Temperament
Lhasa Apsos are naturally happy, playful, and mischievous dogs. However, Lhasas are very intelligent and are known for being very independent. Because of these traits, they are often hard to train and can be rather manipulative of their owners. When properly socialized and trained, Lhasa Apsos make good family dogs, though like most small dogs they tend to associate with the adults of a family rather than the children. Lhasas require 20-30 minutes of daily exercise, making them good apartment dogs.
Originally bred as indoor watchdogs in Tibet, Lhasas have very keen hearing. However, unlike many other dogs who bark at seemingly nothing, Lhasas are capable of distinguishing everyday noise from out-of-the-ordinary sounds. An owner may go days or weeks without hearing a bark from the dog.
As one of the fourteen ancient dog breeds, Lhasas have excellent health. The most serious health problem affecting the breed is renal dysplasia, a usually fatal kidney condition. Renal dysplasia is usually detected in puppies by breeders, and responsible breeders will not sell these dogs. In addition, because of their rather profuse coats, Lhasas need regular grooming. If a Lhasa is not properly groomed, it can suffer from matting.
History
For centuries, Lhasa Apsos served as indoor watchdogs in the Buddhist temples of Tibet. To this day, the Dalai Lama often provide Lhasa Apso puppies to visiting dignitaries.
The heavy coat of Lhasas can also be explained by the geographical features of Tibet: the temperature frequently drops below freezing thus making it hard for a dog to survive without sufficient insulation. Lhasas were rarely groomed by their owners thus allowing the breed to adapt to the harsh weather, although when they are in warm climates, such as the southwestern U.S., many owners prefer to have the coats trimmed (the so-called "pet clip").
In 1901, Mrs. A. McLaren Morrison brought the Lhasa Apso to the UK where it was registered as an official breed in The Kennel Club in 1902.[citation needed]
The original American pair was a gift from Thubten Gyatso, 13th Dalai Lama to C. Suydam Cutting, arriving in the United States in the early 1930s. The American Kennel Club officially accepted the breed in 1935 in the Terrier group, and in 1959 transferred the breed to the Non-Sporting group.
Recently, DNA analysis has identified the Lhasa Apso as one of the 14 most ancient dog breeds.
In the 1950s the Lhasa Apso and Maltese were accidentally bred creating a type of dog that later became known as the Kyi-Leo rare dog breed in the 1970s.
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