Lhatese Basics

Also known as the Lhasatese and Lamalese, the Lhatese is super cute and super sweet. They can be a little difficult to train, but they do make great family pets and companions.

To learn the many traits that make the Lhatese so unique, and to determine if this breed is right for you, check out the helpful information below. Then head out and meet one for yourself to see if you, like so many others, will fall in love with these lovely little dogs.

The Lhatese is a cross between a purebred Lhasa Apso and Maltese.

Origin

The Lhatese is a designer dog breed from the United States.

Pedigree

The Lhatese is a cross between a purebred Lhasa Apso and Maltese.

Food / Diet

To give your little companion the best nutrition possible, choose one of the many high quality dog food brands that are available. And if you wish to feed your pet a homemade diet or a raw diet, be sure to talk to your vet first so you can be sure you’re giving your dog the correct balance of nutrients.

After choosing a dry dog food, you can feed your Lhatese anywhere from ¼ cup to 1 cup of food every day, divided into at least two servings throughout the day. Your dog might need more or less food, depending upon his size, age, and activity level. If you aren’t sure of how much you should be feeding, simply ask your veterinarian.

When adding a high quality canned food for dogs to your pet’s diet, reduce the amount of dry food accordingly. This will prevent unwanted weight gain that could lead to health problems in the long run.

The Lhatese is intelligent and will enjoy spending time with you.

Training

If your Lhatese acquired more of the Maltese personality, he will be moderately easy to work with when it comes to training. If your Lhatese acquired more of the Lhasa Apso personality, he could be a difficult canine to train because he can be stubborn. Therefore, this breed is better suited to experienced dog owners who have trained pooches in the past.

Overall, though, these dogs are intelligent and enjoy spending time with you, so as long as you keep your training approach sensitive, gentle, and positive, you will be able to get great results.

As is the case when training any breed, you should establish yourself as the pack leader. Be firm and consistent, as well as patient, and use plenty of rewards, treats, and praise to reinforce and encourage good behavior. Also, the sooner you start training your Lhatese, the better, especially because house training can be difficult with these dogs.

Weight

A small-sized breed, the Lhatese weighs between 10 and 15 pounds.

Temperament / Behavior

Anyone in search of a loving and playful companion will find the Lhatese irresistible. These dogs are friendly and gentle, so they will get along with everyone they meet, especially when they are properly socialized. And they make wonderful family pets, too, as they will get along well with children and other animals, including other canines.

Even though these dogs are small, you can expect that a Lhatese will make a good watchdog, as he will keep an eye out for suspicious people near your home, and he will bark to alert you if anything looks amiss.

These calm and affectionate pooches are eager to please, and they are comfortable with spending time indoors waiting patiently for their owners. However, like all dogs, they do best in families that have plenty of time to devote to their care.

Common Health Problems

Like other hybrid canine breeds, the Lhatese might be prone to inheriting some of the health problems that commonly affect its parent breeds. However, there is no guarantee that your pooch will end up developing any of those problems, and there’s no way to predict an individual canine’s long-term health. The best that you can do is be an informed pet parent, purchase your Lhatese from a reputable breeder, and provide your companion with the love and care he needs to thrive.

Some of the health problems that the Lhatese’s parent breeds commonly develop include patellar luxation, skin ailments, kidney problems, eye problems, ulcers, allergies, liver problems, hypoglycemia, reverse sneezing, white dog shaker syndrome, collapsed trachea, digestive problems, and dental problems.

Life Expectancy

The Lhatese has an average lifespan of 13 to 15 years.

Exercise Requirements

Because the Lhatese is an active breed, you will need to give your pet ample opportunity throughout the day to let out his energy in a positive way. Give him a variety of toys to remain mentally stimulated while spending time indoors, and allow him to run around and play outside, especially if you have a safe and enclosed backyard.

You can take your Lhatese on a couple of walks every day, as well as play games like fetch, to give him the exercise that he needs. Trips to the dog park can also be fun for your companion.

Anyone in search of a loving and playful companion will find the Lhatese irresistible.

Recognized Clubs

The Lhatese is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, as it is considered to be a hybrid breed. However, this breed is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), the Designer Breed Registry (DBR), the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA), and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).

Coat

The Lhatese has a beautiful coat that is smooth, long, and soft, and it does not shed a lot. However, the coat is prone to becoming matted, so you will need to brush your pet’s coat every day to keep it clean, free of tangles, and healthy. You should also clean the area under the eyes daily to remove tear stains and prevent irritation.

You can also have your pet professionally groomed every 6-8 weeks, especially to trim the fur that grows around the ears and eyes. And you can bathe your pet whenever he gets too dirty.

Because both the Lhasa Apso and Maltese are considered hypoallergenic breeds, you can expect the Lhatese to also be a hypoallergenic and non-shedding breed, making it a good choice for those with allergies.

Puppies

The Lhatese will be a small dog when fully grown, so puppies will be tiny and delicate. Give your pet a safe and clean environment in which to grow, and supervise any time that he spends with small children, as you don’t want your puppy getting hurt by accident.

Because this breed can be a bit of a challenge when it comes to training, starting early will be helpful. Socializing your puppy from as early on as possible will also help him grow up to be confident, calm, and friendly around a variety of people and animals.

Photo credit: kikimomeeky/Flickr; Trafford Judd/Flickr; Girldogsgonewild/Bigstock