The Lhasa Apso Shih Tzu Poodle Mix is a mixed breed dog resulting from breeding the Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu and the Poodle. This has become a common mixed breed dog to breed these 3 smaller dogs. Be very careful when getting one as these are a common breed to come from Puppy Mills. We will examine some common questions about the different Lhasa Apso Shih Tzu Poodle mixes below. Continue reading below to see pictures, videos, and learn more about the beautiful Lhasa Apso Shih Tzu Poodle Mix. Note that this hybrid can consist of the brindle or other iterations.
While we really recommend that you acquire all animals through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their Lhasa Apso Shih Tzu Poodle Mix puppy. That is, if they have any Lhasa Apso Shih Tzu Poodle Mix puppies for sale.
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All hybrid or designer dogs are tough to get a good read on as there isn’t much history to them. Breeding specific dogs like this has become common in the last twenty years or so even though I am sure that this mixed breed found it’s share of dogs to the shelter due to accidental breeding. We will take a closer look at the history of both parent breeds below. If you are looking at breeders for new, designer dogs please beware of Puppy Mills. These are places that mass produce puppies, specifically for profit and don’t care at all about the dogs. Please sign our petition to stop puppy mills.
Poodle History
The Poodle originally came from Germany, just like the Rottweiler. So, this is a German sucker. They were initially bred for collecting waterfowl for hunters. They are known for being extremely intelligent as well as very good swimmers. Their funky haircuts came about to make them more buoyant in the water. While there are three sizes of Poodle they are not individual breeds just small Poodles bred to get small Lhasa Apso Shih Tzu Poodles. They are hypo-allergenic so are good for families with allergies and are highly intelligent and eager to please which means they are good at training and learning. They are loyal and good natured dogs but highly energetic so need a lot of stimulation and exercise.
Lhasa Apso History
The Lhasa Apso Shih Tzu —at one point called Lhasa Terrier—originated in Tibet. The origination of the name has two different ideas on the translation. The first being that Lhasa is the capital city of Tibet and the word “apso” means “bearded” in the Tibetan language. This means the first translation could mean “long-haired Lhasa dog.” The other suggestion is that the word “apso” is a form of the Tibetan word “rapso” which means “goat-like.” This means the other translation could be “wooly Lhasa dog.”
A Lhasa Apso Shih Tzu was bred inside of the Buddhist monasteries with the main purpose of alerting the monks to any trespassers who entered. Today the Lhasa Apso Shih Tzu is a non-sporting dog and mostly enjoyed as a companion more than anything else.
The origin of the Lhasa Apso Shih Tzu breed dates back to Tibet over 4,000 years ago. The Lhasa Apso Shih Tzu started as a small breed of mountain wolf. Around 800 B.C. it’s said that the Lhasa Apso Shih Tzu was domesticated and then actively bred. If this is the case, then that would make the Lhasa Apso Shih Tzu one of the oldest breeds in the world.
A few of the Lhasa Apso Shih Tzu were brought home by military men in the early 1900s when they returned from the Indian subcontinent. The Lhasa Apso Shih Tzu were never sold; they were only ever gifted. The first American pair of Lhasa Apso Shih Tzu s were a gift from Thubten Gyatso, 13th Dalai Lama, to C. Suydam Cutting in 1933.
The American Kennel Club officially accepted the breed into its list of dogs in 1935 and added it to the Terrier Group. Later in 1959, it was then transferred to the Non-Sporting Group. The breed’s standard was approved by the American Kennel Club in July 1978.
Shih Tzu
The origin of the Shih Tzu dates back many centuries to ancient China and Tibet. It is thought that the breed developed by crossing miniature Chinese breeds with small Tibetan breeds – in particular, Lhasa Apsos with the Pekingese. The Shih Tzu was always a favorite of the Emperors of China. During the Tang Dynasty, a pair of these dogs were said to be given to the Chinese court by the king of Vigur. More were sent later by the people of the Ho Chou. In the mid-1600s, small dogs which resembled lions were brought from Tibet to China, and these dogs were used to develop the Shih Tzu breed we know today. The Shih Tzu was popular during the Ming Dynasty as well, favored by royalty and commoners alike.
Poodle
Height: 18-24 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 45 - 70 lb.
Lifespan: 8 -15 years
Lhasa Apso
Height: 10 - 11 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 12 - 18 lb.
Lifespan: 12 - 14 years
Shih Tzu
Height: 8 - 11 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 9 - 16 lb.
Lifespan: 10 - 16 years
Like all hybrids, you have to look to the parents to get a good read on how they will likely behave. The Lhasapoo will be a fun and cuddly little dog. These are smaller and friendly little dogs that would do well for older people. They should get along well with other animals if exposed and socialized properly as well. They should be extremely friendly and get along well with other dogs. She should be rather affectionate and enjoy spending lots of time with you. Don’t plan on leaving her alone for long periods as he won’t do well alone. She wants to be with the “pack.”
All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems as all breeds are susceptible to some things more than others. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. If they won’t do this, then look no more and don’t consider that breeder at all. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.
The Lhasa Apso Shih Tzu Poodle mix might be prone to: Hip Dysplasia, Epilepsy, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Addison's Disease, Thyroid Issues, Bloat, Hypoglycemia
Note that these are just common problems in both breeds.
What are the grooming requirements?
This should be a pretty easy dog to groom. They are small and don’t really shed all that much. Be prepared to brush them a few times a week. Either way, get ready to invest in a good vacuum if you want to keep your floors clean! Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him.
What are the exercise requirements?
Like all dogs they will do better if they get plenty of exercise. Being that it is a smaller dog it won’t require as much exercise as a larger breed. Plan on exercising them daily to keep their energy level down. He might be bouncing off the walls so get ready. A tired dog is a good dog. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him.
What are the training requirements?
Though intelligent, it might be stubborn and demanding. It will need a strong, firm handler that is consistent and won’t let this dog take advantage of them. All dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible.
A lot of times diet is done on a per-dog basis. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U.S. are overweight. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible.
Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.
A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background.