Make way for the regal Lhasa Apso. Bred to pad the palaces and holy places of Tibet, Lhasa Apsos are dignified dogs that keep their playful, comical sides for their families. With strangers, they’re aloof and naturally suspicious. But for their loved ones, Lhasa Apsos are adorable lap dogs who want nothing more than your undivided attention. Training and early socialisation is a must for these confident, stubborn dogs who are more like wilful toddlers than dogs.
Lhasa Apso Facts
Lhasa Apsos are one of the oldest dog breeds, thought to have originated in Tibet in 800BC - Lhasa is the name of Tibet’s sacred city. According to Tibetan folklore, the country’s protector is the mythical Snow Lion and Lhasa Apsos are the Snow Lion’s earthly representatives.
- Breed Group: Non-sporting
- Height: 25-28cm
- Weight: 5-8kg
- Life Span: 12-15 years
- Coat: Silky, long
- Colour: Various including black, cream and red
What Does a Lhasa Apso Look Like?
A Lhasa Apso with a full coat is a glorious sight, almost like a tiny rug on legs. Their floor-length silky and smooth draped coat parts in the middle and hangs either side of their body. It’s completed by a feathery tail that arches over their back and long, feathered ears.
If you’re lucky, you might spot their dark, oval-shaped eyes peeking through their fringe, and their black button nose. Some Lhasas rock a ponytail to help keep the long hair out of their eyes.
Standing less than 30cm high, Lhasas are small yet hardy dogs that carry themselves with a regal bearing. They have an underbite which adds to their very sweet, stuffed toy-like look.
Lhasa Apso
Lhasa Apso Temperament: Playful Pup
Bred to be guard dogs of palaces and Buddhist monasteries in the Himalayas, these days Lhasa Apsos are more likely to be found curled up in a lap than patrolling on their 4 paws. They still maintain their regal and aristocratic bearing but they’re also surprisingly playful. Lhasa Apsos keep their puppy-like charm for pretty much their whole lives.
This doesn’t mean they’re super energetic pups though - they don't need a lot of exercise. Instead, you’ll see their puppy playfulness in their intelligence and curiosity. As a once adored and respected dog, Lhasa Apsos are stubborn and need plenty of consistent training to help them be the best versions of themselves.
Lhasa Apsos also need to be surrounded by their adoring fans (sorry, their family) all the time. If they’re left alone for too long, they’ll develop separation anxiety and destructive behaviour. But hey, one look at that teddy bear face and you won’t mind having to stick together.
Socialising a Lhasa puppy is really important because of their protective guard dog instincts. A naturally suspicious breed, they can take a while to warm up to new people, places and pups. Early socialisation helps them be more accepting and less wary of new things. A Lhasa does best as the sole object of your affection, although they can do well with older children and can be trained to live with other dogs and cats.
Keeping Lhasa Apsos Healthy: 3 Issues to Watch Out For
Lhasa Apsos are generally healthy, hardy dogs. Preventative care, like regular vet checks, are the best way to make sure your Lhasa lives a long, happy life.
Kidney Issues
The biggest risk to a Lhasa Apso is hereditary kidney dysfunction. Over time, this condition causes your dog’s kidneys to fail. It can be mild to severe and can be managed through diet and medication. Even though it’s hereditary, there aren’t currently any tests to detect which dogs are carriers. Reputable breeders should be aware of this condition and actively find ways to keep it out of their breeding programme.
Eye Problems
Lhasa Apsos are at risk of developing eye problems, including cherry eye, dry eye and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Cherry eye happens when their third eyelid slips out of place and swells. A Lhasa with cherry eye will have a pink or red bulge in the corner of their eye. It can only be treated with surgery. Dry eye is when a Lhasa doesn’t produce enough tears. Although painful, it’s easily treated with medicated eye drops. PRA leads to blindness and sadly doesn’t currently have a cure. But it’s not painful and most Lhasa Apsos with PRA adapt well to blindness and continue to live full, happy lives.
Dental Disease
A lot of dogs experience dental disease, but smaller dogs (especially ones with an underbite like the Lhasa Apso) are more prone to it. That’s normally because they have the same number of teeth in their mouth as a bigger dog but their mouth is much smaller, leading to overcrowding and other issues. Left unchecked, dental disease results in your dog losing their teeth and developing painful gums. Ultimately, it can lead to a range of health issues, including vital organ damage. Ensure your dog eats dry biscuits daily, brush their teeth every day, and book them in for annual cleaning by the vet to help reduce this risk.
Caring for Your Lhasa Apso Dog
Grooming
Lhasa Apsos’ coats can be groomed in 2 ways: kept long and parted in the middle (the standard for show dogs) or clipped into a puppy cut (much shorter all over). Both cuts need to be regularly maintained. In between visits to the groomer, you’ll need to comb or brush your Lhasa’s hair to help get rid of dead hair and to remove any dirt and debris. Expect to brush their hair at least a few times every week.
If you keep their hair long, you’ll need to bathe them at least every 2 weeks. Give them a thorough rinse, as any leftover shampoo can irritate their skin. Conditioner can help keep their coat glossy and shiny. Make sure you thoroughly dry and brush their hair after their bath to avoid mats.
Regularly trim or clip their nails to keep them comfy as they move about. Finally, brush their teeth every day to help keep their gums and teeth healthy.
Nutrition
Lhasa Apsos do well on high quality commercial dog food. Because their coat is so heavy, Lhasas normally have thick skin which needs a diet full of good protein and fats. Chat to your vet about the most suitable food for your dog. Because of their risk of dental issues, it’s important Lhasas eat dry biscuits / kibble as often as possible. These help slough off tartar and plaque that builds up on their teeth.
Lhasas are known for having very efficient digestive systems and even a small amount of overfeeding can lead to unpleasant outcomes (for you) and to them becoming overweight. This is especially true because Lhasas aren’t very active dogs. So, keep an eye on how much food you give them or incorporate the Royal Canin Light Weight Care Mini into their diet. Remember treat calories add up too. If you are worried about your dog's weight, consult your vet for advice.
Exercise
Although not really active, Lhasa Apsos aren’t couch potatoes either. They’ll take care of most of their exercise needs themselves, whether that’s zooming around your home, playing in the garden or enjoying an on-lead walk with you. Speed isn’t a Lhasa’s thing so they’ll be happy with a 15-30 minute walk each day. Although Lhasas enjoy a good play session in the garden, this won’t be a daily thing. Well-socialised Lhasas enjoy doggy play dates too.
A Lhasa Apso might not need a lot of exercise, but daily on-lead walks will help maintain their weight, keep them healthy, and give them opportunities to experience new sights and smells. Plus, mental stimulation is just as important as physical so you stock up on puzzle toys.
Training
Lhasa Apsos are super smart dogs - and they’re also super stubborn. Their approach to training is best summed up by: they’ll please you if it pleases them to do so. They might be clever enough to learn anything you ask them to, but that doesn’t mean they’ll do it.
Repetitive drills won’t cut it with a Lhasa Apso and neither will bullying or badgering them. Instead, you need to earn their respect through your leadership and positive reinforcement methods. As a generally calm breed, they enjoy spending time with you and being rewarded with treats, praise and toys.
Start training and socialising them as a puppy. They might be small, but an untrained Lhasa can be a bit of a menace! Start with basic commands like sit, stay and come. Puppy school and obedience classes are both great options for Lhasa puppies. Not only will you learn new ways to teach skills, but your Lhasa Apso will meet a wide range of people and pups.