A real poof ball that is confident, witty, and a bit comical every now and then, the Lhasa Apso is an ancient breed that wins the heart of everyone who meets this little character. If you think that the Lhasa Apso might be the perfect dog for you, read on to learn more about this fascinating breed!
Breed Snapshot
- Size Small Dog (5-10kg); 25 – 27cm in height
- Coat Low shedding coat, fur can be trimmed short or grown out long and regular trips to the groomer are required.
- Energy Best walked daily for 30 minutes. This dog can get exercise on its own.
- Lifespan 12 – 15 years
- Country of origin Himalayan Mountains
- Breed type A mountain dog what was bred to provide companion ship to noble Tibetans and even the Dalai Lama. This is a sweet and energetic dog
- Other names “Bearded Lion Dog”
- Great breed for: Apartment Living or Home with yard, Families with kids
Meet the Lhasa Apso
A worldly dog that is coveted among the mountain people of the Himalayan Mountains, the Lhasa Apso is an intelligent dog that makes an amazing companion for anyone who loves a fur ball! Lhasa Apsos were first bred by the people of Tibet over 1000 years ago and they are most often given as gifts to nobles, including the Dalai Lama.
Lhasa Apso’s have a heavy fur coat that keeps them warm in the mountainous climate where they originated, and the coat can be grown out long or kept short. Lhasa Apsos love people and form tight bonds with their human family. This dog is smart and confident and is fun to watch exploring its surroundings and playing. The Lhasa Apso is a show dog and is recognized as such at the various canine clubs in the world.
What Does the Lhasa Apso Look Like?
The Lhasa Apso has so much personality and charm that it is a big dog in a little dog’s body and captures the attention of just about everyone they meet. Lhasa Apsos measure in at 25 – 27cm in height and weigh approximately 5 – 10kg. This dog has a small stocky body with short legs that keep them close to the ground.
Lhasa Apsos have soft fur that can either be worn short to give this dog the puppy dog look or it can be grown out long to make him or her look regal and elegant. Dogs in this breed have either white, brown, tan, crème, or black coloured fur and the dog can be a solid color or two-toned. This dog has a protruding snout and dark eyes, but you may not be able to see these features under all that hair!
What Kind of Diet Do Lhasa Apsos Need?
Your Lhasa Apso requires a diet that is rich in good fats and protein to develop healthy skin that supports all of their hair. This dog is active and will burn calories quickly. Serve your Lhasa Apso only good quality dog food and consult a vet before feeding him or her any sort of human food. This dog has a sensitive stomach and you could be in for a foul surprise if you feed your dog food that does not settle well with them.
How Do I Groom My Lhasa Apso?
Whether you decide to keep your Lhasa Apso’s fur short or long, regular trips to a professional groomer are required to make sure their fur is cut right – especially if you plan to enter your pet into a dog show. This dog can sport a long skirt cut or a shaggy puppy look. In between trips to the groomer, you will need to brush your dog’s hair regularly to keep it from matting and getting tangled and giving him or her a bath to keep dirt and grime out.
Lhasa Apsos have long floppy ears so routine cleaning will be necessary to keep your dog from getting an ear infection. Use specially formulated dog ear cleaning solutions to flush out dirt and wax as opposed to swabbing. If your dog were to move suddenly, you could accidently hurt their inner ear or eardrum. Trim your Lhasa Apsos nails frequently so that they do not snag on something and cause pain to your dog. You should also provide your Lhasa Apso with lots of chew toys and bush its teeth to promote good oral health.
Training Your Lhasa Apso
Lhasa Apsos are stubborn dogs that sometimes do not want to be bothered with obedience training. Training needs to be like a game for this dog or they will lose interest quickly. Unless you have lots of patience, you may wish to enlist the help of an expert dog trainer to do the obedience training. Training should begin when your dog is a puppy so they learn how to socialise with humans and other dogs. Lhasa Apsos generally do not like strangers but can be trained to tolerate them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lhasa Apsos
What is the average lifespan of a Lhasa Apso?
With regular exercise and a proper diet, your Lhasa Apso can live between 12 – 15 years. This dog is built for longevity!
Are Lhasa Apsos good family dogs?
As long as your Lhasa Apso begins socialising with other pets and family members from the time they are a young puppy, they can be wonderful family dogs that keep the mood around your house light. They enjoy making humans laugh.
Do Lhasa Apsos have health issues I should be concerned with?
Some Lhasa Apsos develop kidney disease which is hereditary, but an ailment that your vet can help control if it is caught early enough. Other than this, Lhasa Apsos are a healthy breed.
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