If You Want Another Lhasa...

The photo at the top of this page is of Buffy (left) and Pheebe (right), our first two Lhasas.

Lynn and I graduated from college in December 1972. Fortunately, I was able to get a teaching job that began in January. As recent graduates with student loans, we had little money, so with the prospect of a steady paycheck at last we began to make some plans. We needed things. For example, we rented the bottom floor of a large house that had been converted into apartments. It came with a stove but not a refrigerator, so for a month we kept our items needing refrigeration on the back porch (it was January!). Then with my first paycheck we put money down on a new refrigerator (Harvest Gold in color no less!)

We needed a dog! Both of us had been raised in homes that had a family dog so it went without saying that we needed one in our home. The next month, knowing nothing about Lhasa Apsos except they were adorable, we bought Pheebe (Joyslyn's Pheebe). And she charmed us so completely that the following month, we bought Buffy (Joyslyn's Miss Buffy Jo). Thus, "Joyslyn's Lhasa Apsos" had its beginning.

So, when people tell me they really want a second Lhasa, I totally understand! But, after all these years of experience with the breed, I advise people to do some careful planning before they get the second dog. Here are some things to think about:

(1) Your current Lhasa and his/her possible reactions to a new addition.
• Think about his/her age and health. Should you get a puppy or would an older puppy or adult Lhasa be more compatible? Don't do what we did and get two puppies so close together in age. Puppies raised together tend to bond more to each other than to their human family.
• Does your Lhasa want/need another dog in the family?
• How does your current Lhasa deal with other dogs he/she meets on neutral territory or in your home or yard? Has he/she been around a puppy recently? Think about his/her personality and behaviors. What is the back-up plan if the two do not get along?

(2) Your resources. A second dog requires additional resources of money and time. You not only have to have funds to purchase the second dog, but now you also have two dogs that require food, veterinary care, crates, toys, and other supplies. Do you have time to groom, care for, train, exercise, and give attention to two dogs?

(3) Your plan.
• Should you get a male or female? I discourage doing what we did and buying two females. Although Pheebe and Buffy got along just fine, I learned over the years that not all females share an affinity for each other. The girls tend to be bossy and opinionated. Some (not all) vie for the alpha role, challenging the other girls, throwing their weight around, and even starting tooth-and-nail fights to prove who is the boss. Some females will let it go, kowtow to the alpha, and live a happy life together. Others? Not so much. They'd rather fight to prove who's boss. A firm believer in risk management, I advise people who come to me wanting a second pet Lhasa to "Get one of each sex" or to "Buy two males – and make sure both are neutered."
There are always exceptions to the rule, but generally a male and female will get along just fine. The boys tend to let the girls take over and boss them around and the girls, of course, think that is as it should be! When owners of a male come to pick up their new female puppy, I tell them, "Just watch, she's going to rule the roost in no time at all." I chuckle when I get the call or email saying, "You were right! He lets her do whatever she wants."
We have also found that our puppy buyers (with one exception) have had great luck with two males as long as both are neutered, which of course is a requirement when a person buys a pet puppy from us. That exception involved a dog who was so attached to his owner that he just did not want to share her affection. He resented any attention she paid to the new puppy, who eventually went to a different home for his own protection.
• Talk to an experienced Lhasa breeder and have a plan in place for introducing the newcomer to the Lhasa-in-residence.
• Do some reading on the subject before the second dog ever walks through your door. Inform yourself about pack order and how to introduce a new pet to one in residence.
• Think about where you will house and feed both dogs. When you have two Lhasas, each should have his/her own crate to sleep in and should be fed separately (i.e., don't require them to share a food or water dish). Don't give your dogs a reason to become upset with each other over resources such as food, water, toys, bones. Eventually, you might find them sharing these things willingly, sleeping in each others' crates, or sleeping in one crate together, but that needs to be their choice, not something you force on them. Sharing is hard - ask any toddler (and even some adults!).

So, should you get a second Lhasa? By all means if that is your desire!

Life is good when you have a Lhasa to love you! Two just doubles the pleasure!

Joyce