Lhasa Apso Dog:

The Lhasa Apso breed is one of the most ancient dog breeds today, having been around since the time human beings first started breeding dogs.



It originated in Tibet, specifically in the sacred city of Lhasa from where it gets its name. Originally, these dogs were only bred by monks for the purpose of alerting them to intruders. Of course the Lhasa Apsos were not exactly meant to be guard dogs in the usual sense of the word – their role was simply to alert the monks and the larger, more ferocious dogs such as Tibetan mastiffs took the role of guard dogs.





Till relatively recently, there were very few Lhasa Apsos outside Tibet. Any existing Lhasa Apsos were gifts from the Dalai Lama to nobles and diplomats visiting the country – the dogs were not for sale. Gradually however, Lhasa Apsos were bred outside Tibet, and today there are quite common in many other parts of the world.

Lhasa Apso Info:

The Lhasa Apso is a small dog – it is no more than 11 inches in height, and usually weighs only about six or seven kilograms. As its name suggests in the Tibetan language, it is a long haired breed, with a thick, heavy, straight coat of fur, usually gold or cream in color. Lhasa Apso puppies are usually born with dark fur that changes color to become lighter as they grow. The fur is long all over the body, including the tail and the face. This makes it difficult to discern exactly where the tail is, but the tail is usually held high over the dog’s back. The long fur also gives the dog feathery ears and the appearance of a beard and moustache.

Lhasa Apsos are energetic, intelligent, and friendly dogs. They are also quite bold and confident for their size, and this can get slightly out of control if the owner does not assert his or her status as pack leader. Lhasas are usually obedient and respond well to training, but for this it is essential that the pack structure is well established. In addition, Lhasa Apso training should be conducted using rewards and praise rather than force. It is also important to get the dog well socialized and used to being alone, or else other behavioral problems can also erupt. Adequate exercise and mental stimulation are also important. Lhasa Apsos are usually healthy dogs and most live for over 15 years. However, you should watch out for skin problems and hip dysplasia.