La Pom

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 12-16 years
The La Pom combines a Lhasa Apso with a Pomeranian, making it a small crossbreed with generally good health. However, these little canines have a few minor health issues, thanks to their parent breeds. Though most of these health problems don’t manifest until your La Pom gets older, around 7 years of age or so.

Glaucoma – This disease is caused by pressure being placed on the optic nerves, resulting in gradual blindness. For a La Pom, glaucoma commonly occurs with very old age, when their body works twice as hard to drain bodily fluids. Symptoms include eyeball recession, redness, cloudiness, constantly dilated pupils, obvious vision impairment, and uncontrollable blinking. If the disease is severe enough, surgical intervention is required. However, routine glaucoma can usually be kept under control with prescription medication, a good diet, and regular exercise.

Cataracts – Thanks to the Lhasa Apso, this inherited condition usually sets in due to old age. But it can also be caused by an underlying, more serious disease, like diabetes, or eye trauma. Cataracts are cloudy lenses that develop over the pupils, spreading outward to encompass the entire eye. Dogs with this condition will exhibit symptoms that you would normally attribute to a blind pup. They might walk into furniture, ignore strangers and loved ones alike, and cease all unnecessary movement because they are suddenly unable to see. This condition requires surgical intervention to correct, but most owners choose to simply keep their pups comfortable since surgeries are riskier on older dogs.

Skin Allergies – Have you noticed that your La Pom chews on her feet, rubs her face against the floor, and constantly scratches her ears and body? She probably has skin allergies, courtesy of her Pomeranian genetics. La Poms are prone to grass, dust, and mite allergies that result in itchiness, blotchy skin, hair loss, and recurrent ear infections. Your vet will do a skin scrape to determine the type of allergy, then prescribe antibiotics and medications to control the symptoms. Skin allergies are lifelong conditions, but they can be controlled with vet care.

Despite a few minor health issues, and one or two major health problems, the La Pom is a healthy pup with a lengthy lifespan of 12-16 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

The La Pom expresses atypical behavior around bigger dogs. She will buck up to bigger dogs to show her dominance, but she lacks the size to back it up. Otherwise, these pups are calm, laidback, and affectionate. She is clever, sweet, and loves to play with children she’s grown up with.

If you are bringing an older La Pom into your household, be sure to ease her into your lifestyle. Teach any children that will be around her how to properly, gently handle a dog. Introduce her to your home and family gradually to allow her to get used to new attention and different people. If you overload her senses all at once, it could result in destructive, negative behavior, like growling and incessant barking.

When they are properly socialized, La Poms are joys to have around the house. They love attention and want to be close to their families at all times. This means long periods of separation can cause anxiety, so be sure to leave your La Pom with someone you trust when you go on vacation or spend many hours away from home. These pups do not do well when left to their own devices for too long. Take your La Pom on a short walk twice a day to bond with her.

Training-wise, a La Pom has a stubborn, independent streak that might show itself if you lack conviction in your commands. Establish yourself as dominant and in control by giving her concise, clear instructions. Repeat yourself when necessary, and offer her a reward for good behavior. Never, ever use physical force to train a dog. This leads to distrust and horrible behavioral issues.

Grooming

Both the Lhasa Apso and Pomeranian, despite their longer hair, are low shedding canines. So, of course, this means the La Pom will be the same. Low shed for easier grooming and overall hygienic maintenance. Trim her hair when you think it’s getting too long. And brush her hair daily to prevent knots, tangles, and mats. Bathe your La Pom 1-2 times per month with gentle dog shampoo, preferably vet-recommended. Trim her nails bi-weekly, clean her ears weekly, and brush her teeth 3 times a week.

Diet

Feed your La Pom a ½ cup of good-quality dry kibble, twice a day. The separation of her meals will keep her from begging for food throughout the day. If you are the type to offer table scraps, try to avoid it with a La Pom. This could lead to bad behavior, such as food stealing and food aggression, later on. These pups are serious about their meals, so feed her separate from other dogs to avoid fights.

Treats are indulgences that should be meaty, wholesome, and nutritious. These crossbreed canines are prone to overeating and rapid weight gain, so keep the treats to 2-3 times a week.
 

Find A La Pom Breeder

La Pom Puppies For Sale

Adopt A La Pom

Cost

If you go to a breeder for a La Pom puppy, expect to shell out upwards of $650. Every breeder is different in their inclusions, exclusions, and requirements. Most breeders will cover the pup’s first vaccinations, deworming, and vet visit, but check to make sure before you invest in a new La Pom.

Adoption-wise, La Pom pups and adult crossbreeds alike cost between $125 to $200 to adopt. This excludes the cost of routine vet visits, vaccinations, flea treatments, grooming, training, toys, and food.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. The La Pom is an easy dog to integrate into your life, so she receives a 1.5 ranking. Socialize her well, train her early, and be affectionate—these will make your La Pom a great, loving family dog.

 

Lhasa Apso

Pomeranian

Maltese

Bichon Frise