep exercise to a minimum for several days and prevent licking to the incision site, often by using a cone. If you decide against spaying or neutering, it will be your responsibility to keep your Lhasa Apso away from dogs of the opposite sex to prevent pregnancy unless you are prepared to care for the new puppies.
As briefly mentioned in the paragraphs above, it is essential to monitor your Lhasa Apso’s weight. Obesity or weight loss can point to additional health concerns. If your Lhasa Apso is exercising the same and eating the same diet, a change in weight is even more concerning, so contact your vet for such an issue. In fact, it is a good idea to get in touch with your vet for any concerns or questions in regards to their health. Sometimes it is better to ask questions than to miss something that might harm your Lhasa Apso.
Caring for Your Lhasa Apso in Old Age
An older Lhasa Apso may run into health issues that require some extra care. It is important to keep in touch with your vet if he or she does develop a condition with old age. Your vet will advise you on the best ways to provide the necessary care.
You may also notice that your aging Lhasa Apso is not as interested in exercise or a lot of play time. If this happens, you may need to adjust his or her food intake so that they do not begin to put on excess weight.
An older Lhasa Apso may even begin to lose their memory. If you notice the dog cannot seem to remember some commands, you can help their memory with some retraining. However, sometimes what might seem like memory loss is actually hearing loss or problems such as arthritis preventing the Lhasa Apso from performing the command.
For a senior Lhasa Apso, it may be necessary to move everything they might need to one area, as they might struggle to get around. Their food bowls might need to be moved next to where they sleep or spend most of their time. They may also feel more comfortable on a special bed made for aging dogs, as it provides more cushion for their aching bodies.
If you choose to purchase or adopt a Lhasa Apso, please be aware of their needs as an older dog as well as their needs as a cute puppy. Adopting an 8-week old puppy is usually a 12-15 year commitment. Bringing one of these dogs into the family means treating them well from beginning to end, even when it gets harder and they are less fun in old age. Having a Lhasa Apso in the family will provide you with a friend for years to come, and he or she will enjoy having a friend from beginning to end.
Related Questions
Are Lhasa Apso dogs aggressive?
While male dogs are generally more aggressive than their female counterparts, a Lhasa Apso dog can be taught to curb any aggression, especially if well socialized.
Will my Lhasa Apso be okay alone?
Separation anxiety is not typical of a Lhasa Apso, but it is possible. Most Lhasa Apso dogs will be just fine alone for a few hours. However, like any dog, they will require interaction every day.