LHASA APSO Breed Standards
In its native Tibet, the Lhasa Apso is known as the Abso Seng Kye, “Bark Lion Sentinel Dog.” Originally from the areas surrounding the sacred city of Lhasa, the dog was traditionally kept indoors as a second line of defense against intruders, where its keen hearing and ability to distinguish strangers from intimates were put to good use. For at least two thousand years, only Tibetan holy men and nobles bred the Lhasa Apso, and it was first seen outside of its native lands only as gifts from the Dalai Lama. It was nearly impossible to purchase despite the common belief that it brought good luck. Traditional lore suggested that upon his death, a Lhasa Apso’s master’s soul entered the animal’s body.
The Lhasa Apso arrived in Britain in the 1920s and in America in the 1930s. Naturalist and traveler Suydam Cutting is solely responsible for the Lhasa Apso’s popularity in the United States. Originally recognized as a member of the Terrier Group in 1935, the Lhasa Apso was reclassified into the Non-Sporting Group in 1959. Today, the Lhasa Apso is the most popular Tibetan breed in the United States, both in the ring and in the home.
SKILLS: Well balanced, sturdy, heavily coated. They are good watchdogs with a loud, persistent bark, which gives the impression to intruders of a much larger dog.
SIZE: Height: Dogs 10-11 inches (25-28cm.) a little less for Bitches Weight: Dogs 13-15 pounds (5.9-6.8kg.)
COAT: Top coat long, heavy, straight, hard neither woolly nor silky. Moderate undercoat. Gold, cream, and honey are the most popular colors, but the coat also comes in smoke, dark-grizzle, slate and a multi-color assortment of brown, white & black. It is common for a Lhasa Apso puppy's coat to change colors as it grows. The coat is straight, hard and heavy, but not silky. The hair should cascade from the head over its eyes. It should have a dark beard and mustache, and a muzzle that is medium-length, but not square. It has small, dark, deep-set eyes and heavy feathered ears. Its neck has an abundant scarf of hair and its tail is feathered and carried over its back.
CARE REQUIRED: The long coat parts at the spine and falls straight on either side. No trimming or stripping is needed, although when in full coat, they need to be brushed about once a day to keep their coats from matting. Some owners opt to cut the coats short for easier grooming. Dry shampoo as necessary. Check the feet for matting and for foreign matter stuck there. Clean the eyes and ears meticulously, for they tend to tear. Some owners prefer to get their coats clipped to cut down on grooming. This breed is an average shedder.
CHARACTER: Alert, steady but somewhat aloof with strangers. Lhasa Apsos are spirited and devoted. These little dogs are affectionate with their masters, but they will not tolerate rough or badly behaved children. Some are willful and some are very obedient to their masters
EXERCISE: Although they love to walk and scramble about, they will be fitter and happier if given regular opportunities to run free and play, Lhasa Apso's do not demand much exercise
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: These dogs are good for apartment living. They are very active indoors and will do okay without a yard.
TRAINING: The breed can be noisy and may be too nervous around children and strangers. They are inclined to fight if they are not the only dog in the house. They have a fine sense of hearing. These little dogs travel well .
