Lhasa Apso

Coat & Grooming: Lhasa Apsos have a long, flowing coat that will require plenty of attention. Though Lhasas shed fairly consistently throughout the year, tangles in the coat develop quickly, and will need to be removed by frequent brushing. The hair of a Lhasa Apso can also develop an odor, so consistent bathing will be necessary. Many owners choose to keep their Lhasa Apso’s hair clipped short. This can make daily grooming easier, but it can also leave your Lhasa more sensitive to cold temperatures. Professional grooming services are always an option for keeping your Lhasa looking sharp. A grooming routine should be established while the Lhasa Apso is still a puppy; this allows the dog to get comfortable with frequent handling.

Coat length: Long
Grooming: Frequent

Shedding: Lhasa Apsos have a lot of hair, but they are not particularly prolific shedders. They shed their hair throughout the year rather than shedding heavily during specific seasons, which makes cleanup a bit easier. If a Lhasa Apso is not groomed frequently, it's dirty, tangled coat can make a mess in a home. Frequent bathing and brushing will keep your dog looking its best while also keeping your house free of smells and stains.

Training: Lhasa Apsos can have a stubborn, independent nature, so they can be somewhat challenging to train. They do not respond well to shouting and punishment, and can even become aggressive towards their owner if they are reprimanded too harshly. Praise and rewards work best with this breed. If you take the time to build a strong bond with your Lhasa, you should see excellent results if you persist in your training while setting and enforcing firm boundaries for your pet. Lhasa Apsos can be difficult to housebreak, so crate training may be the best approach. As with many other breeds, it is essential to begin training and socializing a Lhasa Apso while it is young. If rules are not established and enforced, a Lhasa Apso will attempt to wrest dominance away from their owner. This breed can be quite mischievous, so patience and a firm hand are essential.

Barking: Many of the instincts that the Lhasa Apso possesses can be traced back to its work as a guardian of Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. Lhasa Apsos would bark to alert monks to any intruder that had managed to evade the sentries at the gates of the temple. The breed has strong protective, territorial instincts that must be tempered through training and socialization. If a Lhasa Apso is not trained properly, it can become loud and dangerous towards strangers.

Though they are small, Lhasa Apsos often exhibit a desire to be the dominant dog in interactions with other canines. It can be quite comical to see a Lhasa pushing around an older, meeker creature, but it can also lead to difficulties. It is imperative to expose your Lhasa Apso to many different dogs and people as it grows, so it can be comfortable in different situations. Even a well trained and socialized Lhasa Apso can still be a bit reserved around strangers.

Temperament & Behavior: The behavior of most Lhasa Apsos does not always seem to match their size. It has been said that when a Lhasa looks in the mirror, it sees a lion, and this bears out in some of their habits and actions. Lhasa Apsos can be confident, aloof, and stubborn. They can endure being left alone better than many breeds, and they do not always enjoy obeying commands. Lhasa Apsos are calmer and have a more regal deportment than many of the excitable smaller breeds, but they definitely have a playful side. They can take a bit longer to mature than other breeds, and can exhibit a puppyish exuberance around family for most of their life. Lhasa Apsos are intelligent and affectionate; if their owner is firm and caring, they should have no trouble developing into a treasured companion.

Behavior with Kids: Lhasa Apsos are not particularly tolerant of mishandling, and can snap or bite at children who bother them. They are best suited for families with older children.

Protection: Because of their small size, Lhasa Apsos will not be able to intimidate or stop a threat, but you can be sure that they will bark to alert you to any danger, and will fearlessly challenge an intruder.

Life Span: On average, Lhasa Apsos live to be about 12 to 15 years old.

Inherited Health Issues: Certain conditions have been identified in Lhasa Apsos that are either inherited or occur at a greater frequency within the breed. These conditions may include, but are not limited to, the following: Myxomatous degeneration of the mitral valve, Hemophilia B, Intracutaneous cornifying epithelioma, Atlantoaxial subluxation, Lissencephaly, Pigmentary keratitis, Cataract, Distichiasis, Imperforate lacrimal punctum, Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, Third eyelid gland prolapse, Renal dysplasia, Struvite urolithiasis and Calcium oxalate urolithiasis.

Preventive Care: Many of the more common health conditions occurring in the Lhasa Apso are associated with the eyes and urinary system. Routine veterinary exams and ongoing home monitoring for changes in the eyes’ appearances are important steps in diagnosing a new problem before it becomes more serious. If you observe any changes in your Lhasa’s eyes, such as squinting, mucoid discharge, redness, or vision changes, be sure to take your dog to a veterinarian for evaluation. Eye problems can progress rapidly, so any changes should be addressed urgently.

Increased water consumption or urine volume, or straining to urinate, can all indicate the presence of urinary problems. Bladder stones occur more commonly in Lhasa Apsos than in some other breeds, so these problems should all be addressed by a veterinarian with a physical exam, laboratory testing, and x-rays.

As a small dog, the Lhasa Apso can quickly become overweight if they are overfed. Even a small piece of food from the table is proportionately a large snack for these small dogs. Be sure to feed your dog portion controlled meals of a high quality balanced diet. Avoid feeding table scraps or too many treats, since these can quickly pack on the pounds.

Daily Consumption: An adult Lhasa eats 1/4 to 1/2 cup of dry food per day

Energy Level: Enjoys some moderate exercise every now and then

Exercise: Because of their small size, Lhasa Apsos do not need to go on particularly long walks. They can burn up plenty of energy simply playing inside the house, and are always happy to frolic with their owner. Two short walks per day should be sufficient to keep a Lhasa Apso healthy and happy.

Though they may not need as much walking as other breeds, Lhasa Apsos are surprisingly hardy little dogs. If necessary, they can accompany their owners on much longer journeys than usual. They are fairly tolerant of both heat and cold, and are calm and confident enough to bring on almost any adventure. Lhasa Apsos are a good compromise for owners who do not want to commit to long daily walks, but still want a canine companion that will gladly accompany them wherever the day takes them.

Climate: Tibet, the homeland of the Lhasa Apso, is a land of both extreme heat and cold. The breed evolved to be able to handle both, but its long coat can cause it to overheat in the summer.

Living space: Lhasa Apsos are fairly small dogs, and although they can be lively and energetic, they are usually perfectly content living in a small apartment.