Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso’s original Tibetan name is Abso Seng Kye, which actually means (roughly) “bark lion sentinel dog.” It seems to have some association with the mythical snow lion in traditional Tibetan culture, which is said to protect the country. These dogs were often given as gifts as signs of friendship, but never actually sold.

The Lhasa Apso is a small dog breed from Tibet, characterized by a curled, feathery tail and long, flowing hair that obscures the eyes and touches the ground. There are many accepted color schemes, including black and tan, cream, golden, white, and red. The elegant fur belies its original purpose as a guard dog of palaces and monasteries high up in the Himalayas. The history dates back more than a thousand years ago near the capital city region of Lhasa. This breed first came to the United States as a gift from the Dalai Lama in the mid-20th century.

3 Pros And Cons Of Owning A Lhasa Apso

History Of The Breed

The Lhasa Apso is an ancient breed, with a long history in its country of origin, Tibet, dating back to at least 800 CE. For centuries, they used to live in the Himalayan Mountains in isolation with Tibetan Monks. Considered a sacred breed, they were highly regarded, and to receive this breed as a gift was considered good fortune. The Lhasa Apso came to the United States in the 1930s when the 13th Dalai Lama gifted a pair to the American explorer and philanthropist Charles Suydam Cutter and his wife.

Size And Weight

The Lhasa Apso is a very small dog with a thin frame. Males are ever so slightly larger than females, but the difference is fairly minimal.

Common Health Issues

The Lhasa Apso has an excellent lifespan of 12 to 15 years, but it may be prone to several health conditions, including progressive retinal atrophy, cancer, allergies, renal disorders, cherry eye (in which an eye gland swells up), and a dry inflammatory skin condition called sebaceous adenitis. Another common problem is patellar luxation, in which the kneecap slides in and out of place. This can result in lameness and pain over the dog’s lifetime.

There are a few things you can do to maximize the dog’s long-term quality of life. First, you should find a good breeder who will always give their puppies a thorough medical evaluation; you should also follow up with your vet regularly to check for common health issues. In summary, these are the most common health problems with the Lhasa Apso:

• Allergies
• Cancer
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Sebaceous Adenitis

Temperament

The Lhasa Apso is an affectionate, friendly, and confident pet in the non-sporting group. It has a long history as a guard dog, dating back more than a thousand years. With a strong instinct to protect and watch over the home, it will alert the owner to any possible danger or unfamiliar people. Behavior problems are relatively minimal, but they might exhibit some stubbornness and impatience from time to time.

Fortunately, this breed can adapt very well to a wide variety of different living conditions and daily schedules, and its physical and mental needs are both fairly moderate. It is also buoyed by a playful and comic personality.

How To Take Care Of The Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso is a good choice for owners across the entire experience spectrum. The most difficult part of the entire ownership process is probably grooming. Expect to spend a lot of time and effort keeping the coat in good shape. Training can also present a few difficulties.

The Best Dog Foods For Lhasa Apsos

The Lhasa Apso probably needs no more than a cup of high-quality dry food per day. You may need to adjust the precise amount based on the dog’s age, size, and activity level. If you notice your Lhasa Apso struggling with allergies, try out anti-allergy dog food.

Maintenance And Grooming

It’s immediately evident from the long, flowing coat that you will need to spend a lot of time grooming this breed. The Lhasa Apso will require almost daily brushing and combing, as well as regular baths every two to four weeks, preferably with conditioners and finishing sprays; rinse the fur thoroughly to prevent skin irritation from the shampoo. Clipping can be a very difficult and time-consuming process. If you don’t want to do it yourself, then you can elect to hire the services of a professional groomer. It might be a good idea to keep the coat short so it’s easier to brush every day.

In addition to grooming, you should also brush their teeth at least two or three times a week with a toothpaste recommended by the vet; this should prevent disease and bad breath. Trim the nails about once or twice a month before they start clicking on the floor. Finally, check the ears for infection regularly and clean them out with a cotton ball and cleanser.

Training

The Lhasa Apso is equal parts intelligent and willful. They grow bored easily from repetition and may ignore you if they feel bullied in some manner. The key is to keep the training process interesting but consistent. Do not deviate or change your commands arbitrarily, but do change the structure and tempo of the training process to keep your dog motivated.

Exercise

The Lhasa Apso needs a moderate amount of exercise every day, probably around 30 minutes. Since this breed isn’t too active, a brisk walk and some indoor playtime should suffice. It also likes to run around and entertain itself in a fenced yard.

Puppies

The puppies mature slowly and take nearly three years to reach adulthood; expect some puppyish behavior until they fully mature. In the meantime, they need to be socialized and housetrained as early as possible; get them used to being handled and introduce them to as many unique situations as possible.

Crate training can help make the housetraining process easier and also ease some of the dog’s anxiety. After several months, this breed should begin learning more advanced commands. Proper training will help reduce behavior problems later in life.

The Lhasa Apso And Children

These dogs may get along well with children, but probably not as well as with adults. It does tend to nip and may become impatient with children’s antics. If you choose to bring this breed into your home, you should supervise all interactions between the dog and the youngest kids.

Dogs Similar To The Lhasa Apso

These closely related Tibetan/Chinese breeds share a similar temperament and appearance to the Lhasa Apso.

• Shih Tzu: While not quite as protective and watchful as the Lhasa Apso, this breed has a short snout and a very similar coat of long, flowing hair. Some people even believe that the Shih Tzu was produced from a cross between a Lhasa Apso and another breed, possibly the Pekingese. It later became prized among the Chinese nobility.
• Tibetan Spaniel: This breed also originated as a watchdog in Tibetan monasteries. It has a flat muzzle, expressive eyes, drooping ears, a plumed tail, and a mane of fur around the neck. Cream, black, fawn, gold, white, and tan are all accepted colors.
• Tibetan Terrier: This is yet another Tibetan watch or guard dog. Also known as the Holy Dog of Tibet, it bears a strong resemblance to the Lhasa Apso, thanks in part to the long, flowing fur. The main difference is that the Tibetan Terrier is slightly larger. It also has large snowshoe-like feet, which help it navigate the snowy mountain terrain.

Famous Lhasa Apso Dogs

Since it was first introduced, these dogs have made a significant impression on American culture. Some of the most famous owners include the singer and actor Liberace, the novelist Kurt Vonnegut, the actress Elizabeth Taylor, singer Gwen Stefani, and actress and TV host Ellen DeGeneres.