The Lhasa Apso is a popular minuscule dog , treasure for both their look and silly , loving attitude with their people . They can be more difficult around strangers and young small fry , and despite their pocket-size sizing , they can have quite the attitude . They also are not a blue maintenance breed , although they are cherished by owner who relish make a dog they can groom and style in a variety of way .
Origin and History
The Lhasa Apso is an ancient strain that has existed for at least a thousand years . They were bred to serve as guard dogs for the monasteries in the Himalayan Mountains , home of the Dalai Lama . " Lhasa " comes from the name of the capital metropolis of Tibet . " Apso " may be related to the word " abso " which arrive from their original name , " Abso Seng Kye , " which means " bark lion sentinel Canis familiaris . "
The lion symbolism has intend to the breed as the Tibetans believe in a mythical beast , the snow lion , which was the shielder of all of Tibet . The breed was brought to the United States in the thirties by world travelerCharles Suydam Cutting , who was gift some dogs by the Dalai Lama himself . These weenie were used to develop the breed in the U.S. , and they were the first Tibetan breed recognize by theAmerican Kennel Club ( AKC)in 1935 .
Breed Characteristics
While the Lhasa Apso can be loving and affectionate with small fry , they generally are not the best alternative for a plate with small tiddler . They are know to nip at toddlers and vernal kids who do n’t empathise how to interact in good order with a dog . They also do not appreciate a lot of interference , speedy movement , and activeness , so a rumbustious home full of kids is n’t go to be a Lhasa ’s best surroundings .
Appearance
The Lhasa Apso is a minor dog , weighing about 13 to 18 British pound . Males are slimly tall , measure at 11 column inch at the withers , and females are usually around 9 in at the withers . Their bodies are longer than they are tall . They have a tail that curls up , twists , and hangs over their backs . Their heads are lash out with a narrow-minded skull shaped more or less like a dome and a short , but not brachycephalic , muzzle . They have small , rounded ears that fall downward .
The most distinguishing forcible feature film of the Lhasa Apso is their straight , heavy coating . Abundant hair can be ascertain on their prospicient , feathered tail , capitulum , and over their optic . Their coat on their caput , breast , torso and legs is farseeing and luxurious and at full duration extends to the undercoat . The pelage is a tough double coat that was designed to keep these dogs quick in the cold Tibetan clime .
The Lhasa Apso ’s coat , which is made of hair rather of pelt , is not hypoallergenic , though it ’s possible some people with allergies put up it more than fur . The coat can come in just about any people of color , but the most rough-cut one are black , black and tan , brindle , brown , cream , fawn , prosperous , greyish , grizzle , parti - color , red , red gold , sable , silver , and white .
Temperament
The Lhasa Apso has a fierce but loving personality . They can be playful , affectionate , and even downright zany with their families . Yet these same wiener will be right out front to tell stranger to leave behind and they take their guard dog duties seriously . bark is definitely a tendency of the breed , specially when they finger the need to alert the home .
While they are devoted to their people , they also are convinced dog that can handle being alone . They can live with other dogs and PET , specially if they are raised with them . They have been known to get into squabbles with other dogs , so you should be aware of this if you want a multi - pet household .
Training
Because Lhasa Apsos have a very acute personality , there ’s definitely some crest a Lhasa owner should hire when they bring one home . Like most small dog , Lhasa Apsos have a reputation for being harder tohouse power train . Introduce Lhasas tocrate trainingas shortly as potential , which can make thehouse training processmuch easy .
Early socializationis a must for this strain . Get your puppy into a puppy socialization class right aside and bring them back often . Since these firedog are untrusting of unknown , the more chances they get to watch to enjoy meet citizenry , the safe . keep on on with at least abasic mannersobedience year after puppy socialization classes . Because the Lhasa Apso can be a very smart and sovereign click , learning how to communicate positively with them through preparation can be priceless for your well-chosen life together .
Work with your dog tostop barkingright from the start . The longer they get to " rehearse " this behavior , the harder it is to teach them a new one . If your Lhasa pup is reinforced for a " quiet " command , they ’ll take quicker to cease barking when asked .
Exercise Requirements
The Lhasa does not have excessive usage pauperization , and this pee-pee them majuscule dogs for people inapartments and condominiums , as well as seniors and multitude with less active life-style . A good 10- to 20 - min walk each day is enough to keep most Lhasas felicitous . They will delight playing with you as well , but they ’re just as happy to hang out with you on the sofa .
Health Concerns
There are several health problems that are commonly found in the stock :
Lifespan
The mediocre life for a Lhasa Apso is about 12 to 15 years , although the previous Lhasa on book lived to eld 29 . With right concern and care , your Lhasa may hit a ripe sure-enough age .
Grooming
The Lhasa Apso is definitely not a low maintenance cad when it add up to grooming . If you desire to own a Lhasa , there are some tips you should be aware of before you work one home .
A Lhasa Apso ’s coat should be brush and comb once a day and baths should come about once or twice a calendar month at least . These hotdog need to have the tomentum around their heart , ears , anus , and private parts regularly trimmed to keep them clean and also improve their vision .
receive a professional groomer that you’re able to bring your Lhasa to , even if you resolve you want to do all the work yourself . It ’s useful to have backup if you find yourself ineffective to keep up , specially during busy clock time of yr , holiday , or due to a health issue . If expense is not an option , you may choose to bring your heel to a groomer on a regular basis and have them do by the bulk of the work care for your frankfurter ’s coat .
Some proprietor choose to have their Lhasa Apso ’s beautiful " show " coat crop solely into a puppy deletion to make caring for them easier on a daily base . A groomer can do the snip for you or you’re able to learn to do it yourself . Because grooming is such an important part of a Lhasa Apso ’s living , you should acclimatise them to it as shortly as possible as a puppy . Pair groom with grand things like treats , toy dog , affection , and whatever else your puppy loves .
Fun Facts About the Breed
Purchasing or Adopting a Lhasa Apso
If you ’re design on getting a purebred Lhasa Apso puppy , theaverage pricefor a " preferent caliber " firedog will be around $ 900 to $ 1,300 . Puppies from champion show telephone circuit will be more count on the stock breeder . you may take care for breeders through theAmerican Lhasa Apso Club .
Make trusted that you question your breeder carefully and ask to converge the parent of the litter . Because of the breed ’s more vivid personality trait , you require to ensure they ’re breed for excellent disposition and wellness , and are providingsocialization , as well .
Rescue Organizations
If you decide you ’d prefer to rescue an grownup Lhasa Apso , the national breed clubhas a Facebook Groupwith resources for wienerwurst needing homes across the U.S. you’re able to also incur Lhasa Apsos in local delivery grouping and shelter usingPetfinderandAdopt - a - Pet . Because they are not a rarified stock in the U.S. , it ’s not unvoiced to find dogs in deliverance .
Since these weenie are naturally hesitating around strangers , make indisputable you take the time to fill any prospective domestic dog postulate homes and get as much information on them as you may . Some frankfurter may have a knockout time than others acclimatise into your base if you already have other pets and specially if you have young tiddler .
Is the Lhasa Apso the Right Dog For You?
The Lhasa Apso is a fierce short Leo of a dog that can be an excellent companion in the right abode . They ’re a great choice for small apartment support andquieter life style . While they can do well with families , they are a more challenging dog to own with small kid . They also postulate a lot of training , even if you decide to go with a regular puppy stinger . When deliberate the annual cost to own one , you should factor out in the disbursal of prepare products and supplies as well as professional grooming sessions .
