The Lhasa Aspo is a small yet sturdy dog. It has a dense, long double hair coat and is known for being playful and happy while also mischievous and independent. If you are thinking about bringing home Lhasa Aspo puppies or a full-grown Lhasa Aspo dog, it's a good idea to learn more about the breed and their needs.
Originally from Tibet, the Lhasa Aspo dog breed was first used as a watchdog for monasteries and palaces. Today, the Lhasa doesn't guard castles, but the breed still makes a great family companion who will protect you and your whole family from potential danger.
While the breed is considered a purebred dog, you may also find them available from rescue groups and shelters.
When it comes to Lhasa Apso temperament, you will find the breed has a huge amount of confidence. They are called the "bark lion sentinel dog" or abso seng kye in Tibet due to their attitude toward life.
You can talk to any Lhasa Apso owner and they are sure to tell you that this little dog is smart, although their high intelligence and independent attitude often means they can be a challenge to train.
With that in mind, their faithfulness and charm make these dogs more than worth it if you are up to the challenge they present. Due to their fierce loyalty, this pup will always have your back, even though they may be a bit aloof when strangers first come around. This isn't surprising since these dogs were initially bred to protect places and monasteries from intruders.
It's worth noting that Lhasa Apso puppies may take as much as three years to fully mature emotionally; however, if you are dedicated to their development and utilize plenty of positive reinforcement and praise, you can channel their energy into learning all new things. The breed also excels in agility training courses, with some being used for herding livestock or working as a therapy dog.
Along with being lovable pets, the Lhasas are extremely versatile and can easily participate and do well in several events, including scent work, dock diving, agility, rally, and obedience.
The Lhasa Apso is extremely loyal to their tribe. They will do well in homes with adults and children if their boundaries are respected. The breed can make a great family pet, even for homes with small children, so long as the children fully understand that the dog does need some space. When properly trained and socialized, your Lhasa will get along well with other dogs or pets; however, they do enjoy being the boss.
Your Lhasa will tolerate being left alone for reasonable amounts of time, but if you have neighbours nearby, know that the breed's barking can be somewhat disturbing while you are away. While this isn't a "yappy" breed, your pup will be sure to alert you to any unexpected people, sounds, or situations with their excellent hearing. While their small size may make you think they would be good apartment dogs, their loud barking will probably make you think otherwise.
It's important to make sure your Lhasa gets at least a 20-minute walk one or two times per day and some time to play either indoors or outdoors. This is especially important during the puppy stage.
New owners of this breed need to remain patient and understand it can take your new pup some time to adjust to their new surroundings. Since the Lhasa Apso lifespan is up to 15 years, you can feel confident that your pup will have plenty of time to spend with you and get to know your family.
When it comes to grooming, you may wonder – do Lhasa Apso shed, or are Lhasa Apso hypoallergenic? These are both good questions. Yes, they shed, and no, they are not hypoallergenic.
It's important to realize that this breed is considered high maintenance when it comes to grooming. While the shedding isn't excessive, it does happen and, without proper grooming, the dog's long hair can become matted and tangled. It's recommended that you brush your Lhasa Apso daily and bathe them bi-monthly. You may also want to consider the "puppy cut" style for your pup, as it is easy to maintain.
Your dog will have other basic grooming needs, too. For example, you should brush their teeth regularly and trim their nails. Most experts recommend brushing your dog's teeth each day if you can; just be sure to use dog-safe toothpaste since human toothpaste is toxic to your pup. Their ears will also need to be cleaned and checked often.
Factors that impact how long Lhasa Apsos live are varied. While the breed is a relatively healthy one, some health problems may arise. Some of the most common health concerns with this breed include:
While this is true, if your dog is properly cared for, it will live a long, happy life. There are some dogs of this breed that have been reported to live into their 20s.
If you choose to purchase your Lhasa from a breeder, make sure that you find a reputable one dedicated to their animals' health. Also, breeders should be able to show you the lineage records that prove their dogs are healthy and suitable for breeding.
Along with regular check-ups with a vet, you also need to provide your dog with healthy food. It's important to choose options that include high-quality ingredients. Make sure you also monitor their exercise and food intake, which are crucial parts of ensuring that your pup does not gain too much weight. If you aren't sure how much food to give your dog, you should consult with their vet for guidance.
As you can see from the information here, the Lhasa Apso is a great dog for families and will be a lifelong companion. With proper care, regular vet check-ups, and plenty of interaction, you can feel confident that your new four-legged friend will be happy and healthy. Getting to know as much as you can about a dog breed before adopting a new family member is a great way to ensure they get the care they need and deserve to thrive.
Keep the information above in mind to know what to expect when you bring a Lhasa Apso home and you will be rewarded with a loyal life companion.
Hip Dysplasia is an inherited condition that means the thighbone doesn’t fit snuggly in the hip joint.
The symptoms are generally pain and lameness which will vary in severity and can be present in one or both rear legs.
Sadly, it’s not uncommon for the disorder to lead to hip replacement.
Make sure you ask any breeder if the puppy’s parents have been tested and cleared for Hip Dysplasia. If they have not, or the issue is present in one or both, find another breeder.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a family of eye diseases that involves the gradual deterioration of the retina.
Early in the disease, affected dogs become night-blind, with the loss of sight during the day occurring as the disease progresses.
Unfortunately, there is no treatment, but it is known that the condition doesn’t cause any pain or discomfort and most dogs will adapt well to their limited or lost vision, so long as their surroundings and environment stay the same.
Patellar Luxation is a relatively common problem that occurs when the patella is not properly lined up. This causes the Femur (thigh bone), Patella (kneecap), and Tibia (calf) to slip out of place. When this happens, the dog will generally skip or hop.
There are four grades, ranging from I, an occasional luxation causing temporary lameness in the joint, to grade IV, in which the turning of the tibia is severe, and patella cannot be realigned manually.
The constant rubbing caused by this issue can lead to arthritis, a degenerative joint disease and severe levels of Patella luxation may require surgery to avoid further issues and pain.
Glaucoma is a condition that causes pressure on the eye, causing inadequate fluid drainage. If untreated, or it becomes chronic, it can cause permanent damage to the optic nerve, eventually resulting in blindness.
Unfortunately, 40% of dogs with Glaucoma become blind in the affected eye within the first year, regardless of treatment.
Dogs suffer from allergies in much the same way that humans do with the three main types being food, contact, and inhalant.
As the saying goes – prevention is better than a cure.
Treatment for food allergies is as simple as eliminating certain foods from their diets.
Contact allergies can be anything from shampoos, to flea powders, and other chemicals. If you notice your pet has had a reaction, try a new product with different ingredients.
Inhalant allergies are caused by airborne allergens such as pollen and dust. This is a difficult one to avoid, but you can try to do so with vet recommended medications and environmental changes.