Lhasa Apso

About the Breed

The Lhasa Apso is a small, but spunky breed of dog that has been around for centuries. They are known for their long, thick coats and their lively personalities. This article will cover the details of this unique breed, including their temperaments, who the breed is ideal for, its history, healthy weight range and important health checks. History The Lhasa Apso has been around since roughly 800 BC when it was first found in Tibet. It was originally bred as a watchdog to alert Tibetans of any intruders or danger. The Lhasa Apso was also believed to have spiritual significance in Tibetan Buddhism and could be found in many Buddhist temples. In 1933 the first Lhasa Apsos were brought to America by Dr Agnes Riddle Rogers; however it wasn't until after World War II that they became popular among American families as a companion animal. Temperament The Lhasa Apso is an alert and lively breed with a strong desire to please its owners. They are known for being good with children and other animals but can be wary of strangers at first due to their watchdog instincts. Despite their small size they are very independent thinkers which can sometimes lead them to be stubborn when it comes to training; however they are still considered one of the easier breeds to train overall if given patience and consistent reinforcement methods such as positive reinforcement training or clicker training. These dogs also have high exercise requirements and need lots of activities such as fetching games or long walks in order to stay healthy both mentally and physically throughout their lives. Ideal Ownership This breed is best suited for those who can provide them with plenty of attention and exercise on a daily basis; someone who is willing to put some time into proper obedience training at an early age would also be ideal for this breed since they tend towards stubbornness if not trained from an early age properly. This breed may not do well with novice owners since they require consistency from all members of the family during training which may be difficult if everyone isnt on board with correct techniques while teaching them commands or tricks. The Lhasa Apso may also do better in homes without cats since some individuals can exhibit prey drive due to their watchdog instinct leading them chase small animals such as cats or squirrels if given the chance. Healthy Weight Range & Important Health Checks The average weight range for adult female Lhasa Apsos between 8-11 lbs while males usually range between 11-17 lbs depending on size within the standard set by AKC show regulations. Keeping your pet at its ideal weight range will help reduce any joint stress associated with carrying extra body fat which could lead to joint problems down the road ; regular weigh ins should be done every few months depending on your individual pets needs. Health checks should include regular heartworm testing, vaccinations, dental cleanings, flea & tick prevention, eye exams (due to potential eye issues like dry eye or cataracts ) along with regular bloodwork once per year. Other common health issues seen within this breed include skin allergies, luxating patellas (kneecaps) & hip dysplasia so these should all be monitored closely by your veterinarian during annual checkups. The Lhasa Apso is a spunky little dog that makes an excellent companion animal if given enough attention & exercise throughout its life. They require commitment from owners who understand how important consistency during training periods are especially when teaching commands & tricks due their tendency towards stubbornness ; however they make great family pets due being good natured around children & other animals provided proper introductions have been made prior. Keeping your pet at its ideal weight range along with performing regular health checks will help ensure you pet lives a long healthy life filled with joy!