Lhasa Apso Dog Breed

The Lhasa is classified as a Toy breed and Companion Dog according to the FCI and is grouped in the AKC's non sporting group. They are of ancient origin, hailing from the harsh mountainous areas of Tibet. These dogs worked as guardians of the interior of homes and other buildings-- some even in livestock herding and guarding. The breed is now mostly a lively and clownish companion but still retains the alertness they were so prized for. These dogs are recommended for owners or families looking for a low maintenance companion but doesn't necessarily desire a super needy lapdog. We also recommend not considering the breed if you have young children in the house or plan on having children when your dog is out of the puppy stage. Consider the following Lhasa Apso facts so you are aware of problems and benefits associated with ownership:

PROS

• Loving, playful towards the owner or family
• Clownish and entertaining
• Can be left alone for reasonable amounts of time
• Generally healthy and long lived
• Perfectly sized for apartments
• Hypoallergenic
• Easily exercised
• Good watch dog

CONS

• Not stranger friendly
• Not an exercise partner
• Usually not good for homes with young children
• May live extremely long-- into teens
• Not very easy to train
• Can be stubborn and independent
• Grooming needs are high

The lhasa apso is probably the most efficient guard dog in the small dog breed size category. The breed is less than a foot tall from ground to shoulder and weigh anywhere between 13-15 pounds. Their small size makes the breed easy to manage as well as a good companion for living indoors.

Lhasa apsos are intelligent and independent dogs. They are happy by nature, but can turn fierce the moment they feel their family is threatened. The breed makes a good companion dogs, but they don't suffer from social anxiety if left alone which is common in other companion dog breeds. The lhasa apso is not the best dog for small children as the clumsiness and unpredictable behavior of smaller kids tends to frustrate the breed. The breed can bond with other pets, but does best when they are introduced at a younger age.

The lhasa apso has a long, straight, beautiful coat which comes in a wide variety of colors. The coat is considered high maintenance and requires daily brushing and frequent bathing to keep the coat clean and well managed. The breed requires very little daily exercise as one 20-30 minutes walk can meet their exercise requirements.

The Lhasa Apso origin in not fully known since many believe they were a distinct breed around 800 A.D. wile others claim they are even more ancient (dating back to 800 B.C). Studies claim they are one of the 14 oldest domesticated dog breeds! What we do know is that they come from the small country of Tibet in central Asia. The terrain of Tibet is harsh and rugged, yet beautiful-- alternating mountains and valleys create extreme climates that range from sweltering hot to freezing cold. These "bearded lion dogs", as their original name implies, must be hardy and fierce to have thrived in such conditions.

These dogs were primarily guardians. Lhasa Apso history includes guarding of monasteries and homes as well as livestock. They are said to have lived mainly on the interior of these building and alerted the monks or residents to any signs of approaching people or animals. The breed was so revered they are believed to be part of the reincarnation process of Buddhists; also, they are often associated with the Tibetan Snow Lion mythology that was thought to protect the people from the mountains.

Lhasa Apso dogs could not be bought-- they were precious gifts. As such, they didn't make a well known appearance in the West until the 1900s when some military men brought them back to England. The Lhasa Terrier (as it was then referred) arrived in America in 1933 when the 13th Dalai Lama gifted a pair to C. Suydam Cutting. Although they were recognized as terriers by the AKC as early as 1935, the group was officially changed to the non sporting group in 1959.

This is a small but sturdy, compact dog. The first thing you will notice is the long coat that falls along either side of the body (including the head) to the floor. It may obscure the Lhasa's eyes dark eyes and the small black nose is framed by a beard and mustache. The hanging ears may not be easily distinguished due to the heavy feathering. The Lhasa Apso's coat type is not soft and silky like you might expect but pretty hard and thick. It can be almost any color including: black, white, red, golden, grey, brown, parti and so on... so we suggest consulting your local kennel club's breed standard if you plan on competing with your Lhasa. The only other notable feature of the breed's appearance is the feathered tail which is screw-shaped and held over the back.

A Lhasa Apso dog breed is just that, and there are no variations. Marketing terms such as the mini Lhasa Apso, micro, toy, or teacup, or even a Lhasa Apso pequeno, miniatura, or princess type are either runts or mixed breeds. If they are runts, they will most likely be rife with health conditions and medical problems, and if they are hybrids or mixed breeds, they are simply not Lhasa Apsos. If you hear talk of variations, then people are typically discussing Lhasa haircuts for dog shows. There are no short hair, long hair, or teddy bear Lhasa Apsos, just hair styles that professional dog owners prefer.

The temperament of the Lhasa Apso is quite special and multi-faceted. They are certainly loving companions but are not always willing to listen or be the lap dog you expect them to be. They would rather do things with you as a partner than for you. The Lhasa Apso personality is also very lively and playful so they can make good family pets for those with older children. We stress older (age 10 and above) because they don't appreciate rambunctious rough play-- or simply being handled when they don't want to and this could result in your child being on the receiving end of a warning bite.

Another notable Lhasa Apso characteristic is alertness. They may seem goofy or mischievous sometimes but, make no mistake, they are always scanning their surroundings. They are reserved and aloof around strangers but are said to also act "regal or dignified"-- we translate this as your Lhasa won't be aggressive around strangers but confident enough to know when to turn on "guard dog" mode. Early training and socialization is necessary to curb stubborn behaviors and make them less testy.

Lhasas have a pretty long lifespan; many live into the late teens and some agencies put the median (middle) age at 13-14. They are notably hardy little dogs that don't usually have a lot of health concerns per individual but the breed is still prone to a few:

• Eye conditions such as: dry eye, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, cherry eye, cataracts and glaucoma
• Reverse Sneezing
• Heart Murmurs
• Kidney Dysplasia
• Obesity

Many of these health concerns are not a major problem in the breed. It is still important have your Lhasa dog attend all scheduled veterinary visits to detect and prevent problems.

Lhasa Apso dogs make up a very unique breed. Here a few random facts:

1. Lhasas are very long lived. The median age for them is often quoted to be 13 or 14 years but they often life into their late teens. The oldest lived to be a whopping 29 years old!
2. This breed is often considered cat like due to their independent and not very "eager to please" natures. This may disappoint some looking for a lapdog carry around like a baby but, don't despair, the breed is very active and loving with the owner.
3. These dogs were actually watchdogs of buildings and homes as well as guardians for flocks and herds in Tibet-- hard to believe considering their small status.
4. They are considered to be the physical embodiment of the Tibetan "Snow Lion" which was believed to guard the people from atop the mountains.