Lhaso Apso breed guide

Independent yet affectionate, Lhasa Apsos are much-loved, loyal canine companions to pet parents around the world!

Read our guide to find out more about the regal Lhasa Apso breed…

Lhasa Apso breed history

The Lhasa Apso’s mystical beginnings lie in the ancient city of Lhasa, in Tibet, where this dog breed was first seen...

For centuries, Lhasa Apsos were isolated from the rest of the world, because Tibetan monks kept these little dogs as companions and watchdogs in their monasteries.

It’s thought monks believed they may be reincarnated as Lhasa Apsos after passing away, or that these small dogs were reincarnated holy elders, so they were treated with great respect. Monks also felt Lhasa Apsos would bring good luck because they had spiritual powers, and it was considered an honour to be given a Lhasa Apso as a gift.

Due to being treasured by the people of Tibet, the Lhasa Apso breed wasn’t introduced to other countries until the late 19^th to early 20^th century!

Today, Lhasa Apsos can enjoy successful dog show careers and are cherished companions to families around the world.  

Common characteristics of the Lhasa Apso breed

Please remember that the following characteristics are considered ‘average’ for Lhasa Apsos, and since each dog is a unique individual, your Lhasa Apso’s characteristics may differ. 

Average height for a Lhasa Apso

Most Lhasa Apsos measure in at approximately 25-28cm at the shoulder.

Average weight for a Lhasa Apso

Lhasa Apsos usually weigh around 6-8kg.

Average lifespan for a Lhasa Apso

The average lifespan of a Lhasa Apso is 12-15 years, though some Lhasa Apsos can live for up to 17 years or more!  

Typical Lhasa Apso appearance

It’s impossible not to fall for the Lhasa Apso’s charm, with their dark and oval eyes, fluffy ears, and button nose!

The Lhasa Apso’s frame is compact, and their legs should appear balanced in proportion to their body (i.e. straight forelegs and parallel hindlegs that aren’t too close together). Lhasa Apsos also tend to have small, round, cat-like paws that are covered with feather-like hair.

As for the Lhasa Apso’s tail, it is high set, covered in lots of hair, and often carried over their back.

Perhaps one of the most recognisable features of the Lhasa Apso breed, these pretty little dogs have a long, heavy topcoat that flows gracefully as they move!

To keep your Lhasa Apso’s coat in tip top condition, they’ll need regular trips to a professional dog groomer for clipping – especially around their eyes, ears, and paws. Lhasa Apsos also need daily brushing to prevent hair from becoming matted or tangled, though this is usually easier when their topcoat is clipped to reveal a soft, short undercoat.

There are many coat colours seen in the Lhasa Apso breed, including (but not limited to!):

• Black
• Black and white.
• Black and tan (pale brown).
• Tan and white.
• Brown.
• Brown and white.
• Golden.
• Gold and white.
• Red (an orange-brown colour).
• Red and white.
• Grey.
• Grey and white.
• White.
• Tricolour (a coat pattern made up of three different colours).

Additionally, Lhasa Apsos can be parti-colour (two different colours, with the secondary colour covering 20% of their coat) or grizzle (a mixture of black and red, blue-grey, and/or white hairs).

Typical Lhasa Apso temperament

Along with being incredibly affectionate and fiercely loyal to their favourite family members, the Lhasa Apso’s guarding instincts mean they can become wary of strangers and unfamiliar pets. If you have other dogs or cats, it’s important to introduce them safely to your Lhasa Apso.

Their bond with you could cause your Lhasa Apso to suffer from separation anxiety when you aren’t with them, so it’s essential not to leave them alone for too long.

The Lhasa Apso breed is part of the ‘utility’ group, which means they weren’t bred for a specific sport or for a particular working role. So, since they weren’t bred to have high levels of energy, most Lhasa Apsos are happy to have around an hour’s exercise every day.

Lhasa Apsos are very clever, so they’ll enjoy playing mental stimulation games while at home to keep them entertained. However, you’ll need plenty of patience while training your Lhasa Apso, because they’re known to be quite stubborn!

Top tip: Find the right reward that motivates your Lhasa Apso and keep training sessions short, to help them stay focused during their training journey.

For more top tips on caring for your Lhasa Apso, you can visit our Lhasa Apso care guide.

Lhasa Apso health conditions

It’s not unusual for pedigree breeds to be prone to certain health concerns, and, unfortunately, Lhasa Apsos are no exception. Here are a few health conditions commonly seen in the Lhasa Apso:

• Eye problems (like cataracts, glaucoma, and cherry eye).
• Atopy (an allergic skin disease that causes sore, itchy skin).
• Luxating patellas (their kneecaps slip out of place).  

For further information about some of the common conditions experienced by Lhasa Apsos, please visit our Lhasa Apso health problems article.

Remember: Keep an eye out for any health issues your Lhasa Apso may develop, and get your canine companion checked by a vet if you have any concerns.

Fun facts about Lhasa Apsos

Fact 1 – Lhasa Apsos share their origin story with Tibetan terriers, which meant both breeds were considered ‘Lhasa terriers’ by the Kennel Club from 1908 until 1934 – when the breeds were divided.

Fact 2 – It’s believed the Lhasa Apso was originally referred to as the ‘Talisman Dog’.

Fact 3 – Thanks to records of Lhasa Apso dogs that date back thousands of years, the Lhasa Apso is considered one of the few ancient dog breeds still around today!

Fact 4 – The first Lhasa Apsos to arrive in the USA were gifted to a traveller named Charles Suydam Cutting and his wife in the 1930s by the 13^th Dalai Lama.

Fact 5 – Several celebrities have owned Lhasa Apsos, including Elizabeth Taylor, Ellen DeGeneres, and Gwen Stefani!