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Lhasa Apso

Breedgroup of the Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso belongs to the Breed group "Non-Sporting"

History of the Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso originated in Tibet, and were only bred by holy men and nobles. Thought to bring good luck, this breed was considered to be sacred. For this reason, the Lhasa were used as watchdogs in monasteries for over 2000 years. They are highly intelligent, with keen instinct and acute hearing.

Temperament of the Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso displays a dual temperament. They are highly expressive of their love and devotion, but have a mind of their own and want everything their way. They are lively and spirited with spontaneous gaiety. The Lhasa is not recommended for families with small children, or in homes where there are rough or ill behaved children. They make excellent watchdogs because of their heightened sense of hearing. They prefer to be the only pet and thrive on attention. They do not like to be
left alone for extended periods of time. For this reason they are not well suited for a two career family. They have a tendency to bite if angered or surprised.
The Lhasa Apso is a hardy and vigorous breed. They are wary and suspicious of strangers. They exude an air of dignity and also comedy. They are considered to be one of the most affectionate breeds with their main function as that of a companion.

Breedstandard of the Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso (lha-saw op-so) is a non-sporting dog breed originating in Tibet. It was bred originally to guard monasteries by alerting monks to any intruders who entered the monastary.// AppearanceLhasas are about 10 to 11 inches at the withers and weigh about 14-18 pounds. The females are slightly smaller, and weigh between 12-14 pounds. The breed standard requires dark brown eyes and a black nose. Texture of the coat is heavy, straight, hard, neither woolly nor silky, and very dense. A Lhasa's coat should be of good length. All colors are equally acceptable, with or without dark tips to ears and beard. The tail should be carried in a tight screw over the back. The breed standard currently used by the American Kennel Club was approved July 11, 1978. You can find lots of different colour Lhasa Apso's as puppies some start off with a dark brown coat with tan and white splotchs, but when they are cut their colour turns much, much lighter; sometimes even white. TemperamentHaving been bred to be sentinel or watch dogs, Lhasa Apsos tend to be alert and have a keen sense of hearing with a rich, sonorous bark that belies their size (some are known as "singers").Lhasa Apsos, although small, can exhibit brief periods of explosive energy. Unique personality characteristics of Lhasa Apsos have gained them a reputation in some circles as being a very emotive breed that in some cases prove themselves to be completely fearless.If properly raised it will come to appreciate bathing, hair combing and cutting. The Lhasa Apso is a long-lived breed, with some living in good health into their early 20s. HistoryThe heavy coat of Lhasas can also be explained by the geographical features of Tibet: the temperature frequently drops below freezing thus making it hard for a dog to survive without sufficient insulation. Lhasas were rarely groomed by their owners thus allowing the breed to adapt to the harsh weather, although when they are in warm climates, such as the south-western U.S., many owners prefer to have the coats trimmed.In 1901 Mrs. A. McLaren Morrison brought the Lhasa Apso to the UK where it was registered as an official breed in The Kennel Club in 1902.The original American pair was a gift from Thubten Gyatso, 13th Dalai Lama to C. Suydam Cutting, arriving in the United States in the early 1930s. The American Kennel Club officially accepted the breed in 1935 in the Terrier group, and in 1959 transferred the breed to the Non-Sporting group.Recently, DNA Analysis has identified the Lhasa Apso as one of the 14 most ancient dog breeds.The breed has incredibly good hearing and this is why they were use in Tibet as ears for the old Tibeten monks who were hard of hearing so that the monks could be alerted by the dogs sharp high pitched bark if there was any intruders. MiscellaneousThe Brazilian comic series Monica's Gang features a Lhasa Apso named Fluffy which belongs to Jimmy Five.Dougal of The Magic Roundabout is based on this dog breedKnow to have Sebaceous Adenitis- Sebaceous Adenitis is a hereditary skin disease that occurs primarily in Standard Poodles, but has also been reported in a number of other breeds, including the Lhasa Apso.Suffer from the genetic disease Progressive Retinal Atrophy which can leave lhasas completely blind.In 2008 Midland College was able to breed a 42 year old "Tizzy" Lhasa Apso making it the oldest know breed ever bred. Dr. Kyle Van Zandt led the research. External linksThe American Lhasa Apso ClubLhasaApsoRescue.orgLhasa Apso CanadaKai_La_Sha The Lhasa Apso Information SourceEL Minjas Lhasa Apso breed and Genetic sourceGompa Lhasa Apso Preservation ProgramA special thanks to Macie Van Zandt "Woogie Duke"

Care of the Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso requires daily brushing to prevent tangles and mats. Their coat, if grown long, is extremely high maintenance. They may be bathed or dry shampooed on a regular basis or as necessary. They are very prone to ear infections and eye problems, so check-ups and regular cleaning are important. The Lhasa is susceptible to skin problems if not kept free of parasites. Kidney disease is the most serious health problem found in this breed.
The Lhasa Apso has a heavy double-coat that is draped over the entire body. Their long coat serves as an insulation barrier, keeping them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The coat grows to floor length, even covering the eyes, which are protected by long eyelashes. The texture of the coat is neither soft nor silky. The Lhasa coat colors
include gold, smoke, parti, and slate. They are average shedders.

Training of the Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso typically displays an arrogant and obstinate attitude. They may be difficult to housetrain, so the crate method is recommended. Intense early socialization and obedience are a must. They require firm, assertive and consistent commands, and will respond to praise and reward. The Lhasa will take charge if they are not trained clearly as to who is master.

Other information on the Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso loves to play indoor games and is quite rambunctious, which largely meets their exercise needs. However, they benefit from outdoor excursions such as a daily walk. They are not suited for outdoor life, so even a small yard is unnecessary. The Lhasa is an excellent apartment and condominium dweller.

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