History:
The Lhasa Apso has a long history tied to spiritual uses in Tibet where the breed originated. Named for the sacred city of Lhasa, these dogs where initially bred only for use by nobles and holy men to guard monasteries and temples. The dogs were also considered sacred and it was believed that when the dog’s master died, his soul entered the Lhasa Apso’s body. Eventually, the small dogs popularity spread throughout the world. The breed was first observed in Britain in the early 1920s and was later introduced in the United States in the 1930s.
Appearance:
The Lhasa Apso is a fairly small dog weighing around 13 to 15 pounds and standing about 10 to 11 inches at the shoulder. These dogs have a shaggy coat of long, heavy fur that is parted in the middle and reaches down to the floor. The fur is known as a double coat, with a longer top layer that should be fairly stiff and an undercoat that is shorter and somewhat softer. The breed has a wide range of fur colors including black, gray, white, brown, cream or a combination of shades known as particolor. The dog’s straight, course coat falls thickly over the eyes. Other characteristics of the breed include dark hair around the face, a medium-length muzzle, and a long tail that feathers over the back.
Temperament:
The Lhasa Apso is known for its intelligence and loyalty, qualities that contributed to the breeds value as a watchdog. These dogs can be stubborn and independent and harsh discipline or punishment is often ineffective at curbing problematic behavior. A good behavioral training program is the best method of teaching these dogs appropriate behaviors. They are extremely devoted to family and wary of strangers. While these dogs are very dedicated to their masters, they tend not to be tolerant of rowdy kids. Because of this, the Lhapso Apso may not be the ideal pet for those with small children. Due to the Lhasa Apso’s protectiveness, these dogs tend to bark a great deal. This quality may make it difficult to keep the small dog in apartments or other areas with many neighbors.
The Lhasa Apso is generally a healthy dog and not as prone to genetic defects as other breeds. Occasionally, some dogs experience hip dysplasia or kidney problems. In order to prevent possible skin problems, it is important to keep the dog clean.
Care:
It is important to groom the Lhasa Apso regularly in order to prevent the fur from matting and to keep the dog free of fleas and other irritants. Ideally, the coat should be brushed once a day, but every other day is an acceptable grooming schedule. Owners may wish to keep the dog’s fur slightly shorter in order to make grooming easier or have the animal professionally groomed on a regular basis. Owners should carefully check the dog’s feet frequently prevent matting and to make certain that the dog has not picked up any foreign objects that may lead to injury.
The Lhasa Apso is a hardy, intelligent dog that can be a wonderful animal companion if properly cared for. Before choosing a dog, it is important to learn about different breeds in order to select a variety that is most suited to your personality and lifestyle. If the Lhasa Apso sounds like the perfect dog for you, contact local breeders or animal adoption centers.
