Any Lhasa Apso owners...

[Terry36]

I am veering towards getting one for DD(9). What are the pro's and con's! What do you like and dislike about them.

Thanks

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I don't personally own one but my mother does so I can say what I don't like about them... they bark all the time! From what I understand they were bred to alert their owners of intruders or something like that and they are very suspicous of strangers so they bark whenever someone comes around... I'm not sure if that is something you could train them to avoid or not.

My mom's dogs are friendly but they don't seem to like when the kids play rough with them - maybe they just are not used to the rough play.

Good luck with what ever breed you choose and of course make sure you do lots of research!

 

[Pineapple Princess]

I received one for my 10th birthday and I loved her SO much.
She did not shed, she let me do anything to her include dressing her up and pushing her around in a doll stroller, she was very well behaved and mine only barked when someone was at the door. She also liked to cuddle and was the perfect companion for me. I spent hours playing with her hair and making her cute. Course a lot is going to have to do with the temperment of the dog you get, mine was a sweatpea!
The only negatives I had with mine was she was allergic to grass and when she got older had thyroid issues. She lived to be 14. I miss her.

 

[Alaska Catdog]

I have a lhasa mix and she's a sweet dog who loves to be cuddled by adults but kids kind of freak her out unless they are very mellow kids. She's not a playful dog. Her fur gets matted easily and she needs grooming every other month (at the least). I'm not sure I would get this type of dog for a child. Mine at least is a bit too fragile for a little boy. My DH (after hearing this response) says that if she was raised with kids she would be fine with them but the maintenance on Lhasa's might be too much for a 10 yr old.

 

[Pop Daddy]

I had one until she died (16 years), what craked me up about her, she would never bark until the stranger went past her, then she went nuts, it would scare people to death. I read some wear they where bread that way in China, where they would elt the intruder pass them, then when they barked, they where to close to the castle to try and hide

 

[golfgal]

I don't personally own one but my mother does so I can say what I don't like about them... they bark all the time! From what I understand they were bred to alert their owners of intruders or something like that and they are very suspicous of strangers so they bark whenever someone comes around... I'm not sure if that is something you could train them to avoid or not.

My mom's dogs are friendly but they don't seem to like when the kids play rough with them - maybe they just are not used to the rough play.

Good luck with what ever breed you choose and of course make sure you do lots of research!

Some good friends of ours had one and I don't think I ever heard her bark. She was a very mellow dog. She got run over by a car just a few months ago. It was very sad.

One negative--they do need regular grooming so consider that in your budget.

 

[tonilea]

I worked for a veternarian for ten years. I think they are more apt to be disagreeable than other dogs of their type.

 

[KLAIT]

I don't have any in my adult life, but I had them growing up and my mom has some now. The cons on this dog are that they need a lot of grooming. They get matted easily and they have large eyes that seem to be prone to problems if they are not groomed all the time. Also, since this dog has a short snout they are sometimes 'loud Breathers"..sounds funny, but they snort and snore....


They are nice dogs, but for a child I would definately go with something else.

 

[Evil Genius]

My parents had Lhasa's when I was growing up. Great dogs but not really a dog for a child. They can be a little unpredictable at times.

 

[Terry36]

Okay what type of small dog would you guys recommend for DD?

 

[Aimeedyan]

I agree, they are not the most child friendly dog out there.

Are you stuck on a purebred? A mixed small breed, who is not a teensy puppy, would be my 1st choice for a child's dog. Puppies are hard work and frustrating for a child, plus you don't know what the temperment will be. A slightly older puppy will be easier to handle and you'll see exactly what their personality is. Plus I'm a big sucker for dogs that are going to be put to sleep due to lack of room at the shelters... You can also find purebred dogs in rescue but they are often very picky about homes for those and it's harder to get a rescue to adopt to a family with children. Not saying it's right, but reality. A shelter with a purebred would be open to adopting to you - check Petfinder.

If you really want a purebred from a breeder, consider a Miniature Schnauzer. I've got one; she was a rescue - dumped by her owners and adopters 3x before a rescue pulled her. She was just 10 months old and had been through three homes =( They are a very lovable sturdy breed - highly intelligent. They have to be groomed and don't shed like a normal dog BUT she can go months while my Shih Tzu (cousin to Lhasa) has to go monthly. She's 16 pounds full grown. Small enough to be a lap dog but big enough to not get stepped on.

Try a few breed selector quizzes and see what comes up. That's how we decided on our two purebreds. Funny that our mutt has the best temperment, easiest to train, best with children, and healthiest! =) But since I have severe asthma, we have to go towards certain breeds now...

I would not recommend a teensy dog, like Chi or Yorkie. I wouldn't recommend a Shih Tzu or Lhasa either.

In the end, if you opt for a breeder route, it's imperitive you do a lot of research on a good breeder. When dealing with a child, you do not want to take any chances on poor breeding and run into temperment issues. You just can't be too careful with a child in the house and a new family member. It's worth the time to research and interview breeders - it's a 15 year commitment! =)

 

[rascalmom]

My parents have a Llasa - he is the perfect pet for them, but he is a bit cranky. He barks and growls at visitors, and has been known to snap.

He is sweet and cuddly, and very smart. Part of the problem is that they have really spoiled that dog!

I wouldn't recommend the breed based on what I've seen for a family with children.

I have a Westie - we think he's great and he adores/is adored by kids. He barks at the tv though - gotta protect the world from golf balls and errant horses. DO NOT try to watch that new show Wipeout with him in the room! Other than that, he doesn't bark too much - they were bred to hunt and he goes into "stealth" mode when there is a squirrel in the back yard.

 

[Aimeedyan]

8 month old Maltese/Poodle: http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=11197921

3 month old Dachshund/Chi:
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=11260052

9 month Dachshund:
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=11380056

7 month old Schnauzer mix:
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=11373858

5 month old Schnauzer mix (man, he's CUTE!!)
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=11396314

Just a few quick hits - I have to stop looking or I'll bring home a 4th!!

 

[Terry36]

8 month old Maltese/Poodle: http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=11197921

3 month old Dachshund/Chi:
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=11260052

9 month Dachshund:
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=11380056

7 month old Schnauzer mix:
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=11373858

5 month old Schnauzer mix (man, he's CUTE!!)
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=11396314

Just a few quick hits - I have to stop looking or I'll bring home a 4th!!

Thanks i really appreciate it!