Page 14 - The Lhasa Apso
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hear dog owners commenting about the extent of their dog’s vocabulary; one owner documented seventy-five words to which the dog responded.
Watching them perform tricks or competing in shows and/or agility tri- als, you will be convinced that seventy- five words may be an understatement. Because these dogs are so intelligent, their owners must quickly become the leaders; otherwise, the dogs will gladly become the heads of your household!
So why is this dog called “almost- perfect”? Some prospective owners shy away from its multi-layered coat which, left in full coat, can be a bit of a chal- lenge to maintain. It does require regu- lar grooming and brushing. However, the benefit of owning a dog that loses its hair similar to that of humans is they are low shedding; and therefore, there is very little vacuuming of dog hair for the owner.
Owners who do not wish to keep the dog in full coat can opt for a puppy cut, which is adorable, still captures the beauty of their dog and requires very little grooming.
If you haven’t guessed the name of this dog by now, it is not surprising. Often, this dog, because of its appear- ance, is considered a “designer dog” rather than a family all-around dog. Anyone who has owned this breed will tell you that a “designer dog” is far from the truth! In fact, once you give this breed a try, you will be hooked for life, whether you own one as a family pet, show one, or do agility trials or all of the above! The Breed: Lhasa Apso. So, don’t miss a chance to own this “almost- perfect” dog!
history of the Breed
Named for the ancient city of Lhasa in Tibet, the Lhasa Apso is the dog from the top of the world near Mount Ever- est! These highly intelligent and robust little dogs, raised to be companions to Tibetan monks, will bring some Zen to your life. This ancient dog will offer you unwavering affection, love and pro- tection just as his ancestors did for the Tibetan monks.
Gifted with a “way of being” that provides them with remarkable focus and intelligence, a keen sense of hear- ing and a confident and feisty person- ality, these dogs were partnered with the noble Tibetan Mastiff. The Mastiff guarded the outside of the monastery while the little Lhasa Apsos were inside as sentinels, devotedly alerting the monks to possible intruders!
The Lhasa’s genealogy places it as one of only fourteen breeds with DNA
directly linked to the ancient gray wolf. Perhaps this genetic connection to the wolf accounts for the Lhasa being so physically and mentally tough—with few health problems and longevity, the oldest documented lived to age 24.
The dogs, whether in a short, pup- py cut or in long, flowing coat, move with the grace and elegance of a super model. You cannot ignore the Lhasa’s overall physical beauty, coupled with his expressive eyes, often described as human-like, his black gum-drop nose and a personality that can only be acknowledged with lots of hugs!
what aBout that BeautifuL coat?
History suggests these loyal dogs would even crawl inside the sleeves of the monks’ robes to keep them warm and protected at night. Their double coats, which are more similar to human hair than fur, equip them with the abil- ity to comfortably endure hot and cold climates—just as their ancestors coped with the extreme weather changes near Mount Everest.
a Breed for aLL seasons
Lhasa Apsos are so adaptable to their environment that they can hap- pily live in a small city apartment or on a large country estate. They are happy with a brisk, 30-minute walk with their humans; or they can get their exercise by romping inside with another family member: dog, cat or a rough-and-tum- ble 10-year-old child!
Once you are owned by a Lhasa Apso, you will feel like you are on top of the world!
