Stories

Stories and Testimonials from People Who Have Purchased Lhasas from Joyslyn's Lhasa Apsos

Dear Joyce and Lynn,
I looked for months to find the perfect, most responsible Lhasa breeder and I'm thankful every time I look at Wrigley that I found you! I really appreciated the time you took to talk to me about the breed and make sure that Wrigley was going to be safe and happy with me. I also thought it was really neat that I got to meet Hannah and Walker, Wrigley's parents.

Even after two years, my family often tells me 'you've sure got a great dog there, I hope you appreciate him" and I do!! Wriggs is such a cutie and has a wonderful personality. He thinks he's so independent - he even tosses his toys around and plays fetch by himself! - but he's never ³being independent² more than ten feet away! He's always happy to see me when I come home and loves to snuggle at night. Another thing you will hardly believe is that he waits for us to eat together. I put his food down once in the morning and once when I get home from work; he will literally wait for me to pour my cereal (or cook my dinner) and sit down at the table before he touches his food! I think it is so cuteŠ what a gentleman.

I made sure he was around lots of different people as a puppy, and today he is so great with my baby niece; she can tug on his fur all she wants and he just tries to run away, never bites or growls. This trait was really important to me, and I think he has such a gentle demeanor because you are such a careful breeder. I took him to puppy training classes when he was about 12 weeks, and he was quick to pick things up. I have to laugh at the times he chooses not to obey a command. He looks at me like "yeah, right - where's my treat, and I'll think about it!" It is that stubborn intelligence that I love so much in Lhasas.

Thanks for keeping in touch over the years to see how Wriggs is doing, but mostly thank you for introducing me to such a great dog and wonderful companion.
Sincerely,
Emily and Wrigley

Lhasas are my chosen breed - [my male Lhasa and] Maya [a Joyslyn's Lhasa] are the fifth and sixth Lhasas so far over my lifetime. But I have never, ever had such a sweet dog as Maya! She loves everyone immediately (it's really un-Lhasa-like but wonderful). She actually cries to go see children, and I can totally trust her with them. She wants to greet everyone and is surprised when the occasional person doesn't show any interest in her. She also is smart. We have been through beginner and intermediate dog training classes, and both times she was the best dog in the class. Her last class was 14 lb. Maya, a collie, and 4 Doberman Pinschers, but she was not intimidated and she outshone them all. She's learned 10 tricks, most of which she picked up in a single session. She even came up with a trick herself-she helps me take my socks off. I don't recall how it got started but now I loosen the toe of the sock and she pulls it off for me. She can be anywhere in the house but when I ask if she is going to help me with my socks, she comes running.
Betsy and Maya

My sons decided they would like to have a small dog. It was important to me to go through a good breeder who knows her dogs and I really preferred an older dog. I had met a Lhasa once and just thought they were an adorable breed. After reading more about them, and liking what I learned about their personalities, I started looking for breeders. I located Joyce through the internet and after various conversations felt comfortable with her as a breeder to go meet one of her adoptable adults. Working with Joyce and adopting our little Tess has been my best experience with a pet to date. My 8 year old son will not go to sleep without Tess in the room, and she is the first pet that my 10 year old has truly bonded with. She is the most sweet, adorable, lovable and huggable little thing! Everyone who meets her falls in love and especially small children who always want to pet her. Tess always accommodates the little ones and is very gentle around them. This past summer, we stood by as Tess helped keep a toddler in line on the patio, gently staying beside him watching over him and herding him as best she could.

But this absolutely lovable little creature is also QUEEN of the house and thinks nothing of diving off of the couch, growling and chomping, to calm our Doberman down if she thinks he's being too rowdy in her space! Tess fits my needs by being small enough to cuddle, but not needy and demanding attention 24/7. She's usually happy laying somewhere close (or in any nearby pile of clothes), but when she needs attention, she will find one of us and crawl up into our laps where we happily oblige. My husband, who was at first reticent about a third dog, is, after one year, completely wrapped around Tess' little paw. He has become totally devoted to this little furball and has sworn off all other breeds than the Lhasa from now on - something we both agree on - and that we will never be without a Lhasa again....so Joyce, someday we'll be calling again! :)
Robin and Tess

We live in the busy city of Chicago so there are always lots of people out and about at any given time of the day. The hard part about walking around in the city hasn't been due to the number of people on the street, but because we literally can't go more than ten feet without being stopped by someone who wants to pet or stand and admire our Lhasa, Telly. It's gotten to the point where Telly expects the attention from every passing individual and if there happens to be someone who doesn't fawn over him, he sits on the sidewalk, turns his head around, and watches in disbelief as the person walks on (while giving the adorable confused puppy face). This rarely happens though as most people can't resist his fluffy coat and friendly personality. We truly couldn't be happier with Telly and we are so blessed to have gotten him from such a caring, responsible breeder. The Johansons really know the Lhasa Apso breed and are incredibly helpful in answering any questions a person may have. Not only did we go home with a puppy one summer afternoon, but a gift bag filled with toys, treats, and a Lhasa information book all provided by the Johansons to help us with our new addition. We truly cannot say enough about the joy and laughter Telly has brought into our lives and we would highly recommend the Johanson family in a second for anyone looking for a Lhasa Apso in their home.
Mike, Alexis & Telly

Abby is the next best thing to children and grandchildren! We purchased her 6 Christmases ago, and she is just the cutest, best natured Lhasa we have ever come across. Our groomer Vicki says she is the star, and she can't believe how well behaved she is when we bring her in. She has never been to the Vet except for her yearly check-ups, and when we haven take her, she has always gotten a clean bill of health. We are so glad we came across your website, and so glad we contacted the AKC for a recommendation. It was definitely worth the 4 hour drive up and back to get her. Abby is a graduate of Puppy School, and all she learned was to "trade." She trades any little leaf, piece of paper, or piece of string she finds for a treat. Life just would not be complete without her. The only thing Abby lacks is courage. She is a real wuss!
Dennis and Marilyn

After the loss of our sixteen year old Lhasa, "Barney" in the fall of 2004, my husband and I began looking for a good breeder from whom to purchase a puppy to fill the empty spot in our lives. Even though Joyce was in another state (we live in Rochester, New York), she was highly recommended to us by a respected Lhasa breeder in our area. Our experience in working with Joyce in acquiring a new puppy could not have been more wonderful. She had a litter of puppies that had been born on Halloween and sent us email pictures of the puppies at frequent intervals. This helped us get through the twelve week wait until the puppies would be ready to go and also helped us in the selection process when I traveled to Illinois to choose one of the puppies in January. During that trip, Joyce not only assisted me in making my lodging arrangements, but treated me like a member of her own family. The only hard part was choosing just one of several impossibly cute puppies to take back home. During that process I had the benefit of unhurried time with the puppies at play and also time to observe and interact with their mother and the father. This was very reassuring since we wanted a puppy with a good disposition. I chose "Buzz," whose wonderful disposition was evident from the start in his uncomplaining trip back to Rochester on United Airlines in a sherpa carrier. We couldn't ask for a friendlier, more beautiful Lhasa. He is also a cuddler and never misses an opportunity to be in your lap. We unqualifiedly recommend Joyce if you want a breeder who pays attention to all aspects of quality in a Lhasa Apso - not just looks, but also temperament and health.
Sherry and "Buzz"