Putting a cute name on a mixed-breed dog is a trend that started with the Doodle. The La Chon is a mix of a Lhasa Apso and a Bichon Frise. While it can be difficult to determine the traits and characteristics of mixed-breed dogs, the La Chon will most likely have traits from both breeds. If you are a fan of the Lhasa Apso and the Bichon Frise, this little mix may be a good choice for your next pup.
What is a La Chon?
Not too many people have probably heard of a La Chon, whereas most people have heard of a Doodle. The concept is the same, mixing two purebred dogs to create a mixed breed in hopes of creating a puppy that has the adorable traits of both breeds but none of the health problems that plague each breed.
The La Chon is a mix of the Bichon Frise and the Lhasa Apso, two non-sporting small dogs with big personalities. The La Chon is not an American Kennel Club (AKC) or United Kennel Club (UKC) recognized breed. The designer La Chon will ideally be a low-maintenance dog that adapts well to apartment living and does not require a lot of daily exercise. They also ideally will form a strong bond with their family, be excellent children’s companions, and get along famously with other dogs.
The reality is that the La Chon is a mix of two breeds that have desirable and undesirable qualities that are many times passed along to their offspring. That means you can easily have a La Chon that has a shedding coat, is hyperactive, stubborn, and not fond of children or other dogs. They will stay on the smaller side since the Bichon Frise and Lhasa Apso are both smaller dog breeds.
Temperament of the La Chon
This designer dog should have a big personality since both contributing breeds have outgoing personalities. The La Chon will be an independent and smart little dog. Some will be calmer like the Lhasa Apso while others will take on more the upbeat and somewhat hyper temperament of the Bichon Frise. Expect the La Chon to be wary of strangers and not enjoy playdates with dogs they are not familiar with.
Both the Bichon and Lhasa Apso learn tricks quickly, so the La Chon should also be quick to train and learn new tricks. They will be affectionate with their family but could be standoffish with young children or rambunctious teens.
Is the La Chon a Good Family Companion
Bichon Frise are very happy-go-lucky dogs who enjoy being with their families. The Lhasa Apso is a more aloof breed that generally is not the best choice for families with young children. Being a mix of both these breeds, the ideal La Chon will be a good family companion. However, you must remember that when you have a mixed-breed dog, it is not possible to predict which breed’s personality the pup will inherit.
As with any puppy, socialization is important, and you will want to make sure once the pup has all its immunizations, you attend puppy training classes. The La Chon should be easy to train, and you will love teaching them new tricks.
The La Chon can be dominant with other dogs and will show impatience during playtime. They can be bossy with other dogs. Dog parks and other social situations where you cannot control your La Chon’s reaction to dogs should be avoided until your La Chon is fully trained and socialized. They see themselves as big dogs, not the fluffy little dogs they truly are. It is highly recommended that the La Chon be the only dog in the home.
Diet and Exercise Requirements
Both the Bichon Frise and Lhasa Apso are small non-sporting dogs that do not require massive amounts of food. The La Chon will need a quality kibble made with a balance of proteins and fats. La Chon puppies should have food available throughout the day to keep blood sugar levels from plummeting.
Adult La Chon dogs should be fed one cup of kibble two times a day. You can also feed a raw diet that is properly balanced. Again, feed them twice a day, about one cup for each meal. Both the Bichon and Lhasa Apso can become overweight so do not overfeed and ensure they get plenty of doggy exercise.
A 30-minute walk each day, as well as lively play in the backyard or inside on gloomy days, should be more than enough for this small dog. They are intelligent and active, so have plenty of interactive toys to keep their minds sharp. A daily game of fetch is great cardio for this little dog.
La Chon Health Issues
Ideally, but by creating a designer dog, the health issues of the two purebred dogs would be canceled out, and you would have a wonderfully healthy dog. Realistically, by mixing two breeds, the resulting pups can inherit any health issue from both breeds.
Breeders of La Chon pups claim these dogs are hardy and resilient, and hopefully, your La Chon is just that. But the Bichon Frise and Lhasa Apso both have health issues that you should be aware of and could affect your La Chon’s quality of life.
Bichon Frise is an overall healthy breed, and ethical breeders will test their breeding stock for health issues before breeding. Common health issues in Bichon Frise include luxating patella, cataracts, primary lens luxation, bladder infections, dental disease, and allergies. Lhasa Apso is also a generally healthy dog but can have the following health issues: hereditary kidney dysfunction, cherry eye, slipping stifles, and hip dysplasia.
When searching for a La Chon puppy, keep in mind these are mixed breed dogs, and therefore, should not cost a small fortune. If a breeder is advertising them as rare, hypoallergenic, or designer and charging more than their purebred ancestors, you may want to look elsewhere. Check local rescues and shelters for a La Chon before you contact breeders. If you happen to like the Bichon and the Lhasa Apso, maybe choose one of these breeds as an alternative to a La Chon.
