Lhasa Apso

Lhasa Apso Breed description: Character & Co

Dogs/Active

What is the origin of a Lhasa Apso?

The Lhasa Apso comes, as the name describes, from Lhasa. Lhasa is the capital of Tibet, an autonomous region in China. The Tibetans bred him already 2000 years ago in noble houses, monasteries and the palace of the Dalai-Lama. In 1901 the first dogs were imported to England and in 1934 they were officially registered and given a breeding standard. In 1970 enthusiasts started breeding in Germany. Lhasa Apsos are listed in the FCI under group nine in section five, in the American Kennel Club (AKC) under the "non-sporting group" and in the British Kennel Club (KC) under the "utility breed group".

Banner: Shutterstock / Jagodka
Vertebrate,Dog,Mammal,Canidae,Dog breed,Tibetan terrier,Carnivore,Lhasa apso,Non-Sporting Group,Löwchen, Lhasa Apso white and cream with very long hair, coat well groomed, dog that needs a lot of care, asian dog breed, small beginner dog Lhasa Apso puppies in brown, black and white, small beginner dog with long coat, dog similar to Shih Tzu Breed description of the Lhasa Apso, here at the picture you can see three Lhasa Apso with hairstyle, dog with pigtails, dog with very long coat for beginners, small beginner dog
Alternate Name -
Origin Tibet
Life expectancy 12 - 16 years
Care requirements high-maintenance
Activity level low
FCI group Tibetan breeds
AKC group non-sporting group
KC group utility group
News/Active

What are the typical characteristics of a Lhasa Apso?

He is considered a self-confident, cheerful and lively dog that comes across very proud. His sensitive nature is expressed in his constant search for affection and love. Towards his humans he is very affectionate and loving, without giving up his own will. He has a sharp ear, which he uses to announce strangers without barking much. He is initially suspicious of strangers.

brown white black Lhasa Apso with very long fur on a stone and looks into the distance, dog with very long fur in the face small white dog for beginners similar to Maltese, Lhasa Apso dog shorn, dogbible shows dog breeds from Asia
Tibet

What are typical diseases of Lhasa Apsos?

Their shortened nasal bridge can cause problems in some cases. Sometimes eye diseases, hip joint dysplasia and patella luxations occur as well.

Lhasa Apso breeding - where, how, what?

If you want to give a Lhasa Apso puppy a new home, there are several possibilities. On the one hand, you can turn to a reputable breeder who is affiliated with the VDH. You can find information on the VDH website under the tab "Breeders with puppies". You should make sure that the parents do not have too long fur, which impairs the movement. In addition, they should be tested for typical breed diseases.

On the other hand, it is always worthwhile to have a look at the local animal shelter.

What should be considered when keeping a Lhasa Apsos?

The coat care takes a lot of time. At least twice a week you should brush your dog thoroughly. Training these small dogs is also often underestimated. They have a self-confident personality that needs to be trained with patience and consistency from puppyhood onwards. You must not always give in to its fuzzy cute appearance.

Otherwise, keeping a Lhasa Apsos is trouble-free. You can even take it on the plane with most airlines due to his small size.

Hintergrund
Lhasa Apso breed description, dog with very long coat and small body size

The robust body is well balanced, compact and lushly coated. Its body length is greater than its height. It runs briskly and freely. The head is covered with abundant head hair, but this should not interfere with the eyesight. He has a pronounced beard. The oval eyes are medium sized and dark and the nose is black. Its drooping ears are heavily hairy. The teeth are said to form an inverted scissor in that the upper jaw lies just behind the lower jaw. The high set tail is carried over the back. It often has a kink at the end of the tail and is abundantly hairy.

Appearance and coat of the Lhasa Apsos

His coat consists of long topcoat, which is straight and heavy. It should never interfere with movement. Under the top coat there is a medium amount of undercoat. The colour palette is varied. The following coat colours are permitted:

  • gold
  • honey
  • slate-coloured
  • black
  • brown
  • white
  • smoky grey
  • dark-grizzle
  • sand-coloured
  • bicoloured

How big does the Lhasa Apso become?

The ideal size of an adult male is 25.4 cm. Bitches are slightly smaller.

How much does a Lhasa Apso weigh?

Males weigh six to eight kilograms on average. Bitches weigh five to seven kilograms.

How old does a Lhasa Apso become?

On average, it lives from 12 to 16 years.

Fur length long
Fur flat coated
Ear shape Floppy Ear
Tail rolled up
Anatomy slim
Size ♀ 20 - 25 cm
Weight ♀ 5 - 8 kg
Size ♂ 20 - 25 cm
Weight ♂ 6 - 8 kg
Suitable For Beginner, Children, Seniors

Colors

Breed description of the Lhasa Apso, here at the picture you can see three Lhasa Apso with hairstyle, dog with pigtails, dog with very long coat for beginners, small beginner dog
brown white black Lhasa Apso with very long fur on a stone and looks into the distance, dog with very long fur in the face
small white dog for beginners similar to Maltese, Lhasa Apso dog shorn, dogbible shows dog breeds from Asia
  • Hip dysplasia (HD)

    Hip dysplasia (HD) is a genetic condition in dogs where the hip joint is not shaped properly. This leads to pain, stiffness and restricted movement.

  • Eye diseases

    Often occur with allergies and intolerances.

  • Patellar luxation

    Patellar luxation is the term used to describe a displacement of the kneecap, which is one of the most common causes of lameness in dogs.

Sources and relevant links

FCI-Rassestandard

Accessed on 12.04.2023

Embark

Accessed on 12.04.2023

American Kennel Club

Accessed on 12.04.2023

Internationaler Club für Lhasa Apso und Tibet Terrier

Accessed on 12.04.2023

Joy Renkins (2017). Dog Owners Bible A-Z: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Dogs. Lulu.com.

Other small dogs

Useful Articles

Subscribe to our newsletter
to stay up to date on dog trends.
We won’t spam your inbox! We won’t sell or rent your email address.
To find out more, view our Privacy Policy
dogbible - a platform for people who love dogs
<svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-icon="facebook" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.78 90.69 226.38 209.25 245V327.69h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.31 482.38 504 379.78 504 256z" data-v-b19174da="" class=""></path></svg> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-icon="instagram" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 448 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M224.1 141c-63.6 0-114.9 51.3-114.9 114.9s51.3 114.9 114.9 114.9S339 319.5 339 255.9 287.7 141 224.1 141zm0 189.6c-41.1 0-74.7-33.5-74.7-74.7s33.5-74.7 74.7-74.7 74.7 33.5 74.7 74.7-33.6 74.7-74.7 74.7zm146.4-194.3c0 14.9-12 26.8-26.8 26.8-14.9 0-26.8-12-26.8-26.8s12-26.8 26.8-26.8 26.8 12 26.8 26.8zm76.1 27.2c-1.7-35.9-9.9-67.7-36.2-93.9-26.2-26.2-58-34.4-93.9-36.2-37-2.1-147.9-2.1-184.9 0-35.8 1.7-67.6 9.9-93.9 36.1s-34.4 58-36.2 93.9c-2.1 37-2.1 147.9 0 184.9 1.7 35.9 9.9 67.7 36.2 93.9s58 34.4 93.9 36.2c37 2.1 147.9 2.1 184.9 0 35.9-1.7 67.7-9.9 93.9-36.2 26.2-26.2 34.4-58 36.2-93.9 2.1-37 2.1-147.8 0-184.8zM398.8 388c-7.8 19.6-22.9 34.7-42.6 42.6-29.5 11.7-99.5 9-132.1 9s-102.7 2.6-132.1-9c-19.6-7.8-34.7-22.9-42.6-42.6-11.7-29.5-9-99.5-9-132.1s-2.6-102.7 9-132.1c7.8-19.6 22.9-34.7 42.6-42.6 29.5-11.7 99.5-9 132.1-9s102.7-2.6 132.1 9c19.6 7.8 34.7 22.9 42.6 42.6 11.7 29.5 9 99.5 9 132.1s2.7 102.7-9 132.1z" data-v-b19174da="" class=""></path></svg> <svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false" data-icon="pinterest" role="img" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 496 512"><path fill="currentColor" d="M496 256c0 137-111 248-248 248-25.6 0-50.2-3.9-73.4-11.1 10.1-16.5 25.2-43.5 30.8-65 3-11.6 15.4-59 15.4-59 8.1 15.4 31.7 28.5 56.8 28.5 74.8 0 128.7-68.8 128.7-154.3 0-81.9-66.9-143.2-152.9-143.2-107 0-163.9 71.8-163.9 150.1 0 36.4 19.4 81.7 50.3 96.1 4.7 2.2 7.2 1.2 8.3-3.3.8-3.4 5-20.3 6.9-28.1.6-2.5.3-4.7-1.7-7.1-10.1-12.5-18.3-35.3-18.3-56.6 0-54.7 41.4-107.6 112-107.6 60.9 0 103.6 41.5 103.6 100.9 0 67.1-33.9 113.6-78 113.6-24.3 0-42.6-20.1-36.7-44.8 7-29.5 20.5-61.3 20.5-82.6 0-19-10.2-34.9-31.4-34.9-24.9 0-44.9 25.7-44.9 60.2 0 22 7.4 36.8 7.4 36.8s-24.5 103.8-29 123.2c-5 21.4-3 51.6-.9 71.2C65.4 450.9 0 361.1 0 256 0 119 111 8 248 8s248 111 248 248z" data-v-b19174da="" class=""></path></svg>