Breed info on the Lhasa Apso

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BREED HISTORY

Once the exclusive property of holy men and nobles, the Lhasa Apso kept watch over Tibetan temples and monasteries. In addition to their sentry roles, Lhasas were believed to bring good luck. After death, the soul of a human master was supposed to enter the dog's body; for this reason, the dogs were held sacred.

The name derives from Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, and "apso," meaning barking sentinel dog. When the Dalai Lama offered these dogs to diplomats as gifts, they spread across the globe and gained popularity as pets and companions. Their alert and obedient natures easily offset the grooming needs of the long golden coat.

IDEAL BREED CHARACTERISTICS

Size: Males 10 to 11 inches, Females 9 1/2 to 10 1/2 inches (at the withers).

Appearance: Strong, compact body with quick, straight motion.

Coat and Color: Long, thick, straight, heavy, hard coat, generally parted down the middle of the back. All colors and color combinations with or without dark tips on the ears and beard permitted.

Head: Gently rounded skull with a straight muzzle; medium-sized, dark brown eyes; low, feathered ears.

Tail: Long, feathered, tightly curled, carried high and resting on the back.