Lhasa Apso Origin, Characteristics, and Health Issues

Lhasa Apso Origin, Characteristics, and Health Issues

Lhasa Apso Origin.

The Lhasa Apso is a Tibetan breed that has been in the country of Tibet for centuries. Originally a noble dog in the courts, they rarely left their masters’ sides. When they did, they were used as sentries or guards.

The breed was officially recognized by the Chinese government in 1956, but then once again prohibited in 1963. The ban was lifted in 1999 and the Lhasa Apso was declassified as a “national treasure”. The registration of the dogs began anew, which brought the number of registered dogs in China to more than 1,800 by 2004. The total number worldwide is unknown.

The first official Lhasa Apso was registered by the British Kennel Club in 1930 as “Chinese Dog”. In 1936, the breed was registered in the United States by its owners, who continued to call it a “Chinese Dog”. Its name was changed to Lhasa Apso in 1938.

Multiple versions of the breed’s history exist. Some claim that the breed was developed in Tibet, not in England. Others claim that there is no evidence of its existence before 1936.

Lhasa Apso History.

The Lhasa Apso is a Tibetan dog that was originally a noble companion and sentry of the Dalai Lama, who could be counted on to alert him of intruders or strangers within his palace. When they were not used as sentries, they were kept in crates or cages to prevent them from barking.

Spared the harsh life of being a guard dog, these dogs instead hid the fact that they were noble companions from their masters and spent their days with any person who would take them in as servants.

The Lhasa Apso is the smallest dog in the world and was originally bred in Tibet. Later on, the dogs were exported to Western countries where small, English Toy Terrier-like dogs originated from. This was a result of pure breeding.

Since the 1950s, more than 50% of all Lhasa Apsos were exported to other countries. The breed is considered to be of Chinese origin.

The breed’s name comes from the Tibetan city called Lhasa, which means “place of the monks.”

During World War II in Tibet Lhasa Apso were discovered by American soldiers who were looking for food. They were given to American families, even though they wanted horses and ponies.

The red Lhasa Apso with a very long coat. The Lhasa Apso is believed to have been imported to the UK in 1933 by Mr Cutting, who was a close associate of the Thubten Gyatso, 13th Dalai Lama.

Mr Cutting took some of these dogs back home to the United States and had them put down. After he died, one of his relatives managed to bring several crates of these dogs over from England and gave them away.

Lhasa Apso Breed Uses

The Dalai Lamas not only kept Lhasa Apsos as pets, but also used them as gifts for honored guests. These dogs were prized for their loyalty and devotion to the Dalai Lama and were given to important visitors as gifts. The first Lhasa Apsos to reach the US arrived in 1936.

Lhasa Apso not only served as pets in Tibet but also as guard dogs because of their sharp bark and alert nature. These small dogs are known for their thick, long hair that falls to the floor and makes a superb coat in extremely cold climates.

It was said that the Lhasa Apso would alert their masters with a loud voice when strangers arrive at their gates. They make excellent watchdogs but are not recommended for people who have to move around often because they do not do well in new environments and tend to be less active.

The Lhasa Apso is intelligent and is easy to train. They are very loyal, protective, and loving dogs with great family-oriented characteristics.

Lhasa Apso Characteristics And Appearance.

The Lhasa Apso is a small dog with a wrinkled face, which gives it an old-looking appearance. This breed has a domed forehead, large eyes and ears that are carried close to the head. The eyes are dark and oval shaped with black rims.

The muzzle is long and pointed. The teeth meet in a level or scissors bite and the tail is carried over the back. The feet are small and round with well-arched toes. This breed has a fairly long body that is covered in thick fur. The coat of the Lhasa is long, dense, and can come in a variety of colors.

The undercoat is thick and the outer coat is coarse and hard. The coat comes in a variety of colors from black, brown, grizzle, beige, red (rare), grey or silver. The Lhasa Apso has a strong sense of smell that helps it locate scents.

Health Problems Of The Lhasa Apso

This sturdy breed can live up to 14 years. It is prone to eye infections and may suffer from epilepsy. The dog is at risk of diabetes, urinary stones, and liver problems. Some of the diseases that are commonly found in these dogs include:

Epilepsy : This breed is not very susceptible to this syndrome and it occurs only when there is a bad combination of genes.

Lhasa Apso Temperament

The Lhasa Apso is affectionate, devoted and friendly with family members, but not so much with strangers. It rarely barks, but it will if strangers approach them. These dogs are a bit vocal and listen for the slightest sounds that may indicate that something unusual has occurred.

They tend to be independent and can get really jealous with the companionship of their owners. This breed loves to play and is good at training games with its master.

Lhasa Apso Grooming

The most important aspect of grooming for this breed is the maintenance of their long hair. They do not require regular bathing. The skin should be checked daily for any signs that are indicative of the dog’s health.

The Lhasa Apso’s fur will keep them warm and prevent them from sweating, even in cold weather. They shed twice a year and can be brushed weekly to ensure that they stay relatively clean.

The Lhasa Apso feeds on dry food, which provides them with enough nutrients to maintain their body weight. The dog needs to be fed regularly for it to stay fit and healthy. These dogs are energetic and love playing games. They can be taught to perform various tricks.

This breed is an excellent family pet because of its loving and loyal nature. It is not recommended for families with small children because they are fragile. Kids over 6 years can take care of them without damaging the dog’s health or their own safety.

This breed loves company and should therefore not be left alone for long periods of time, or they will become unhappy and destructive.

Lhasa Apso Care

The Lhasa Apso is easy to care for. They require regular brushing to remove loose hair and keep their coat clean. The coat should be brushed twice a week for the best results. If necessary, the vet can recommend a specialist who has experience with this breed.

The Lhasa Apso is a relatively healthy breed. They are prone to ear infections, pancreatic disease, and epilepsy. These dogs are not suitable for families with children because they are fragile and small kids can accidentally harm them.

Lhasa Apso Training

The Lhasa Apso is easy to train. Training should start at an early age, because they will be easier to train as they get older. If you don’t start training your dog at an early age, it can grow up to be stubborn and disobedient.

One of the best ways to train your dog is by using positive reinforcement such as food or treats. Never use physical punishment with dogs since it backfires and causes the dog to become more aggressive instead of becoming obedient.

Lhasa Apso Socialization

This breed is not recommended for families with small children because of its fragile nature. It also doesn’t do well with other animals in the house or around the yard. Dogs that are not socialized at an early age can become aggressive, especially when they are older. Contact your vet to learn more about how to socialize this breed.

Lhasa Apso Activities

Lhasas love to play fetch and so should you. Bring some of your pup’s favorite toys for the activity. Keep in mind that these strong dogs have a lot of energy, so it’s important to provide them with mental and physical activities to keep them happy and healthy.

Take your dog outside in the early morning or late at night before it gets too warm, and make sure they have plenty of room to run around. Dogs also need exercise, so take this breed for walks every day.

Lhasa Apso Exercise

The Lhasa Apso is a highly athletic dog breed that requires around an hour of exercise per day. This small, sturdy dog can run for up to four hours and has the stamina to jump high and long distances.

The Lhasa Apso has a good sense of smell and is an excellent tracker. It will never lose the scent of a desired object. They are also good watchdogs because they are alert to any strange sounds that may be suspicious of an intruder in the house. These dogs need lots of exercise to burn off excess energy and maintain their health.

The breed needs plenty of room to stretch its legs, so owners should make sure that the dog has lots of space to play fetch and chase balls around the house or yard. They can also join a local dog club and become members of a team. The more exercise that you give your dog, the better it will help maintain its health.

Lhasa Apso Grooming

The Lhasa Apso is a dog that does require routine grooming. It’s best for a Lhasa Apso to get brushed out 2 to 3 times a week and bathed every 1 to 2 weeks. It needs to have its nails clipped and ears cleaned every 1 to 2 weeks. The hair around the eyes needs to be kept clean, but typically eye discharge is benign in a Lhasa Apso unless the dog has an underlying issue.

Ticks can be troublesome and therefore it’s important to check your dog’s fur regularly during the spring and summer months. This way you can remove any ticks before they take hold.

Lhasa Apso Nutrition And Diet.

Some dogs, like the Lhasa Apso, may benefit from a specialized diet. Small breeds often need to eat small kibble because of their size. These kibbles are easy for these dogs to eat and digest.

The Lhasa Apso has a dense coat that is meant to keep them warm. For this reason, they don’t need to be bathed too often. They will shed their coats twice a year, and during this time owners will find lots of hair on the floor. Brush your dog’s coat once or twice a week to remove the loose hair and get rid of any knots that may have formed in the fur.

Lhasa Apso Health Issues.

Lhasa Apsos are a breed of dog that is known for its thick, fluffy coat and intelligence. They are also known to have some health issues such as hip dysplasia and luxating patella.

This can be a painful condition in which the knee cap is dislocated with pain or irritation during physical activity, such as running. There are many other health conditions that may affect the Lhasa Apso such as heart disease and ear infections.

Of all of the health issues that Lhasa Apsos can have, hip dysplasia is one of the most common. They have a decreased immunity to certain diseases and this is because they are small dogs with a larger skeletal structure.

They are at a higher risk of developing this issue than other breeds because they have less muscle mass. This means that they are more susceptible to joint problems and bone disorders.

Lhasa Apso Lifespan.

The average lifespan for the Lhasa Apso is 12-15 years, but some have been known to live as long as 20 years. The Lhasa Apso is a small, sturdy dog with a distinctive appearance: It has long, silky hair and droopy ears.

Many people think it looks like an old-fashioned teddy bear. Originally bred as a watchdog to protect Buddhist temples in Tibet, the Lhasa Apso is fiercely loyal to its master. The breed is healthy and generally has a long lifespan.

 

Similar Posts