Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world, with a history of over two thousand years in Tibet. Its name comes from Lhasa, the sacred capital of Tibet, and the Tibetan word «apso», which refers to a type of mountain goat, in reference to its long, dense coat. For centuries, it was bred exclusively in Buddhist monasteries and in the palaces of Tibetan nobility, where it was considered a sacred and auspicious animal. Its role was to serve as an indoor sentinel: despite its size, its keen senses and powerful bark made it very effective at alerting to any intrusion.

The Lhasa Apso was a highly valued gift among Tibetan royalty and monks, and was rarely sold: it was given as a gift to trusted travellers. The first specimens arrived in the West in the early 20th century, when the thirteenth Dalai Lama began gifting pairs of Lhasa Apsos to distinguished visitors. In 1935 it was officially recognised by the British Kennel Club, and since then its popularity grew steadily in Europe and America.

The Lhasa Apso has an unmistakable appearance: a low, compact body covered by a long coat that cascades to the ground, with a fringe covering the eyes and forming a moustache and beard. The head is moderately rounded, with a medium-length muzzle, drop ears well covered with hair. The tail is carried curled over the back. Despite its plush toy appearance, it is a muscular and resilient dog beneath the coat.

Its character is complex and multifaceted: affectionate and loyal with its close family, but reserved and wary with strangers, making it an excellent watchdog. It is independent and has its own mind — it is not a dog that obeys blindly — and can be stubborn during training if not motivated adequately. It is more emotionally resilient than many small dogs and rarely suffers from intense separation anxiety. It can get on well with older children who respect it, but is not the best choice for households with very young children.

Coat care of the Lhasa Apso is demanding and requires daily dedication. The long, fine coat tangles easily, so daily brushing with a metal comb and bristle brush is essential to avoid knots and matting, which can be painful and require cutting. Many owners opt to keep the coat short (puppy cut) to facilitate maintenance, especially in summer. Bathing can be done every three or four weeks, drying the coat thoroughly to avoid skin problems.

Eye care is important, as the fringe can rub against the cornea and cause irritation; many owners secure the fringe hair with a small clip or trim it slightly. The drop ears encourage the accumulation of wax and should be checked and cleaned weekly. Training the Lhasa Apso requires patience and consistency, with short, varied sessions based on positive reinforcement. It responds poorly to excessive pressure and learns better when motivated with rewards.

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a hereditary eye disease that can cause progressive vision loss and, eventually, blindness. A genetic test exists to identify carriers, and responsible breeders should test their breeding stock. Hereditary kidney disease is another serious condition documented in the breed: it consists of abnormal kidney development that can progress to renal failure at an early age in affected individuals. Early diagnosis through regular blood tests is essential.

Skin allergies are relatively common, and may manifest as dermatitis, itching or hair loss. A quality diet with ingredients appropriate to the dog's profile can help to manage them. Eye problems from coat irritation may also arise: keratitis, corneal ulcers or dry eye, which require regular veterinary follow-up and good fringe maintenance. With preventive care and a trusted vet, the Lhasa Apso is a long-lived and relatively healthy breed.