Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso is a small companion dog originating from Tibet. The Lhasa Apso is classified, in the nomenclature of the International Cynological Federation (FCI) in group 9 (companion dogs), more specifically in section 5 (Dogs of Tibet), where it rubs shoulders with the Shih Tzu, the Tibetan spaniel and the Tibetan terrier. Its name comes from Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, and "apso", goat in Tibetan, and can be translated "goat of Lhasa". Apso is the contraction of “rapso” which is the Tibetan name for a species of long-haired goat. The Lhasa Apso, endowed with a long hair, must always keep a thick coat of hair, which protects it from the sun in summer and from the cold in winter. There are 2 categories of Lhasa Apso which are distinguished by the texture of their hair: those with woolly hair and those with silky hair. It is in fact an appreciation of certain breeders. Goat hair is the only recognized one. Jigmé Taring, a Tibetan Lhasa-Apso specialist, wrote in 1990: 1 "With my experience and having seen a large number of books on the Lhasa-Apso, I realize that there are two distinct types of Lhasa-Apsos in foreign countries this may be due to the climate, food or better care than they had in their home country, or they could be some kind of hybrid. It's a mystery to me. In general I appreciate and admire your work, especially at this time when the breed is in danger of extinction after the Chinese occupation of Tibet. The Tibetans call it the snow lion because its bark is "disturbing" and hoarse for an animal of its size and build. Its real name is "apso seng kye" which means dog with the roar of a lion in Tibetan. Some people used these dogs in the crossing of the Himalayas, the Sherpa Tensing Norgay affirmed that they felt the coming of the avalanches. The Lhasa Apso is an excellent guide, he sneaks everywhere, and he is an excellent warning dog. He was both a shepherd's dog and a guardian of temples. Today, the original Lhasa Apso is threatened by the hypertype. Often we see on the rings dogs with silky hair, an apple skull with an open fontanelle and a low hindquarters. Fortunately some breeders reacted positively to this by re-selecting older type Lhasas. In a television register, the Lhasa Apso embodies Pollux, the famous little dog from the series The Magic Roundabout. Contrary to the opinion expressed above, it is well known that the dog that served as a model for Serge Danot is a Skye Terrier and not a Lhasa Apso. Hence the English accent of the dog Pollux in this series. Should we also say Scottish since the Isle of Skye is one of the Hebrides in Scotland. Maintenance The Lhasa apso requires brushing twice a week, especially when young, to remove its puppy fur, and regular cleaning of the eyes and between the pads. It must be dried well after having washed it (once a month or more depending on the activity) otherwise its hair will remain wet for several hours. Health The Lhasa Apso is a very hardy dog ​​breed with high longevity. It is a very greedy dog ​​that must be supervised to avoid obesity. The Lhasa apso is a very stiff dog that is not made for jumping, going up and down stairs can cause him problems with his rear end.

The Lhasa Apso is an animal that has a character of its own, very protective of its master, and will not stand being attacked. It is an excellent guardian, quite a barker, who will let people in, but if his master is not there, will not let them out. It is a breed reputed to be very faithful and not very runaway. He may have a tendency to hyperattachment and can't stand loneliness. This little companion has provisions for canine sports such as agility.