Little Pawz -- Lhasa Apso -- Small Dogs -- Small Dog Breed Information -- Toy Dogs -- Miniature Dogs -- Dog Breeds

The Lhasa Apso, like the Tibetan Spaniel, comes from the mountains of Tibet. It is a shaggy little dog, rather like an Old English Sheepdog in miniature, and makes an excellent pet. The only drawbacks are the frequent and lengthy brushings, and its natural suspicion of strangers.

Size
Height: 10 inches (25 cm) for Dogs; Bitches slightly smaller

Coat and Colour
(a) The adult coat is heavy, straight, hard, not woolly or silky, of good length and dense. The coat should be parted from the nose to the root of the tail.
(b) The head should have heavy furnishings with a good fall over the eyes. Good whiskers and beard. In Obedience the hair may be tied back from the eyes.
(c) Ears should be heavily furnished.
(d) Legs should be well furnished.
(e) Tail should be well furnished.
(f) Feet should be surrounded with hair. The pads have hair between them which may be trimmed.
(g) Forequarters, hindquarters and neck are heavily furnished.
(h) All colours and mixtures of colours considered equal.

Exercise
The Lhasa Apso is a lively breed that needs plenty of walks and off-the-lead runs.

Grooming
Daily brushing and combing — and not for a few minutes at a time. Lengthy brushing for this breed.

Feeding
Recommended would be 1/2 – 1 can (13.3 oz 376 g size) name-brand dog food with a biscuit, or 1 1/2 cups of a dry dog food. Always provide an ample supply of fresh water for your Lhasa Apso.

Origin and History
The Lhasa Apso is the dog that the Dalai Lama of Tibet offered to the Chinese emperors. It existed for centuries in the Tibetan mountains until it was brought to Europe by early explorers and missionaries. The words lhasa apso mean 'goat-like' and it was perhaps as guard and protector of the wild goats of Tibet that this glamorous breed of today first found favour. It was first seen in at a European show in 1929.