The dog breed Lhasa Apso was born thousands of years ago in Tibet. This old breed lives on today as a loyal family pet and a show dog. Lhasa Apsos have long hair around their faces and tails that stand out in competitions.
If you want a protective, loving dog that'll live for a relatively long time, the Lhasa Apso might be just the breed that you need.
Where Do Lhasa Apso Dogs Come From?
The Lhasa Apso is more than a thousand-year-old breed, which has always been a symbol of protection, peace, and loyalty.
Named after Tibet's capital, Lhasa Apsos were used as watchdogs inside important buildings in the autonomous region. Over the centuries, these dogs have therefore developed a protective nature for their owners.
The Fourteenth Dalai Lama gave Lhasa Apsos as gifts to several American people — that's when the breed became popular in the United States.
Lhasa Apso Life Stages and Intelligence
The Lhasa Apso is commonly mistaken for other small dog breeds, like Shih Tzus. However, they belong to their own unique breed. These dogs like to watch over their families and homes. When you get to know them, you see past their long fur into their playful, loyal personalities.
Lhasa Apso full-grown size. When fully grown, Lhasa Apsos are around a foot tall when they stand on the ground normally. This is a small dog breed with more fur than height.
Specifically, Lhasa Apsos can be 10 to 11 inches in height from the ground to their shoulders and 12 to 18 pounds in weight — therefore, they are classified as a small dog breed.
They have long fur that lays flat and straight, and it usually touches the ground when they walk. This long, straight coat makes them good show dogs when competing in appearance categories. Judges look for well-groomed fur, and it’s easy to bring out the best in a Lhasa Apso’s coat.
Lhasa Apso lifespan. Lhasa Apsos tend to remain in good health for a long time — they live on for an average of 12 to 15 years, with some having a lifespan of as long as 20 years.
Personality. The Lhasa Apso acts as an indoor guard dog. This makes sense since the breed started as guard dogs in ancient China. They can be protective over their families and act distant around strangers before getting to know them.
Around their family, the Lhasa Apso is funny and lives to entertain its owners. They like to make their owners laugh and watch over them. When they aren't spending time with their humans, Lhasa Apsos are independent and natural leaders.
Lhasa Apso temperament. Lhasa Apsos are friendly with people that they know well. Around strangers, your Lhasa Apso may turn into a completely different dog. To be able to see their playful side, your friends and extended family members will need to spend time earning your Lhasa Apso's trust.
Lhasa Apsos have a lot of energy to roll around and play. They're not lazy-- they enjoy outdoor play with their owners. They enjoy learning new tricks and showing them off to their favorite people.
This breed is not quick to feel scared. Because of their protective nature, Lhasa Apsos show courage when they're exposed to new situations. They act careful around strangers but know they can handle challenges if they need to.
How to Care for a Lhasa Apso
Lhasa Apsos need consistent care for their unique coats. They usually aren't high-maintenance, but they have a lot of grooming needs to keep their fur from matting.
Grooming and shedding. Lhasa Apsos are known for their long, straight, shiny coat. Their fur often wins them awards at dog shows. However, without the right care, this breed's fur can easily become tangled and matted.
You can keep your Lhasa Apso's fur grown out in a long coat or choose a shorter cut. Both styles need to be taken care of and kept clean.
You should expect to bathe your Lhasa Apso at least once every two weeks. Brush their fur at least once between baths to prevent it from matting. Because shampoo and conditioner can stick to a Lhasa Apso's skin and cause irritation, make sure you rinse all of the product out of your dog's fur before you take them out of the bath.
Always dry your Lhasa Apso's fur after a bath. Even if you keep their fur short, it can still get tangled and matted when it's damp. Once dry, brush the fur thoroughly.
Lhasa Apso dogs don't shed much, which would be ideal for your family members with pet allergies. You won't have to worry about cleaning up clumps of fur every day.
Tooth and nail care. You should brush your Lhasa Apso's teeth as regularly as possible. They may suffer from tooth problems if bacteria builds up in their mouths — brushing daily is the best way to prevent this.
You should also clip your dog's nails once every 3 to 4 weeks — their nails shouldn't touch the ground when they stand up because this can cause your Lhasa Apso discomfort over time.
Feeding. Lhasa Apsos need food with high-quality proteins and fats. It helps to keep the thick skin underneath their long fur healthy. Speak with your veterinarian to figure out the best foods for your Lhasa Apso. This breed likes to follow the same routine every day. You can feed them once or twice a day, but make sure you keep the same schedule each day.
Lhasa Apsos should eat the recommended serving sizes for the food you serve them. If they overeat, they may have stomach problems and discomfort. Their bodies are very efficient at using all of the nutrients in the recommended serving sizes.
Exercise and activity. Lhasa Apsos are good at getting their energy out by themselves. They need a medium level of activity each day — including direct play with you — to keep their minds busy.
These dogs like to run around, take quick walks, and play with toys. Their energy levels are in-between "couch potato" and "constantly active." If you have a fenced-in yard, they'll have no problem getting the exercise they need.
Flea, tick, and worm care. Like any other dog, Lhasa Apsos need medications to protect them from fleas, ticks, and worms. These pests can cause serious health problems if they attack your dog.
Fleas cause itching and discomfort for your dog. If left untreated, they can transmit diseases that threaten your Lhasa Apso’s life. You should always bring your dog to the vet if you suspect they have fleas.
Ticks are also dangerous for your Lhasa Apso. The signs of tick-related diseases can take up to 3 weeks to show up.
Tick and flea medications help prevent your Lhasa Apso dangerous diseases. Some medications have to be given to your dog every 3 months, while others need to be given monthly. Always follow the instructions on your specific medications.
You should give your Lhasa Apso heartworm prevention medicine all year round. Dogs can get heartworms from mosquito bites if they are not on medication. Treating heartworms is much more difficult and dangerous than preventing them in the first place.
There are a few options for flea, tick, and worm medications for your Lhasa Apso. These medications come in swallowable tablets, collars, and topical ointments.
What Does a Lhasa Apso Suffer From?
Lhasa Apsos normally remain in great health until they reach old age. They may start having bone problems, like knee dislocation, as they age. This happens when your dog’s kneecap shifts into the wrong position.
Another common problem is a disc slipping out of place in your Lhasa Apso's spine. Dragging back feet, having a hard time jumping, or losing bladder and bowel control are all signs of a disc problem. If a Lhasa Apso starts showing any of these symptoms, they should be taken to the vet. In severe cases, they may need back surgery. In less severe cases, they may need strict rest and pain medication to allow for the inflammation to resolve.
Lhasa Apsos commonly have eye problems at some point in their lives. Dry eye is a syndrome where the Lhasa Apso’s tear ducts do not produce enough liquid. This can cause irritation, redness, and if left untreated, permanent vision problems.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is another condition some Lhasa Apsos suffer from. The nerves in the back of their eyes break down over time, causing progressive vision loss. This is usually a genetic condition.
They can also get cataracts, a milky white film that blocks their vision, in older age. Lhasa Apso puppies may develop a cherry eye — red, swollen eye glands. These eye problems should be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Are Lhasa Apsos Good for First-Time Owners?
Lhasa Apsos are great family dogs thanks to their loyalty toward their human companions, yet they can be stubborn and overprotective. Here are some considerations you may want to look through before you make that final decision about getting a Lhasa Apso:
Around children. Lhasa Apsos need to be socialized around children early in their lives to prevent aggression problems. When Lhasa Apsos are used to being around children, it's safe. Still, you should always watch your children around your Lhasa Apso just in case.
Around other dogs. Because of their protective personalities, Lhasa Apsos should be watched around other dogs. They can get along with other dogs if they're socialized early in life. If another dog invades their space, Lhasa Apsos may become defensive.
Allergies. Lhasa Apsos are low-allergen dogs — they don't normally cause allergic reactions in people with pet allergies. The silky coat on Lhasa Apsos rarely sheds, so they're good dogs for families worried about pet allergies.
Cleanliness at home. They don't drool or slobber on furniture in most cases. You can keep your home clean and neat even with a Lhasa Apso around.
Overall, this is a good breed for families that want a small dog that will watch over its home. If you get a Lhasa Apso, you'll bring home a protective watchdog that will be loyal, playful, and very sociable if trained early in life.
