A Lhasa Apso – an intriguing and fun pet!

A Lhasa Apso – an intriguing and fun pet!

At a Glance

Petites

A Regular Gym-Goer

The Life of the Party/The Body Guard

Beauty Queen

Lhasa Apso Breed History

In her native land of Tibet, the Lhasa Apso is called “Bark Lion Sentinel Dog.” Her sharp sense of hearing, intelligence, and knack for distinguishing familiar friends from strangers made her an ideal palace guard. Usually, a large guard dog, such as a Mastiff, was chained outside the palace while a Lhasa enjoyed life in the palace. Aside from serving as watchdogs, Lhasas were said to bring luck to their owners. It was also believed that the soul of her human master entered her body upon death. As a result, Lhasas were considered sacred.

The Lhasa Apso was exclusive to Tibet for a very long time. In fact, in the rare event that a Lhasa was presented to someone who lived outside of Tibet, the gift was always a male dog to prevent reproduction of the breed. Then, in 1933, the first male-female pair was allowed to leave Tibet for life in America. They were given as a gift to world-traveler C. Suydam Cutting who had developed a friendship with the Dalai Lama during a trip to Tibet. Cutting is credited with the popularization of the breed in the U.S.

Lhasa Apsos Today

The Lhasa Apso is a small dog standing just 10 to 11 inches tall and weighing 13 to 15 pounds. Her coat is long and heavy with a natural part right down her spine. The Lhasa comes in many colors, including white, golden, dark-grizzle, brown, black, and bi-colored. Having been bred to live in the snowy mountains of Tibet, she’s a hardy little dog who adapts well to live almost anywhere. Though Lhasa still makes an excellent watchdog, today she primarily lives the good life as a cherished companion.

Personality and the Perfect Owner

The Lhasa Apso’s intelligence and spunk make her an intriguing and fun pet. She’ll lie quietly around the house, ignoring cars driving by for most of the day. But, when her master’s car approaches, get out of her way! She’s all wagging tail, wriggling body, and excited bark. Her uncanny ability to use her sharp sense of hearing to determine when a friend approach makes her a one dog welcoming party. And, since the ability goes both ways, it also makes her a great alarm when a stranger approaches.

Because of her small stature, the Lhasa Apso is ideal for life in an apartment. She’s energetic and enjoys a stroll through the park, but she’s content to spend the day lounging on the couch while you work to earn the dog chow!

Common Health Problems in Lhasa Apso

Before adding a Lhasa Apso to your home, ask your breeder about the dog’s health history. Common Lhasa Apso ailments are:

· Kidney problems· Skin conditions· Eye lacerations