How to Buy or Choose the Right Lhasa Apso for Your Family

When you've decided to have a lhasa apso join your family, you need to find the right place to choose your pet. Unfortunately most pet stores are not good for buying lhasa apsos. Many pet stores use puppy mills to supply their dogs.

In a puppy mill dogs are bred as a commodity. The dogs usually are not well cared for and live in small cages reproducing litter after litter. The health problems of puppies from these puppy mills are well documented. Overcrowding leads to diseases quickly being spread. With the emphasis on breeding many puppies inborn defects are frequent.

You want to get a lhasa apso from either a reputable breeder, or a lhasa apso rescue service. Lhasa apso rescues are volunteer efforts where unwanted lhasa apsos are nursed back to health and then put up for adoption to suitable families. You can find a local lhasa apso rescue by going to Google and entering "lhasa apso rescue" with your state or province.

The search will pull up all the lhasa apso rescue groups in your area. Some of the lhasa apsos available for adoption are special need dogs. They may be older or have health problems. One thing is certain, lhasa apso rescue dogs are spayed and are up to date on their shots. Most of the dogs have also gone to interim foster homes for socialization and behavior training.

Another way to find the right lhasa apso dog is to find a reputable lhasa apso breeder. Just because a breeder has AKC papers doesn't mean the person is a good breeder. The AKC papers list the lineage or pedigree of the lhasa apso. It doesn't tell you how the dog was treated or breeding conditions.

Before buying a lhasa apso from a breeder, tour the facilities. If the breeder refuses to give you a full tour of the facility, leave. You should be able to tour not only the display or meeting rooms, but also the living quarters of the dogs.

Each dog should have its own sleeping area, room to move, food and water. In many of the puppy mills dogs are crowded into tiny wire cages where they are unable to move around and their paws slip through the wire.

Crowding can quickly lead to the spread of many diseases including skin diseases, parvovirus and kennel cough. The area should not only look clean, but smell clean as well. Dogs should have fresh water available to drink.

How does the breeder interact with the lhasa apsos? Does there seem to be genuine affection and kindness shown to the puppies and the dogs? Neglected puppies often have difficulty developing relationships and often have lots of behavior problems.

The breeder should not only be trying to sell you the dog, but also evaluating you as well. Reputable breeders value their reputations. They want their dogs to have good homes. This means repeat sales and referrals. In addition, reputable breeders also offer guarantees for their dogs.

Spend some time with the puppy you want to buy or adopt. Try not to fall in love with the cute face. Lhasa apsos have strong personalities. Is the dog you've chosen one whose personality and temperament fit you and your family. Is there a match?

Good lhasa apso breeders will tell you about the care of your potential lhasa apso. He or she should instruct you on how to care for the long coat and how to groom the dog. The breeder should let you know the health history not only of the dog you are considering but also the parents. Many lhasa apsos have hereditary kidney and eye problems. It is important to ask the history of the parents. You will want to know what shots, worming and other treatments the lhasa apso has received so far.

If you decide to buy a lhasa apso from a breeder you will be signing a contract. Make sure you understand the contract before you sign it. The usual elements should be included: price, health and condition of dog, and the conditions where the dog can be returned.

Whether you choose to get your lhasa apso from a lhasa apso rescue service or from a reputable breeder you can be assured you have chosen an intelligent pet. By carefully checking the dog before you buy you can also have a healthy puppy to enjoy and love.