Mary Allen
The Lhasa Apso is a really very old breed: it has been known and appreciated in Tibet for over 2,000 years. Find out everything about the behavior, character, activity and exercise needs, training, and care of the Lhasa Apso dog breed in the profile.
They were bred in monasteries and were considered good luck charms and ambassadors of peace. Also, since they were believed to be reincarnations of llamas who were not allowed to go to paradise, they were treated with great respect. In 1901 the first specimens of these dogs were brought to England, it was not until 1934 that they received an official breed standard. It was not until 1970 that the breed became popular in Germany and they began breeding here.
General Appearance
The small Lhasa Apso’s body is well balanced, robust, and very hairy. The long topcoat is available in numerous colors, including black, white, blonde, and brown or two-tone.
Behavior and temperament
A very confident, lively, and cheerful dog, however, he does have a few quirks: he can be very resentful and sulk for days if he feels offended or mistreated. He is also a big fan of recurring rituals and regulated daily routines: changes really make him nervous. This dog is extremely proud and would never beg, for example. He is also sensitive: This is reflected in his tireless search for love and affection, but also in an almost uncanny intuition. It is still believed today that this dog senses avalanches and other natural disasters in advance.
Need for employment and physical activity
You don’t necessarily see it on his face, but he loves to exercise and needs it to stay healthy for a long time. He also has nothing against taking on a job for you: Thanks to his excellent hearing and his intuition for dangers, the little dog is also suitable as a watchdog. Incidentally, this breed has a special fondness for snow: Here the Lhasa Apso gives a whistle on its pride and becomes a hyper-playful child.
Upbringing
He may be small, but he has a big will. Raising him is not easy, he likes to decide for himself what he wants to learn. There’s no denying it: centuries of being treated like Buddha’s gift to the world has clearly left a mark on this dog’s character. His high level of self-confidence can sometimes become dangerous, for example when the Lhasa Apso is desperate to teach a sharp guard dog some manners. Most of the time, however, this four-legged friend is gentleness personified, cuddly, playful, and just adorable.
Maintenance
The Lhasa Apso’s coat should be combed extensively once or twice a week. When walking you should avoid tall grass and undergrowth because the souvenirs that get caught in the fur are very difficult to remove. For practical reasons, the Lhasa Apso can also be considered with a short hairstyle. However, he no longer looks proud and noble, but only very cute.
Disease Susceptibility / Common Diseases
In some cases, the shortened bridge of the nose can cause problems. With careful, health-conscious breeding, however, there should be no problems.
Did you know?
For a long time, the dogs were considered the reincarnation of the lamas, it was believed that the “sacred dogs” were in the world to guard the treasures of the Buddhas.