Description

The Lhasa Apso is a long coated, sturdy little dog. They move in quite a jaunty manner with their tails carried over their backs. They are slightly longer than they are tall.

Color

They come in a variety of colors: sandy, honey, golden, brown dark grizzle, slate, smoke, black, white and combinations of these colors.

Category Size

Small

Coat Length

Medium/Long

Weight/Height Range

Dogs measure 9.5-11 inches at the withers, the ideal being 10 inches, and weigh between 13-15 lbs. Females are slightly smaller.

HEIGHT	MIN	MAX	WEIGHT	MIN	MAX
Female	9"	10"	Female	11 lbs.	13 lbs.
Male	9.5"	11"	Male	13 lbs.	15 lbs.

Ailments

The Lhasa is a fairly healthy dog, there is a concern about hip dysplasia but breeders are screening for this now. Screening is also being done for eye problems. The incidence of kidney problems seems to be in certain breed lines rather than the whole breed.

Suitable Breed for Allergy Sufferers

No

Common Ailments

Eye - Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS)/ Dry Eye, Eye - Corneal ulcer, Bones (Developmental) - Hip dysplasia, Eye - Distichiasis, Eye - Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), Kidney failure

Personality

The Lhasa Apso is a loyal, trustful and intelligent dog. They do get along well with children and other dogs. As a breed they can be independent and are wary of strangers. They do enjoy the company of children.

Intelligence

They are intelligent little dogs that can be obstinate. They need to be trained from an early age. With patience and consistency they can become relatively obedient. They are quite sensitive and do not respond well to raised voices; they can become withdrawn and depressed if subjected to excessively loud voices. They must not be overly spoiled, as they may develop behavioral problems.

Energy

High

Tendency To Bark

Low

Overall Exercise Requirement

They do require exercise as they have plenty of energy, but are as happy to stay at home and play as they are to walk for miles and miles. They are perfectly content with several short walks every day.

Suitability for Personal Protection

Low

Suitability as a Guard Dog

Low

Suitability for Children

High

Ease of Transportation

High

Level of Distress caused if left alone

Medium

Level of aggression

Medium

Other animal compatibility

High

Breeding & ownership

The Lhasa is a fairly undemanding dog feeding wise. This dog is prone to back problems if overweight so do watch the diet.

Food Cost

Affordable

Average Puppy Price

Moderate

Other Expenses

A puppy will cost between $600 and $700.

Grooming & showing

The grooming requirements are considerable for this small dog. The topcoat of the Lhasa Apso is long, heavy and slightly rough to the touch. The undercoat is a little shorter and softer. They do require a lot of daily grooming to keep their coats looking in top condition. It is best to start getting the dog used to being groomed when it is very young. As the undercoat is so soft it must be combed to prevent any matts and tangles forming. If they are not kept properly groomed they can develop skin problems. Even though the hair goes over the eyes the eyelashes are long and strong enough to allow the dog to see very well. They also require to be bathed fairly regularly to keep them feeling clean and fresh. If the coat becomes too much it can be kept short. A professional groomer, or the breeder, is probably the best person to advise on how this is carried out.

Grooming requirements

< Once a week

Trimming required

Frequent

Tendency to shed hair

Little

Show characteristics

The head should be relatively narrow with hair falling over the eyes, a long beard and whiskers. The eyes should be dark, of medium size and oval. The muzzle should not be square. The ears should be large and long with an abundance of feathering. The teeth should be a reverse scissor bite, that is when the mouth is closed the top teeth close inside the bottom teeth. The neck should be strong and well-arched, falling into well laid-back shoulders. The legs are short and muscular. The body should be longer than it is tall. The feet should be round and well-feathered. The tail is long-haired and should be set high and carried over the back, it often has a kink at the end. The coat should be long and heavy with a reasonable undercoat. All colors are accepted.

Breed classification

This little dog is a member of the Non-Sporting group. They were first used as indoor guards of the temples and as companions for the monks of these temples. Today they are family pets.

Origin

The Lhasa Apso was only bred in Tibet, by the holy men and the nobles, for at least two thousand years. They were used as watchdogs in the temples and monasteries. The people of Tibet greatly respected these little dogs, as they believed they were the reincarnations of the holy lamas. They were never sold or bought but given as gifts, and it was considered a great honor to receive one. The Lhasa was first seen in Britain in the 1920's and introduced to America in the 1930's where it was accepted by the American Kennel Club in 1935. It is reported to be rare in its native Tibet.

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