There are few things more exciting than the idea of getting a brand new puppy—especially an adorable little fur ball like an Lhasa Apsos or “Apso”. These toy-sized dogs originate from Tibet and were bred by Buddhist monks over 2,000 years ago. They have a rich history, alert and cautious nature and extensive grooming needs that need to be kept in mind before selecting Lhasa Apso puppies as your pet.
These dogs, whose name means “Bark Lion Sentinel Dog”, were bred to be watchful over their home. This means they are not outgoing dogs but would rather analyze a person or situation before rushing into it with a dog’s friendly enthusiasm. Similarly, this breed does not fare well with having their personal space invaded by strangers or people who would pull on their ears or tail—this breed is not patient with children who do so.
In addition, there are serious grooming needs to keep this little lion’s mane flowing. Regular brushing and combing of the animal’s long, heavy coat should be anticipated at least every other day. If an Apsos hair is neglected, it can get matted which can lead to skin issues underneath the clumped fur. If you’re willing to accept a dog with grooming and personal space needs, Lhasa Apso puppies are a great choice! And doing a little investigation into local breeders and adoption agencies will ensure that you bring home a healthy puppy.
Doing research into local breeders is a much needed step to ensure that you will be selecting a happy and healthy Apso puppy. While there are numerous, thoughtful dog breeders across the country, there are also those who will cut corners that detriment a dog’s health or operate puppy mills just to make money. Responsible breeders will anticipate and appreciate the extra effort owners put into asking questions about the animals’ living conditions and health.
Once you find a breeder or two that you would consider purchasing Lhasa Apso puppies from, there are a number of questions and steps to take to determine if they raise healthy puppies. Ask the breeders to tour their facility and meet the dogs that they are breeding.
The dogs they shelter should have comfortable sleeping areas, clean food and water, room to exercise and human interaction. Human interaction helps the dogs and puppies learn to socialize with others and become animals that will not be a danger to anyone. In addition, this will help them adjust to your home more readily.
Puppy mills often withhold these items from dogs and puppies and the animals suffer from it. If a breeder does not allow an inspection of their facilities, they should not be considered—they may be hiding dishonest and un-reputable breeding practices. In addition, asking breed questions to the breeder will reveal how well they know these dogs’ behavior, personalities and health histories that could impact on how well they thrive in your home.
If you would rather adopt than shop, there is a well-connected network of rescue shelters across the country that provide Lhasa Apso puppies. These rescue shelters should be treated similarly to potential breeders. Contact them to tour their facilities, meet their eligible dogs and ask qualifying questions of the shelter operator. Often, these individuals know the breeds extremely well and can identify dogs that would fit best within different types of homes.
Purchasing new Lhasa Apso puppies is a big step that should be treated like any other big decision. Doing research into Lhasa Apso breeders and rescues will ensure that your Lhasa Apso puppies will be healthy and happy in their forever home.
