Petmanacs.com
Pets Articles Complete List of Pet Articles @ PetManiacs.com | Home

SHOP for PET SUPPLIES
Birds Cats Dogs
Fish & Aquatic Pets Reptiles & Amphibians Small Animals

Thinking of Getting a Lhasa Apso Dog?


One of the cutest looking dogs around is the Lhasa Apso. The puppies especially are just irresistible but before one decides to purchase a Lhasa just because the kids are begging for one, there are some things that should be known about this particular breed. Historically, Lhasa Apsos were kept by the monasteries and nobility in Tibet as indoor watch dogs. They would sleep by their masters and with their high intelligence plus keen sense of hearing, would warn of any intruders. Lhasa Apsos were never bought or sold in Tibet. Instead, the Dalai Lama sent Lhasa Apsos in pairs to the emperors of China as gifts. High ranking visitors to Tibet also received them as gifts.

They are also referred to as the little bark sentinel lion dogs since fully grown Lhasa Apsos could resemble small lions with all their hair. Lhasa Apso dogs can also behave very much like lions exhibiting no fear when confronted by strangers or even larger dogs. Despite its small size with adult females reaching 12 to 16 pounds and adult males ranging from 14 to 18 pounds, they are extremely hardy as well as rugged. Having existed in the extreme temperatures of Tibet for centuries, they are well suited for and actually enjoy romps in the snow. They are also long lived. Both of my Lhasa Apsos lived past the age of fifteen years. I have heard reports of others living even longer. In appearance, the Lhasa Apso is very similar to the Shih Tzu breed. The face of a Lhasa Apso is not as flat as that of the Shih Tzu. It is believed that the Chinese crossed the Lhasa Apso with the Pekinese which resulted in the Shih Tzu with its flatter face.

One thing that all prospective owners should definitely know is that having a fur ball like a Lhasa Apso will require lots of maintenance. The long hair of this breed requires constant care. If left unattended even for a few days, the Lhasa Apso hair will mat up in clumps that cannot be untangled. Their floppy ears are also prone to infections and their eyes can develop problems. If a prospective owner is not willing to make a commitment to the high maintenance of a Lhasa Apso, a shorter hair breed is recommended.

The Lhasa Apso is considered by some breeders to be more stubborn and difficult to train than other dogs. Do not let all that cuteness give you the wrong impression as they are the little lion dogs after all. This breed has been revered and highly regarded for centuries in Asia. The genetics may have resulted in some arrogance in them. One must be assertive in the proper training of the Lhasa Apso as this breed will test the new master. Lhasa Apsos are completely loyal and affectionate with their masters but many will not be fond of strangers no matter how obedient they are. This may be part of their watch dog tendency. One of my Lhasa Apsos was quite friendly with visitors but the other one wouldn't even acknowledge their presence.

The breed may also not be appropriate with small children. Small children may get clumsy and accidentally poke Lhasas in the eyes or squeeze them too hard. Lhasas will not take this behavior lightly as they are not as patient with kids compared to say Labrador retrievers. Some Lhasas have been known to bite clumsy kids. Lhasa Apso dogs can be very good with children as long as they are treated with respect and care.

Despite these characteristics of the Lhasa Apso, they are excellent dogs to have as they can be one of the most loyal companions as long as it is recognized that they are high maintenance and may not be suitable for some families.

Clint Leung is a long time Lhasa Apso lover and owner of Free Spirit Gallery http://www.FreeSpiritGallery.ca, an online gallery specializing in Inuit Eskimo and Northwest Native American art including carvings, sculpture and prints. Free Spirit Gallery has numerous information resource articles with photos of authentic Inuit and Native Indian art as well as free eCards.


MORE RESOURCES:
familypets - Google News
Firefighters Rescue Family's Pets - WXII The Triad

Firefighters Rescue Family's Pets
WXII The Triad
WINSTON-SALEM -- Four pets that were inside a burning house last Friday on Brierwood Street were rescued by firefighters who had responded to the call. ...

and more »
Two pit bulls euthanized after attack on family pets - Lompoc Record

Two pit bulls euthanized after attack on family pets
Lompoc Record
Dennis Kozlowski, middle, and his wife, Marian, right, pose for a picture with their daughter-in-law, Marlo, left, and several of their miniature pinschers ...

and more »
Schwarzenegger proclaims September 2010 as Disaster Preparedness Month - Lake County News

Schwarzenegger proclaims September 2010 as Disaster Preparedness Month
Lake County News
... who you've identified as an out-of-state family contact; how to get emergency information in your community; and how to take care of your family pets. ...

and more »
Police warn residents: Roaming pit bulls are attacking family pets - Ct Post

Police warn residents: Roaming pit bulls are attacking family pets
Ct Post
ANSONIA -- The Police Department has set up traps to capture three roaming pit bulls believed to be involved in attacks on domestic animals, according to ...

and more »
Group helps to heal shelter animals - Ultimate Woodlands (blog)

Ultimate Woodlands (blog)

Group helps to heal shelter animals
Ultimate Woodlands (blog)
"He was obviously someone's family pet, because he will sit and shake his paw," Ostlund said. "He knows how to use the doggy door. ...

and more »
House fire claims family's cat - Daily Mail - Charleston

House fire claims family's cat
Daily Mail - Charleston
A fire at a South Charleston home has left a family pet dead. Capt. William Tillis of the South Charleston Fire Department said they found the Sutherland ...

and more »
Family pets perish in morning fire - WISH

Fox 59

Family pets perish in morning fire
WISH
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A family of three escaped their burning home on Indianapolis' east side Friday morning. Firefighters are crediting an Indianapolis ...
13 WTHRFamily loses several pets in house fireWTHR

all 6 news articles »
OTC meds pose great danger to family pets - Jackson Clarion Ledger

OTC meds pose great danger to family pets
Jackson Clarion Ledger
Having a pet sure can change a person's life. Let me rephrase that. Having an energetic, frisky puppy is a test of wills, commitment and finances. ...

and more »
A Dog's Life? - Petaluma Argus Courier (blog)

Petaluma Argus Courier (blog)

A Dog's Life?
Petaluma Argus Courier (blog)
Spectator Family pets, be they dogs or cats, by definition, are part of the family. When they die, the loss can be keenly felt. Much has been written about ...

Family pets perish in Heidelberg unit fire - Heildelberg Leader

Family pets perish in Heidelberg unit fire
Heildelberg Leader
Two people escaped the fire in the Hodgson St unit, but the family pets remained inside while emergency services fought the fire, which started about 10pm. ...

and more »
RSS integration by RSSinclude


PetManiacs.com's Free! Pet Classified Ads
Click here to Post your ads | View by Location | View by Subject
Click here to Post your ads | View by Location | View by Subject


Pet Website Owners Wanted



SHOP for PET SUPPLIES
Birds Cats Dogs
Fish & Aquatic Pets Reptiles & Amphibians Small Animals


Pet Maniacs home | site map | Pet Article List
© 2006