Lhasa Apso

Lhasas don't expect to be pampered. They are protective of their people and care for them in a dignified but loving manner. In obedience training, positive, repetitive lessons will win the Lhasa over. The Lhasa can be playful and spirited, but also independent.

Lhasa Apso breed facts

The Lhasa Apso is from Tibet.

Information you should know before owning a Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso is known in Tibet as "Bark Lion Sentinel Dog." His primary function was that of a police watchdog. His keen intelligence and acute hearing and instincts for identifying friends from strangers made him uniquely suited for the role of a watchdog.

The Lhasa Apso's coat needs regular grooming.

Due to his small size the Lhasa Apso makes an ideal companion for the apartment dweller.

Beyond the northern boundary of India, where the mighty Mount Everest stands like a guardian sentinel, is the mysterious land of Tibet, a country where conditions are hard on man and beast because of the intense cold and great heat. This is the home of the Lhasa Apso, known in that land as Abso Seng Kye, the "Bark Lion Sentinel Dog". Small wonder, then, that these members of dogdom should be of such hardy and vigorous constitution.

Since danger threatened from without and within in this strange land, a huge Mastiff was chained to a post beside the outer door to prevent intruders from entering, while Lhasa Apsos were kept as special guards inside the dwellings. For this work, the little dogs were peculiarly adapted by their intelligence, quick hearing, and finely developed instinct for distinguishing intimates from strangers.

The Lhasa Apso, from the lamaseries and villages around the sacred city of Lhasa, is one of three breeds native to Tibet that are in the Non-Sporting Group. The others are the Tibetan Terrier and the Tibetan Spaniel. Of the three, the Lhasa was the first admitted to AKC registration - in 1935. It was originally shown in the Terrier Group, then reassigned to the Non-Sporting in 1959.

Is this a vulnerable breed? Yes, No	No
What size is this dog? Small, Medium, Large	Small
How much excercise is required? 30 mins a day, 1 hour a day, Over 2 hours a day	30 mins a day
How long is this dog's coat? Short, Medium, Long	Long
How much grooming is required? Once a week, More than once a week, Every day	Every day
Does this dog shed? Does shed, Does not shed	Does not shed
What area is this dog best suited to? Town, Country, Either	Either
What size house is required for this breed? Flat/Apartment, Small House, Large House	Flat
What size of garden is required? Small Garden, Large Garden, No Garden	No garden

	General Appearance Well balanced, sturdy, heavily coated.
	Characteristics Gay and assertive.
	Temperament Alert, steady but somewhat aloof with strangers.
	Eyes Dark. Medium size, frontally placed, oval, neither large nor full, nor small and sunk. No white showing at base or top.
	Mouth Upper incisors close just inside lower i.e. reverse scissor bite. Incisors in a broad and as straight a line as possible. Full dentition desirable.
	Neck Strong and well arched.
	Forequarters Shoulders well laid back. Forelegs straight, heavily furnished with hair.
	Body Length from point of shoulders to point of buttocks greater than height at withers. Well ribbed. Level topline. Strong loin. Balanced and compact.
	Hindquarters Well developed with good muscle. Good angulation. Heavily furnished with hair. Hocks when viewed from behind parallel and not too close together.
	Feet Round, cat-like with firm pads. Well feathered.
	Tail High-set, carried well over back but not like a pot-hook. Often a kink at end. Well feathered.
	Gait / Movement Well balanced, sturdy, heavily coated.
	Coat Top coat long, heavy, straight, hard neither woolly nor silky. Moderate undercoat.
	Colour Golden, sandy, honey, dark grizzle, slate, smoke, parti-colour, black, white or brown. All equally acceptable.
	Size Ideal height: dogs: 25cms (10 ins) at shoulders; bitches slightly smaller.