Basic Information To Know About The Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso (once named the "Lhasa Terrier") is a small non-sporting breed of Tibetan dog that features a long coat in many colors and is very much the meaning of their name in the native Tibetan language - "long-haired Tibetan dog". The breed has origins dating back to as early as 800BC, and they were first bred for the main purpose of being a watch dog inside Buddhist monasteries.

A few of their most recognizable features include their stubborn but highly devoted temperament - which help make the Lhasa Apso a suitable choice as a companion for families with older children, apartment dwellers or retirees.

The Lhasa Apso is well-known for their bold, alert, devoted and sometimes stubborn temperament. They are generally reserved with strangers and have very keen hearing as well as a sharp bark, which can make them a good watch dog but not very suitable as a guard dog due to their size.

The Lhasa Apso is also known to be fairly intelligent - ranking 68th compared to other dogs based on their ability to learn obedience commands. They are also known to be good with older children - making them somewhat suitable as a family pet. The Lhasa Apso is quite compatible and playful with other animals such as other dogs and pets.

Grooming the Lhasa Apso is a relatively demanding task. They require a regular amount of brushing every day or two and complete grooming every 2 to 3 weeks if their coat is kept long - though some owners may prefer to clip their dog short in a "teddy bear" cut to make things easier if they're primarily a companion dog.

The Lhasa Apso doesn't need a yard, and they can be quite suitable for apartment living if they are exercised enough. They enjoy cooler temperatures, and can be uncomfortable if it gets too hot due to the thickness of their coat.

The Lhasa Apso enjoys activities such as indoor play sessions, outdoor adventures and games of fetch in an open area. They have a low to medium level of energy and need to be given daily exercise in the form of average-length walks to prevent behavior problems such as excessive barking.

The Lhasa Apso can make the perfect dog for families with older children, apartment dwellers, retirees or anyone with a less active lifestyle. They are suitable for anyone who is willing to commit to a high amount of grooming and take time to give them early socialization and obedience training to establish leadership as well as take them for moderate daily walks and give a good amount of companionship and attention. Though they might be somewhat unsuitable for a guard dog or pet for families with young children, if you are able to meet their high grooming requirements and need for patient training then the Lhasa Apso could make the ideal dog breed for you.

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