Lhasa apso

Lhasa apso is a small companion dog with an elongated body, covered with a dense, long, fairly hard coat. Similar to shih tzu, but it is slightly larger and has a longer muzzle. Intelligent, somewhat independent, smart, alert and not very trusting towards strangers.

Nature

Like other Asian dogs, lhasa apso, although small, are confident, balanced and insecure. They learn cleanliness quickly. Properly raised, they tolerate loneliness well when the owners go to work. They know their strength, they are not cowardly, but they are not aggressive, they do not hook on the stronger than themselves. They are individualists and tend to be stubborn – after all, they are East males. They are deeply attached to the owners, but do not impose with their feelings. They are also extremely vigilant and distrustful of strangers.

Skills

Lhasa apso are first and foremost companion dogs – this was the function they used to be, and they perform best in this role today. In addition, they are also great alarm ringtones.

Training and education

Like many other sweet-looking small breeds, lhasa apso may be a little too charming for the average person to be very firm with him. Of course, this does not mean that you should lead him with a hard hand – he is too gentle for this, and besides, his oriental character does not predispose him to blind obedience.

You should reach lhasa apso by way and calm consequence, and then you will find out how intelligent and willing to learn this dog is.

Certainly it is not a dog for lovers of “easy effects”, which applies to both care and upbringing. Who wants to have lhasa apso, love and be loved by a dog of this breed, must take into account his great need for contact with the owner and outstanding sensitivity. Lhasa apso clearly needs acceptance and warm feelings for him. Most lhasa apso is rather inedible, but it is easy to earn a social reward for them – the smile and the owner’s satisfied satisfaction mean a lot to lhasa apso.

Who is this race for?

Lhasa apso is an excellent companion dog for anyone who will treat him with respect. He feels good in the city. It can be recommended to families with larger children, singles and the elderly.

Advantages and disadvantages

Disadvantages

• sometimes stubborn
• requires systematic care

Advantages

• excellent companion dog
• very attached to the owner
• friendly towards children and animals
• easily adapts to various conditions
• is not noisy
• It doesn’t molt

Health

Lhasa apso is a long-lived breed. These dogs often live 15, and it happens that they are 18 years old. They are prone to genetic diseases such as: patellar dislocation, hip and elbow dysplasia, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, renal dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), coagulation factor IX deficiency (hemophilia B). In addition, as dogs with a brachycephalic structure of the skull, lhasa apso has shortened nasolacrimal ducts, and eyeballs are prominent, which promotes conjunctival infections, as well as obstruction of the naso-lacrimal ducts.

Feeding

Lhasa apso can be fed with good quality ready-made food or you can prepare food yourself at home. In the latter case, it is worth giving supplements, especially those that help maintain a beautiful and healthy coat.

Care

Lhasa apso – is a long-haired dog – requires regular care, but if you do not neglect the treatments, it is not as demanding as it might seem. Long, straight, strong hair does not tend to felter and does not stick to the rugs, just like the hair of long-haired dogs.

Lhasa apso should be combed at least three times a week. However, there are dogs with softer hair that should be combed every day. Before combing, it is best to spray the coat with a conditioner. On rainy days, washing the tummy and feet after walking becomes a necessity.

If we want to expose the dog, we must obviously put more effort into the care of the coat, using the right cosmetics. Professional advice should be given by the groomer or breeder. Lhasa apso bathes depending on the needs – when it comes to show dogs, on average, every two weeks, shampoo for long-haired dogs. Before bathing, the hair should be combed thoroughly. After bathing, it is best to apply a moisturizer that will help you comb your coat thoroughly, nourish it and prevent tangles.

Every month (or a month and a half) you should trim the hair on your paws. If you do not have time and patience to comb a long coat, you can cut lhasa apso sportingly.

Accessories

For the care of lhasa apso, you will need a metal comb with a narrow tooth spacing, a wire brush with long needles without balls, as well as a brush with wild bristles.

History

Tibet is the home of lhasa apso. It is a vast land of high mountains and deep valleys. There is a harsh climate here, and living conditions for humans and animals are very hard. It is no wonder then that these little dogs, called in their homeland abso seng kye,  which means more or less “barking lion – sentry dog”, are famous for their hard character.

Their history dates back over 2000 years. They have always been associated with the capital of Tibet – Lhasa. Hence the name of the breed – lhasa apso. The “apso” member received thanks to the magnificent golden coat, reminiscent of the fur of Tibetan goats with that name.

Lhasa apso were considered sacred and bred in Buddhist temples. Their task, in addition to accompanying their masters, to whom they were devoted immeasurably, was to alert four-legged companions – giant Tibetan mastiffs, kept as guard dogs – of impending danger.

These small, vigilant, golden quadrupeds with a dense, rich coat, well protecting against cold and a tail proudly worn over the back, could be found in both imperial palaces, houses of wealthy courtiers, and in monasteries, where they guarded the treasures of Buddhism. Trading them was prohibited. That is why they came to Europe only at the beginning of the 20th century. The first representatives of the breed arrived in England and Norway in 1930. The first official lhasa apso breed standard was developed by the English Kennel Club in 1934.

Lhasa apso is very popular in the West. His greatest triumphs are saints in Great Britain and the USA.

Template

Lhasa apso – group IX FCI, section 5, reference number 227

• Origin: Tibet
• Patronage: Great Britain
• Character: cheerful and firm; alert, balanced, but somewhat distrustful of strangers
• Size: ideal height – 25 cm at the withers for dogs; bitches are slightly smaller
• Weight: not specified in the standard; usually dogs – 6-8 kg, bitches – 5-7 kg
• Coat: coat, long, heavy, straight, hard, not woolly or silky; moderate undercoat; abundance of hair can never interrupt movement
• Color: gold, sand, honey, dark gray, slate, smoky, pied, black, white or brownish
• Lifespan: 14-15 years
• Vulnerability to training: moderate, independent

Interesting facts

According to legend, the Buddha surrounded himself with a large number of small lions, which, if necessary, turned into large lions and bravely defended him. Hence, it is seen in Lhasa Apso (as well as in Shih Tzu, Tibetan Terrier and Pekingese) similarities to these Buddhist lions.