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The Canine Chronicles Directory
Lhasa Apso
Lhasa Apso's have a long, heavy double coat draping over the entire body and reaching
the floor. All colors are accepted when showing this breed. The narrow head has
a flat skull with a moderate stop. They usually have a beard and mustache. The medium-sized
eyes are oval and dark. The long, pendant ears fall over the head. The nose is black
and the teeth should meet in a level or undershot bite. The well-arched neck should
be strong merging into well laid back shoulders. The topline should be level and
the body should be longer than the height at the withers. The muscular legs are
short and the round feet should be well feathered. The long tail is set high and
is carried over the back.
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Temperament
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Lhasa Apso's are spirited, loyal, confident and intelligent. They are very affectionate
towards their owners and enjoy being around children. However, they won't tolerate
teasing or rough play from children. This breed is wary and suspicious of strangers.
They can also be moody or snappish if surprised, upset or left alone over long periods
of time. Lhasa Apso's are great with other dogs if they are properly socialized.
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Height, Weight
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Male Height: 10-11" ; Weight: 13-15 lbs.
Female Height: 9-10" ; Weight: 11-13 lbs.
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Health Problems
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This breed is slightly prone to hip dysplasia, kidney problems, eye problems and
skin problems.
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Living Conditions
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This breed is great for apartment living. They do fine without a yard.
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Exercise
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Though this breed does not demand a lot of exercise, they love to be able to run
free and play.
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Life Expectancy
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More than 15 years
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Grooming
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The coat of this breed should be brushed daily to keep it from matting. Because
of its length, the pads should be checked for matting and foreign objects. Pay close
attention to the eyes as they tend to tear. This breed is an average shedder.
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Origin
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The Lhasa Apso, also known as Abso Seng Kye or "Barking Lion Sentinel Dog", originated
in Tibet. For over 2000 years, they were bred by holy men and nobles while the people
cherished this breed as carriers of good luck. They also believed that these dogs
were the reincarnation of the holy lamas. In their native land, these dogs participated
in religious ceremonies and were used as watchdogs in the temples and monasteries.
The Lhasa Apso was so highly revered that they were never bought or sold. They were
only given as gifts of honor. The Lhasa Apso can tolerate very high altitudes and
have been known to have an uncanny ability to predict avalanches. This breed was
first seen in Britain during the 1920s and in 1933 the Dalai Lama gave several Lhasa
Apso's to a friend, C. Suydam Cutting who resided in the United States. The breed
was officially recognized by the AKC in 1935 and by the UKC in 1975.
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Group
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AKC Non-Sporting, UKC Companion Dog
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