Breed Profile: Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa apso’s lineage is not known concretely, but the breed is believed to have descended from the Tibetan terrier, a shaggy herding dog of Tibet. A selection for dwarfism among these terriers created a dog with a slightly shortened muzzle and lower-stationed, slightly bent legs with a heavy coat and a tail carried up over the back. These little dogs date back to 800 BCE. and were presented to guests as tokens of luck and friendship because they were believed to bring peace and prosperity to households. When Tibet converted to Buddhism in the seventh century CE, Lhasas served as watchdogs and companions in the homes of Tibetan nobility and in lamas’ monasteries. Lhasas also were given as gifts by Dalai Lamas for centuries as tokens of esteem and good fortune. The breed was unknown outside of Tibet until the 16th century, when trade began with the Manchu Dynasty of China.

The first Lhasa apsos arrived in the United States in the 1930s, when the 13th Dalai Lama gave a pair to visiting Americans. The breed was first registered with the AKC in 1935 and remains a favored companion and watchdog in the United States and many other nations.

The following description is of an “ideal” Lhasa. Not all Lhasas will fit the description exactly, but that’s not an issues unless you want one who can participate in dog shows.

The Lhasa is intelligent, friendly, and assertive. Naturally playful and inquisitive, he is devoted to his owners, but he tends to be wary of strangers at first until he is certain that they mean no harm.

Here are some traits to consider when determining how well a Lhasa is going to fit in with you and your family.

The Lhasa apso is happy and confident and an affectionate companion. Your Lhasa lives to be near you and has an uncanny ability to sense your mood and respond accordingly, providing comfort when you are sad and bright enthusiasm when you are happy. He also has a tendency toward possessiveness, not just of his toys or territory but of his people, and he can be protective of those he loves. The Lhasa apso can get along well with children as long as they are instructed on the proper way to interact with a dog.

Though Lhasas are well suited for apartment living, their watchdog tendencies lead them to bark often at anything they deem unusual, which may be problematic for those with neighbors living close by. A Lhasa will bark whenever he sees, hears, or smells something out of the ordinary in warning to his humans. Also, multi-dog households are not ideal for this breed, as Lhasas tend to become jealous of other pets and possessive of their owners, and a fearless Lhasa will not hesitate to challenge a dog twice his size. The Lhasa also is an avid climber who exhibits predatory behavior, often catching and eating large insects, small rodents, or even birds. The ideal environment for a Lhasa is one in which an owner is present to spend time with and keep an eye on him.

Smaller dogs such as the Lhasa apso do not require a great deal of exercise. A Lhasa is likely to get enough exercise to stay healthy and exert energy simply by playing and moving around indoors. However, regular walks outdoors with his owner are ideal because they serve as a source of exercise and provide an opportunity for the dog to spend time with his owner.

Though Lhasa apsos are very intelligent and can be well trained using the proper methods, centuries of learning to be self-reliant in Tibet have given this dog a mind of his own, and he does not always submit easily to having someone tell him what he can and cannot do. A Lhasa often may test the boundaries of permitted behavior just to see whether he can get away with it. Establishing your role as the household leader is particularly important with a Lhasa. Start training him early in his life with short, interesting, and highly positive sessions—and a great deal of patience—to yield the best results.