Where to get a lhasa apso

Lhasa comes from the city in Tibet and apso is a Tibetan word that loosely translates to "dog. The Lhasa is known for her long, straight, dense coat and signature hair part that gives her a lion-like mane to match her lionhearted spirit. Owners should expect to brush their dogs regularly to keep them happy and healthy for the duration of their above-average lifespan. Full-grown male Lhasa apsos are about 10—11 inches tall and weigh 12—18 pounds, while female pups are slightly smaller.

Their luscious locks grows long, so you might want to tie up their flowy hairdo with a scrunchie or give them a sweet "puppy cut" to keep fur out of their eyes. They have black and brown button noses, long beards if their hair is kept long , and slightly longer snouts than similar snub-nosed dogs like the Pekingese. Lhasas have confidence and chutzpah to spare, so much so that they are known as abso seng kye "bark lion sentinel dog" in Tibet, where they were first bred.

Ask any Lhasa apso owner and they'll tell you about this little dog's smarts, though her high intelligence and independent nature can mean she's tougher to train. That said, Evans points out that their charm and faithfulness make these dogs "worth it if you're up to the challenge. Lhasa apso puppies can take up to three years to mature emotionally.

However, with a dedicated owner and lots of praise and positive reinforcement , their energy can be channeled into learning new things.

Lhasa apsos excel in agility training courses and some have even been known to herd livestock or work as therapy dogs. Lhasas are loyal to their tribe and do well with adults and children who respect their boundaries. If properly socialized and trained, Lhasas can get along with other dogs and pets, but know that the Lhasa can like to be the boss. Lhasas will tolerate being left alone for reasonable periods of time, but think twice if you have neighbors who would be disturbed by any warning barking while you're away.

Their small size might make them seem like ideal apartment dogs , but their bark might prove otherwise. Lhasas need a moderate amount of exercise. A minute walk once or twice a day and some playtime in the house or yard, especially during the puppy stage, will do. The ideal Lhasa owner is someone with "a sense of humor, intelligence, and who likes interacting with their pet," Evans says. Malaysia Bahasa. Netherlands - Nederland. New Zealand. Norway - Norge. Philippines English. Poland - Polska.

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United Kingdom. United Arab Emirates English. United States. For Dogs. For Cats. About Hill's. Media Press Releases Media Kit. Other Careers. Pet Care Center. Lhasa Apso At a glance. Size: Weight Range : Male: lbs. Female: lbs. Height at Withers: Male: 11 in. Here are more interesting facts about the Lhasa Apso:. The Lhasa Apso has a long history in his country of origin, Tibet. They have existed at least since the year A.

Lhasa is actually the capital of Tibet. Lhasas guarded Tibetan dwellings from the inside — while Mastiffs guarded outside — and would bark to alert the humans of any potential intruders.

The Lhasa Apso was also associated with the mythical Snow Lion , which Tibetans believe to be a guardian of their country. Tibetan Buddhists believe in reincarnation, and they believe that in the stages of reincarnation, a dog often comes right before a human. According to their religion, the souls of lamas, or priests, are frequently reborn as Lhasa Apsos just before they are reborn as humans. Lhasa Apsos were often given as gifts in Tibet. They can be a little warier of strangers.

Grooming on a daily basis is required to keep their long coats in tip-top condition and prevent matting. Owners are, understandably, upset when their dog develops a health problem linked to its breed.

The potential health problems that Lhasa Apsos are prone to include:. Lhasa Apsos need around an hour of exercise per day. They are known to be quite stubborn, so sometimes training can be a bit more of a challenge. Plenty of practice and patience should overcome this — for training tips take a look at our dog behaviour page.

The likely lifetime costs for a Lhasa Apso are based on estimates calculated using current market prices and include:. The list above does not include veterinary costs if your pet becomes sick or injured, so these average lifetime costs could be even higher.

PDSA Pet Insurance can give you peace of mind when your pet is poorly, especially for breeds like Lhasa Apsos that are prone to certain conditions.