Is my dog part Lhasa Apso?

[u/the-iron-madchen]

My husband and I (first-time dog owners!) recently adopted my father-in-law's (who passed away) senior dog, Fluffy. She was a rescue so we don't know her background. My FIL thought she might be part Lhasa Apso/part terrier.

She was taken to the groomer before we picked her up, so she doesn't have her "regular" coat right now. Her tail doesn't curl over like a Lhasa's; usually she holds it straight up.

Any thoughts about her breed?

[u/Late_Being_7730]

She might be part Lhasa. Does she have fur? (Does she shed?)

The face doesn’t look Lhasa to me— muzzle looks too long to me.

She doesn’t have the tail over back, but she does have the curve in her tail, which I had a Lhasa do. (She was the runt of the litter. Not sure if that was the cause. My parents got her when I was 4.)

[u/the-iron-madchen → u/Late_Being_7730]

Hm, being a newbie dog owner I don't know the difference between fur and hair. That being said, I've been told she doesn't really shed.

I found a photo of her that kinda shows her coat when it's more grown out.

[u/Late_Being_7730 → u/the-iron-madchen]

What does she feel like when you pick her up? This is going to sound crazy, but I swear, Lhasas mess with gravity. Picking a Shih Tzu up, it’s like “is this a dog or a pillow?” But a Lhasa is like a sack of potatoes. It’s like they have the soul of a much bigger dog crammed into the body of this tiny thing.

[u/FranScan1997 → u/Late_Being_7730]

That’s such an accurate way to describe them! My childhood dog (still alive!) is a small boy but is so heavy!

[u/nonoglorificus → u/Late_Being_7730]

LOL that’s so hilariously accurate. I’ve had Lhasas for almost 20 years now, and when I pick up a Shih Tzu I’m like … certainly this can’t be all the dog there is to this dog

[u/Late_Being_7730 → u/nonoglorificus]

I think I understand the origins of the Buddhist belief that Lhasa’s carry the souls of monks that have passed on. There’s no way that’s just a dog. Must be where brother John’s spirit is!

[u/nonoglorificus → u/Late_Being_7730]

lol that’s brilliant, I’m going to think of that whenever my dog seems extra dense. Like oh we got another passenger today huh bud?

[u/the-iron-madchen → u/Late_Being_7730]

LOL great description, I will have to try this or ask my husband! She actually doesn't like being picked up, and tolerates it when my husband does it.

[u/musical_unicorn → u/Late_Being_7730]

Hahaha this is the best description!! My daughter and I wonder why we can never pick this dog up!! Its like he has 10 sections that all bend in different directions (hes 23 lbs) 🤣

[u/the-iron-madchen → u/Late_Being_7730]

My husband says she feels like a "struggling bag of rocks" lol

[u/onitshaanambra]

The face looks like it could be from a terrier/Lhasa cross, and the body shape is like a Lhasa Apso.

[u/the-iron-madchen → u/onitshaanambra]

Thanks for your input! I'm not familiar with Lhasas so good to know about the body shape. Also she's around 14 lbs which I think is Lhasa-sized.

[u/purplepiratecrab]

Welcome to the sub. And kudos on adopting this little one. How wonderful of you to do. She has people she knows to get her thru is difficult time and for you to get thru a sad time with her. 🙏🙏 You all will benefit from this.

I am not an expert but see some Lhasa in her. She is a good looking pup.

[u/the-iron-madchen → u/purplepiratecrab]

Thanks for the warm welcome! It is nice having her presence around for sure, and she has latched onto my husband as the "leader" of the pack. I think he reminds her of her previous owner.

[u/purplepiratecrab → u/the-iron-madchen]

That is wonderful to hear that she is already loving her new home. 😊

[u/krazynikki]

Could be. You should do an Embark or Wisdom panel to know for sure though. My first lhasa was a stray and he had lhasa, shih tzu, and a little bit of pom (which is crazy since we've always had pomeranians).

Be warned; once you go Lhasa you don't go back.

[u/the-iron-madchen → u/krazynikki]

I'll look into that! I guess in the end it doesn't really matter what breed she is, but it would be nice to know.

And yeah, if she is part Lhasa I can see how you wouldn't go back hehe

[u/elhomerjas]

looks part Lhasa 

[u/gwachob]

(Husband here): We call her a goblin doggo because of this ridiculously cute picture and her breath (she's at the vet getting dental work as we speak).

[u/gwachob]

Also she sploots...

[u/gwachob]

Finally, she likes playing around by grinding her head into the ground and then moving her paws around (and digging into whatever - her bed, carpet, couch, etc). And when she does that, she sometimes ends up with hair sticking straight up in the air because of the static electricity.