Lhasapoo: Lhasa Apso Poodle Mix

If you’re thinking about getting a small cute Doodle, you might consider getting a Lhasa Apso Poodle mix. This dog combines the medium-sized Lhasa Apso from Tibet and the Standard Poodle from Germany.

You might also recognize this breed under its other names, such as the Lhasapoo, Lhasa Poo, Lapoo, and Lhasadoodle. Its many names are just a small indicator of this breed’s character and insight!

Their personality combines intelligence, playfulness, and loyalty all rolled into one. Because of this, they are an epic dog to have for first-time dog owners and people with children.

Little-Known Facts About the Lhasapoo

There are a lot of interesting things you might want to know about the Lhasapoo, like the following:

• They don’t always look the same

While no two dogs are identical, this Doodle can look completely different most of the time. Even though its two parent breeds can have a similar size, their facial structure and hair are entirely different most of the time. Plus, when you buy a Lhasapoo when they’re a puppy, it might be tricky to figure out how they look as they grow older. As this dog breed can either have a curly coat like the Poodle or a straight one like the Lhasa Apso.

• Their parents history is unique

You definitely should know if you’re not aware of the Lhasapoo’s parent’s origins and their original purpose. First of all, their Poodle parent first came into existence around the 18th century which were kept for hunting waterfowl, i.e., birds, ducks, and more. In contrast, the Lhasa Aspo’s history dates back to 4000 years ago. These dogs originated from Tibet and were only owned by monks and royal family members.

• They’re recognized by many kennel clubs

Although the American Kennel Club might not accept this breed, they are recognized by other Kennel Clubs. The following kennel clubs recognize the Lhasapoo:

• Designer Breed Registry
• American Canine Hybrid Club
• Designer Dogs Kennel Club
• Dog Registry of America, Inc
• International Designer Canine Registry

What’s the Lhasapoo Price?

The cost of a Lhasapoo can vary a great deal in price; typically, they can range from $400-$1,000 per puppy. However, that price could differ also based on where you are located in the world, the breeder, lineage, and appearance of the puppy.

It’s also important to know that even though this Doodle is a typically new breed, its popularity has started to soar in the last 20 years, making them a high in demand Doodle. When buying a Lhasapoo, you’ll also want to buy them from a specialized registered breeder; otherwise, you could risk getting them from a puppy mill. You can look out for the Lhasa Apso Poodle mix at a shelter, but it may take some time, as they’re not a common dog breed compared to some purebreds.

When buying a Lhasapoo, you should also budget for their other costs like equipment, shots, and more, costing up to $400. Similarly, routine vet visits, medication, food, and training costs can also accumulate to around $300-$375 a year.

💡 Other similar small and designer doodle breeds, similar to the Lhasapoo, are the Havapoo, Cavapoo & The Mini Labradoodle.

Are Lhasapoos hypoallergenic?

We need to look at its parents to know if this Doodle is hypoallergenic. Luckily, the Poodle and Lhasapoo are low shedders and are classed as close to hypoallergenic as possible. Because of this, this Doodle inherits these qualities, making them a great dog for allergy sufferers as their hairs are less likely to linger over your home. Plus, they don’t need as much bathing as Doodles and breeds, as their coats don’t get as dirty as easily.

One important thing to know about dog allergies is that it’s not necessarily their hair or coat that causes allergies. The dander from their dead skin cells is shed which causes a flare-up.

Temperament & Intelligence

The Lhasapoo is a soft-natured and gentle dog who’s ready to display love and affection at any moment. Sometimes their loving nature can be a bit of a weakness, though, as they often have protective tendencies towards their owner. Most of the time, they inherit this stubborn streak commonly displayed by the Lhasapoo.

Sometimes if they’re left on their own in an unusual place, they can develop separation anxiety. Therefore if you’re someone who works away a lot, especially longer than a day, this dog can get highly upset and develop separation anxiety. In addition to this, it might take some time for this dog to be comfortable and feel themselves around you again. Similarly, they are also aloof and a bit shy around strangers.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Lhasapoos can be a great family dog, especially if you have older children in your home. However, if you have babies or toddlers in your home, you should ensure they undergo obedience training and socialization, as you can’t fully predict their behavior.

Also, never be deceived by their size, as they can also step in as watchdog for strangers coming to your home. Anyone unusual approaching is more than likely to bark and let you know. Plus, while they love to be around others in your home and are quite a playful breed, they latch on to one person in particular. Therefore they only tend to follow commands from one person they perceive as their master.

Do Lhasapoos Get Along With Other Pets?

A Lhasapoo will get along well with other dogs most of the time. However, they must be well exposed and socialized before doing so for this to happen. Do note that they may not be that tolerant with other animals but generally can get on well with pets in your home. However, sometimes, the Lhasapoo might inherit the dominant nature of the Lhasa Aspo, making them want to be the only pet in your home.

Food & Diet Requirements

The Lhasapoo should be fed half a cup to a full cup of dry dog food each day. You mustn’t feed them anymore than this, as they can easily become overweight if not fed properly. Because of this, you should not free freed them from your hand and only feed them from a bowl.

Also, try not to feed them leftovers, as the food we eat has high levels of sugar, sodium, and preservatives, causing health difficulties for them in the long term. If you’re unsure about what to feed this dog, contact your veterinarian, who will advise the best formula food for them based on their breed, weight, and age.

Lhasapoo Full-grown sizes

The Lhasapoo can grow up to 9-13inches/23-33cm and weigh between 10-20lbs/4.5-9kg, making them a medium-sized Doodle.

Life Expectancy

If looked after well with the right diet, frequent exercise, and vet visits, this dog can live up to 10-15 years.

Exercise

Lhasapoos are quite the active Doodle requiring a minimum of 30-60 minutes of exercise each day. As they’re active, they’re better suited to homes with a yard instead of a small apartment. You’ll want to vary their exercise by walking them, playing games, and running with them. You should also be careful about the weather, as they’re dogs that don’t really like to exercise in the cold.

Also as a strong tendency to please their owners, this dog breed is often exhibited in many agility shows and courses. You’ll also want to provide them with sufficient mental stimulation by teaching them tricks and positive reinforcement. Teaching them tricks and playing mental games will exhaust their energy easily.

Training

If you have other children or animals in your home, training is even more essential for a Lhaspaoo. The best way to train them is from an early age, so they’re socialized and well behaved. If you don’t, you could risk them becoming anxious and timid around other people. However, given their Poodle parent’s intelligent nature, this dog breed can be trained easily and learn commands quite quickly.

Lhasapoo Grooming

Grooming a Lhasapoo can vary based on what they inherit from their parent breeds. This dog should have its coat brushed 3-4 times each week most of the time. It’s important to know that these dogs are also highly vulnerable to getting ear infections, so you should regularly inspect and clean their ears each week, to lower the risk of infection.

Health and Conditions

Any health conditions that the Lhasapoo has will most likely be inherited from its parents. It’s not always guaranteed they’ll get them; however, there is a risk of them getting the following:

• Epilepsy
• Hip dysplasia
• Cherry eye
• Patellar luxation
• Cataracts
• Cushing’s disease
• Renal problems
• Addison’s disease
• Von Willebrand’s disease
• Legg-Perthes disease
• Hypothyroidism

To detect these conditions and keep on top of your Lhasapoo’s health, you should take them to a vet for regular health checkups a few times a year.

Conclusion

Overall, the Lhasapoo mix is a friendly breed to own and does well with families who have older children. They’re loyal dogs that tend to only listen to one person, so there may be a struggle if you have multiple people wanting to be a master in your house.

This dog is also quite shy and aloof around strangers, taking after its Lhasa Apsos parent. Because of this, they should be socialized from an early age. In addition to this, they don’t shed much and don’t have high exercise requirements, making them a dog that can be looked after quite easily.

Would you be interested in the Lhasapoo? Share with us your thoughts.