Buying a Lhasa Apso Puppy
What to expect from a breeder who puts Health, Welfare and Temperament first.
Essential Documents
- Heath Certificates (both parents)
- Signed AWF Puppy Contract
- KC Registration Certificate (if applicable)
- Microchip Registration Certificate
- Temporary Pet Health Insurance
- Vaccination Certificate
A Good Breeder Will:
- have socialised and habituated the puppy
- provide a supply of food
- provide a blanket smelling of Mum
- follow the Code of Practice for Dog Breeding
Official Health Schemes
- BVA/KC screening for eye disease: full ophthalmological testing before breeding (includes checks for multiple inherited eye diseases)
- available for all breeds, and checks for many inherited abnormalities that can cause progressive blindness or pain
Other Diseases
No current health scheme or DNA test available.
- Bladder stones
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- Distichiasis
- ingrowing eyelashes – more likely in dogs with profuse hair
- Ear infections
- more likely in dogs with long, hairy ears
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca
- (dry eye – lack of normal tear production)
- Patella luxation
- abnormal kneecap causing pain & lameness
DNA Tests Relevant to Breed
- Chondrodysplasia
- higher risk of intervertebral disc disease, causing pain or paralysis
- Haemophilia
- blood clotting disorder
- PRA – progressive retinal atrophy
- gradual loss of vision
Other Tests
- Putnam scoring for patella luxation