Tell me about your Lhasa Apso. Come meet Onslow:) Pic in post 19(trying again)

[Octoberbride03]

We visited our local shelter this afternoon and put in an application to adopt a Lhasa Apso. He won't actually be available to adopt until tuesday, but we feel good that he will be ours

This will be our first dog together. And my first dog period. So please tell me about yours. I will take any advice/suggestions you may have.

We know he is an adult and already fixed. The shelter thinks he is about 2-3yrs old, so not a puppy. He has been there for a month now, picked up as a stray w/an identifying collar. But his owners have not picked him up even though they have been notified. They have until 5pm Monday to do this and then he becomes ours on Tues if they do not. (We don't think they will)

He was friendly and receptive to being petted and was very calm the whole time we were there. So we hope our luck holds out and Tuesday afternoon we will have our very own Onslow

 

[Aimeedyan]

You know, if that baby has been there for a month already then his owners don't deserve him Kudos to you for adopting! That age is perfect, esp for new dog owners.

I have a Shih Tzu, a close cousin to the Lhaso. I think you'll love having one in your family.

Post pics when you get him!

 

[bballmom56]

My inlaws have had 2 lhasas. They were wonderful little dogs! They were very affectionate and loyal. I don't remember them ever being nippy or even yappy. My DH and I have had big dogs, but I wouldn't hesitate to have a lhasa. Thank you for going to a shelter. I'm sure the dog will be VERY grateful!

 

[angwill]

I have a shih tzu and have had them in the past. They are like a smaller version of the Lahsa and have been very loving and affectionate but only when they want it which can be a good thing because then they are not overbearing in their need for attention. They loved people even strangers. If I were you I would google and see if what they explain is a good fit for your family before you commit.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

I was in middle school when my mom decided to get a Lhasa. She was the best darned dog ever and I still miss her!

Their hair (not fur) does continually grow so either keep his hair cut short and/or commit to brushing at least once a day because the matting can get terrible. Their temperment is fantastic - I don't remember Sheena ever getting snippy over anything - and they just want to be loved all the time!

Kudos to you for rescuing this wonderful pooch. I hope you have many, many happy years together!

 

[tonga]

My first dog was a Lhasa Apso. I had her for 16.5 years, and still miss her.

She was a great little dog, very loyal and affectionate. She did have a stubborn streak in her, though, and was way too smart for her own good.

They do have strong intuition and a desire to protect their people. We got ours from our backyard neighbours, and one night when our dog was about 5, she was going crazy at the back fence. Just barking like crazy, and refused to come in. We found out later that the neighbour's house was being burglarized at the time!

I'm sure yours will provide you with a lot of love, smiles, and great stories over the years, just like mine did!

 

[Octoberbride03]

I have a shih tzu and have had them in the past. They are like a smaller version of the Lahsa and have been very loving and affectionate but only when they want it which can be a good thing because then they are not overbearing in their need for attention. They loved people even strangers. If I were you I would google and see if what they explain is a good fit for your family before you commit.

I've been doing research on dogs for a little while now, so we went in with an idea of what would fit for us. Dogs are not and should not be a spur of the moment decision. Lhasas are definitely in the list of dogs that fit our current needs.

 

[Octoberbride03]

I was in middle school when my mom decided to get a Lhasa. She was the best darned dog ever and I still miss her!

Their hair (not fur) does continually grow so either keep his hair cut short and/or commit to brushing at least once a day because the matting can get terrible. Their temperment is fantastic - I don't remember Sheena ever getting snippy over anything - and they just want to be loved all the time!

Kudos to you for rescuing this wonderful pooch. I hope you have many, many happy years together!

At the shelter his hair was clipped very short. I think the only place I've actually seen lhasas with a full coat is on tv. I'm wondering if he's a mix which would be absolutely fine with us. When we get him and take him to the vet we'll see about that.

 

[bballmom56]

I was trying to remember if MIL took the dogs to a groomer or did it herself. I do know she brushed them a lot. The first lhasa had a silkier coat and the second one a little more fluff. And yes, they were very smart! MIL taught them both to go only to the edges of their own yard - no fence, no shock collars. I never could figure out how she did it!

 

[kirbydog48]

We adopted an 8 yr old Lhasa this spring. He is adorable, so loyal and very mellow. His previous owner was an elderly woman who didn't do much training, but he's come a long way since we got him. They don't need much exercise, do need daily brushing. Mine has had quite a few accidents, but always does it on the tile. He does have some issues with resource guarding, but we're working on it. I absolutely love him. He's a snuggle bunny! They can have problems with their eyes.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I keep my Shih Tzu in a short puppy cut. I don't have patience to brush everyday and honestly, his fur gets dirty easily if it's long. Since he sleeps in the bed, he isn't allowed to be dirty all the time

We just take him to the groomer every 6 weeks or so and have them cut him in a short puppy cut. We think he's adorable like that, and he stays clean and trim (without needing any extra brushing from us!).

The long coats I have seen are only in dog shows, really.

This is Harley, on the right, shortly after grooming. It grows SO fast!

 

[Octoberbride03]

I keep my Shih Tzu in a short puppy cut. I don't have patience to brush everyday and honestly, his fur gets dirty easily if it's long. Since he sleeps in the bed, he isn't allowed to be dirty all the time

We just take him to the groomer every 6 weeks or so and have them cut him in a short puppy cut. We think he's adorable like that, and he stays clean and trim (without needing any extra brushing from us!).

The long coats I have seen are only in dog shows, really.

This is Harley, on the right, shortly after grooming. It grows SO fast!

Your pic is sooo cute. I wish I'd brought our camera to the shelter yesterday and then I would have posted pics of our doggie.

I'll be happy on tues when we get to pick him up. I think our luck will hold out for once and his old family will not return for him. We will get a call if they do though.

So I'm trying to make a list of stuff we need for him. So fire away with all the doggie stuff y'all have.

 

[crazyme5kids]

About a year before my father died, he adopted a Lhasa from the pound. My mother wanted to kill him. He chewed everything, shoes, blankets, sheets etc... He had lots of bad habits and was a little nippy. My mother says, he was the hardest dog she ever owned to train, but it was worth it

We all live together now. He still likes to chew, but most of the time he chews only his toys. On rare occasions he still is a little nippy (the back of your feet), and he is spoiled rotten,but none of us would trade him for the world.He's a great lap dog. We take him to the groomers every few months to get his hair clipped short. He is a good watchdog, yaps at people going past the house.

 

[turkeymama]

I had a Lhasa once. He was very stubborn, and he loved my husband and loved to hate him at the same time. He house-trained easily, he was very smart and very friendly. Just as someone else pointed out, he wasn't overbearing and was never a "in your face" kind of dog. The only time he got snippy with us was when we tried to take away some type of food. I know, many dogs would do the same. I miss him. He wasn't above digging holes under the fence when we weren't watching and it only took one time (about 5 minutes unsupervised in the back yard) and he got out. A neighbor hit him. My husband and I were devastated. I don't know if digging is very common for Lhasas. Mine loved to roam, even though he was neutered. I would get another one in a heartbeat. Great dogs.

 

[ZachnElli]

Our lhasa just turned a year old and she is adorable! She is very smart and she is very much an outdoor dog! I didn't know any little dogs that liked to be outside so much, but she sure does! If there is even just one weed in the yard, I swear she can find it and get it stuck in her hair! She stalks bugs in the bushes and is just quite the entertainment while we sit outside! I just downloaded pictures of her yesterday, do you still have to do photobucket to post a picture on here? Oh, she is not a yappy dog either, she has a deep low growl/bark thing she does. But definitely not one of those high pitched yippy barks.

 

[ZachnElli]

I haven't gone to photobucket in years, so I hope this works!

 

[Octoberbride03]

Oh beautiful picture. I hope our fella will be happy with us when we bring him home.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Oh beautiful picture. I hope our fella will be happy with us when we bring him home.

No doubt he will be. In my experience, shelter/rescue dogs that are adopted seem to be extra grateful. It's hard to explain. It's like they KNOW you saved them, they owe you their life, they don't take it for granted. He's been abandoned by his family, found who knows where, and in a scary cold shelter for a month. Just to be held by someone, to sleep in a dog bed, and run in grass will be heaven for him after what he's been through. He may have some seperation anxiety in the beginning - each time you leave, he may panic - scared he won't see you again. He may be a little anxious in the beginning. But in time, he'll get cozy and confident that you won't dump him like his last family did.

As far as dog stuff, they don't need near as much as the pet store would tell you Start feeding him what the shelter feeds him - if you can. Sometimes they can't tell you what they have been feeding because it's whatever someone has donated. Transition to a high quality diet (read www.dogaware.com and www.dogfoodanalysis.com) and you'll save money in the longrun on vet bills, avoid common allergies, and feed less/scoop less overall. Buy some small training treats to use at home - esp if he needs potty training reminders. Typical leash, bowls, harness or collar, dog bed, etc. I'd also have an appt with a local vet for the next few weeks to get him established there and get your heartworm prescription going.

 

[Octoberbride03]

We picked him up this afternoon

We have a vet appt. at 5:20pm tonight and picked up some basics. Here's a pic.

 

[glitterkittyy]

Do Lhasa mixes count? My Delilah is half Lhasa Apso and half Bichon Frise. Here she is! She turns three on 12/20. She's a sweetheart and so smart!

Congrats on your new baby!! I can't see the pic.