Lhasa Apso - Dog Breed Profile

Author: Dooziedog.com

Key Facts:

Size: Small

Height: 22.5 - 25.4 cm (9 - 10 inches)

Weight: 6 - 7 kg (13 - 15 lb)

Life Span: 14 years

Grooming: Demanding

Exercise: Undemanding

Feeding: Undemanding

Temperament: Independent & busy

Country of Origin: Tibet

AKC Group: Non-Sporting

Other Names: Apso Seng Kyi

Temperament:

The Lhasa Apso is assertive, busy, devoted and independent. These small dogs are affectionate and loyal family companions. The Lhasa Apso enjoys human company but does not cling to their handler or family. They are usually good with children and other household pets but may be aggressive towards unknown dogs. Lhasa Apso's are good watchdogs with their cautious nature towards strangers. The Lhasa Apso can be difficult to train with their obstinate behavior and the owner shouldn't expect any tricks from them.

Grooming:

Lhasa Apso's need regular and thorough grooming with their long coats. Weekly brushing is needed to remove knots from both the topcoat and the undercoat. If the hair becomes too brittle a special lotion can be used to help prevent the hairs from breaking. Some owners choose to have their Lhasa Apso's clipped short if they are only household pets and are not being shown. The eyes should be checked regularly for any irritant hairs and the ear canals need to be kept clean. The excess hair between the pads of the feet should also be trimmed.

Exercise:

Lhasa Apso's don't need a great deal of exercise and are quite happy being indoors.

History:

The Lhasa Apso is also known as the Tibetan Temple Dog. They got their name from the capital Lhasa and the word 'apso' is derived from 'rapso' which means goat-like in Tibetan. In Tibet the duty of these small dogs was to sound the alarm when intruders approached, while the Tibetan Mastiff was chained outside the building acting as a guard dog. The Lhasa Apso evolved from Tibetan Spaniels and the Tibetan Terrier. This breed was not discovered by Westerners until the 20th century due to the remoteness of Tibet and the difficulty of purchasing them.

Physical Characteristics:

General Appearance: Compact, long-coated and assertive.

Color: Sandy, honey, golden, dark grizzle, slate, smoke, particolor black, brown or white.

Coat: The outercoat is hard, straight, rough and long. The undercoat is dense.

Tail: Set high, well feathered, carried over the back and often ending in a kink.

Ears: Pendant, heavily feathered and hanging.

Body: The body is long for its height and is well-balanced and compact. The loin is strong and the ribs are well sprung.

Additional Comments:

* The Lhasa Apso has an acute sense of hearing and is sometimes used as a hearing dog for the deaf.

About the author: This article provided courtesy of http://www.dooziedog.com/dog_breeds/lhasa_apso/