Lhasa Apso

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Lhasa Apso

Lhasa Apso Characteristics

Size:
Grooming Needs:
Exercise Needs:
Good With Dogs:
Watchdog Ability:

Lhasa Apso Breed Information

Breed Group: Non-Sporting

Weight: 13-15 lbs

Height: 10-11 inches

Color(s): black, white, brown, gray, cream or particolor

AKC Buca

Lhasa Apso

$500.00

Lhasa puppies

Lhasa Apso

$300.00

Overview

The Lhasa Apso originated in Tibet, and were only bred by holy men and nobles. Thought to bring good luck, this breed was considered to be sacred. For this reason, the Lhasa were used as watchdogs in monasteries for over 2000 years. They are highly intelligent, with keen instinct and acute hearing.

Character

The Lhasa Apso is a hardy and vigorous breed. They are wary and suspicious of strangers. They exude an air of dignity and also comedy. They are considered to be one of the most affectionate breeds with their main function as that of a companion.

Temperament

The Lhasa Apso displays a dual temperament. They are highly expressive of their love and devotion, but have a mind of their own and want everything their way. They are lively and spirited with spontaneous gaiety. The Lhasa is not recommended for families with small children, or in homes where there are rough or ill behaved children. They make excellent watchdogs because of their heightened sense of hearing. They prefer to be the only pet and thrive on attention. They do not like to be left alone for extended periods of time. For this reason they are not well suited for a two career family. They have a tendency to bite if angered or surprised.

Care

The Lhasa Apso requires daily brushing to prevent tangles and mats. Their coat, if grown long, is extremely high maintenance. They may be bathed or dry shampooed on a regular basis or as necessary. They are very prone to ear infections and eye problems, so check-ups and regular cleaning are important. The Lhasa is susceptible to skin problems if not kept free of parasites. Kidney disease is the most serious health problem found in this breed.

Coat

The Lhasa Apso has a heavy double-coat that is draped over the entire body. Their long coat serves as an insulation barrier, keeping them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The coat grows to floor length, even covering the eyes, which are protected by long eyelashes. The texture of the coat is neither soft nor silky. The Lhasa coat colors include gold, smoke, parti, and slate. They are average shedders.

Training

The Lhasa Apso typically displays an arrogant and obstinate attitude. They may be difficult to housetrain, so the crate method is recommended. Intense early socialization and obedience are a must. They require firm, assertive and consistent commands, and will respond to praise and reward. The Lhasa will take charge if they are not trained clearly as to who is master.

Activity

The Lhasa Apso loves to play indoor games and is quite rambunctious, which largely meets their exercise needs. However, they benefit from outdoor excursions such as a daily walk. They are not suited for outdoor life, so even a small yard is unnecessary. The Lhasa is an excellent apartment and condominium dweller.

Ask a Question Lhasa Apso Questions & Answers

QUESTION: I am planning to get a Lhasa Apso soon from this shelter... and I am wondering if this dog is good for a 14 year old who is very responsible. Is it okay?

Anonymous - 5/21/2012 8:09:50 PM

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QUESTION: our lhasa apso smells even right after we bathe her. She is so cute but she always stinks.

Anonymous - 5/18/2012 2:39:27 PM

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QUESTION: My shah tzu/Lhasa legs is hurting, he's hopping? What do I do?

Anonymous - 4/9/2012 10:54:49 PM

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QUESTION: How long are Lhasa Apsos in heat ?

Anonymous - 4/3/2012 5:57:09 PM

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QUESTION: How many times a day should I be feeding my 17 wewk old lhasa puppy?

Anonymous - 4/2/2012 10:09:29 AM

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QUESTION: My 7 year Lhasa Apso for the last three mornings has awakened yelping and tears and it seems the hind legs are hurting. I immediately draw hot water for a water bottle and place it along side his right side hindquarter, wrapped up in a quilt. Only recently both my sons have been staying with me. What's happening here?

Anonymous - 3/27/2012 12:54:12 PM

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i JUST TOOK MY DOG LHASA TO VET FOR SAME PROBLEM.. IT COULD BE ANAL GLANDS NEED DRAINED.. THEY JUST DID IT TO MY DOG AND GAVE HIM SHOT..ANAL GLAND CREATE WHEN THEY GET STRESSED.. MAYBE U SHOULD GET DOG LOOKED AT.. GOOD LUCK...

Anonymous - 3/27/2012 5:49:36 PM

QUESTION: MY LHASA HAS A GROOMING PHOBIA. HE IS 4 YEARS OLD AND CONSTANTLY SCRATCHES AND LICKS HIS ENTIRE BODY. HE WAS A RESCUE DOG SO I DON'T KNOW HOW HIS EARLY LIFE WAS. HE WAS OUT 2 MONTHS LAST YEAR IN THE WINTER AND WEIGHED ONLY 9 # AT THE TIME. COULD THIS BE WHY HE GROOMS CONSTANTLY? HE EVEN BITES HIS NAILS EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE HIM GROOMED EVERY 6 WEEKS.

Anonymous - 3/22/2012 8:37:39 AM

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QUESTION: Were Lasa's ever hurding dogs

Anonymous - 3/18/2012 1:48:24 PM

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no, lhasa's were guard dogs for temples and monasteries

Anonymous - 5/21/2012 8:11:16 PM

QUESTION: im extremely worried my lhasa apso could be with pups, she got out 8wks ago when she was in heat and this past few weeks she seems to be getting bigger and bigger. im hoping its a phantom pregnancy as she is 12years old - you would think she was half that age as she is so lively..should i worry,,ps she had a litter 7 years ago an gave birth fine

Anonymous - 3/13/2012 10:39:04 AM

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At your lhasa apso's age it shouldn't be a problem or shouldn't have any complications giving birth.

Anonymous - 3/13/2012 8:32:31 PM

QUESTION: My lhasa apso dog has brown eyes and now his 6 months old he has blue eyes why does this happen?? Do i need to worry???

Anonymous - 3/12/2012 6:24:45 AM

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how long will a lhasa apso live

Anonymous - 4/29/2012 8:16:44 PM

QUESTION: What is the life expectancy of a Lhasa Apso?

Anonymous - 2/28/2012 1:23:45 PM

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My Lhasa Apso would have been 12 this May but had a tumor and it caused his blood pressure to go up, and he had a stroke. He was in much pain so we had to put him down. He was so good to us and the best dog we ever owned. we miss him so much. Today is one week and we cannot stop crying from missing him. So I hope yours lives a very long time. Ours was named Bingo and we hit bingo when we got him. He will be and is missed dearly.

Anonymous - 3/17/2012 2:59:43 PM

12 to 18 years

Anonymous - 3/12/2012 11:28:17 AM

QUESTION: My 16 week old Lhasa has fine hair right now. I've been told it will thicken as he gets older. The previous owner says that both parents have thick hair...hoping it will thicken up. He has orange/black tips and very cute..just thin.

Anonymous - 2/28/2012 11:11:55 AM

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QUESTION: is the Lhasa poo puppy good with rabbits?

Anonymous - 2/25/2012 7:44:56 AM

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Highly unlikely. My Lhasa Apso has killed 2 wild rabbits when we were out walking. A Lhasa apso has instincts of chasing and killing like any other dog when the opportunity arises. If you have a pet rabbit, keep them well apart.

Anonymous - 3/12/2012 11:33:27 AM

My Lhasa poo has killed 2 wild ones. So I would say absolutely not. Most dogs attack rabbits. Keep them apart at all costs.

Anonymous - 3/12/2012 11:26:19 AM

QUESTION: Hello my 5 year old Lhasa apso has a black teet this is only been recent is there anything to worry about .

Anonymous - 2/21/2012 2:20:11 AM

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QUESTION: What do I feed my Lhasa apso puppy?

beksmune - 2/19/2012 6:15:22 PM

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QUESTION: My friends Lhasa has just given birth and he is giving me one puppy. When is the best time to wean it so I take her home.

Anonymous - 2/18/2012 2:53:51 AM

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Its better after 10 weeks old. Usually they wean them at 8 weeks but for me I think they are just still to small.

Anonymous - 3/7/2012 5:39:59 PM

QUESTION: My Lhasa janner had dry eye syndrome but even though we treated him with optimmune et. He still seems to have lost his sight. How can I help him he seems very scared and wondering why we are not helping him xx

Anonymous - 2/9/2012 4:21:13 PM

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Very sad to hear that.. A very special bondage must exist between you and your doggie. You are his wizard that can produce everything he wants and whisk away anything he dreads. Give hime more love and attention than ever, lots and lots of tender talking and caresses; and guidance to help him move around (not just a lesh, you will have to bend down but your hand is a much more comforting guide), and lots of praises when he does. Do that in the house where he is familiar with the location, put plants etc -- the smell helps guiding him from bumping his head.. lots of regards ~~ Amy and 14-yr-old Argo

Anonymous - 3/5/2012 1:26:11 PM

QUESTION: MY 1YR OLD LHASA JUST 2 MONTHS, HE HAS A FEW BISCUITS IN MORNING, THEN CHICKEN/RICE AND BISCUITS IN EVENING..BUT HE ALWAYS SEEM HUNGRY, AND WORRIES FOR FOOD(WHICH I DO NOT GIVE) ALSO HE "HOVERS" HIS FOOD EVERY TIME...I feel that I'm feeding him enough, so is this just how lhasa's are...thank-you...

Anonymous - 2/9/2012 9:10:06 AM

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I have only had him two months...I WANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH i should feed him ?????

Anonymous - 2/9/2012 10:34:51 AM

QUESTION: how much do i feed my adult lhasa a day?

Anonymous - 2/9/2012 7:40:41 AM

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QUESTION: HELP MY LHASA APSO IS A WEEK AWAY FROM HAVING HER FIRST SET OF BABIES!! I'VE LOOKED UP SOME INFORMATION ABOUT HOW IT WORKS,BUT NOT ANYTHING REALLY USEFUL. SO I WANTED TO KNOW IF ANYONE KNOW WHAT TO DO DURING THAT FINAL DAY AND WHAT SHOULD I BE AWARE OF?

Anonymous - 2/4/2012 8:28:56 PM

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QUESTION: MY LHASA APSO, GENE, IS PREGNANT. I WANTED TO KNOW IF ANYONE COULD HELP ME GET SOME INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT TO DO DURING GENE GIVING BIRTH? SHE IS A WEEK AWAY FROM BEING DUE,, WE'VE LOOKED UP ALOT OF THINGS BUT MANY WERE DIFFERENT! THIS IS HER FIRST SET OF BABIES SO WHAT CAN I DO FOR HER? AND WELL ANYTHING WELL HELP ?

Anonymous - 2/4/2012 8:22:35 PM

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QUESTION: My friend has a 3yr old lhasa apso,she has had 2 litters from the dog in a year. The dog was badly treated by previous owner, however the wee dog is now poo'ing all the time in the house and its driving her mad...can anyone give advice on what to do? I dont want to see the wee dog being given away just because its poo'ing over house. What can be done,or does it just need to go to a new home where it will be a pet and not used just for breeding? I have a shih tzu with a lovely nature and would consider taking this lhaso if i knew what the problem was

Anonymous - 1/29/2012 2:28:48 PM

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Lhasa apso's tend to poo in house for a few reasons. One is not enough attention. Two not walked on a schedule. What I see is it was abused and now its a breed dog. She just needs more attention on her. they are very smart and figure out what gets attention. Even bad attention is attention.

Anonymous - 5/4/2012 4:51:25 PM

i have 2 llasa apsos, they both used to wee poo all the time in the house, best advice i can give u is buy a cage for it, mine sleep in there own cage every night, and no mess to wake up to in morning

Anonymous - 2/4/2012 4:22:39 PM

QUESTION: At what age can I breed my lhasa aspo puppy at?

Anonymous - 1/2/2012 5:17:08 PM

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QUESTION: Suddenly my Lhasa Apso will not come in the house. He is 11 years old. If we pick him up and bring him inside he just goes right back out or if we block the way out, he goes under bed. I know dogs and cats separate themelves from other when they are dying. Does anyone have another solution for this behavior?

Anonymous - 12/27/2011 9:08:30 PM

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QUESTION: My 6 year old lhasa apso was a gift, she has her menstruation. I never knew that it may take long. How long does it last?

Anonymous - 12/16/2011 9:21:11 AM

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QUESTION: What do I do when my Lhasa Apso gets her period?

Anonymous - 12/16/2011 9:13:27 AM

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QUESTION: Does the Lhasa Apso breed go blind?

Anonymous - 12/11/2011 8:05:22 PM

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QUESTION: Why would my lhasa apso's tail be down? It is usually up and bouncy. Now is it down and dragging.

Anonymous - 12/4/2011 10:15:46 PM

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QUESTION: Wondering how much $$ to charge to stud my Lhasa Apso? He is three years old has 13 pure pedigree lines. We are in Michigan,considering using the vet to extract semen, but maybe the natural way is best.

Anonymous - 11/28/2011 10:33:08 PM

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QUESTION: Hi, It's already really cold winter, not snowing though, i live in the desert. I was wondering if my Lhasa Apso needs a sweater? He doesn't like it at all.

Anonymous - 11/28/2011 11:23:35 AM

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Depends on age & health conditions and the coat you allowed (i mean if your Lhasa Apso is trimmed to the skin, then a good sweater is needed always). I have a mat ready for my 13-yr-old darling to cuddle on (and icepacks wrapped in a towel in summer) or she can choose to just lie on the tiled floor if she feels fine. But I insist on asweater if we go for walks. Watch for signs like shivering or curling legs close to/under tummy esp at 15 deg C or below .. you will know if you watch closely .. hope this helps! ~~Amy

Anonymous - 12/4/2011 11:52:50 AM

Depending on how you have him groomed, how cold it is & how long he's out...Probably not though. It's about 35 degrees here now, and our Lhasa Apso is in a "puppy" trim. He doesn't like cold, but runs out just long enough to do his business. He doesn't mind wearing clothes at all but I've found that it's easier to just have him unclothed on potty runs because he just pees on his clothes.

Anonymous - 12/3/2011 2:09:41 AM

If you are looking for Lhasa Apso puppies for sale from reputable Lhasa Apso breeders or to adopt a Lhasa Apso from a Lhasa Apso rescue then make sure you understand as much about the dog breeds you are interested in as you can. Every puppy breed is different. Begin your research by reading the breed information about the Lhasa Apso puppy above. Search our dog breeds section to find Lhasa Apso puppies, dogs and puppies that make great pets.