Should you get a Lhasa Apso?
For dog lovers who appreciate a unique and ancient breed, the Lhasa Apso is sure to capture your interest. Originating in Tibet many years ago, these small dogs were bred to serve as companions to monks and nobility. With their distinctive appearance and loyal personality, the Lhasa Apso has become a beloved breed around the world. In this blog post, we’ll explore 14 interesting facts about the Lhasa Apso dog breed that might make you fall in love with these pups.
Lhasa Apsos have a rich history
that dates back to 800 BC in Tibet, where they were originally bred as guard dogs and companions for Buddhist monks. The breed was highly regarded in Tibet, and it was believed that the Lhasa Apso was a reincarnation of the lion, which is a sacred animal in Buddhist culture.
Lhasa Apsos were specifically bred
to be indoor dogs and were trained to alert their owners to any potential dangers, such as intruders or wild animals. They were also trained to be independent thinkers and were given the freedom to make their own decisions in times of danger, which made them highly effective guard dogs.
The Lhasa Apso first appeared
in the Western world in the early 1900s, when they were brought to England as gifts from the Dalai Lama. They quickly gained popularity among dog enthusiasts in Europe and the United States and were eventually recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club in 1935. Today, Lhasa Apsos remain a beloved breed among dog enthusiasts and owners, thanks to their unique history, intelligence, and loyalty.
In Landmark Research on Modern Dog Breed
development, the Lhasa Apso has been shown to share the most DNA with an ancestor of the following breeds:
Shih Tzu
Pekingese
Tibetan Spaniel
Many people are surprised to learn that
the Lhasa Apso was named for the capital of Tibet, but the breed does not hail from this city. In fact, it was first bred not in Lhasa at all, but in the mountains surrounding the capital. Some experts believe the word “apso” comes from Tibetan word for goat, “rapso”, due to the rather goat-like-woolly fur on the dog.
According to AKC Breed Standard
the Lhasa Apso can reach up to 11 inches in height and up to 18 pounds in weight. All colors are accepted by breed standard.
The Lhasa Apso also goes by
it’s Tibetan name “‘Abso Seng Kye”, which roughly translates to Bark Lion Sentinel Dog-because they were used to guard the inside of Tibetan structures. Tibetan Buddhists believe the Lhasa Apso is the reincarnation of priests before they are reborn in human form.
Growing Up Lhasa Apso
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The AKC Conducts Dog Racing Trials
each December in Orlando, FL. called the Fast CAT Invitational. This is a 100 yard race where dogs run individually chasing a lure. The average running speed by Lhasa Apsos is about 15 mph. The fastest recorded speed by a Lhasa Apso was by a dog named Max English at 18.14 mph!
Because they have the
genetics to have a huge combination of coat colors and combinations, the Lhasa Apso has a nickname of “jellybean dog”. They are also known as a very low-shedding dog breed. They have a double coat that consists of a rough outer coat and a soft undercoat, which regulates their body temperature throughout the year.
The CBARQ Dog Temperament Research
study, conducted at the University of Pennsylvania, is a giant study of over 300 dog breeds and 60,000 individual dogs. In this study, the Lhasa Apso ranks 6 out of 124 breeds in displaying dog rivalry. They may act hostile or threatening towards other dogs in the house and tend to be very “competitive” with them. They may require training and supervision to lessen this trait.
In this Same Research
the Lhasa Apso ranks VERY high (5 out of 124 breeds) in displaying fear when approached by another dog. They tend to avoid meeting/interreacting with unfamiliar dogs. They also rank high in being fearful of unfamiliar places, sounds and objects.
Lhasa Apso Humor!
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In the Landmark Book
entitled, “The Intelligence of Dogs”, professor Stanley Coren researched and documented the intelligence of over 130 different dog breeds. In his book, the Lhasa Apso ranks 68 out of 138 breeds in working/obedience intelligence. Essentially this means they will learn new commands in 40 to 80 repetitions and obey first commands more than 30% of the time. This puts them in the “fair working and obedience intelligence” category. In contrast, the most intelligent breeds will learn the same command in 5 repetitions or less!
Lhasa Apsos Have an Average
lifespan of 12-15 years, with many living into their 20’s. The oldest Lhasa Apso was 29 years old! They are a relatively health breed bur are prone to certain health conditions such as:
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca
Sebaceous Adenitis
The Lhasa Apso has paws
that are rounder and more compact than regular dog feet. They also have a short third bone and their toes are slightly arched-similar to a cats paw. Other breeds, such as the Giant Schnauzer, Leonberger and Wirehaired Viszla also have feet that are described as “cat feet”.
Take a Fun Lhasa Apso Quiz!
