Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso is a small Tibetan dog developed as an indoor sentinel in homes and monasteries around Lhasa. Its long heavy coat, feathered tail carried over the back, dark eyes partly shaded by hair, and sturdy body give it a very different feel from a delicate toy dog. The breed was valued for an alert bark and a discerning attitude toward strangers, while larger mastiff-type dogs worked outside. Many colors occur, including gold, cream, black, white, grizzle, and parti-color.

A Lhasa Apso can be warm and funny with its own people, but it often keeps an independent watchdog mind. Early socialization and patient training help prevent suspicion from becoming nuisance barking or handling problems. The full show coat requires frequent brushing, bathing, and drying; many pet owners choose a shorter trim while still keeping ears, eyes, feet, and sanitary areas clean. Breeders and buyers commonly discuss eye disease, patellar luxation, allergies, and inherited kidney problems such as renal dysplasia. Coat quality, bite, temperament, and sound movement are all worth evaluating.

Colors: Apricot, Bicolor, Black, Black and Tan, Black and White, Black Mask, Blue, Blue and Tan, Blue Merle, Blue Roan, Blue Tick, Brindle, Brown, Brown and Tan, Brown and White, Chocolate, Cream, Dapple, Domino, Fawn, Fawn and White, Gold, Golden, Golden and White, Gray, Gray and White, Harlequin, Honey, Irish Marked, Liver, Liver Mask, Mantle, Mask, Merle, Mottled, Parti-Color, Piebald, Red, Red and White, Red Merle, Red Roan, Red Tick, Reverse Brindle, Roan, Sable, Saddle, Sandy, Sandy and White, Silver, Speckled, Spotted, Tan, Ticked, Tricolor, Tuxedo, White, Yellow