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A perfect Family Portrait
A lovely photo of Snap with his new family, Caroline and John.
Lhasa Apso
Breed: Lhasa Apso
Temperament: gentle, aloof
Maintenance: high
Lifespan: 12-14 years
Cost: $1,000 / $1,200
Recommended for: less active mature people
History
The name Lhasa Apso literally means terrier of Tibet (Lhasa is the capital of Tibet). They are also called the lion dog of Tibet. There are four dog breeds that have their origin in Tibet. As well the Lhasa Apso, there is also the Tibetan Spaniel, the Tibetan Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff. Like these the Lhasa Apso was probably developed for its temperament as well as its looks.
The dogs were thought to be a favorite of the Dalai Lama and were often given as gifts to palace visitors. The dogs were exclusive to Tibet for centuries and were not introduced to Europe until the early 1900s where they were exhibited along with Tibetan Spaniels and Tibetan Terriers as one breed. All three breeds were recognized in their own right by the 1930s. The first Lhasa Apso came to Australia in the 1950s.
Appearance
The distinguishing characteristics of the Lhasa Apso are its long thick coat of hair and its small size. The coat grows all over the body, even between the toes. The coat acts as an insulation barrier, keeping the dog warm in winter, cool in summer. The coat will grow to ground length, even covering the eyes, and is neither soft nor silky. The hair is held off the eyes by long eyelashes and a black nose sticks out from underneath a long moustache.
The Lhasa Apso has a compact body and grows to around 25-28cm high (some males may grow slightly larger and have a slightly longer body). The breed has a distinctive regal stance and gait, with the head carried high and the tail curved over the back.
Colours include: gold, sand, honey, dark grizzle, slate, smoke, particolour, black, white and brown.
Temperament
The Lhasa Apso can be aloof, especially with strangers but it is this quality that makes them attentive and alert to anything strange. According to breeders the dogs will assess a stranger and not permit any interaction if they are not comfortable with the situation. These dogs are affectionate and loyal to those they are familiar with, but they like to be treated with respect. Lhasa Apsos will bond particularly well with one person and will prove to be a loving and good natured companion dog.
Grooming
It takes a lot of dedication to keep a Lhasa Apso in full coat. While the dog is young it must be brushed every day and bathed once a week. Mature dogs are easier to care for but dogs that are pets and not being groomed for showing are often clipped to reduce maintenance. The full adult coat with a hard textured outer coat does not develop until the dog is around 6 or 7 years of age. This coat needs to be well groomed once a week.
Breeders say that Lhasa Apsos should be blow dried after the bath, to prevent moisture remaining on the skin. The face hair is kept pulled back from the face with bands or plaits. The face hair is allowed to fall over the eyes when showing in exhibition.
Breeders recommend that the Lhasa Apso's coat is not clipped until the dog is 6 - 9 months old when it is developing a more mature coat. The dog will need weekly baths and every day grooming until that age and then it can be clipped just prior to the first summer and then every mid autumn and late spring after that. A clipped dog may need a bath every fortnight to three weeks and the occasional brush to remove excess hair. If your clipped dog has hair trimmed around its face and eyes it is important maintain the short cut around the eyes. Help with coat maintenance can be obtained from a grooming salon. There are many different styles of clip for the Lhasa's coat.
All dogs whether clipped or not must have the hair between the feet pads trimmed. Lhasa Apsos do lose some coat in the summer.
Maintenance and diet
The Lhasa Apso needs a quality dog diet, including raw chicken wings, raw bones, good quality dry food and meat. They may have a tendency to become overweight if overfed. Lhasa Apsos do not need routine exercise and are not suitable for long walks. They will self exercise around the home.
Health and lifespan
Lhasa Apso should live 12-15 years and indeed most will live to 16 years or more. They do not suffer from serious hereditary conditions, however the occasional luxating patella (loose knee joint) may be seen in the breed. A vet can identify this condition in a puppy.
Recommended for
Although these dogs can be happy with families they do not suit life with rough and tumble kids. An older family who respects their Lhasa Apso will get a loving pet. Only clipped dogs are suitable for the elderly. For the less active person, who can dedicate time to a pet at home, a Lhasa Apso will make a good companion. Very careful consideration must be made before buying a Lhasa Apso, they do not suit all families or all types of life styles. Contact several breeders to gain a good understanding of this breed prior to purchase.
Very important and informative page to be read before you take another step toward purchasing a Lhasa Apso:- http://www.lhasaapsorescue.org/faq.html
Father and son
(Aust Ch Lyngala Lords R Leapin & Lyngala Little Rascal)
Lyngala answers YOUR questions.
Why do we breed dogs?, At Lyngala we breed dogs to improve the quality of our dogs, in doing this we also improve the breed quality, we do NOT make money, we have invested 10's of thousands of dollars on importing dogs from overseas to ensure extreme health, quality and the best temperament.
How long have you been breeding these dogs ? At Lyngala we began our Lhasa Apso obsession in the early 80's.
How long have you owned these dogs ? At Lyngala we acquired our first Lhasa Apso in the mid 80's.
How often do you breed ? At Lyngala we breed on average once every 18 months, on the very rare occasion, once a year.
How often do you allow your girls to have puppies ? At Lyngala our girls are not mated before the age of 2 years (often older) and usually only have two litters during their entire life time.
Do you show your dogs ? YES at Lyngala we show all our dogs and they are not bred with until they have finished their show career, most of the Lyngala dogs in our pedigrees are Australian Champions.
How many dogs do you keep ? Presently at Lyngala we have 5 dogs in total, 3 show dogs and 2 retired show dogs, all females. All of our retired show dogs are family members. At present we only have 2 girls for breeding, the others are our pets, desexed or currently being shown. A lot of our retired show dogs are given away to special people to live out their lives as much loved family pets. None of our dogs are KENNELED, they live in our house, our garden and our outdoor areas with loads of comfortable beds and plenty of toys.
How many litters do you allow your girls to have in a lifetime ? At Lyngala we allow our girls to breed, on average, only twice in their life time, this ensures top healthy, quality puppies.
How long have you lived in this area ? Lyngala has been living in Brisbane for 14 years.
Please feel free to contact anyone on this list of dedicated breeders :-
Jim Grundig (dog judge and Lhasa Apso breeder of 30 + years) nahemja@aapt.net.au
Jenny Clements (long time Lhasa Apso breeder and past secretary of the Lhasa Apso club Vic) jenclements@optusnet.com.au
Linda Mitchell (Now retired, long time very successful breeder and exhibitor of top winning Lhasa Apsos) mako15@mysoul.com.au
Phil Brown (President Lhasa Apso Club NSW) neokarma@bigpond.net.au
Marilyn Foster (part of the Foster, Peacock, Toomey family) sooquanlhasas@hotmail.com
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