Lhasa Apso

Size
Small (under 11kg)
Exercise
No daily exercise
Training
No training
Size of home
Some outdoor space
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
Frequent
Barking preference
Very quiet
Personality
Independent + affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Mrs Cassie Lloyd (LASAMING)

cassiepbcworship@gmail.com
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Breeder - Mrs Marilyn Foster (SOOQUAN)

sooquanlhasas@hotmail.com
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2. Submitted by Belinda Beves Nina Estatheo

History

There are claims the Lhasa Apso has been in existence since 800 BC, but these are diﬃcult to substantiate, given the earliest written records of Tibet appeared around 639 AD. The little, shaggy-coated, Tibetan dog was considered a talisman and was never sold, but given only as a gift from the Dalai Lama. Because it was held in such high regard, the early pioneers of the breed found it diﬃcult to obtain breeding stock. Joan Beard imported the ﬁrst Lhasa Apso to Australia in 1961.

Characteristics

The Lhasa Apso has a unique temperament. Functioning as a sentinel or warning dog, its suspicion of strangers is an attribute prized by the Tibetans. It is a calm, intelligent, independent, digniﬁed dog, and at times a little stubborn. The breed is also playful and mischievous, even into old age, and is intensely loyal to its family.

2. Submitted by Michael Camac Brittany Glenn

3. Amesen Kennels. Ingrid Matschke Photography

Goldmaid Images. Submitted by Belinda Beves Nina Estatheo

Appearance

The Lhasa Apso should give the appearance of a well-balanced, solid dog, slightly longer than tall, around 25cm in height and is bred in a range of colours: golds, grizzle, slate, smoke, and particoloured. Its long coat parts in the middle, from the tip of the nose to the tail. It has a good head fall and the tail is carried well over the back so that the hair tends to blend with the body coat. The breed’s head and expression are important. Eyes should be dark with a soft, gentle expression, not round and with no white showing. The muzzle should appear rectangular in shape when viewed from the front and in proﬁle give the appearance of bluntness. Its ears are pendant and heavily feathered.

Grooming

The Lhasa Apso is a high maintenance breed; it does not shed its coat as other breeds do and its undercoat becomes tangled and matted if not brushed out. As a general guide, to prepare a dog in full coat, it takes approximately two hours to bath and groom, depending on the coat. Changing hair ties and maintenance grooming would be done every other day. Most pet owners ﬁnd it more practical to keep the Lhasa Apso clipped.

Health

The breed is fortunate to have very few health issues. Its average life span is 15 years, but can live to be much older. Some common problems are dry eye, cherry eye and skin allergies. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) also exists and testing has been conducted for a number of years.

Suitability

The Lhasa Apso is an aﬀectionate and loving dog to its family, but it can be wary of strangers. Its acute sense of hearing and intelligence make it a good guard dog. The breed is best suited to those looking for a companion dog, and if grooming is not your thing, most pet owners choose to keep their Lhasa Apso in a ‘puppy’ clip. It will readily adapt itself to the family’s routine and its playful nature and enjoyment of human company will make the Lhasa Apso a great addition to your home.

Words: Marilyn Foster
Image: F8grapher | Dreamstime.com

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Lhasa Apso, you may think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Lhasa Apso and its needs, and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 03 Aug 2008)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

The Lhasa Apso should give the appearance of a well balanced, solid dog.

Characteristics

Gay, assertive, but chary of strangers.

Temperament

(Refer Characteristics)

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Heavy head furnishings with good fall over the eyes, good whiskers and beard. Skull moderately narrow, falling away behind the eyes in a marked degree; not quite flat, but not domed or apple shaped. Straight foreface, with medium stop. Nose black. Muzzle about 3.8 cm (1 1/2 ins) long, but not square; the length from tip of nose to be roughly one-third the total length from nose to back of skull.
Eyes	Dark. Medium sized eyes to be frontally placed, not large or full, or small and sunk. No white showing at base or top of eye.
Ears	Pendant, heavily feathered. Dark tips an asset.
Mouth	Upper incisors should close just inside the lower, i.e. a reverse scissor bite. Incisors should be nearly in a straight line. Full dentition is desirable.
Neck	Strong, well covered with a dense mane which is more pronounced in dogs than in bitches.
Forequarters	Shoulder should be well laid back. Forelegs straight, heavily furnished with hair.
Body	The length from point of shoulders to point of buttocks greater than height at withers. Well ribbed up. Level topline. Strong loin. Well balanced and compact.
Hindquarters	Well developed with good muscle. Good angulation. Heavily furnished. The hocks when viewed from behind should be parallel and not too close together.
Feet	Round and cat-like, with good pads. Well feathered.
Tail	High set, carried well over back and not like a pot-hook. There is often a kink at the end. Well feathered.
Gait/Movement	Free and jaunty in movement.
Coat	Top coat heavy, straight and hard, not woolly or silky, of good length. Dense undercoat.
Colour	Golden, sandy, honey, dark grizzle, slate, smoke, parti-colour, black, white or brown.
Size	Ideal height:Dogs: 25 cms (10ins) at shoulderBitches slightly smaller.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.