A hybrid between the Lhasa Apso and Poodle dog breeds results in the mixed breed dog known as the Lhasapoo. These puppies gained some of the best traits from both parents, including protection, loyalty, and playfulness.
They may have a long, straight coat like a Lhasa Apso or a short, curly coat like a Poodle, but they all have lovely, alert faces and strong bodies. The Lhasapoo is available in numerous solid colors and particolor patterns.
Lhasadoodle and Lhasa Apso Poodle hybrid are other names for Lhasapoos. These mixed-breed dogs are still considered designer dog breeds, but you can also find them in shelters and breed-specific rescues.
In addition to being versatile and fitting in just as well with a family household with a backyard, these adorable puppies make wonderful pets for single persons or seniors who live in apartments.
The Lhasapoo can be your ideal canine companion if you’re looking for an intelligent and energetic dog that will guard your home.
Here is all the information you need about the Lhasapoo breed if you’re considering getting one.
Breed History
About the origins of designer dog breeds, nothing is known. The Lhasapoo was one of several purebred dogs mixed with other purebred dogs over the past twenty years to develop designer breeds.
The origins of the most well-known hybrids, such as the Labradoodle and Bernedoodle, are known, while the vast majority of other designer dogs are unknown. Among them is the Lhasapoo breed.
Even if we don’t know enough about the original breeders who produced this hybrid, the information we know about his parents says a lot about the breed.
The Lhasa Apso breed, which originated in Tibet, is extraordinarily old. They were revered since nobles and monks could only breed them.
The only way to obtain one was to receive a pair of canines as a gift from the Dalai Lama. An American visitor received a pair in 1933 and later built a kennel.
Another somewhat old breed with German origins is the poodle. These dogs were originally used for hunting ducks in the fifteenth century, but they have since developed into some of the most well-liked pets and friends worldwide.
Lhasapoo doesn’t need to worry about anything with parents like them because he can inherit many nice traits.
General Breed Information
- Weight: Relatively small, 10 pounds to 20 pounds.
- Height: 9 inches to 13 inches.
- Lifespan: 10 years to 15 years.
- Temperament: Intelligent, charming, energetic, and protective.
- Best Suited For: People living alone or with a family living in a house or apartment.
The Lhasapoo is a little, lovable dog that is great for individuals, couples, elders, and families.
This dog would be a wonderful addition to any expanding family because they get along well with kids and other dogs and are gentle and incredibly playful.
They are a breed that is also very protective, especially of their favorite person, and may bark at outsiders.
If you’re not very active, the Lhasapoo is an understanding breed. They can get enough exercise daily with a park trip, some active fun, and running about the yard.
The Lhasapoo would be good in an apartment as long as he gets outside every day due to its tiny size and moderate exercise needs.
Lhasapoos adapt well to their owners’ lifestyles and have moderate activity.
They require a daily stroll or period of vigorous play, and if you’re interested, they are athletic enough to participate in canine sports like rallies, agility, and obedience. This breed is so agile that it appears he is flying when he jumps from couch to couch.
How big will my Lhasapoo get?
There aren’t many size guidelines because the Lhasapoo is a relatively new breed. Lhasapoos are expected to be on the smaller side because their parents are Lhasa Apso and Poodles.
The Lhasapoo is often a cross between a Miniature Poodle and a Lhasa Apso, though the puppies may be even smaller if the Lhasa Apso and Toy Poodle are combined.
Most are between 10 and 15 pounds and nine to thirteen inches tall at the shoulder. Despite this, many people might be smaller or larger, and men often tend to be bigger than women.
Lhasapoo Pedigree
A purebred Poodle and a Lhasa Apso are combined to create the Lhasapoo. The Lhasapoo is not a purebred dog, even though his parents are.
Additionally, this hybrid is ineligible for formal pedigree documents because he is a mixed breed dog in the eyes of recognized dog organizations like the American Kennel Club.
However, the mixed-breed nature of all designer dog breeds precludes them from receiving the attention they merit.
Fortunately, many smaller clubs are enthusiastic about crossbreeding and work to guarantee that specific breeding standards are present in the designer dog industry.
Some provide their certifications as evidence of the puppies’ high pedigree, but this is uncommon.
However, you can be confident that you’ll have a beautiful pet if you get a puppy from a respectable breeder or rescue organization rather than a puppy mill.
You will either have a guarantee from a breeder who carefully selected his stock to offer the best of both worlds, or the shelter staff will have examined them so you will know what to anticipate regarding health and socialization.
Lhasapoo Diet
It’s crucial to ensure that your dog receives all the nutrients they require in a well-balanced ratio. The best way to do this is with dog food because it can accommodate dogs of varied sizes and shapes.
You should choose quality dry food for Lhasapoos that is appropriate for their particular demands and way of life.
Pay attention to the fact that your pet’s food is not generic but is made specifically for them because not all Lhasapoos will be the same size or have the same amount of activity. Pick a dog food combination suitable for their age, size, and degree of exercise.
The Lhasapoo won’t require more than 1 cup of dry, high-quality dog food daily, divided between two meals, due to its small size. They should have plenty of energy from this to run a few laps around the park and maintain strong teeth.
Since they are more prone to become obese, even a minor weight gain may harm their quality of life. However, a wide range of health problems, from joint discomfort to diabetes, are quickly brought on by excess weight on a small frame like theirs.
Before choosing a diet for your pet, consult a vet for advice if they have any health conditions, such as diabetes or kidney problems.
The same is true if you choose an alternative dog diet, such as raw food or home cooking—canine nutrition is extremely complex, and only an expert can tell you if you’re picking the best option for your pet.
Lhasapoo Temperament And Behavior
Temperament can vary since both environments and inherited traits influence it. This designer breed can lean toward the “little, yappy dog” end of the scale, but only because they adore you and want you to be aware of any intruders.
It seems to sense that the Lhasa Apso would serve as your watchdog since they were initially used as guard dogs in Tibet.
The temperament of a Lhasapoo is influenced by several factors, including his parents’ temperaments—particularly the mother, who is more likely to impact a puppy’s behavior—the amount of socialization he receives, and the specific genes he inherits.
Temperament can vary since both environments and inherited traits influence it. This designer breed can lean toward the “little, yappy dog” end of the scale, but only because they adore you and want you to be aware of any intruders.
It seems to sense that the Lhasa Apso would serve as your watchdog since they were initially used as guard dogs in Tibet.
The temperament of a Lhasapoo is influenced by several factors, including his parents’ temperaments—particularly the mother, who is more likely to impact a puppy’s behavior—the amount of socialization he receives, and the specific genes he inherits.
If the Lhasa branch of his family takes the lead, he might be distant; if the Poodle branch takes the lead, he might be playful.
While Poodles and Lhasas can both exhibit a proud and dignified disposition, Poodles are more prone to take pleasure in flaunting their skills and fine looks.
A Lhasapoo is intelligent. Due to his Lhasa ancestry, he may occasionally display stubbornness and independence. Still, if you train him using positive reinforcement methods while rewarding him with praise, games, and treats, he will probably pick up new skills fast.
These dogs, as indicated, adore their owners dearly. They enjoy playing with adults, kids, and other dogs, but only if they were exposed to other animals when they were young.
This implies that they also detest being alone, yet they will put up with it if they have to leave for work. However, if you’re at home, you can count on your Lhasapoo to be by your side or on your lap all the time.
Check the temperature and weather before bringing this dog on a stroll. These dogs typically don’t enjoy going outside in the rain or cold, so either stick to walking them around the house to exhaust them or dress them with the proper boots and a jacket.
Exercise Needs
If the weather is too bad for you and your dog to go for a stroll outside, skip the leash and collar and play some indoor fetch in its place.
The Lhasapoo is a moderately active dog. But that doesn’t mean they won’t enjoy a lengthy trip to your neighborhood dog park for some amicable dog chasing.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise when Fido jumps from couch to couch with such ease that it appears he is flying because this breed is also highly agile.
The Lhasapoo would fit perfectly in an apartment due to its compact size and activity requirements.
Grooming Needs
Depending on how much from either parent they take, this dog’s coat will vary. It might be straight and long like a Lhasapoos or curly and thick like a Poodle’s.
The Lhasapoo is hypoallergenic as a result of the poodle cross. White, black, brown, tan, and any shade in between are among the colors!
No matter how much of each parent they inherit, they still require regular brushing to keep their manes in good condition.
Lhasapoos can have various coat types, including straight hair, huge looping curls, soft, tight curls, and loose waves. A handful of dogs have either the classic Poodle coat or the straight Lhasa coat, but most have curly or wavy coats. It is soft whether it is curly or straight.
A Lhasapoo coat needs professional grooming every four to six weeks to maintain the greatest appearance. In addition, it has to be brushed or combed every two to three days to avoid mats or tangles.
Among the breeds that frequently have reddish-brown tear streaks under their eyes are Lhasapoos. The best course of action is to wash your face every day and gently wipe the area around your eyes to avoid stains from setting.
While you should trim the genital region of your Lhasapoo to keep it clean or have the groomer shave the lower belly region, this breed doesn’t require a bikini wax.
Basic care is all that is left. Every week or so, trim his nails and keep his ears dry and clean. For overall health and fresh breath, wash his teeth frequently with a pet toothpaste approved by the vet because little dogs are particularly vulnerable to periodontal disease.
Are Lhasapoo easy to train?
The day you bring your puppy home, begin training him. He can learn whatever you can teach him, even at the age of eight weeks.
Waiting until he is six months old to start training will result in a more difficult-to-control dog. By the time he is 10 to 12 weeks old if at all feasible, enroll him in puppy kindergarten and encourage him to socialize constantly.
Although many doctors advise limiting exposure to other dogs and crowded areas until puppy vaccinations, such as those for rabies, distemper, and parvovirus, have been finished, be aware that many puppy training schools require some vaccinations, such as kennel cough, to be current.
Until puppy vaccinations are finished, you can start training your puppy at home and socializing with family and friends in place of official instruction.
Discuss your needs with the breeder, be as specific as possible, and ask for help choosing a puppy.
Once they are aware of your lifestyle and personality, breeders can provide uncannily accurate recommendations because they regularly interact with their puppies.
Whatever you want in a Lhasapoo, search for one who has been socialized from an early age and whose parents are decent.
Lhasapoo Health Concerns
Just as all individuals can inherit a certain disease, all dogs, whether purebred, hybrid, or mixes, have the potential to have genetic health issues, an ethical breeder will be forthright and honest about the prevalence of mixed-breed health issues in her lines.
Lhasapoos may be prone to the health issues of the Lhasa Apso and Miniature Poodles.
Still, there’s also a chance that the genetic diversity brought about by combining the two breeds may reduce the likelihood of having some inherited ailments. This is challenging to forecast for a mixed-breed dog due to the sheer nature of genetic variance.
The following are a few of the more prevalent health issues affecting Lhasapoos:
- Cataracts
- Cherry Eye
- Cushing’s Disease
- Epilepsy
- Hip Dysplasia
- Patellar Luxation
- Renal issues
You need to locate a trustworthy breeder dedicated to breeding the healthiest animals because not all inherited disorders can be detected in a growing puppy.
However, it can be difficult to anticipate if an animal will be free of these disorders. Therefore, they ought to be able to provide independent verification that the dog’s parents have undergone genetic testing and be fit for breeding.
Ask the breeder to, at the very least, provide documentation proving that both of the puppy’s parents have the necessary licenses from health registries like the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, the Canine Eye Registry Foundation, etc.
Final Takeaways
For those looking for a companion dog, the Lhasapoo is a charming crossbreed. They are the perfect pets for anyone with dander allergies due to their low shedding characteristics.
The Lhasa Apso Poodle mix must be trained from a young age to suppress its barking. Additionally, socialization is necessary to reduce Lhasapoo’s distrust of outsiders.
