Lhasa Apso Breed Profile
Description, temperament, origin, coat, health aspects, age length and much more.
Breed Name – Lhasa Apso.
Aliases – Apso Seng Kyi.
Pronunciation - LAH-sa AHP-so.
Description – The Lhasa apso is an ancient, small breed which has beautiful dark eyes that are
mysteriously appealing. Their long bodies sit atop short legs that make for a very hardy little dog.
Lhasa Apso’s have a natural under bite that almost looks as if they are smiling. They have long,
coarse coats that come in many colors and patterns that is neither silk nor wooly.
The Lhasa Apso
has characteristics of serious watchfulness, acute senses and is very intelligent. Its keen eye,
quick hearing, and fine instinct for recognizing the difference between friend and foe make it an
ideal watch dog. They are easily trained with loving but firm commands as they are very
responsive to kindness and positive reinforcement using rewards. Lhasa Apso’s are happy and
long lived, adaptable and good with families including children when raised around them. It is
one of the strongest minded of all small breeds but equally lives to please its owner. It is playful
and curious yet remains calm and subdued in nature. It makes a wonderful house dog that does
not need a lot of exercise.
The Lhasa Apso likes heights and are excellent climbers. Owners
should not be surprised if they find their Lhasa perched on top of tall furniture or on the
dashboard of their vehicle. Lhasa’s are also fond of caves and will create their own under a table,
chair or desk. They are very sturdy, resilient and despite their often fragile appearances, are of
tough character and very independent. The Lhasa Apso is totally devoted to their owners and
families and cheerfully provides unconditional love and incomparable affection for many years.
Temperament – The Lhasa Apso is gentle, happy, outgoing and devoted little dog. It has a bold
temperament and is playful and affectionate which makes for a lively and friendly companion for
other pets, children or elderly folk. Lhasa’s are very people oriented and does not like to be left
alone for long periods of time. A favorite pastime of the Lhasa Apso would be quietly napping
next to its owner.
Though it is a very regal looking species, its character is tough and ever so
hardy. Although the Lhasa Apso is courageous and adaptable, it does not like rough handling or
loud harsh words. Lhasa Apso’s are timid yet can be assertive and strong willed with minds of
their own. They are very intelligent, quite sensitive and do not respond well to raised voices
which can cause them to be depressed. Their intelligence scores them many points during
training as they seem to live to please their owners.
Having been bred to be watch dogs, Lhasa
Apso’s tend to be alert and have a keen sense of hearing with a rich, sonorous bark that is
deceptive of their size. They must not be overly spoiled as they may develop behavioral
problems. The Lhasa is in a class of it’s own when it comes to showing devotion towards a
loving, gentle and firm but kind owner. Although they can be obstinate, they are forever loyal.
The Lhasa Apso is calm in nature and makes a wonderful lap dog for all ages and allows it ample
enjoyment during traveling. In its moods of playfulness, they can be quite entertaining and very
enjoyable.
Height, weight (min-max) – Males range from 10 to 11 inches at the shoulders and weigh
between 14 and 16 pounds. Females range from 9 to 10 inches at the shoulders and weigh
between 12 and 14 pounds. Lhasa Apsos are slow to mature and do not reach their prime age
until 3 to 4 years old.
Health Problems – The Lhasa Apso is relatively free of health problems with the few
exceptions. Ear infections can occur if the ears are not dried properly after bathing, or kept free of
unnecessary hair in the ear itself. Their eyes may tear if the hair is not kept out of their faces.
A
skin condition known as Sebaceous Adenitis causes irritations of the skin resulting in hot spots
(localized skin infections), hair loss, flaking of the skin and itching. The Lhasa Apso can suffer
from genetic kidney problems These problems seem to be in certain breed lines rather than the
whole breed.
Living Conditions – Lhasa Apso’s can live in houses or apartments in the country or city. They
predominantly live indoors but will adapt to their environment. They are a sentinel breed always
ready to alert their owners when someone or something approaches.
Exercise – Lhasa Apso’s have a moderate energy level so they do not demand a lot of exercise.
Regular exercise will keep them fit, trim and healthy. Although they love to walk and scamper
about, they equally enjoy regular opportunities to run free and play. Fetch is an excellent way to
play with your Lhasa while providing it with daily exercise.
The Lhasa Apso can play indoors
thus meeting its exercise needs while having fun. However, they do benefit from outdoor
adventures such as a daily walk. Large yards are not necessary as the Lhasa apso tends to occupy
small spaces at any given time and can do so while being very content.
Life Expectancy (yr. Range) – 12 to 18 years.
Litter size - Average is 4-5 puppies.
Grooming – The Lhasa Apso sheds minimally and is a very good choice for those with allergies
or asthmatic symptoms They are of high maintenance and require a minimum of bi-weekly
brushing or combing. Their thick undercoat may become matted or tangled if not properly
groomed on a regular basis. Specific areas this happens most often is with the hair behind the ears
as it is usually softer .
It is vital to pay special attention to extra hair on the bottoms of their feet
and in their ears. These areas need to be kept meticulously clean and free of any excessive hair in
order to avoid unnecessary ear infections or sores between their toes around the pads of their feet.
I t is just as important to keep the Lhasa’s eyes void of excessive hair as this will ensure the eyes
stay clear and fully vibrant.
When some of their hair goes over their eyes the Lhasa Apso’s
eyelashes are long and strong enough to allow the dog to see very well. It is best to start getting
the Lhasa used to being groomed when it is very young. This way, it will have the patience it
needs to be still and quiet for long periods of time while being groomed. If Lhasa Apso’s are not
kept properly groomed they can develop skin problems.
Regular bathing is important but do not
over bathe. The Lhasa Apso has glands that secrete a natural oil which coats the surface of the
skin and keeps it supple and moist. Periodic trips to the groomers for a pet clip will keep the
Lhasa’s coat manageable while still allowing the original characteristics of the breed to be
enjoyed. If you own a Lhasa as a pet and do not show it, keeping your dog in a puppy cut or teddy
bear clip is highly recommended.
Origin/History – The Lhasa Apso is the most popular breed indigenous to Tibet. Sometimes
they are known as the Tibetan apso. The name apso means goat like and long hair. In Tibet, Lhasa
Apso’s are a treasured dog of the privileged. The Lhasa Apso made wonderful guardians as well
as loyal companions. They were the only breed in Tibet owned by the holy men and the nobles.
They were used as watch dogs in the temples and monasteries.
The people of Tibet greatly
respected these little dogs. They were never sold or bought but given as gifts and it was
considered a great honor to receive one. The Lhasa Apso was once known as the Lhasa Terrier
and was developed/created 800 years ago. The Lhasa Apso is called the Abso Seng Kyi or bark
lion sentinel dog in it’s home land where Tibetans favor a fail safe security system.
The Lhasa
Apso first appeared in the western world in 1901 when Mrs. McClearan Morrison returned to
England with several of these little dogs. The Lhasa Apso was officially recognized by AKC in
1935 and was called the Lhasa Terrier. The name was officially changed to Lhasa Apso in 1944.
Group/Family – Non-sporting or utility/terrier
Recognition (clubs) – AKC, CKC, UKC, ANKC, FCI (group 9) KC (GB).
Training – The Lhasa Apso learns best with patience and calm words. It is important to establish
a relationship of mutual respect for instance admiring his independent character while consistently
enforcing your rules so that he respects you as well.
Because the Lhasa Apso is strong willed with
a mind of his own it requires a confident owner who can take charge. Training methods that
emphasize food and praise will be met with much more cooperation. The Lhasa Apso can be
manipulative and a challenge to train but is highly intelligent so it can learn very quickly. Forcing
it to do things without positive reinforcement or rewards usually do not prove to be successful.
When the Lhasa puppy has been fully vaccinated, extensive socialization will make the Lhasa
Apso a very friendly and lovable pet. Bringing the Lhasa puppy to various places involving
different sounds, smells and sights will eventually put it at ease on walks and during traveling.
Remember to respect their instinct of being wary of strangers though. Be careful when introducing
them to new people a to not overwhelm them with too much at one time.
A wonderful session of
training includes a visit to the veterinarian and groomer introducing the harness or collar and
leash. Crate training can be successfully achieved if the crate is introduced to the Lhasa puppy at
an early age. Taking the gate off the front makes for a wonderfully, safe and secure hideout. Here
is where it learns to be comfortable in its crate and knows it will come out sometime after going
in. Overall training can be a very fun and rewarding time for you and your Lhasa Apso.
Coat Description – The Lhasa Apso’s double coat consists of a thick, top undercoat which is long,
heavy, straight and coarse with a moderate undercoat being much softer. Their coat is neither silky
nor wooly and can become matted easily if not properly groomed on a regular basis.
Colors – solid golden, sandy, honey, red, dark grizzle, slate or smoke, black, parti color, white,
brown, and combinations of these colors.
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Published in: Pets
sheila_bondoc@yahoo.com | Dec 8, 2008 | Reply
can i pet a lhasa apso even if my daughter has an asthma?
berenda | Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
as long as u don’t pet your daughter.
Denise Anne Spooner | Jan 30, 2009 | Reply
Actually, Lhasa Apso’s are hypoallergenic. They are great for families with allergy and asthma concerns as they do not have the dander of most canines. Hope this helps.
becky | Feb 8, 2009 | Reply
i love my 8 week year old lhasa apso but i have one question is should she sleep alot? please answer!
David | Mar 9, 2009 | Reply
Most dogs sleep a total of 16-18 hours a day.
Lhasa’s tend to have bursts of high energy and love to play and go out for short walks. Because of their short legs they tend to tire more quickly.
When they get tired they sleep to recharge.
As long as they get attention and gentle but firm, consistent training they shouldn’t over sleep due to depression.
As long as your dog is active between naps it’s normal for them to sleep.
They should immediately wake up at even small sounds. Try sneaking around your pup and see if he isn’t instantly alert.
If you have difficulty waking one then be concerned.
d-nice | May 4, 2009 | Reply
how come my lhasa is twice as big as her brothers and sisters?
beverly | Jul 8, 2009 | Reply
my llasa is very sweet but you have to be firm although one look in those eyes and that can be very difficult however i really do love poppy
Me | Jul 22, 2009 | Reply
The text of this article is plagiarized from
http://www.terrificpets.com/dog_breeds/lhasa_apso.asp
Nice going.
jess | Jul 29, 2009 | Reply
i also have a male lhasa that is bigger than any lhasa ive seen and weighs about 25-30 lbs but hes not fat at all ive anyone know why he is so big?????
Nan | Oct 20, 2009 | Reply
I have a Lhasa that will be 10 yrs old the 29th of November (2009). He too is one of the biggest that I’ve seen. We got him when he was a puppy and the breeder said he would probably be around 15 lbs full grown. Well he is 30 lbs and not fat either.
Janis | Nov 19, 2009 | Reply
I have a female Lhasa that turned 4 in August of 2009. She is also bigger than what has been mentioned. She weighed 26lbs @ her last Vet appt. & she is very slim in the waistline.
Phillip J Hubbell | Nov 28, 2009 | Reply
We have two Lhasa’s Buster and Rocco…Buster has terrible problems with his ears….they seem always clogged with a black wax. Rocco is beginning to have the same problem with one of his ears. So I am thinking it is environmental here at home. We have cats….could this be an allergy? We have been to the vet lots of times with Buster over his ears but cleaning and medicating…is temporary and the problem returns quickly. Any ideas?
Denise Anne Spooner | Nov 30, 2009 | Reply
I wrote this article for terrificpets when I was advertising with them. I own all rights to this article. Glad you found me both places. This means more people are reading the contents within.
To ‘Me’ on July 22, 2009- before accusing me of plagiarism, you might check and see that my name is listed as the author of this article here as well as with terrificpets. I plagiarize no one and have no need to.
Denise Anne Spooner | Nov 30, 2009 | Reply
Just as people may skip DNA generations so can animals. Your doggie probably resembles its grandparents or one of them.
Denise Anne Spooner | Nov 30, 2009 | Reply
Happy birthday to your Lhasa today.
I have a couple that grew much larger than the average Lhasa as well. A few years ago, I sold one of my Lhasa’s I to a man who knew one of the first couple’s to bring the Lhasa Apso from Tibet into America. He taught me so much about the original Lhasa’s. Lhasa’s were even bred to be much larger than even your heavy weight sweetie. They got to be 125 pounds at one time and even competed in the AKC arena. As they were being bred to become bigger, some were born with smooth very short hair instead of the natural longer not silky but not course hair. I get one of these from time to time but have no parents that were shorter haired. They sell for much more and are very sought after.
Hope this helps answer your question or anyone’s regarding the normal size of the Lhasa Apso.
PhoenixRox | Dec 2, 2009 | Reply
Lhasa Apso are the cutest breed. I adore them. But I did not know so many facts about them. Excellent research and a great write. Thanks Denise.
Maria T | Dec 4, 2009 | Reply
I have a 14 year old Lhasa and he has always been very temperamental. I think that it has a lot to do with the way I spoiled him since he was a baby. My husband gave him to me a year after we started dating and we are now married and he has been with us for 14 years. I also had two other dogs that he got a long with very well and both of those dogs have passed away. I am just worried about losing my Lhasa too…I will be crushed.
dogluver | Dec 22, 2009 | Reply
If you don’t know alot about Lhasa, and want to know what there like, please feel free to read!!!
I have a Lhasa too she is very much hyper. She likes to jump alot on the couches and even on my bed! She also likes to follow around my 3 yr old Bichon everywhere since she was a pup. She’s also is very smart too, never really trained her because she was very smart to not pee in her cage. I was also surprised by this little one when she first bark, it was deep compared to the Bichon’s. She is also very sensitive to her ears, when you whistle she will come to you. To make this short, a Lhasa is a delightful bred of dog to have! She just turned 1 in Nov 09 and she still acts like a little pup.
Alexus Jenkins | Dec 23, 2009 | Reply
I have a one year old Lhasa Apso his name is Sammy he loves following me and jumps on anything i get close to (beds, chairs, sofas ect.). He loves short walks but gets tired quickly. He is a little stubborn at times but that is his breed trait. Sammy loves fetching things or running around in a open space. He loves chasing and playing with dogs close related to him (Bichon, Tibet). All in all he is a blessing and I hope this help your understanding.
Missa (F.) | Mar 11, 2010 | Reply
This is a lot of good information! I have a Lhasa Apso that\’s eight years and ten pounds, and it amazed me to see that there were those a lot bigger then her! Alexus Jenkins, her name is Sammy too (well, her real name is Samantha). My dog is like that too, she loves other dogs, but is afraid of other people besides her owners and barks like crazy when people she does not know come into the house. She is also extremely stubborn, and I\’m glad what this article tells you to do to scold them (she likes to do the oppisite of what we say sometimes).
Janis | Jun 14, 2010 | Reply
My lhasa apso is also exceptionally big. When she was born she was the biggest of 4. At 12 weeks she was 4 pounds and the smallest was 1/2 that weight. Bella is now 2 1/2 and she weights 23 pounds and is not overweight.
Gail | Jun 22, 2010 | Reply
Hi, I bought a little guy of 5 months old from a pet store, Named him Bentley, he is multi coloured. He is about a year and a half old now.
He is afraid of other dogs, when dogs go towards him he lies down on his back in a submissive state?
he can skip rope, jump through hoola hoop, roll over sit pretty, etc. he is so amusing.
But when he gets hyper he jumps all over the furniture, runs down the hall and does it all over again. Wish he wouldn’t do that,
He is so scared of car, we try to take him with most of the time , he crys, shakes, yawns noisy, it is a shame,
Don’t want to drug him just to go on short drives, what can we do?
Kyle | Jun 25, 2010 | Reply
I want to thank Denise for provide a gentle and loving dog. I purchased a Lhasa Apso from Denise and he is the cutest and handsome dog. He loves to play and run around the house. His personality is awesome. When he is acting silly, he will melt your heart.
Neth | May 22, 2011 | Reply
Guys can i ask question because my
lhasa is 2months old
and always itching his right foot..
until it bleeds
dunno what to do
because she always keep on itching and itching :3
pls help me guys
Denise Anne Spooner | Jul 22, 2011 | Reply
Most children and adults are not bothered by the Lhasa Apso as they are hypoallergenic, which simply means unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. I have many famiiles that have been told by their veterinarians that Lhasa Apso’s do not shed and would make wonderful pets for their children with allergies and/or asthma. My husband suffers from allergies himself and our many Lhasa’s do not give him any troubles. I also have one of my Lhasa Apso’s being used as a service dog in the pediatric oncology ward of a hospital in San Fransisco, CA. Hope this helps.
Denise Anne Spooner | Jul 22, 2011 | Reply
Thank you for answering the question regarding Becky’s as to why her 8 week old Lhasa sleeps alot. I appreciate you taking your time to post a response as I am sure it helped relieve her worries about her new puppy.
bill mclean | Aug 29, 2011 | Reply
right now I am taking my 10yr old Lhasa to a dermatologist, he was licking his back toes for years and this past winter his groin area until it was raw. turns out he has a fungal problem, probably caused by diet . I have been using special shampoos daily on his paws and groin area for 2 months now and there is improvement. His hair is growing back in his groin area and he stopped licking his toes as well. recently changed his diet from a hypoallergenic formula with duck as the protein to kangaroo, so far so good but in 5 weeks he goes back to the dermatologist and I will find out if it worked. this is a very expensive and laborious process and its not over yet but its worth it to bring comfort to my little buddy who has brought me so much joy
Kate | Sep 9, 2011 | Reply
I just got a one and half year old male Lhasa mix from the shelter yesterday. He seems really hyper, throws the toys around and chases them himself and likes to scamper around the apartment. Should I be worried that he’s going to stay hyper or is it just more of him enjoying the extra space? He snuggled right up to me and licked my face when I got him home so I think it’s going to be a good match, just trying to find out if he’s still got much puppy left in him.
Shelley W | Nov 6, 2011 | Reply
My father in laws Lhasa is not hyper-allergenic, and I have never suffered any pet related allergies until meeting his Lhasa Stinky,. In fact after living in the same household with Stinky, I have suffered chronic sinus infections, burning asthma and rashes. He is bathed etc, but he seems to be one of the fe2 dogs I have developed an allergy to. So actually the most troublesome problem with the Lhasa is the chronic skin issues, due to different problems.
lizzie | Jun 22, 2012 | Reply
I have a 13 week old lhasa apso and my daughters just bought a puppy chihuaha will they get along ? Help please x
Linda Stocker | Aug 20, 2012 | Reply
Denise,
I have one of your awesome Lhasas. Purchased Misty from you in 2006. She is 6 years old now and is the best thing that ever happened to my now disabled husband. She is HIS dog and watches over him all the time. Faithful, loving and people get a real kick out of her on the end of her leash tail aflutter looking like she is “pulling” his powered wheel chair down the road.
Visit me on facebook if you want to see pictures.
Thanks again for the love you put into raising these precious companions.
Linda