Originating from Tibet, the
Lhasa Apso was originally called the Abso Seng Key,
translating to “Bark Lion Sentinel Dog”. Although
small, this particular breed is hardy with a keen
personality. The Lhasa Apso is also extremely
intelligent, has a sharp sense of hearing, and an
amazing natural instinct for separating strangers
from known people. The Lhasa Apso was first
categorized in the Terrier group for the American
Kennel Club but then moved in 1959 to non-sporting.
Temperament
This breed of dog has a wonderful personality,
beautiful coloring, and long, flowing hair.
Unfortunately, the Lhasa Apso is often
misunderstood, which leads to inappropriate care and
handling. While hardy and determined, the Lhasa Apso
also has a gentle nature. Therefore, should be
trained using only positive reinforcement.
One of the most important factors of owning a Lhasa
Apso is early socialization, which will result in a
confident and happy pet. However, buying from a
reputable breeder and working with your puppy while
young will go a long way in his overall development.
The bottom line is that the Lhasa Apso is a pleasant
dog and great companion, one that also serves as an
excellent watchdog.
Size and Color
The size of the Lhasa Apso can vary slightly but
most are about 10 to 11 inches at the withers. For
weight, most will range between 16 and 18 pounds
with the males being the heavier of the two genders.
If provided a proper diet, love, and care, this
breed will live to around age 13 to 15.
The coat of the Lhasa Apso is actually quite
heavy. The hair is also straight, dense, and very
long. For colors, the American Kennel Club accepts
any color although white with black, brown, or tan
markings are most common. Now, some dogs will be a
solid color, which is again recognized and
acceptable for breeding and show.
Feeding and Grooming Requirements
Due to the long, dense hair of the Lhasa Apso, it is
vital that you provide daily brushing and proper
grooming. To help you with your new dog, we wanted
to provide specific information to grooming, which
is an important part of owning the Lhasa Apso. For
starters, we suggest you help your puppy by getting
him accustomed to lying on his back and side. This
way, the grooming process will be easier.
Then, your dog will need a bath weekly or bi-weekly.
Even if the Lhasa Apso would need to be an indoor
dog, the hair must be cleaned regularly. For brush,
this is something that needs to be done daily.
Addition to the at-home grooming, the Lhasa Apso
will need to see a professional groom about every
six weeks.
The most important thing with the hair of this breed
is to brush so you remove any matting. Then, when
you do bathe this breed, make sure you use only
shampoo and conditioner formulated for dogs, which
has the proper pH for the skin, along with a
detangling agent. Finally, the Lhasa Apso should
have its ears cleaned every other day with a dry
cotton ball. The reason is that with long ears,
moisture can develop, causing potential problems.
Exercise Needs
The Lhasa Apso is an energetic dog. Keep in mind
that while this breed could make a great apartment
dweller, he will need some exercise. The good thing
is that the Lhasa Apso would do fine with a short
daily or bi-daily walk. Of course, even as an adult,
this breed needs plenty of playtime to help burn off
energy, while keeping the dog’s temperament happy.
Because exercise needs are limited, the Lhasa Apso
makes a wonderful companion pet for the elderly, the
career person, or individuals in an apartment or
without a yard.
