Videos Lhasa Apso Breed Information
Alternative names -
Lhassa Terrier
Country of origin -
Tibet
Common nicknames -
Lhasa
Classification and breed standards
FCI:|Group
9 Section 5 #227|Stds
AKC:|Non-sporting|Stds
ANKC:|Group 7
(Non-Sporting)|Stds
CKC:|Group
6 - Football Sporty Dogs|Stds
KC
(UK):|Utility|Stds
NZKC:|Non-sporting|Stds
UKC:|Companion
Breeds|Stds
The Lhasa Apso is a hunting, non-sporting dog
breed originating from Tibet. It was bred originally to guard
monasteries. The Lhasa Apso was expected to follow the intruder
barking until his master arrived to check on the intruder.
1. Appearance
According to the American
Kennel Club, Lhasa Apsos should measure about 10 to 11 inches
at the withers. Males should weigh
between 14 and 18 pounds, and females should weigh between 12 and
14 pounds. The forelegs should be straight, and the hindquarters
should be well-developed and muscular. The breed standard requires
dark brown eyes of medium size and a coal-black nose. Lhasa Apsos
are similar in appearance to the Shih
tzu dog but their personalities and temperament are very
different. Shih Tzus were bred as companion dogs while the Lhasa
was bred as a watchdog.
The dog has a coat that is double layered, which to show
standards should drape over the entire body and the eyes. A
Lhasa's coat should be of good length. All colors are equally
acceptable, with or without dark tips to ears and beard. The tail
should be carried in a tight screw over the back. The AKC breed standard was approved July 11, 1978.
Lhasa Apsos typically live between 12-15 years, though some live
as long as 18 years.
2. Temperament
Lhasa Apsos were originally bred in Tibet as a watch dog. They
are, therefore suspicious of strangers. Successful training
requires the owner to establish dominance and ensure consistence in
discipline. Lhasas require 20-30 minutes of daily exercise.
There is debate on whether or not Lhasa's interact well with
children. The American Lhasa Apso Club recommends caution
and constant adult supervision while the Dog Breed Info Centre indicates the dogs
do not interact well with children who are rough or badly
behaved.
Copyright (c) 2008 Kitt Killion Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
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