Originally treasured by the monks within the royal temples of Tibet, the Lhasa Apso can be wary of strangers. However, with training and patience the independent Lhasa Apso can be nurtured into an affectionate family pet who’s always happy to play.
Facts & advice
Lhasa Apso
A hardy little dog with plenty of affection to go around
Vital stats
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| Size: | Small |
| Coat: | Double coat, requires daily grooming |
| Exercise | Up to 1 hour a day for adult dogs |
| Life span: | 12 years |
| Breed group: | Utility |
| Temperament: | Playful, fearless, assertive |
Lhasa Apso temperament & personality
Bred as a watchdog for Tibet’s royal palaces and temples, Lhasa Apsos are protective but playful family pets.
- Lhasa Apsos’ instinct is to guard, so these small dogs can be very vocal!
- A loyal breed, the Lhasa Apso loves nothing more than playing with its “pack” and makes a fun and loving family pet.
- Naturally independent, Lhasa Apsos have a tendency to do their own thing and test their boundaries, so they require a firm but fair owner.
Lhasa Apso training & exercise
Lhasas are not high energy dogs and are quite content to entertain themselves, but their independence can make training a challenge.
Training tips
- Strong-willed and independent, Lhasa Apsos need a strong and consistent hand when it comes to training.
- Lhasa Apsos are notoriously tricky to housetrain, so crate training is recommended to set some boundaries.
- Their playful nature means that your Lhasa might not take training sessions seriously. It’s important to be patient and keep training consistent to get through to your independent pup.
Exercise
- These small dogs are quite content to be lapdogs, but this can make them prone to obesity so it’s crucial they get daily exercise in the form of two 30 minute walks daily.
- The Lhasa Apso is still a playful and intelligent breed, and will need short daily walks and plenty of playtime to keep them engaged.
Keeping them happy
- A Lhasa Apso is a great choice for those with less space; they’re quite content to roam the house and play with their toys independently.
- Lhasas aren’t the most child-friendly breed, being quick to react to rough play, so are better suited to households with older children.
- Being a natural watchdog, Lhasa Apso is very wary of strangers and will take a while to warm up to new people and animals.
- Lhasa Apsos have the mentality of a much larger breed, so they’ll take any chance they can get to be leader of the pack, with dogs and humans alike.
Game ideas
- Lhasa Apsos love to fetch, so grab a toy and get playing!
- Lhasa Apsos also have a penchant for digging. Take them to the beach or fill up a sand pit and let them dig up their favourite toy.
Common Lhasa Apso health conditions
Like all breeds, Lhasa Apsos are prone to certain conditions, and choosing a reputable breeder or rehoming organisation should be the first step to having a happy and healthy dog. To help you be more aware and prepared for the most common health issues, if they should arise, we have put together some information on the health issues that we see the most in Lhasa Apsos.
Cushing's disease occurs when an excessive amount of cortisol (or 'steroid') builds up in a dog's body. This can happen naturally or as a side-effect of the long-term use of corticosteroid medication. Either way, the ongoing increase of this hormone leads to a significant disruption in normal metabolism. Cushing's can be managed and controlled using medication, allowing the dog to continue to live a normal life.
Eye problems are very common in dogs. Dry eye, for example, occurs when a dog isn’t producing sufficient tears, and results in a chronic inflammation of the surface structures of the eye. Another common, painful eye irritation is corneal ulceration, which happens when the surface of the cornea is grazed as a result of scratches from other animals or vegetation, or because of foreign material in the eye, chemicals, heat or smoke, or infection. ‘Cherry eye’ is the name given when a dog’s tear production gland has prolapsed. Overall, treatment depends on the type and severity of eye problem (cherry eye, for example, requires surgery). Some treatments may be required for life to keep the dog’s vision in good health.
Gum disease occurs when some (or all) of a tooth’s deep supporting structures become inflamed. This begins when food, bacteria and minerals accumulate along the gum line, leading to the build-up of a brown scale known as tartar. When this undermines the gum the condition is called gingivitis. Eventually, small spaces can form between the gums and the teeth creating pockets of space for bacteria to grow, resulting in what is known as periodontal disease. The bacteria from infected gums can spread around the body and damage the liver and kidneys. This condition can be prevented by brushing the teeth and ensuring dental descales, helping the dog to lead a normal, pain-free life.
The kneecap (or ‘patella’) sits in a groove at the end of the femur (thigh bone). A dislocating (or ‘luxating’) kneecap is one that pops out of its groove. A relatively common condition in Lhasa Apsos and other small breeds, dislocation happens because the alignment of the bones from the hip through the knee to the ankle is not straight, which pulls the kneecap to one side. Treatment depends on the severity of the condition, but surgery may be required to reduce the likelihood of arthritis and enable the dog to live a normal life.
The skin is the largest organ of a dog’s body and a number of disorders can affect it. Like other dogs, Lhasa Apsos can suffer from allergies that lead to dermatitis (skin inflammation). Allergies can be caused by many different items, including things that are inhaled (such as pollen or dust mites), items that are eaten (for example, wheat), items that the dog comes into contact with (for example, washing powders), or bites from parasites such as fleas. Another skin problem, pyoderma (meaning ‘infection of the skin’) is usually caused by bacteria, fungi (‘ringworm’) or yeasts. Skin disorders can be managed using various treatments, usually required long-term, which means the dog can get on with enjoying life.
Lhasa Apso grooming
With its long, luscious coats the regal Lhasa can be quite high maintenance when it comes to grooming. The luxurious top coat hides a dense undercoat for winter warmth, and is topped with a jaunty plumed tail.
- The long, dense Lhasa Apso coat harks back to their mountain dwelling days, and requires daily brushing to keep it smooth and tangle-free.
- Many owners opt to clip their Lhasa Apso’s flowing top coat to make maintenance easier.
- Lhasa Apsos tend to need regular baths (around every two to four weeks).
- Despite their long fur, Lhasa Apsos are usually relatively low shedders.
Lhasa Apso nutrition
Lhasa Apsos should have a diet consisting of appropriate natural proteins and healthy fats.
- a small dog, Lhasa Apsos can be prone to piling on the pounds so their portion sizes and mealtimes should be consistent and closely monitored.
- Lhasa Apsos can have sensitive tummies, so it’s best to avoid grains such as corn and wheat which are common allergens.
- Adult Lhasa Apsos do best when fed twice per day.
What to know before you buy or rehome a Lhasa Apso
Considering welcoming a loyal and loving Lhasa Apso into your home? Before you buy or adopt one, here are a few important things to remember
- Lhasa Apsos are a protective breed by nature so tend to be wary of strangers and can be very vocal without careful socialisation.
- Housetraining your Lhasa Apso can take a while, and obedience can also be a challenge for this independent breed, so be prepared to commit to plenty of training sessions.
- Whilst they are hardy, Lhasa Apsos can be quick to react if they’re not happy so aren’t a good choice for households with younger children.
- Choose a licensed and reputable Lhasa Apso breeder if you’re buying a puppy. ‘Lucy’s Law’ dictates that new puppies or kittens must be bought directly from a breeder or adopted from rescue. Third party sellers are illegal.
- Like all dogs, Lhasa Apsos can suffer from a range of health conditions so always look carefully at the veterinary cover provided when shopping around for pet insurance as not all policies are the same.
Lhasa Apso frequently asked questions
Lhasa Apsos don’t tend to shed, making them an ideal choice for those who suffer from allergies. However, because of their low shedding qualities, Lhasa Apsos long, flowing coat needs lots of attention to keep it in top condition. You should expect to brush your Lhasa Apso daily to prevent any tangles or matts from forming, as well as regular trips to a professional groomer.
Whilst Lhasa Apso are not as boisterous as some breeds, they still have a playful nature, especially as puppies. Lhasa Apso owners usually start to see their dogs calm down at around 3 years old, but this small companion breed will never fully lose their fun-loving streak.
Whether you’re looking to adopt a Lhasa Apso or buy a puppy, it’s important to make sure you’re getting your pet from a reputable organisation or breeder. If you’re looking to adopt, you can use Petplan’s rehoming directory to find an organisation. If you want to buy a puppy, make sure you find a reputable breeder.
Lhasa Apsos tend to need a strong and consistent hand when it comes to training. As an independent breed, Lhasa Apsos can be a little wilful and may take longer to weigh up commands. As they are playful by nature, Lhasa Apsos also have a tendency to treat training sessions as playtime and it can be hard to get them to take lessons seriously. However, with consistency and patience Lhasa Apsos can be as well-trained as any other breed.
Whilst they love attention from their owners, Lhasa Apsos tend to be more independent than some other dog breeds and are happy to entertain themselves. This breed is less prone to separation anxiety and makes an ideal pet if you’re likely to be out and about a little more. However, your Lhasa Apso will love spending time with you and you should make sure they’re not alone for more than a few hours at a time.
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Lhasa Apso insurance considerations
Most Lhasa Apsos live long and happy lives, but they can suffer from specific health problems, such as joint problems and skin conditions. That’s why it’s important that when choosing dog insurance, you consider the length of time policies cover different conditions. Petplan’s Covered For Life® plans refresh the veterinary fees each year allowing you to claim for ongoing conditions for the rest of your pet’s life providing there is no break in cover.
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
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