New puppy

ceri1969

Hello, I hope you don't mind me asking a few questions.

I've been to see a lhasa apso pup tonight (not sure if that is spelt correctly!) with a view to buying him. He's absolutely gorgeous, 9 weeks old and I've 90% made up my mind to buy him.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice about the breed. What is their temperament like? Are they easy to train? He seemed to have a really laid back little personality.

I had a dog when I was 18, but I'm 42 now and that seems like a long time ago!

The ex didn't like dogs, but I'm divorced now and the kids are more or less grown up so I thought he'd be good company and a reason to start walking more.

elsien

Basic info here.
http://www.petplanet.co.uk/petplanet/breeds/Lhasa_Apso.htm

I think they can also be prone to behavioral problems if they are indulged and kept as lapdogs because of their size rather than as treated as a normal dog.

I don't know where you've found your pup, but there are a number of factors you need to check to make sure that he's from a reputable home/breeder and not from a puppy farm otherwise you're likely to get all sort of health and behavioural problems.
I don't have time at the moment to give lots of advice, but please do a search on this forum and check the other puppy finding threads to ensure that you get a well looked after pup and not an extremely expensive mistake.

http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/az/p/puppyfarming/

krlyr

I would be slightly concerned that a reputable breeder would have a 9 week old puppy available to buy now - a decent breeder should have a waiting list and reserve owners if the first should back out. It could happen - if everyone in the waiting list wanted a b1tch rather than a dog, or they were waiting for a litter later in the year, for example, but it would ring alarm bells and I'd want to know why.
It's hard not to fall in love with a cute puppy face, but for the dog's sake - and yours - try to make this decision with your head, not your heart. That adorable face may bring you joy now, but when you're faced with vet bills and the heartbreak of a dog with a long list of health issues due to indiscriminate breeding, it won't be tears of joy you're crying. Been there, done it myself - we took on a puppy that a relative had bought through the Loot free-ads and she was wracked with health and behavioural issues and ended up being euthanised at 4 years old as she could barely walk into the garden. Not the agility dog I'd had dreams of when I started looking for a puppy!

http://www.apbc.org.uk/articles/good_breeder

If you're after a puppy then track down a good breeder and be prepared to go on a waiting list (housetraining is much easier in summer, anyway ). Go to dog shows and find breeders of your chosen breed - a reputable breeder will have a good reputation and may not need to advertise as such, they'll get their "custom" by word-of-mouth. Bad experiences also spread quickly too.
Otherwise, there are plenty of puppies available in rescue if you want one ASAP, and you're not funding a backyard breeder or puppyfarm.
Gwen Bailey's book, "The Perfect Puppy", is meant to be a really good read so perhaps order that to prepare yourself.

pawsies

Lhasa's in my experience are quite stubborn, as are most Asian breeds.
They will do something but only if there's something in it for them!

So they thrive off reward based training.

You'll need to consider grooming for him- will you be able to do it? There are some good books on the market to assist you or will he be going to a groomer? Think of the costs involved.

Lhasa's I'm not aware of any significant health issues in them but there will be some. Ask the breeder have his parents been tested for this disease?
Most importantly see both parents- some breeders may use a stud in which case you may not get to see him but try and find out about his/her behaviour as behaviour is passed down genetically and learnt from the mother so it's crucial if you find out she doesn't like kids that you create many positive experiences with him around kids.
It's difficult as you've seen him and have probably fallen in love already! So it's going to be hard to look at it with a clear head however I think you should look at other pups around and compare them.

sassyshamrock

Hi Ceri,

I have a lhasa puppy who is 12 weeks now, as i lost my other lhasa before christmas .

My experience of this breed is they are loyal and clever little dogs who pick things up quickly. They can be stubborn, but are adorable. They are hardy little dogs with relatively few health problems.

We picked our lhasa up at 9 weeks on the basis that the vet would check her over and if any problems then the breeder would take her back.

I have only had female lhasa's but would recommend them to anyone as they are just such a lovely companion, and they have always been good with my children.

This is just my experience and hope it helps.

best wishes with your decision xx

krlyr

sassyshamrock wrote: »

We picked our lhasa up at 9 weeks on the basis that the vet would check her over and if any problems then the breeder would take her back.

A basic veterinary check is alright but won't pick up everything. From a quick search, Lhasa Apsos appear to be prone to several eye issues - progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), cherry eye and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), so I would want to know that the breeder does their upmost to ensure the parents do not carry any of these (trips to a specialist ophthalmologistyearly is recommended). Also an autoimmune skin condition called sebaceous adenitis. Hip dysplasia and kidney problems seem to be mentioned too and won't be picked up by an external health check.

ceri1969

Thank you everyone for taking the time to answer.

The puppy's not from a breeder, I know the owner and have seen mum and dad who at first glance look like healthy, sociable, well cared for and happy dogs.

I would definitely agree that a visual check up by the vet wouldn't pick up any long standing health problems in the parents and will definitely think carefully before I make my decision, although as Pawsies said, I already think he's gorgeous!

He definitely wouldn't be a pampered little lapdog and would be treated like any other dog. I wouldn't have any problem with grooming and know of a very good dog groomer in a nearby town (recommended by a friend).

Thanks again, I will go and have a look at those links now.

Caroline_a

ceri1969 wrote: »

Thank you everyone for taking the time to answer.

The puppy's not from a breeder, I know the owner and have seen mum and dad who at first glance look like healthy, sociable, well cared for and happy dogs.


I would definitely agree that a visual check up by the vet wouldn't pick up any long standing health problems in the parents and will definitely think carefully before I make my decision, although as Pawsies said, I already think he's gorgeous!


He definitely wouldn't be a pampered little lapdog and would be treated like any other dog. I wouldn't have any problem with grooming and know of a very good dog groomer in a nearby town (recommended by a friend).

Thanks again, I will go and have a look at those links now.

Yes it is, it's from a back street breeder, whether you know them or not. Hopefully they are from different lines and not brother and sister (the parents, not the breeder). Have they done the relevant vet checks - that is why you pay a considerable sum for a pedigree dog! All puppies of that age are cute - don't let that sway a sensible judgement or you could come to regret with vet's fees, etc.

krlyr

ceri1969 wrote: »

Thank you everyone for taking the time to answer.

The puppy's not from a breeder, I know the owner and have seen mum and dad who at first glance look like healthy, sociable, well cared for and happy dogs.

If they are not a breeder (as in, don't do it for a living/hobby) then I would be asking them why they chose to breed this litter, and what health tests have been done on the parents. I would be finding out if either/both of the parents came from a "proper" breeder to research whether those breeders are known for breeding healthy dogs.
The parents may be healthy, sociable and happy dogs now - but if they are young, they could end up with health problems themselves that may have been passed on to the pups.

Personally I would be tempted to give this pup a miss, the breeding situation does not sit right with me. It will be hard because you've clicked with his face, but as Caroline says, all puppies are cute at that age and you will find equally cute puppies in the future.