👉 Coming up with a pet name can be fun but tricky. Search no further! According to PetScreening’s 2024 database, the majority of our users name their male Lhasa Apsos Teddy and Gizmo. Meanwhile, most of our users with female Lhasa Apsos love Bella, then Daisy.
The highly intelligent and agile Lhasa apso is beloved for its cheerful, comical personality, but don’t let their goofiness or small size fool you. Lhasas make for fantastic, albeit tiny, guard dogs. Despite being relatively laidback, affectionate, and friendly dogs, they can be quite stubborn, so early training and socialization is a must. However, the breed doesn’t require much space to thrive, so apartment living will do just fine as long as your pup gets about an hour of exercise per day, plus proper mental stimulation. When it comes to kids, other pets and even strangers and visitors, early exposure is key as Lhasas can be somewhat distant and aloof around new animals and people.
The Lhasa Apso is a small breed with a heavy, double coat. According to the AKC breed standards, all colors are equally acceptable. The typical coat colors include black, black and tan, cream, golden, grizzle, red, red, gold and white. We teamed up with FidoTabby Alert, and according to their database, a common coat color for the Lhasa Apso is (66%) white.
Lhasa apsos are a generally healthy and resilient breed, but they are still prone to certain genetic conditions. Knowing what you might expect with your pup can help you address and treat any medical conditions early on.
The Lhasa apso is a thousand-year-old breed with origins in the Himalayan Mountains. These dogs, named for the sacred city of Lhasa, were primarily bred and cared for by Buddhist Tibetan monks as companions and monastery protectors. In the 1930s, the 13th Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Tibet, gifted a Lhasa apso to well-known American traveler Charles Suydam Cutting and his wife during their trip to the region. This eventually led to an increase in imports of the breed, establishing its reputation in America.
In 1935, the American Kennel Club officially recognized the Lhasa apso as part of the Terrier Group. The breed was eventually reassigned to the Non-Sporting Group in 1959, the same year as the formation of the American Lhasa Apso Club.
Caring for a new puppy of any breed can be overwhelming. You’ll need to make your first trip to the vet and schedule your dog’s vaccinations. We can even help you puppy-proof your home and prepare for teething. And while no one likes to think about losing their new dog, FidoAlert provides a free Fido ID and tag, so you’re prepared just in case.
Diagnosis and treatment for health conditions specific to the Lhasa Apso vary between $500-$900 for PRA, $3,500 per hip to $7,000 for hip dysplasia, $1,500-$3,000 for patellar luxation and $20-$50 or more per month for dry eyes.
Besides the basics of feeding and medical care, there are a few other things to keep in mind to be the best and most responsible dog owner you can be with your Lhasa.
The agile Lhasa requires a moderate amount of exercise every day. About an hour of walking or playtime should be sufficient, though this may vary by individual. For some added mental exercise, puzzle toys are a good option for this highly intelligent breed.
Though Lhasa apso dogs don’t shed much, the breed does need some extra attention as their silky coats can grow quite long. Keeping up a regular grooming routine can help keep your pup looking good and avoid issues like matting down the line
👉 Remember, no dog breed is truly hypoallergenic. Allergic reactions occur due to the protein found in a dog’s dander, hair, and saliva. Dogs that are considered “hypoallergenic” shed and drool less, and thus have a lesser effect on those with dog allergies.
Lhasas and their heavy, silky coats need high-quality food to truly thrive. Opt for a vet-approved diet high in protein and healthy fats. Avoid overfeeding to prevent digestive issues.
In general, Lhasas should eat about ¾-1 cup of high-quality, small-breed dog food each day, depending on the caloric density of their daily diet. If your pup gets picky or isn’t getting enough water, you can mix in some canned food or a tasty topper. As always, refer to your pet’s vet for questions related to diet and nutrition, including food portioning.
The Lhasa apso is considered highly intelligent, but their stubbornness and desire to be independent may put a damper on your housetraining. Like many dogs, they are most responsive to rewards and positive reinforcement, so consider using food, treats, games, and verbal praise to help them associate training with things that bring joy and are mentally stimulating.
Not quite sure that a Lhasa apso is right for you? Even if you are, it’s worth taking the time to research and consider other similar breeds. Here are a few to get you started:
Lhasas require a moderate amount of exercise every day. About an hour of walking or playtime should be sufficient. For some mental exercise, puzzle toys are a good option for this highly intelligent breed.
Whether you visit a professional groomer or trim your dog’s hair at home, regular cuts every one to six weeks depending on your pup’s environment and hair length help will avoid overgrowth and matting.
These tiny, regal-looking long-haired breeds may be hard to tell apart, but they have a few identifiable differences beyond belonging to different breed groups. For one, the Shih tzu, part of the AKC’s Toy Group, has a more flowy coat, whereas the Non-Sporting Group’s Lhasa has a heavier, more straight coat. But their personalities are also a little different. Unlike Shih tzu, Lhasas are more wary of and aloof around strangers.
Some common health conditions specific to the breed include progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation and dry eye.
Lhasas are considered “hypoallergenic”, but no dog breed is 100% hypoallergenic. Dogs that are considered hypoallergenic simply shed less, and thus have a smaller effect on those with dog allergies.
