How to Adopt a Lhasa Apso

Lhasa apso puppy

Lhasa apso's are known to be hard-headed and strong willed. Yet, they can be one of the best companions to have. They tend to defend their territory and protect their owner. In order to find the best lhasa apso, you will need to find a good breeder. Do not rely on someone selling them outside their house on the lawn as being a good breeder. Do not consider a breeder someone who sells the dog in a store. A good breeder will be knowledgeable of which two lhasa's will match best with each other before allowing them to breed and they will be sold in the breeder's home.

Instructions

1. Decide if you want a puppy or adult lhasa apso. If you select a puppy you will have a lot of training to do otherwise an adult lhasa will already be trained. They tend to be a breed that is hard to train.

2. Choose a lhasa apso breeder with a good reputation. Go to veterinary clinics and ask doctors and staff to see who they would recommend. Many clinics deal with breeders on a regular basis since they tend to have a large amount of pups to be born as well as regular check ups.

3. Go to the breeder's home. Chances are the lhasa apso's are going to be separated since they are not spayed or neutered. This is one of the things you will look for. Also notice how the dogs are separated. If they are locked into small cages that seem dirty and are stacked on top of each other, then do not adopt from this breeder. Select another one. An appropriate selection of lhasa's will be either caged or have a somewhat large area to run in with a nice area to sleep and relax in. The area should be clean and have shade and if possible some air conditioning and heating available.

4. Choose a lhasa apso. Select one of the dogs or puppies that you want and look through their fur for any fleas. Ask the medical history on the parents and the puppy or dog. If you are choosing an adult, then you should spend some time alone with him or her. See if you get along and if the temperament is good. Lhasa apso's are known to have a strong temperament, especially when told no. You will want to pick the one that you get along the most with.

5. Sign the papers. The breeder will hand over the medical history of the lhasa apso you are adopting. They will offer the parents' medical history as well. You will want to know what kind of health history to anticipate with the pet you are adopting. Lhasa apso's are known for bad health problems such as kidney failure and poor skin conditions. Yet, not all lhasa's have these problems, which is why it is important to find out about the health history of the parents as well. To finalize the adoption, you and the breeder will need to sign a contract developed by the breeder that shows the agreement made.

Tips & Warnings

• Before adopting, be sure you are serious about having a dog since it takes a lot of responsibility to own a pet.

• Plan to take the lhasa apso to the veterinarian on a regular basis, since the breed is known for health problems.