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The La Pom is a cross between a Lhasa Apso and a Pomeranian. It’s uncertain when the first La Pom was bred, but it’s believed to have been sometime in the last decade. Regardless of their origins, the La Pom is a prized family pet for those lucky enough to own one. They’re sweet, affectionate, loyal, playful, and smart.
Breed Overview
Height:
7–12 inches
Weight:
7–15 pounds
Lifespan:
12–16 years
Colors:
Fawn, cream, black, red, white
Suitable for:
Single people or families with time to spend with a dog
Temperament:
Sweet, friendly, social, intelligent
The La Pom is an excellent pet for families. They typically get along with other pets and children and are the ideal companion dogs. Read on to learn more about these adorable little dogs.
La Pom Dogs Characteristics
La Pom Puppies
La Poms are likely to inherit traits from both parents, including a playful and affectionate personality and a love for human attention. La Pom puppies are intelligent and quick learners, making them easy to train and a good choice for first-time dog owners. It is important to consider the potential health issues that can be inherited from both parents.
As with any mixed breed, it is important to research the parents to get a better understanding of the characteristics and temperaments of the puppies. A reputable breeder who follows ethical breeding practices and provides appropriate health screenings for the parents can help ensure that the La Pom puppies are healthy and have the best possible start in life. Be sure to ask the breeder several questions and only move forward if you feel confident.
Temperament & Intelligence of the La Pom
La Poms are sweet and smart dogs. They love their people and want to spend as much time around them as possible. They are the perfect companions for a family or an active single person with time to lavish their dog with attention and affection.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
Yes, La Poms are excellent family dogs. They are affectionate, playful, and loyal. You’ll need to ensure young children know how to behave around a small dog so that they don’t injure the tiny La Pom with rough play.
While the La Pom thrives with a family to love, you can also own one as a single person or active couple. They are adaptable and will be happy in most living situations as long as they get enough attention and affection.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽
Yes, the La Pom is friendly and social with other pets. The key to a happy relationship between your pets is a slow introduction to give them a chance to get used to each other. The younger you can introduce your La Pom to another pet, the higher the likelihood of the two of them becoming friends.
One thing to be aware of is the La Pom’s courage. They often think they’re much bigger than they are. Therefore, it’s important to keep an eye on your La Pom when playing with larger dogs to keep them safe.
Things to Know When Owning a La Pom
La Poms are pretty low-maintenance pets as long as they are given enough exercise and their grooming needs are taken care of. Keep reading to learn more about the La Pom’s daily requirements.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
As a small dog, the La Pom doesn’t require vast amounts of food. Typically, you can expect to feed a La Pom around 1 cup of food per day, depending on their age, activity level, and appetite. You should speak to your veterinarian about your dog’s diet to ensure that you are giving them the right type and amount of food to meet their nutritional needs.
Exercise 🐕
The La Pom has a medium energy level but requires daily exercise. However, two 30-minute walks and a few short play sessions at home will likely be enough to meet their needs. After playing outside, you’ll likely find that your La Pom is ready to settle down for quality cuddle time with you and your family.
Even though the La Pom is small, they get along with dogs of all sizes. As long as your La Pom is well-socialized, you can take them to a dog park for fun play sessions with friendly canines. Without enough attention and exercise, a La Pom can become loud, which isn’t ideal if you live in an apartment building.
Training 🎾
The La Pom is known for being intelligent and eager to please, which makes them easy to train. You can teach them commands and tricks, and they’ll happily show off for you and your guests. Some La Poms also do well in agility competitions. If your La Pom seems to enjoy training activities, you might want to try agility courses to see if they enjoy them.
Grooming ✂️
La Poms have a dense coat with silky, straight hair that requires daily brushing to keep it free from knots. They don’t shed much except for the early summer months. Their sensitive skin does not react well to frequent bathing, so you should only bathe your La Pom when necessary.
Regular teeth cleaning and nail clipping are also important components of a La Pom’s care.
Health and Conditions 🏥
The La Pom has a relatively long lifespan and is pretty healthy. However, you should be aware of a few serious conditions and some minor ones.
- Tracheal collapse –Typically impacting small dogs, tracheal collapse usually affects older dogs. The signs include chronic coughing and other breathing problems. It typically requires regular treatment and medication.
- Hip dysplasia—While hip dysplasia is more commonly thought of as a problem in large dogs, it can also affect small dogs.
- Legg-Calve-Perthes – This is a debilitating condition that attacks the hip joints in dogs. It’s very painful and can require surgery in severe cases.
- Allergies – The La Pom has sensitive skin and can be prone to itching, rashes, and other issues.
- Epilepsy – La Poms are also known to experience epileptic seizures at a higher rate than some other breeds.
Male vs Female
There aren’t any apparent differences in behavior, temperament, or appearance between male and female La Poms. Both are equally amenable to training when it’s introduced early in life, and both love being around their people.
3 Little-Known Facts About the La Pom Dogs
1. They Don’t Realize How Small They Are.
La Poms may be tiny, but they don’t think they are. They can be very protective of their family and have no problem barking at dogs three times their size. They’ll also bark at strangers who approach your door to warn you that someone’s coming.
2. The La Pom Is a People Pleaser.
The La Pom’s intelligence, combined with their eagerness to please their owners, means that they are highly trainable. You can even teach them tricks to entertain your guests. The La Pom will be thrilled by the attention they receive.
3. The La Pom Has the Ears of a Lhasa Apso.
Although they’re a crossbreed, the La Pom tends to have the floppy ears of the Lhasa Apso. Their ears can be almost a little too large for their round faces, giving them a charming appearance.
Closing Thoughts
The La Pom is an adorable, friendly, and loyal dog. When properly trained at a young age, they’ll bring you and your family years of joy. They’ll get along well with respectful children and other pets. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more loyal companion than a La Pom. Their loving and affectionate nature makes the La Pom an ideal addition to any home.
See also:
- Labrador vs Pitbull: The Differences (With Pictures)
- Labrabull (Pitbull & Labrador Mix): Info, Pictures, Care & More!
Featured Image Credit: Deedee McDonald, Shutterstock
