The Lhasa Apso

Dog Breeds - Page 1/2 The Lhasa Apso

Tori Houle, Lifestyle Contributor and The Lhasa’s history of nobility and holiness hasn’t Junior Editor completely been forgotten. It’s easy to put these puppies on a pedestal and give in to every demand Tori has more than 2 years of experience in the pet health they have –resist! A well behaved adult Lhasa starts industry and is junior editor of IDEXX’s Pet Health Network with a well trained young Lhasa. It’s important that you team. show Lhasas you are the pack master, and the leader of the house. If they feel, even occasionally, that they’re in control Lhasas will take full advantage. They’ll bark loudly and often, climb on whatever they want, and suffer from separation anxiety whenever you leave the Background: house.

Lhasa Apsos originated in the cold mountains of Tibet Early socialization is also vital to the breed’s wellbeing. over 4000 years ago. They are one of the oldest canine Without it they might be aggressive towards other breeds, and recent DNA testing shows them to be animals or strangers. They're likely to be suspicious of closely linked with the ancestral wolf. In all likelihood strangers anyway but should be able to tolerate them they share ancestry with the Tibetan Spaniel and the on a regular basis. Tibetan Terrier. In fact the Lhasa Apso and Tibetan Terrier were once considered to be the same breed. So long as you can avoid these pitfalls Lhasa Apsos will be a well behaved and comical addition to the family. Lhasa Apsos were used by Tibetan Monks to guard the They love children and look forward to daily walks. The holy temples. They were actually the second line of Lhasa is no stranger to being a companion dog and is defense after the Tibetan Mastiffs who watched over among the best company you could hope to have. the temple entrances. Lhasas were much more than guard dogs. It was believed that, after dying, Dalai Health: Lama’s souls could actually enter the dog for a short period of time. For this reason Lhasa Apsos were never If you’re getting your Lhasa Apso from a breeder you sold and rarely given to outsiders. should ask if his dogs have regular eye exams. Retinal problems have been noted in the Lhapsa Apso. It wasn’t until 1933 that the 13th Dalai Lama gifted a pair of Lhasa Apsos to his friend Suydam Cutting who Other potential conditions should also be taken into was visiting Tibet. It was Cutting who brought the Lhasa consideration: back to America and started breeding them. The Lhasa became the first Tibetan breed registered by the Hip dysplasia American Kennel Club in 1935. Patellar luxation Kidney stones Today, there are concerns that the American breed is Intervertebral disc disease starting to branch too far out from the original Tibetan Lhasa. Takeaway points:

Sizing up: Lhasa Apsos will require extensive grooming to keep their long hair in good shape. Weight: 12 to 18 lbs. Lhasa Apsos need to know they aren’t the pack Height: 10 to 11 inches leader. Coat: Long, straight and heavy Lhasa Apsos were guard dogs and will be Color: Many available suspicious of strangers, it’s important that you Life expectancy: 12 to 15 years not let this suspicion turn into aggression.

What’s the Lhasa Apso like? If you have any questions or concerns, you should

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always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.

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