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Dogs 101 - LHASA APSO - Top Dog Facts About the LHASA APSO
The Lhasa Apso is a breed of small dogs, with a historical connection to Lhasa, the holy capital of Tibet. Being an ancient dog breed, with close relations to the wolf, its exact origins are difficult to trace. But, it is known that for hundreds of years, these dogs were used to guard monasteries and houses of the nobility, bringing their sharp hearing and high-pitched bark to good use. The huge Tibetan Mastiff would guard the main entrance to the monasteries, while these small dogs would be inside to raise alarm. Tibetan belief also mentions that souls of deceased monks would enter these dogs’ bodies before being reborn in human form. The earliest Lhasas came to Europe through men returning to England from British India in the early 1900s, and came to be known as the ‘Lhasa Terrier’. The first pair in the US was a gift by the 13th Dalai Lama, the current one’s predecessor, in 1933. The AKC soon recognized the breed, and it has become a very popular pet and show dog over the years.
Time for some Ruff Trivia:
- Which of these characters in The Simpsons has a pet Lhasa Apso?
o A: Lisa
o B: Mr. Burns
o C: Milhouse
What do you think, give it your best guess in the comments below before we get to the answer! Hang on tight and we’ll get back to this Ruff Trivia Question toward the end of the video.
The height of the adult Lhasa Apso is typically between 10 and 11 inches and weight between 13 and 15 pounds. The dog has a narrow skull, with a straight foreface. Eyes are dark brown, nose black, though liver-colored Lhasas can have a brown nose. The substantial hair falling over the eyes, along with the good amount of whiskers and beard give a dignified lion-like look. The bite can be level or have a slight undershot. Despite not being an athletic breed, the loins have to be strong, with well-developed quarters and thighs. The tail is carried well over the dog’s back. The coat is double-layered, heavy, straight, of good length and very dense. Colors can be in a wide variety including black, white, red and gold, with various shadings.
Grooming:The Lhasa sheds continuously, which requires daily brushing to remove dead hair. An occasional bath is necessary, with frequency also depending on the coat color. Many owners prefer keeping their Lhasas in the shorter ‘puppy cut’. Clipping of nails, brushing of teeth and checking of ears for wax buildup has to be regular.
Temperament:As befits a breed with a long history of acting as guard dogs, the Lhasa is wary of strangers, and can even be aggressive with intruders. It also requires socialization training with other animals. With its own human family on the other hand, it is absolutely devoted and enjoys playing around. It can be a very stubborn breed, and can’t be forced to do something it doesn’t want to. It likes to perch like many small breeds and keep an eye on activities around it.
Training:The Lhasa is a dog of fair working-obedience intelligence, but smart enough to respond to positive reinforcement training. It resists harsh treatment or strong disciplining, and also tends to get bored easily. Although an active breed, its small size means that its exercise needs can be met with playing indoors or a short walk on leash.
Health:The life expectancy of the Lhasa Apso is 12 to 14 years, but many dogs are known to live up to their early 20s. Some of the common disorders seen in the breed are sebaceous adenitis, progressive retinal atrophy, cherry eye, dry eye syndrome and patellar luxation.
A small breed hardy enough to thrive in the difficult climate of Tibet and fearless enough to be a guard for generations, the Lhasa Apso needs care to maintain its beautiful cloak and a family that treats it as an equal.
Find out if the Lhasa Apsowould be a good addition to your home. Now you can visit Brooklyn’s Corner.com to take our quiz and find out which dog would be the best match for you.
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