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The Lhasa Apso is a small breed of dog originally from Tibet. They were used as watchdogs inside Tibetan monasteries for over 1200 years, for which they are uniquely suited with keen intelligence, acute hearing, and instincts for identifying friends from strangers.
Appearance: They are generally 10 to 11 inches (25 to
28 cm) at the withers and weigh between 12 and 18 lbs (5 and 9
kg). Lhasas should have dark brown eyes with black
pigmentation on eye rims and a black nose. They have a hard
straight outer coat with soft undercoat (depending upon
weather conditions) which comes in a variety of different
colors. The tail should curl up over the back.
Temperament: Having been bred to be sentinel or
watch dogs, Lhasa Apsos tend to be alert and have a keen sense
of hearing with a rich, sonorous bark that belies their size
(some are known as "singers"). They are bright and
outgoing, but some tend toward wariness of strangers. Wariness
does not mean unwarranted aggressiveness but having a
discerning attitude towards strangers; people approaching the
dog simply need to show that they are a friend.
However, many Lhasas are quite friendly from the first
introduction. If not properly socialized, some may become
aggressive or overly shy toward strangers. Lhasas also have a
very good memory and will hold grudges and often show dislike
to the same people throughout their life if treated wrongly by
them at a young age.
They are very affectionate but can also be very possessive,
independent and bossy little dogs. With their intellect and
sensitivity, Lhasas are not necessarily well suited to
children.
History: It is believed that the breed originated
from Lhasa, the capital of Tibet (hence the name) around 800
BC. These dogs were raised by the aristocratic part of the
Tibetan society and by Tibetan monks in the monasteries. They
were very valuable both spiritually and materialistically. To
be presented with a Lhasa Apso was to be blessed with good
fortune.
Lhasa Apsos have adopted an incentive to be wary of
strangers from their owners, who, due to the geographical
location of Tibet, were also cautious of outsiders. The heavy
coat of Lhasas can also be explained by the geographical
features of Tibet: the temperature frequently drops below
freezing thus making it hard for a dog to survive without
sufficient insulation. Lhasas were rarely groomed by their
owners thus allowing the breed to adapt to the harsh weather.
In 1901 Mrs. A. McLaren Morrison brought the Lhasa Apso to
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland where it was
registered as an official breed in The Kennel Club in 1902.
World War I had a devastating effect on the breed. It has been
reported that as few as 30 Lhasa Apsos may have existed in
Tibet at that time.
The original American pair was a gift from Thubten Gyatso,
13th Dalai Lama to C. Suydam Cutting, arriving in the United
States in the early 1930s. The American Kennel Club officially
accepted the breed in 1935 in the Terrier group, and in 1959
transferred the breed to the Non-Sporting group. Recently, DNA
Analysis has identified the Lhasa Apso as one of the 14 most
ancient dog breeds.
Miscellaneous: Apparently monks believe that Lhasas
are reincarnated lions and as such hold them in high esteem.
Golden Lhasas are said to house the souls of the Dalai Lamas.
Lhasas tend to have a very long lifespan of 15-18 years. The
oldest living dog in history was a Lhasa, documented 29 years
of age in 1939.
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