Origin: Tibet
Origin of Name: The Lhasa Apso is a non-sporting dog breed originating in Tibet.
Size | Temperament | Shedding | Drooling | Monthly keeping cost | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Small | Zero High |
Negligible Hair Everywhere |
Zero Excess |
|
This thousand year old breed was served as sentinel dogs in palaces and Buddhist monasteries ranked high among the Himalayan mountains. For centuries, Lhasa has been associated with the Dalai Lama. In the late 1940s, the fourteenth Dalai Lama helped dogs establish the breed in the Americas as gifts and gifts. In Tibetan folklore, the protector of the country is the legendary Snow Lion, and Lhasa, the "bearded lion dog", is the worldly representative of Snow Lion. Lhasa is the name of the holy city of Tibet; Apso means "long dog.
Long Hair or Puppy Cut? Both require regular maintenance, and this is an option for the owner to make. In puppy cuts or other clips Lhasa should still be brushed regularly and bathed between visits to the Groomer. Long hair needs to be brushed regularly using the right tools and techniques. Expect to bathe a long coat at least every two weeks, and brush at least once between baths. Complete rinsing is necessary, as the shampoo residue irritates the skin. Grooming is made easier by conditioners and finishing sprays. Freshly bathed long or chopped hair should be thoroughly dried and brushed, as moist hair, even when clean, will mat.
Lhasa Apsos will make you happy if it pleases them to make you happy. They are sometimes highly intelligent than willful toddlers. They can learn just about anything that makes an instructor quite interesting to master on their own terms. They do not appreciate repetitive drills and can be unusually stubborn if they are rude or abusive. Most cases of unacceptable Lhasa behavior involve inconsistent, inappropriate or situations with any human leadership. It is a breed for creative, motivated people who enjoy the canine companion of the mind.
Lhasa is not usually a couch potato and specializes in self-exercise. They would run around an apartment to escape the energy, entertain themselves in a fitted yard, or walk their owners fast. Just as important as physical exercise is mental stimulation. They excel in agility, can do aromatic work, and are known to reclaim and herd. Talented Lhasa certified as medical dogs working in hospitals, nursing homes, colleges and prisons.
Lhasa Apsos thrive on high quality food. Since they usually have thick skin to support their heavy hair coat, Lhasa needs a diet with good protein and fat levels. Breeders recommend a diet with more than 14 percent fat. Protein sources (meat, fish, game, etc.) depend on the tolerance and taste of the individual dog. Most Lhasa use their food very well, and even a little breastfeeding can lead to unpleasant digestive results. Food can be dried, or moistened with a slight flavor enhancement, such as cooked meat or grain-free canned food. Feeding once or twice a day is a personal choice for owners, but there is an emphasis on the stability of dogs, so it is recommended to keep the frequency and time of day constant.
Lhasa Apso is generally a strong, healthy dog. The most serious health problem in the breed is hereditary renal dysfunction, which may be present in mild to severe forms. There is no reliable test to detect carriers. Prospective owners should seek out experienced, duty-bound breeders who are aware of this condition and remove affected individuals from their breeding programs. Breeders have made a lot of progress towards eliminating this problem, and the risk of getting a puppy infested with a knowledgeable breeder is slim. Dry eyes, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), slipping stiffness, hip dysplasia, and cherry eye are other conditions to inquire about.