Lhasa Apso Dog Breed

Posted by Jeanne on December 17, 2008

Since the Lhasa Apso has over 500 years of Tibetan, Chinese, and Far East history and is not a “cur of the street” but kept in the homes of the mighty as guards, the buying public in America should consider a Lhasa for the same reason.

In their native land, they are called “apso seng kye” (bark sentinel lion dog). This should and does give us the clue as to their basic color and disposition. Though they may come in many colors, the most desirable is ‘lion color’ with blank tinpings on ears and tip of tail and black nose.

They are not a big toy breed but tend much more to the small size, for the women kept them in their apartments. The full-grown male should never stand more than ten inches at the shoulders and not weigh more than eleven pounds. Females are smaller. Hair is to be toward the coarse side but very dense. Bite should be good and the nose short.