Lhasapoo dog: Lhasa Apso Poodle Mix
| Height: | 9 – 13 inches |
| Weight: | 10 – 20 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10 – 15 years |
| Colors: | White, apricot, cream, patterned, brown, black |
| Suitable for: | Excellent for families, good with children and other animals |
| Temperament: | Loyal to the owner, friendly, agile, playful, and affectionate |
The Lhasapoo, also referred to as a Lhasadoodle, is a small designer breed resulting from a mix between a Poodle or Miniature Poodle with a Lhasa Apso. They’re intelligent, playful, and fiercely loyal to their owners. Lhasapoos were first bred in the 1990s when the miniature dog craze was at its peak.
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Their hair can be curly like a poodle’s or straight like a Lhasa Apso’s, and they have large eyes, short muzzles, and feathered ears that hang down. Lhasapoos are perfect for families, but they need proper training and socialization before living with small children. They have a mild temperament and only require moderate daily exercise. As long as they receive enough exercise, Lhasapoos are ideal for apartment living.
What is a Lhasapoo?
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 (should you have one). 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.
This breed is incredibly agile – when he hops from couch-to-couch with such ease, it looks like he’s flying!
Origin
There’s not much information about the origin of designer dog breeds. For the past twenty years, many purebred dogs were put together with other purebred dogs to create designer breeds, and the Lhasapoo was one of many. The most popular hybrids, such as the Labradoodle or the Bernedoodle, have a well-documented history, but the majority of other designer dog is a complete mystery. The Lhasapoo is one of those breeds. However, even though there’s not enough information on the original breeders who created this hybrid, the knowledge we have about his parents speaks volumes about the breed.
The Lhasa Apso breed is an incredibly old one, hailing from Tibet. Bred exclusively by nobility and monks, they were seen as sacred. The only way to get one was if you were gifted a pair of dogs from the Dalai Lama himself. In 1933, a pair was gifted to an American traveler and he eventually developed a kennel. The Poodle is also a relatively old breed whose roots are in Germany. These dogs started out as duck hunters in the 15th century, but had since evolved to become one of the most popular pets and companions in the world.
Naturally, with parents such as these, Lhasapoo doesn’t have to worry about a thing- there’s plenty of wonderful qualities he can inherit.
Pedigree
The Lhasapoo is a cross between a purebred Poodle and Lhasa Apso. However, even though his parents are purebred dogs, the Lhasapoo itself is not one. And, since he is a mixed breed dog in the eyes of official canine organizations, such as the American Kennel Club, this hybrid is not eligible for official pedigree papers. All designer dog breeds share his fate, though- their mixed breed origin prevents them from getting the recognition they deserve.
Luckily, there are plenty of smaller clubs that are enthusiastic about crossbreeding and try to ensure that certain breeding standards are present in the world of designer dogs, too. Some of them give out their own certifications as proof of puppy’s good lineage- but it’s not often the case.
Even so, if you get a puppy from a reputable breeder or a rescue and not from a puppy mill, you can rest assured that you’ll have a wonderful pet. They’ll either be vetted by the shelter’s staff so you’ll know what to expect in terms of health and socialization, or you’ll have a guarantee from a breeder who selected his stock to offer best of both worlds.
Diet and Nutrition
It’s important to make sure your dog gets all the nutrients they need and in a well-balanced ratio, as well. Kibble is the optimal way to do this, as it meets the needs of canines of all shapes and sizes. For the Lhasapoo, you should pick out premium dry food suitable for their own unique lifestyle and needs. Not all Lhasapoos will be the same size or have the same amount of activity, so make sure to pay attention that your pet’s food is not generic, but rather tailored for them. Choose kibble blend appropriate for their age (puppy, adult, senior), size and activity level (usually small breed kibble is a good choice).
Because of its small size, the Lhasapoo won’t need more than 1 cup of dry, good-quality kibble each day, divided between (at least) two meals. This should give them plenty of energy to run a few laps around the park, plus keep their teeth nice and strong. If they try to con you into giving them extra with their sad puppy eyes- don’t cave in. They are particularly prone to obesity and even small weight gain could lower their quality of life. Excess weight on a small frame like theirs quickly leads to a host of health issues, from joint pain to diabetes.
If your pet has any health issues (such as diabetes or kidney issues) make sure to contact a vet for advice before deciding on a diet for them. The same goes if you opt for alternative dog diets such as raw food or home cooking– canine nutrition is very complex and only a professional can tell you if you’re making the right choice for your pet.
Happy to sit on your lap or play catch, the Lhasapoo just wants to be where you are.
How easy are Lhasapoo to train?
For the Lhasapoo, training seems to be a mixed grab bag. While this hybrid breed often inherits the Poodle’s sharp brain, it doesn’t always respond to structured training. On the other hand, many Lhasapoos excel at canine sports like agility and obedience.
Regardless of your dog’s willingness to learn and perform tricks, basic socialization and obedience training is a must. If this is your first dog or you just don’t know where to start, finding a licensed dog trainer in your area can make the process much easier!
Weight
The Lhasapoo is a pretty small dog and can generally weigh anywhere between 10 to 20 pounds.
How would you describe the temperament of Lhasapoo?
This designer breed can fall onto the typical “small, yappy dog” end of the spectrum, but it’s only because they love you dearly and want you to know if a stranger is around! The Lhasa Apso was originally a guard in Tibet, so it’s only natural for them to be your own personal watchdog.
As aforementioned, these dogs absolutely love their humans. They love to play with adults, children and other dogs as well- but only if they had contact with other animals at a young age. Having said that, this means that they also dislike being alone, but will tolerate it if you must go to work. But if you’re in the house, expect to have your Lhasapoo constantly at your side or on your lap.
If you’re taking this pooch out for a walk, be wary of the temperature and weather. These dogs don’t usually like going outside when its too cold or wet so either stick to tiring them out with some laps around your home or make sure to bundle up with appropriate booties and a jacket.
How healthy are Lhasapoo?
As mentioned earlier, hybrid dog breeds are prone to just as many health concerns as their purebred parents. In many cases, these dogs actually take on the genetic problems of both breeds, resulting in a long list of potential medical conditions.
Some breeders and fans of these dogs will claim that they are healthier than other breeds. We suggest avoiding any breeders who make claims about their dogs’ health without providing veterinary records as proof.
When it comes to the Lhasapoo, here are the most common medical conditions seen in the crossbreed:
- Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
- Cushing’s disease
- Hip dysplasia
- Patellar luxation
- Addison’s disease
- Kidney disorders
- Von Willebrand’s disease
- Cataracts
- Chronic allergies
- Hypothyroidism
- Epilepsy
How long will Lhasapoo live?
These dogs have the average lifespan of 10 to 15 years.
How active are Lhasapoo?
The recommended daily exercise for a Lhasapoo is about 60 minutes of moderate activity. Short walks are the best way to meet this requirement. Spurts of indoor play throughout the day can meet your Lhasapoo’s needs when you can’t get outside for more structured exercise.
In many cases, keeping a Lhasapoo active is more about their mental than physical wellbeing, and boredom can quickly transform into destructive behavior (something no dog owner wants!). Aside from full-on physical play, chew toys are an excellent way to calm the breed’s nervous energy without overdoing the exercise.
Recognized Clubs
The Lhasapoo is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Breed Registry (DBR), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA), International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR) and Designer Breed Registry (DBR).
Coat
This dog’s coat all depends on how much they take from either parent. It could be curly and thick like that of a Poodle’s or can be straight and long like Lhasa Apsos. Because of the poodle cross, the Lhasapoo is hypoallergenic. Colors include white, black, brown, tan and everything in between! No matter how much they take from either parents, they still need to be brushed daily in order to maintain a healthy mane. If you decide to give this dog a fresh summer cut, expect to have about half of your dog returned because so much fur was chopped off!
Puppies
This dog does great with children, but requires supervision even when they are adults, as small children can pull at their fur and hurt them. While they’re still puppies, they’ll need even more caution- as they are that much smaller and more fragile.
Related Questions
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
With gradual introduction, Lhasapoos can do well in a multi-pet household. But it’s not their preferred environment.
For most Lhasapoos, their human family is the center of their world — other pets are just a nuisance. While Lhasapoos aren’t known to attack other pets, living with another dog or cat could make them feel anxious or like they have to compete for attention.
If you already own a dog or cat, another dog breed may be a better fit for your home.
Are These Dogs Good for Families?
One of the Lhasapoo’s standout traits is their adaptability. These dogs thrive in countless environments, from apartment-living with a single retiree to life in a suburban home with a large family.
Generally, Lhasapoos get along great with children of all ages. The crossbreed’s joyful, loving personality makes them a perfect match for children old enough to respectfully play with smaller dogs. Lhasapoos can get along with young children as well, but playtime should always be supervised by an adult.
Though it’s true that the Lhasapoo is well-suited to family life, all dogs are unique. We always suggest gauging your new dog’s comfort level and using socialization strategies from an early age. Never just throw your Lhasapoo puppy into a room of children and hope for the best!
Final Thoughts
Is it worth seeking out a Lhasapoo over any other small breed? That depends on what you’re looking for from a dog!
Overall, the Lhasapoo is an excellent dog for people young and old — even those who live in small urban apartments. They require little space to thrive, instead getting out their excess energy by playing with or chewing on toys. At the same time, their intelligence and affection make them an ever-present companion who will never let their humans feel lonely.
If the Lhasapoo checks all your boxes and you’re willing to put in the extra work to find one of these hybrid dogs, then we see no reason to go with any other breed. But if you would be just as happy with any small, doting canine companion, then it might be worth checking out your local rescue organization instead.
Have you ever met a Lhasapoo? What did you think of this personality-filled designer breed? Let us know in the comments below!
