Dog
Group:
Non-sporting 
Lhasa Apso Champions
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Pronunciation:
LAH-sa AHP-so
Breed Description:
The Lhasa Apso breed of dog has a long, heavy, double coat, draping over his entire body to the floor. This shaggy little dog looks like a small version of the Old English Sheepdog. Gold, cream, and honey are the most popular colors, but the coat also comes in smoke, dark-grizzle, slate and a multi-color assortment of brown, white & black. It is common for a Lhasa Apso puppy's coat to change colors as it grows. The coat is straight, hard and heavy, but not silky. The hair should cascade from the head over its eyes. It should have a dark beard and mustache, and a muzzle that is medium-length, but not square. It has small, dark, deep-set eyes and heavy feathered ears. The neck of the Lhaso Apso breed of dog has an abundant scarf of hair and its tail is feathered and carried over its back.
Temperament:
The Lhasa Apso breed of dog is a hardy dog with a friendly, assertive, manner. Intelligent and lively, it makes a good pet. Lhasa Apsos are spirited and devoted little dogs, which are affectionate with their masters. They can be very obedient to their masters. This breed responds to motivational training. They have a fine sense of hearing, and make good watch dogs. The Lhasa Apso travels well. Sadly, this little dog often falls into Small Dog Syndrome, a human induced behavior, where the dog thinks he is pack leader to humans. This causes many varying degrees of negative behaviors to come out in the dog. They become suspicious of strangers, and may not tolerate children. They will become willful with a loud persistent bark, as they try and get THEIR humans to listen to them. They will become nervous and untrustworthy with strangers and children, and inclined to fight with other dogs. Often times they will develop separation anxiety, getting very upset when left alone. Followers are not allowed to leave the pack leader, however pack leaders can leave the followers. They can become can snappish if surprised or peeved, and begin to display guarding behaviors. These negative behaviors are NOT traits of the Lhasa Apso, they are human induced behaviors, resulting from the dog not being treated like the canine species it is. Lack of leadership, rules and the lack of limits placed on the dog. A mentally stable dog that gets enough mental and physical exercise will have a totally different personality. It is all up to the humans around the dog. As soon as the humans start being true pack leaders, the Lhasa Apso breed of dog behavior will change for the better.
Height:
10 to 11.5 inches
Weight:
13 to 18 pounds
Health Problems:
Generally, the Lhasa Apso breed of dog is a very healthy one. Sometimes they have skin problems if the coat is not kept free of parasites. They do have a slight tendency to get hip dysplasia, as well as kidney problems, eye problems and bleeding ulcers.
Living Conditions:
The Lhasa Apso breed of dog is good for apartment living. They are very active indoors and will do okay without a yard.
Exercise:
The Lhasa Apso breed of dog needs a daily walk. Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs; but, as with all breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs who do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. The Lhasa Apso breed of dog will also enjoy a good romp in a safe open area off lead, such as a large fenced in yard.
Life Expectancy:
Up to 18 years
Grooming:
The long coat of the Lhasa Apso breed of dog parts at the spine and falls straight on either side. No trimming or stripping is needed, although when in full coat, they need to be brushed about once a day to keep their coats from matting. Some owners opt to cut the coats short for easier grooming. Dry shampoo as necessary. Check the feet for matting and for foreign matter stuck there. Clean the eyes and ears meticulously, for they tend to tear. The Lhasa Apso breed of dog is an average shedder.
Origin:
The land of Tibet was the home of the Lhasa Apso - the breed taking its name from the sacred city of Lhasa. For at least two thousand years the Lhasa Apso breed of dog was only bred in Tibet by holy men and nobles. It was used as a watchdog in temples and monasteries, and was considered sacred, for when its master died, his soul was thought to enter the Lhasa Apso's body. Although they were thought to bring good luck to their owners, Lhasa Apsos were virtually impossible to buy. Happily these very precious dogs, and the equally prized Tibetan Terrier, spread to other parts of the world, mainly because the Dalai Lama. Tibet's ruler would present them to visiting foreign diplomats. The breed was first seen in Britain in the 1920s and was introduced to the US in the 1930s. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
