Lhasa Apso Breed Information, Personality, and Characteristics

The Lhasa Apso is an old breed that hails from Tibet. Its name is derived from the holy city of Lhasa. For years, it was bred solely for monks and nobility. The Lhasa Apso served as watchdogs in monasteries and palaces. Perhaps this is why, till date, these dogs have a royal quality to them. After the Dalai Lama gifted a pair of Lhasa dogs to Suydam Cutting, a naturalist, the breed was established in America. And they have since grown in popularity.

Physical characteristics

The Lhasa Apso dog breed is a physically small dog. They tend to have a long, silky double coat in the following colors: black, brown, cream, and white. The Lhasa dog coat can either be straight or wavy.

This breed weighs around 5 to 6 kg and grows up to 11 inches in height. They tend to have long, hanging ears that are generously feathered. Lhasa Apsos have feathery tails that curl over their little backs. Moreover, their oval-shaped eyes make them even more adorable.

Temperament and personality

The Lhasa Apso is a little dog with a massive personality. They tend to be affectionate with family members and are loyal to the core. However, should a stranger be around, they can be aloof. They take their guarding duties a little too seriously and have a fierce side to them. A spate of contradictions, the Lhasa Apso dog breed still makes for a lovable pet. However, they are constantly reminding everyone around them that they may be small, but they are not fragile.

Care requirements

• Grooming needs

  Lhasa Apsos are high maintenance when it comes to grooming. And with their lovely long tresses, why wouldn’t they be? As a pet parent to a Lhasa, you need to brush its coat once every day, especially if the fur is kept long. Bathing this breed once every or every other week is also recommended. Shampoos can be used to give the breed’s fur a healthy shine.

• Exercise requirements

  Lhasa Apsos need a moderate amount of exercise on a day-to-day basis. Moreover, they need to be trained and socialized consistently so that they can interact with people. Lhasa Apsos can be a bit stubborn and independent; hence, it is imperative that they are trained right from their puppyhood. Patience and positive reinforcement are key in training this breed.

• Nutritional needs and diet recommendations

  Lhasa Apsos require high-quality food. They require meals with a moderate amount of healthy fats and high levels of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. It is best to avoid overfeeding your dog as it could cause digestive problems in your pet. Dogs tend to thrive on consistency, so having a fixed feeding pattern may do your dog a world of good. If your dog is allergic to any food product, keep it miles away from your pet.

  At CESAR^®, we offer complete and balanced meals for small breed dogs such as Lhasa Apsos that are both nutritious and delicious. We use finest ingredients, including tender meat and healthy vegetables, enriched with essential vitamins and minerals. Our recipes feature unique flavour combinations, like lamb and beef to make even the fussiest Lhasa find CESAR^® irresistible.

Health concerns

More often than not, the Lhasa Apso dog breed tends to be healthy. However, they are prone to certain health problems like those listed below:

• Allergies

  Food or environmental triggers could cause allergies in a Lhasa Apso. These allergies can surface at any age. Notice if your dog is extremely itchy, prone to skin rashes, suffers from chronic ear infections or suffers from gastrointestinal problems – these could be signs of allergies.

• Dental diseases

  Owing to their small mouths, tooth crowing is quite common in Lhasa Apsos. Moreover, they suffer from plague and tartar formation. This can cause bacteria invasion in their teeth and gums resulting in tooth loss.

• Eye problems

  Sadly, it is quite common for Lhasa Apsos to have eye-related problems. These include progressive retinal atrophy, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, and cataracts. Some of the symptoms of eye problems are bumping into objects, redness of the eyes, green or yellow discharge, night blindness, and cloudiness in the eye lens.

• Hip dysplasia

  Lhasa Apsos are prone to being affected by hip dysplasia. This condition affects the hip joints and cause a lot of pain. They can also cause lameness and arthritis.

• Patellar luxation

  Lhasa Apsos are prone to developing patellar luxation because they are frequently born with abnormal anatomy of the knee joint. This causes their kneecap to shift out of position as the ligament attachment is not centered on the shin bone. Notice if your Lhasa Apso is limping or skip-hopping. Patellar luxation may lead to arthritis later in life.

Preventive care and regular check-ups

It is needless to say that one of the key preventive care measures is vaccination. But apart from that, you must also take your Lhasa Apso to a vet for regular checkups as early detection is crucial for a dog to live a healthy life.

Training and socialisation

Lhasa Apsos need to be trained and socialized consistently so that they can interact with people. This breed can be a bit stubborn and independent; however, with consistent practice and positive reinforcement, you can help your Lhasa to grow into a confident and delightful dog.

The Lhasa Apso dog breed mingles well with human beings and animals. Their rapport with children too is good. However, early supervised socialisation is important when it comes to kids.

Living environment

Luckily, a Lhasa Apso can thrive in small and large homes. It helps if they have a designated area all to themselves. Staying true to their heritage as monastery dogs, they love routine and peaceful environments.