Lhasapoo vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison

Lhasapoo vs Irish Water Spaniel - Breed ComparisonIrish Water Spaniel is originated from Ireland but Lhasapoo is originated from United States. Irish Water Spaniel may grow 31 cm / 13 inches higher than Lhasapoo. Irish Water Spaniel may weigh 24 kg / 53 pounds more than Lhasapoo. Irish Water Spaniel may live 3 years less than Lhasapoo. Irish Water Spaniel may have more litter size than Lhasapoo. Both Irish Water Spaniel and Lhasapoo requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Companion dog
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Ireland
United States
Height Male:
51 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
25 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
Height Female:
51 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
25 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
10 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 12
4 - 6
Size:
Medium
Small
Other Names:
Rat Tail, Southern Irish Water Spaniel
Poo
Colors Available:
Dark Brown, Liver
brown, cream, Apricot, white and black or bi-color , tan
Coat:
Longish hair - thick and very curly
Curly, wavy or straight
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

irish water spanielThe Irish Water Spaniel is one of the larger spaniel types and also one of the oldest.

He is sometimes referred to as the Southern Irish Water Spaniel. Hailing from Ireland, the precise origins of the dog aren't altogether sure. It is believed that the dog came from other dogs from Persia and there are references to these water dogs from as early as 1600.

The modern breed was developed in Ireland in the 1830s. The breed's purpose is that of a hunter of waterfowl and he swims strongly.

The Irish Water Spaniel was recognized by the AKC in 1884. In 1890 the Irish Water Spaniel Club was formed.

lhasapooSuch a cute, cuddly teddy bear of a dog is popular with everyone who just wants a wonderful canine companion.

Both the Lhasa Apso and the Poodle are ancient dog breeds and they are the two breeds that have been used to bring about the Lhasapoo. The Poo has been bred to essentially be an indoor dog.

It would appear as though the Lhasapoo was developed in the United States of America, as in 1933, a pair was given to an American traveler who developed a kennel.

Description

irish water spaniel puppy - descriptionA peculiar feature of this dog is its hairless tail which is partly covered in curls which the rest is all but hairless, giving him the nickname of Rat Tail or Whip Tail.

Looking much like a Poodle with his tight oily curls, the Irish Water Spaniel is a medium to large sized purebred dog, a robust, compact built dog with a skull which is shaped like a dome.

The muzzle is longish, the eyes dark brown and intelligent looking and the ears are long and floppy.

His hair is thick and curly and it sheds very little so that the dog is regarded as being hypoallergenic. The medium length coat is a dark brown, liver color with fairly tight curls that may even tend to cover the eyes.

It is interesting to note that he has webbed feet, which is useful for when the dog swims.He stands at roughly 51cm to 61cm and weighs between 25 to 30kg.

Temperament:

Temperament in any dog is affected by socialization and the way the human owner raises the dog. The Irish Water Spaniel is a water loving dog, being active and energetic.

He is an intelligent dog and easy to train and socialize. When trained he becomes such an obedient dog. He has also got a light-hearted side to him and is actually known to be quite amusing and clownish, providing plenty of laughs for you.

They make good family dogs, getting on well with children in the home as well as with other pets. They're also able to make good guard dogs, taking the protective roles seriously. He isn't an aggressive dog but he has a warning bark that can be a good warning to intruders.

lhasapoo puppy - descriptionThe Lhasapoo is a mix of Poodle and Lhasa Apso. He is a small dog standing between 25–28 cm in height and weighing 4 – 6kg.

Known as a designer breed, his small size allows him to adapt to life in the city or to the countryside. He is such a cute little dog with his alert face, his bright brown eyes, short legs and floppy ears.

His coat is thick and dense and can be curly or fairly straight. It comes in a number of solid colors – apricot, tan, cream, brown, white and black or he can be bi-color – any of these colors mixed with white. In fact, as a crossbreed he can inherit the looks of either dogs – the Poodle or Lhasa Poo. Because he has poodle in him, these dogs are sometimes spoken about as being hypoallergenic.

Temperament:

Small and gentle in nature, the Lhasapoo makes a splendid pet and companion for everyone. He is such an amicable small dog, getting on well with both children and other pets in the home.

You can’t really tell what kind of a dog he’ll turn out to be in terms of his character, because he can be quite aloof if the Lhasa side of him is stronger or he could be playful and friendly if the Poodle side of him is stronger.

Characteristics

irish water spaniel dog - characteristicsYour active Irish Water Spaniel just loves water so you can count him in whenever you go swimming. That is one characteristic of the Irish Water Spaniel – he just loves to be involved in all the action you're busy with.

He makes an ideal family pet for an active family, and he will be a loyal and devoted pet who will provide a lot of fun to your family with his mischievous side.

He is confident, independent and strong willed so first time dog owners should bear this in mind. He is essentially just a fun loving, busy dog and if you make sure to exercise him well and make sure he is a participating member of your family, he'll be your most loving and devoted friend.

lhasapoo dog - characteristicsThe Lhasapoo is a crossbreed, so you never know what you’re actually going to get – a little bit of Lhasa or a little bit of Poodle.

One thing is for sure though – you’re going to get the cutest little pet ever. He is a friendly, affectionate dog, but the Lhasa side of him makes him wary of strangers, making him an excellent watchdog.

They have a moderate activity levels and will adapt easily to life in the city or in the countryside, but they will need a walk every day to ensure he doesn’t become unfit and obese.

Lhasapoo puppies are adorable but every cute puppy grows into an adult. Then it’s time to show you’re a responsible dog owner by continuing to love and care for your adult Lhasapoo so that he becomes the wonderful companion he is designed to be.

Health Problems

irish water spaniel puppies - health problemsA generally healthy breed, the Irish Water Spaniel, just like with most other dogs, can fall prey to some of the more common dog ailments of which hip dysplasia is one.

Bone and joint problems like this can lead to lameness even in young dogs.

Eye diseases are also a problem, and cataracts can form in the eye, particularly when the dog is older and create a cloudy look to the eye. It's not painful for the dog.

Hypothyroidism, a treatable hormonal disorder is another disease worth being aware of.

lhasapoo puppies - health problemsAll dogs have the potential to become ill but when you give your dog the best chance to eat well and he is loved and cherished, he can live a long life.

The Lhasapoo can live to be 15 years of age if you treat him well and ensure that he has a healthy diet. Of course as a crossbreed, his chances of developing inherited diseases is limited.

Bloat or Gastric Torsion:

Watch out for Bloat, particularly if your pet gobbles up a large bowl of food. It is better to feed him 2 smaller meals a day. There are some time-releasing food bowls available for pets to encourage slower eating.

With Bloat, you’ll notice your pet’s stomach is swollen up. Complications set in when the stomach turns or twists as fluid and air can’t escape. Your dog will also be restless, drooling and trying to vomit. Bloat is a life-threatening illness.

Kidney Disease:

This can be a complication from disease or medications even. It is important to keep your pet’s teeth healthy as chronic kidney disease can be caused by dental disease too. Bacteria from the diseased teeth and gums enters bloodstream and damages vital organs like the kidneys.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

irish water spaniel dogs - caringYour Irish Water Spaniel requires quite a bit of grooming that will involve his coat, his nails, his teeth and his ears. The double coat doesn't shed much so it can be easily maintained by brushing the coat twice a week.

It can help your water spaniel to look good by sending him in to a doggy grooming parlor to have his curls neatened. This is a dog that loves water and swimming, and you will need to check the inside of his ears for dampness, wax build-up and debris. This can all combine to cause nasty ear infections.

Exercise:

The dog is energetic and will need to be exercised. Take him for walks, play ball games with him and allow him to go on hikes with you or to go swimming. He loves being involved in all your activities as he is a social, active dog.

Diet:

Highly energetic, it will be important to feed your Irish Water Spaniel with food that enhances his energy levels. There are some good quality commercially manufactured dog foods on the market. Choose one that caters for active, athletic dogs such as the Irish Water Spaniel.

Dry kibble is more recommended to prevent canine tooth decay. Mix in some home cooked foods from time to time such as cooked chicken, rice, pasta and vegetables and try to include some raw meat every now and then as well. Make sure he has constant access to fresh, cool water.

Exercise:

lhasapoo dogs - caringThe Lhasapoo is a dog breed that likes to spend time indoors. Because of his looks, his human family members will no doubt be vying for his attention and playing indoor games with him. It will do him good to get out for a walk every day as this gives him the chance to sniff around and smell different things and experience life outside his home.

Diet:

The Lhasapoo isn’t a big eater and he will require top quality food for small breeds. He isn’t a big meat eater so a tiny bit of cooked chicken, rice and vegetables chopped up nicely and added to his kibble from time to time will keep him healthy and happy.

Grooming:

Being the crossbreed that he is, you can’t be too sure about the type of coat your Lhasapoo will have. It can be curly, wavy or straight. Most inherit curls.

A Lhasapoo coat looks wonderful when it has been professionally groomed, and then in between grooming, his coat will need to be brushed to prevent tangling. While you’re brushing him, check his eyes too. Sometimes he can develop tear stains beneath the eyes and you can wipe gently around his eyes.

Other grooming for your cute little dog includes having his nails clipped as well as checking inside the ears for infection. Excess wax and dirt can result in an ear infection. You’ll notice your pet shaking his head, the insides of his ears might be red and he wants to scratch his ears. Get him to the vet who will show you how to keep his ears clean and dry.

Also, brush his teeth with special canine toothbrush and toothpaste. Dental disease won’t only damage his teeth, it can cause problems with other parts of the body too.

Comparison with other breeds

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  5. Lhasapoo vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
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  8. Lhasapoo vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Lhasapoo vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Lhasapoo vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Lhasapoo vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Lhasapoo vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
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  14. Lhasapoo vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
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  25. Lhasapoo vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Irish Water Spaniel vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Irish Water Spaniel vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Irish Water Spaniel vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Irish Water Spaniel vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Irish Water Spaniel vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Irish Water Spaniel vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Irish Water Spaniel vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Irish Water Spaniel vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Irish Water Spaniel vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Irish Water Spaniel vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Irish Water Spaniel vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Irish Water Spaniel vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Irish Water Spaniel vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Irish Water Spaniel vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Irish Water Spaniel vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Irish Water Spaniel vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Irish Water Spaniel vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Irish Water Spaniel vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Irish Water Spaniel vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Irish Water Spaniel vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Irish Water Spaniel vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Irish Water Spaniel vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Irish Water Spaniel vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Irish Water Spaniel vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Irish Water Spaniel vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison