Everything about your Lhasapoo

  The Lhasapoo is a cross or mixed breed the offspring of a Poodle  and a Lhasa Apso. She has a life span of 10 to 15 years and is talented in areas such as agility, rally and obedience. She is sometimes called Lhasadoodle and is an adaptable and playful and affectionate small dog.

Overview

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  Small and cuddly, the Lhasapoo makes a wonderful companion for singles, couples, seniors and families alike. Gentle in nature and extremely playful, this dog would make a  great addition any growing family, as they do well with both children and other dogs . A mix of Poodle and Lhasa Apso, this designer breed is gaining in popularity. It is also a protective breed, most noticeably will its favorite human, and may bark at strangers – they are small, but mighty!
  If you’re not incredibly active, the Lhasapoo will forgive you. A trip to the park here, some vigorous playtime, and running around in the yard should be plenty for their daily dose of exercise. Due to its moderate activity requirements and small size, the Lhasapoo would do just fine in an apartment, so long as he goes outside everyday.

Other Quick Facts

  • Lhasapoos come in many coat colors and patterns, depending on the genes they inherit.
  • Most Lhasapoos are best suited to homes with older children who understand how to behave around dogs.
Breed standards

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Breed Type: Crossbreed

Group: Companion dog, watch dog, toy dog, lap dog

Average lifespan: 10-15 years

Average size: 10 to 20 pounds

Coat appearance: Long, dense, straight, curly

Coloration: White, black, brown, cream, apricot or combinations
Hypoallergenic: Yes
Best Suited For: Singles, couples, seniors or families living in an apartment or house
Temperament: Intelligent, sweet, active, protective
Comparable Breeds: Poodle, Lhasa Apso
History
  The Lhasapoo is a designer breed; he is growing quite popular as of late. However, there is not a great deal of information about how the hybrid breed came to be. So, in order to learn about the Lhasapoo, we must take a look at the parent breeds. The Lhasa Apso hails from Tibet. He was a dog that was owned by nobility, and he was the guard dog of the Tibetan monasteries. 
  The only way that anyone was able to own a Lhasa Apso was if the Dalai Lama gifted a Lhasa to that person. This happened sporadically; the Dalai Lama gifted Lhasas to Chinese nobility. In the 1930s, the Dalai Lama gifted a pair of Lhasas to a naturalist and renowned traveller, C. Suydam Cutting. Cutting returned to his kennels in New Jersey and began developing the Lhasa we know today. The Poodle is also a breed that has been around for centuries. Experts believe that he is a mixture of several European water dogs and the North African Barbet, a dog that is now extinct. Eventually, the breed we know as the Poodle ended up in Germany, where he was utilized for his hunting abilities. The Poodle’s exact date of origin is not known; there are Poodle-like dogs depicted on Egyptian and Roman artwork. 
  The dogs portrayed are generally retrieving game or herding animals. The Standard Poodle is traditionally used for duck hunting, and smaller Poodles were used to sniff out truffles in the woods. Eventually, travelling performers learned that the Poodle is an adept show dog. Poodles were not very populous in the United States until after World War II. However, for a number of decades, the Poodle was the most popular breed in the U.S.

Temperament 
  These intelligently smart and affectionate dogs with dignity and pride tend to please their owners picking up tricks easily and taking part in games/shows, and being an alert watchdog. They are adaptable by nature and seek for attention and love from its family. If socialized from puppyhood, they would be good to other dogs, pets and children, provided the kids are also well-behaved.
Health Problems

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  Before you introduce a Lhasapoo puppy into your home, remember to see a certificate of health from your reputable breeder. As a cross-bred dog, these pups can experience health issues from either Poodle of Lhasa Apso breeds. The most common are eye problems, patellar luxation, SA, kidney problems, Addison’s disease, Cushings Disease, epilepsy, Hypothyroidism, Legg-Parthes Disease, Von Willebrand’s disease, hip dysplasia as well as allergies.
Care
  The Lhasapoo is a breed with an average energy level. It will get most of the exercise it needs when it resides indoors. However, it will appreciate the opportunity to accompany its owner on a short or long walk. The Lhasapoo is an indoor breed. It will remain active while living indoors. The breed also loves being close to its family. Any color is acceptable for the coat of the Lhasapoo. While the Lhasapoo does not shed, it does require frequent trips to the groomer for haircuts every 6-8 weeks. They will become badly matted especially under wet or snowy conditions unless their fur is kept short.
Living Conditions

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  The Ideal Environment for a Lhasa-Poo is being close to the family and getting a lot of attention. Since they are a small breed they can live in apartments if given enough exercise.
Training
  Early training methods are best to ensure the Lhasapoo learns as much as s/he can as early on as possible. Although they can be a little harder to train as puppies than as adults, this will make for a more socialized, obedient dog overall. They are an intelligent breed, but are known to be a bit stubborn at times. This designer breed requires a trainer who is patient, calm and keeps a positive attitude. Remember to always reward good behavior with plenty of treats and you’ll be on the right track in no time.

Activity Requirements
  The Lhasapoo is energetic, but he is not overly active. Keep in mine that his Poodle parent breed is notorious for being destructive if he becomes bored. Give your Lhasapoo plenty of chew toys, and take him on short, brisk walks to work off any nervous energy. He will also enjoy playtime with you indoors. The key is making sure he has regular activity, even for short spurts throughout the day. He will also make friends at the dog park, and he may surprise you by hopping from couch-to-couch. Observers often say it appears the Lhasapoo is “flying” when he does so.

Grooming

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  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 between appointments with the groomer.
  Lhasapoos are among the breeds that commonly develop reddish-brown tear stains beneath their eyes. Your best bet 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.
  The rest is basic care. Trim his nails every week or two, and keep his ears clean and dry. Small dogs are especially prone to periodontal disease, so brush his teeth frequently with a vet-approved pet toothpaste for good overall health and fresh breath.

Children and other animals
black-lhasa-poo-4660192  She does better with older children but with early socialization and training, and being raised with them she can also be good with younger ones as long as they are supervised in case they start tugging or pulling at her when she doesn’t want it. She also does better with other animals when raised with them.

Did You Know?
  A Lhasapoo’s fur can be tightly curled, loosely curled, wavy, or straight. But whatever else it is, it’s always soft.

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