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The Full Lhasa Apso Description

Lhasas don't expect to be pampered. They are protective of their people and care for them in a dignified but loving manner. In obedience training, positive, repetitive lessons will win the Lhasa over. The Lhasa can be playful and spirited, but also independent.

Did you know?

The Lhasa Apso is from Tibet.

So you want to own a Lhasa Apso?

The Lhasa Apso is known in Tibet as "Bark Lion Sentinel Dog." His primary function was that of a police watchdog. His keen intelligence and acute hearing and instincts for identifying friends from strangers made him uniquely suited for the role of a watchdog.
The Lhasa Apso's coat needs regular grooming.
Due to his small size the Lhasa Apso makes an ideal companion for the apartment dweller.

Indicative Breed Standard

General Appearance

Well balanced, sturdy, heavily coated.

Characteristics

Gay and assertive.

Temperament

Alert, steady but somewhat aloof with strangers.

Head and Skull

Heavy head furnishings with good fall over eyes, good whiskers and beard. Skull moderately narrow, falling away behind eyes, not quite flat, but not domed or apple headed. Straight foreface with medium stop. Nose black. Muzzle about 4 cms (11/2 ins), but not square; length from tip of nose roughly one third total length from nose to back of skull.

Eyes

Dark. Medium size, frontally placed, oval, neither large nor full, nor small and sunk. No white showing at base or top.

Ears

Pendant, heavily feathered.

Mouth

Upper incisors close just inside lower i.e. reverse scissor bite. Incisors in a broad and as straight a line as possible. Full dentition desirable.

Neck

Strong and well arched.

Forequarters

Shoulders well laid back. Forelegs straight, heavily furnished with hair.

Body

Length from point of shoulders to point of buttocks greater than height at withers. Well ribbed. Level topline. Strong loin. Balanced and compact.

Hindquarters

Well developed with good muscle. Good angulation. Heavily furnished with hair. Hocks when viewed from behind parallel and not too close together.

Feet

Round, cat-like with firm pads. Well feathered.

Tail

High-set, carried well over back but not like a pot-hook. Often a kink at end. Well feathered.

Gait/Movement

Free and jaunty.

Coat

Top coat long, heavy, straight, hard neither woolly nor silky. Moderate undercoat.

Colour

Golden, sandy, honey, dark grizzle, slate, smoke, parti-colour, black, white or brown. All equally acceptable.

Size

Ideal height: dogs: 25cms (10 ins) at shoulders; bitches slightly smaller.