A Guide to the Luxurious Lhaso-Apso Dog What Makes This Unique Breed Special

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Lhasa-Apso dog photo
Small Breed X-Small Breed Hip Dysplasia Lhasa Apso

Is the Lhasa Apso Right for You?

  • 1 The Lhasa Apso dog breed is a small dog with a big personality.
  • 2 Lhasa Apsos are known to be mistrustful of strangers and fiercely loyal to those they know and love.
  • 3 Adopting Lhasa Apso puppies requires patience during training and socialization which will pay off in the long run.

HISTORY

Tracing their origin back to the Himalayan Mountains of Tibet hundreds of years ago, Lhasa Apsos have been considered sacred for centuries. They were used as watchdogs over the various temples of Tibet, and were also thought to be tokens of good fortune. Having not made their way to the United States until 1933, they were not recognized by the AKC until 1935.

Quick Facts

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    Size

    Toy/Small

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    Lifespan

    12 to 18 years

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    Hair Length

    Long

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    Male Height

    10 to 11 inches at the shoulders

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    Male Weight

    14 and 16 pounds

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    Female Height

    9 to 10 inches at the shoulders

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    Female Weight

    12 and 14 pounds

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    Litter Size

    Average is 4-5 puppies

Personality

An intelligent, confident, companionable, and determined dog, the Lhasa Apso is a very loving, responsive dog that enjoys pleasing their master. Having superb auditory skills, the Lhasa Apso makes for a great watchdog. They are also very versatile in terms of acceptable climate. The only thing to look out for is that they donโ€™t develop a condition known as โ€œsmall dog syndrome,โ€ which is when a small dog is not given the necessary boundaries and begins to view themself as the leader of the pack. This can cause your Lhasa to bark uncontrollably, as well as become violent with strangers and other pets. .

Color

The Lhasa Apso can be seen in solid golden, sandy, honey, red, dark grizzle, slate or smoke, black, parti color, white, brown, and combinations of these colors.

Health Concerns

The average life expectancy of the Lhasa Apso is between 15 and 18 years. Some of the most common health problems that affect the Lhasa Apso are:

Appearance

The Lhasa Apso is a tiny, sturdy dog with a long, thick double coat that covers their body. Their hair grows long, but is often kept short for ease of grooming. Their muzzle is relatively short, with a dark mustache and beard encompassing their little mouth. Their ears are long and run down the side of their head, with dense, feathered fur covering them. On average, the Lhasa Apso is no more than 11 inches tall and they weigh around 14 pounds.

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