Lhasa Apso
The Lhasa apso, also known as the lion dog, is a centuries-old breed. Lhasa apsos are well known for their very long hair that sweeps the ground as they walk and would hide their adorable faces if allowed. They make wonderful companions and could be a great addition to your family. Lhasa’s have been bred to be royal watchdogs for hundreds of years, they are loyal guardians of family and home. The Lhasa's protective nature is surprising to those unfamiliar with him, given his small size and long, flowing coat. It doesn't appear that he is fierce at all.
Breed Profile
Height
9 - 11
Inches
Weight
80 - 150
Pounds
Life Span
12-15
Years
Health
health
Hip Dysplasia
What is it?
A genetic condition, hip dysplasia occurs when the ball and socket of the hip joint become malformed. It causes a grating in the joint, and it can make your pup very uncomfortable. There’s also a form of dysplasia that affects the elbows.
Clinical signs:
Swaying gait, avoids climbing stairs or jumping on furniture, lameness in the hind end, loss of muscle mass in the thighs and gaining more muscle in the shoulders, limping/stiffness, grating in the affected joint, smaller range of motion and activity, and pain.
Treatment:
Supplements, surgery, joint fluid modifiers, restricting exercise, weight loss, anti-inflammatory medication, and glucosamine.
Health risks:
Complications during surgery & Loss of function in joint due to deterioration
Amount a Spot accident & illness plan would cover*
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been met.
Eligible vet bill
$2,400
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://spotpet.com/spot-sample-policy.pdf for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Glaucoma
What is it?
Glaucoma is an eye condition that tends to be pretty painful. It can affect both humans and dogs, although it isn’t considered an contagious, interspecies disease. A dog must be genetically predisposed. Glaucoma occurs when there isn’t proper fluid drainage in the eye due to pressure.
Clinical signs:
Blinking, vision loss, redness in the white of the eyes, cloudiness in the eye, dilated pupil, eyeball recedes in the back of the head, degeneration of the eye (In more advanced cases), more pronounced vision in advanced cases, enlarged eyeball in severe instances.
Treatment:
Medication, surgery in extreme cases, draining fluid, freeze cells that produce the fluids, removing the eye.
Health risks:
Permanent loss of vision
Potential eye removal
Eligible vet bill
$1,800
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://spotpet.com/spot-sample-policy.pdf for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Portosystemic shunt (PSS)
What is it?
Portosystemic shunt (PSS) is a disorder that affects your pup’s liver. The blood that is supposed to go to the liver instead goes around it, which means the liver can’t clean out toxins and can’t develop properly either.
Clinical signs:
Gastrointestinal issues like vomiting or diarrhea, difficulty urinating, stunted growth, seizures and other neurological issues, long recovery from anesthesia, fluid collecting in the intestine, and wobbly.
Treatment:
Surgery
Medications
Health risks:
N/A
Eligible vet bill
$3,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://spotpet.com/spot-sample-policy.pdf for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Comic
In public, they are dignified and reserved, but they are engaging and sometimes funny in private.
Loyal
They are very loyal and will love you and your family only, for life.
Confident
For little dogs, they have big personalities. They are confident and strong willed.
Intelligent
Their intelligence just adds to their strength of character.
Friendly
Although they may not warm to unknown humans, these lap dogs tend to be friendly with other dogs and pets.
Lifetime Care
Coat
They have a long, silky coat that usually reaches the floor. They shed minimally.
Colors
There are many colors although the most popular are white.
Hypoallergenic
Yes, Lhasa apsos are considered hypoallergenic dogs because they don’t lose tons of hair or have a shedding season.
Grooming
They need to be groomed daily so their fur doesn’t matt. Brushing and combing are both essential to keep their long coat free of tangles.
Training
The best way to train one of these pups is to use the reward system. It might also help to make it into a game so that they will be more inclined to cooperate.
Lifetime Care Cost:
Approximately $25910 (Reviews from dog breed-specific parents)
Learn more about the cost of caring for a Lhasa Apso.
Lhasa Apso: Dog Breed Information Guide
Lhasa apsos are well known for their very long hair that sweeps the ground as they walk and would hide their adorable faces if allowed. They make wonderful companions and could be a great addition to your family. If you want to adopt a Lhasa apso, continue reading to learn more about them.
Lhasa Apso’s have been bred to be royal watchdogs for hundreds of years, they are loyal guardians of family and home. The Lhasa's protective nature is surprising to those unfamiliar with them, given their small size and long, flowing coat. It doesn't appear that they are fierce at all.
However, when it comes to protecting their own, the Lhasa is fierce, though never particularly aggressive. Their natural suspicion of strangers makes them an excellent palace guard, and they take their job as protector seriously. As a result of this lionhearted devotion, the lionhearted Lhasa also enjoys sharing their life with their family. In addition, they are intelligent, independent, and mischievous.
Since Lhasa prefers to do things their own way, their goal in life is not necessarily to please you. This distinguishes them from breeds like the biddable Labrador Retriever. Although the Lhasa can be trained successfully, they are not always the most obedient dog. Their smarts and unique reasoning abilities are praised by those who know and love them. As with raising children, consistency is essential when training a Lhasa pup. It is certain that your Lhasa will try to take control if you don't.
What are the Origins of the Lhasa Apso?
The Lhasa is a Tibetan dog whose name comes from the holy city of Lhasa in Tibet. For thousands of years, nobility and monks bred the Lhasa exclusively to protect and guard monasteries. He is called Abso Seng Kye in his homeland, which means "Bark Lion Sentinel Dog. Lhasa’s have thick coats that protect them from extreme cold and heat in their native climate.
Lhasa’s have been recorded as far back as 800 B.C. As a watchdog in temples and monasteries, a Lhasa was considered good luck, but it was nearly impossible to buy one. Lhasa Apsos were believed to have souls that entered their owners' bodies when they died. Unless the Dalai Lama gave them as gifts, Lhasa’s were not allowed to leave the country.
As early as 1583, the Dalai Lama sent Lhasa’s as sacred gifts to the Emperor of China and members of the Imperial family. Traditionally, Lhasa’s were given in pairs and were thought to bring prosperity and good luck. First Lhasa’s to enter the United States directly were gifts from the 13th Dalai Lama in 1933 to Cutting, a noted naturalist and world traveller. The two gift dogs became the foundation stock for Cutting's kennel at Hamilton Farm in Gladstone, New Jersey.
Lhasa Apsos were recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club in 1935.
Lhasa apso: An introduction to the breed
The Lhasa apso, also known as the lion dog, is a centuries-old breed. This small dog is originally from the Himalayan Mountains in Tibet, where they lived in monasteries. They were frequently utilized as guard dogs for Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, and their barks would warn the monks of people coming to visit.
They made it to England in the early 1900s. Before getting the name Lhasa apso, they were called Lhasa terriers, and they were thought to be the same breed as the Tibetan terrier.
In the 1930s, the Lhasa apso made it to the United States. Soon, the Tibetan Breeds Association was founded, and they began to sort through the different Tibetan breeds. They recognized the Lhasa apso as its own breed.
Lhasa apsos arrived in America in 1930, after the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso, gave this tiny dog to an American naturalist named C. Suydam Cutting. The American Kennel Club (AKC) listed them as an official breed five years after they arrived in the United States. This ancient breed was initially placed in the terrier group, but in the mid-1900s, the AKC changed their position to the non-sporting group.
Other potential health risks
Purebred Lhasa apsos can have health problems like:
Kidney dysfunction
Patellar luxation, loose kneecaps.
Progressive retinal atrophy, which can cause blindness.
Distichiasis, which is where eyelashes grow in the wrong place.
Cherry eye, which is when a gland in the eye pops out a little.
Renal cortical hypoplasia, a kidney disorder.
Are Lhasa apsos fond of their owners?
Lhasa apsos love their families very much. At home, they can be comedic. They are very loyal and will love you and your family only, for life. They are excellent companions
Are Lhasa apsos easygoing?
For little dogs, they have big personalities. They are confident and strong willed. Their intelligence just adds to their strength of character. They aren’t really aggressive, although they will bark to warn you if someone’s coming.
How easy is it to train a Lhasa apso?
Lhasa apsos are very intelligent creatures, so much so that they think they know what’s best. They are very stubborn, so you can’t really force them to learn tricks. They learn faster through reward systems such as treats, praise, or extra attention.
Are Lhasa apsos good with kids?
If you have a family with small children or friends with children who often visit, you may wonder whether the Lhasa apso will nip at children when trying to play with this little dog.
Children must always be taught to be gentle with pets, so they won’t pull at the Lhasa apso’s hair. However, these dogs are good with children and love to play with them.
How do apsos behave around other pets?
Although they may not warm to unknown humans, these lap dogs tend to be friendly with other dogs and pets.
If you want to take them to a dog park, you should find one that separates big pups from the little guys. Lhasa apsos won’t try to cause trouble, but they’re too little to play with the big pups.
Are they good around strangers?
In public, they are dignified and reserved, but they are engaging and sometimes funny in private. They aren’t fans of strangers, but they can be more accepting of new people with the proper socialization.
What does a Lhasa apso’s coat look like?
They have a long, silky coat that usually reaches the floor. They shed minimally.
Lhasa apso coat colors:
White
Black
Black and tan
Grizzle
Red Gold
Red
Cream
Golden
There are other colors possible, but these are the ones accepted by the AKC.
Are Lhasa apsos hypoallergenic?
Yes, Lhasa apsos are considered hypoallergenic dogs because they don’t lose tons of hair or have a shedding season. People with allergies are sensitive to dander, which is dead skin cells similar to dandruff, and is attached to a pet’s hair follicles when they shed.
When dogs do not lose a lot of hair and dander that may cause a reaction for people with allergy sensitivities, they are thought of as hypoallergenic. Of course, there are no 100% hypoallergenic pets, only dogs and cats that shed less than others and therefore have the least impact on allergy sufferers.
How much grooming do Lhasa apsos need?
They need to be groomed daily so their fur doesn’t matt. Brushing and combing are both essential to keep their long coat free of tangles. Many Lhasa apso pet parents opt to bring their pup to a professional groomer.
What is the lifetime care cost of a Lhasa apso?
The lifetime care cost of a Lhasa apso is around $3600.
How to be the best pet parent for a Lhasa apso?
Here at Spot Pet Insurance, we want to help pet parents, both new and seasoned, reach their full pet parent potential.
We hope to provide you with the necessary information and coverage to help you and your pup live a full and happy life together. Lhasa apsos are fun and loyal little dogs, and they deserve and need a lot of care, especially when it comes to their grooming needs.
How much does a dog or puppy cost?
Adoption fee: $75-$1,200
[Expense: first year, following years]
Food: $240-$480, $240-$480
Water/food bowls: $10-$30, N/A
Collar and ID: $15-$25, $0-$25
Leashes: $5-$20, $0-$20
Dog bed and crate: $30-$50, N/A
Toys: $20-$60, $0-$60
Vaccines and routine care: $100-$1,300, $100-$400
Tick and flea prevention: $240, $240
Microchip: $30-$55, N/A
Brushes: $10, $0-$10
Grooming: $30-$640 (last figure is for professional grooming eight times a year), $0-$640
Total: $730-$2,910, $580-$1,875
Basic training and behavior etiquette for your dog
Because Lhasa apsos are pretty stubborn and independent, they are pretty difficult to train. However, like most dogs, they need to learn basic commands. Other tricks might help keep them mentally stimulated.
The best way to train one of these pups is to use the reward system. It might also help to make it into a game so that they will be more inclined to cooperate.
If you avoid too much repetition, you might have a bit more success. You’ll need to be firm and consistent with the rules but flexible in how you teach them.
They should be kept on a leash when outside. They like investigating, but you don’t want them to wander too far.
What type of foods should a Lhasa apso never eat?
Many foods are toxic to dogs, and there are also foods that they shouldn’t eat, even though they won’t hurt them. Although Lhasa apsos don’t have foods that could be toxic to their specific breeds, some Lhasas might be sensitive or allergic to some foods.
However, here are some foods your pup definitely should avoid.
If you want to learn more about foods your pup can and cannot eat, check out some interesting articles here.
Exercising tips to keep your dog fit and healthy
These little pups should remain inside for the most part, and their outdoor exercise needs are fairly minimal. They can get most of their exercise from playing games in the house with you or your children if you have any, or from racing around the house.
However, it is a good idea to take them outside for a little bit every day. They need the mental activity of sniffing around outside and tracking scents. If you have a yard, you could let your Lhasa apso out there for supervised playtime.
They are pretty good at entertaining themselves when needed, but they’ll always appreciate you taking time out of your day to play games with them.
Lhasa Apso life stages
Puppy: 0-3 years
Adult: 3-7 years
Senior: 7+