we are about to buy a puppy (lahso apso) but we want to know if it is similar to a shih-tzu
allergy wise?

Sorry guest, they are both in the Utility group, both come from Tibetan roots, both small hairy dogs and because of that, unless you have owned both I think it is impossible to say, their being a passing flurry of hair to an onlooker.

If you meet a Boarder Collie or a Boxer you can see their faces and touch them but with small hairy dogs unless you visit their homes you do not really come into contact with them. Some small dogs manage to make themselves known like Pugs and Italian Greyhounds so I guess it is just the amount of hair that hides the personality from the onlooker. Why not visit a few breeders and find out for yourself, it is the best way to go before buying a dog anyway, visit at least 2 breeders of each breed before you make up your mind, you may even be able to find a breeder who has both.

The Lhasa Apso is Tibetan & The Shih Tzu is Chinese from a cross with the Lhasa & Peke(that's what a local Lhasa breeder tells me anyway)

Lhasa coats have the same PH as human hair & they should be bathed in mild human shampoo(again this is from a local Lhasa breeder)

They are both the same,allergy wise.
I have 2 shih-tzu's,i looked at both breeds and i ended up going with the tzu's as they are not as yappy as lhasa's,and shih-tzu's seem to have a sweeter and more trusting and friendly disposition,plus i like the squishy faces,lhasa's have a longer nose.Moonmaiden is correct,tzu's are a cross between a pekinese and a lhasa.
I would have to advise against using "human shampoo" on any dogs,but especially a long haired dog,not too mention these two breeds are prone to allergic dermatitis,so you cant use a grooming product with too much perfume or salt which human products have loads of! I use a doggy shampoo with the main ingredient being Evening Primrose Oil,made by a company called "groomers" this is also available in Britain(i'm in Australia) their # is:01635 581958, i highly recommend this product for dogs with skin problems,it's brilliant!

good luck and make sure and visit lots of REPUTABLE breeders,please dont buy from a pet shop or a back yard breeder or else you may end up with a lifetime of health problems with your pup :(

christine

I did say MILD human shampoo if that's wrong I'll have to tell the gentlemen who have bred them for 40 + years they is wrong They have always used mild human shampoo as dog related shampoos in the main have the wrong PH for Lhasas & Tibetan Terriers(I have a friend who has bred & shown them success for over 30 years-making up Champions etc as well)

I have one of each and they complement each other fabulously. Barney the lhasa is more reserved and quiet and can be moody when he wants. Molly the ST is a noisy little so and so and much more lively than Barney. She is VERY vocal. But she brings him out of himself and they love one another although I would not let them stay together unsupervised when we are out. Molly is a tease and Barney needs his own space. When we take one to the vet the other has to come as they like to be together. Everyone in the vet knows when we arrive because of Molly LOL but it is something we are trying to stop - but no with much success at the moment.  So it seems each one has their own personality and not just breed trends as I find the opposite to Ozzie.

I couldnt choose between them though and allergy wise I would imagine both were good.

Gina

Edited to say we use oatmeal shampoo (no conditioner on Molly as she has a skin allergy). Barney is tough as old boots and has no allergies. We feed them both NatureDiet which has stopped Molly's hot spots.