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"Small Dog Breed Catalog"
Small Dog Breed Catalog: Page 27
of 56
Lhasa Apso Dog Breed
The Lhasa Apso has a long and low sturdy body. He has a short muzzle
and a long, straight, and absorbent coat that sheds and has a tendency
to get malodorous unless it is kept dry. Like the Tibetan Terrier
and Tibetan Spaniel, the Lhasa Apso originated from the mountains of
Tibet. He is a small and shaggy dog that slightly resembles a
miniature Old English Sheepdog. He is affectionate, assertive,
confident, hardy, an excellent show dog, and a wonderful pet. He is
good with children, though he does not like roughhousing and will not
tolerate those whom he sees as competitors for attention. He is a
willful, independent, and often discriminating breed that is a skilled
watchdog and naturally suspicious of strangers. Because he has been
pampered for centuries, this dog has developed a dominant and
narcissistic attitude that sometimes makes him diffucult to train. As
an owner, you must clearly establish yourself as the leader of the
pack to be able to gain control of this breed. Training technique
should be firm, consistent and patient from the start. Tantrum and
aggressive faints are common tactics that this breed uses to avoid
learning or obeying a command. If you spoil a Lhasa Apso, he will
take over the household and becomes nippy, bossy, and extremely
antisocial. This breed has been known to bond closely on just 1 or 2
persons and gets extremely possessive of his owner. Socialization is
very important from puppy hood to prevent territorial aggression.
Size: The Lhasa Apso stands at about 9-11 inches at the shoulder and
weighs between 12-15lb, with the female slightly smaller than the
male.
History and origin: He is an ancient Tibetan breed and was first used
as a watchdog. He was first known as a Bark Lion Sentinel Dog. His
job was to alert the large mastiff-type dogs whenever strangers
approached. The Dalai Lama of Tibet offered this dog to the Chinese
emperors. This breed existed for centuries in the Tibetan mountains
until he was brought to Europe and other parts of the world by early
explorers and missionaries. The word lhasa apso mean 'goat-like' and
was perhaps named as such because he used to guard and protect the
wild goats of Tibet. He was first seen at a European show in 1929.
Feeding: The recommended feeding for this breed is ' -1can (13.3oz
size) of high-quality meat product with equivalent amount of biscuit
added with each meal or 1 ' cupfuls of complete dry food.
Exercise: The Lhasa Apso is an energetic breed that requires plenty
of exercise.
Grooming: His long coat was developed to help insulate him against
the cold Tibetan weather. He requires daily brushing and combing to
prevent his coat from matting. A shorter pet clip is easier to keep
and is popular among Lhasa owners.
Copyright 2006 by Jay Jennings. All rights reserved.
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