Are Lhasa Apsos hypoallergenic dogs?Īlthough no perfectly hypoallergenic dog exists, we are a good choice for someone with allergies. We shed over time rather than all at once and our long, heavy hairs are less likely to fly around that could cause sneezing fits for sensitive humans. Our hair sheds more like human hair rather than some other dog breeds. Generally, Lhasa’s shed very little and are popular for not moulting. We can be many colours including white, black, tan, grey or different combinations and can have dark markings on our face and ears - we’re full of surprises as our hair tends to change as we mature.

I take weekly baths, too, driven by my penchant for fox poo. A neglected coat will quickly matt, so we really need a pawrent who can give the time to care for our coats properly, and it’s a great way to bond with us. Many owners choose the charming teddy bear cut (like mine) for their Lhasa Apso which is lower maintenance although I still get a brush twice a week, particularly on my long fluffy tail. Us Lhasa Apsos are double coated and our thick, long hair will grow straight down to the floor on each side from a parting along the middle of our backs. For my long haired lhasa brothers and sisters, daily brushing is recommended. The longer the hair, the more grooming is required. The oldest Lhasa Apso on record lived for an amazing 29 years! How often do Lhasa Apsos need to be groomed? We are tough pooches and tend to live long lives, with a typical lifespan of 15 to 18 years and many of us reach our early 20s. As Lhasa’s go, I’m rather petite at just 5.2kg. We are usually around 25cm tall at the shoulder and weigh between 5 and 9kg. You can see evidence of this in our features, from the hair that covers our eyes if left ungroomed, to protect from flying particles, and our straight front legs which are great for climbing. The original Lhasa Apsos had to be able to survive the tough conditions of the mountainous Himalayan region: short hot summers, long freezing winters, terrain of high peaks and low troughs, dust, wind, and high altitude. However, our Tibetan name of Abso Seng Kye, which translates to “bark lion sentinel dog,” reflects the legend that a Lhasa Apso looking in the mirror sees a lion. The noble, hardy Lhasa Apso may be far removed from the mountain wolves we descend from. It used to be you could only gain a Lhasa Apso if you were gifted one by the Dalai Lama, but we now make common companion animals – the 27th most popular breed of 2018 in the UK… Surely that should be 1 st?! It was believed that the souls of monks who didn’t make it to spiritual nirvana would pass into a Lhasa Apso. Their alertness, intelligence and ability to recognise unusual sounds and respond with an assertive bark earned them their place besides nobility and the divine residents of the sacred buildings. My ancestors were entrusted with the great honour of guarding the monasteries and palaces from within as well as providing loyal companionship to Tibetan Buddhists. The Lhasa Apso is a positively magical dog! The tale of our mystical origins begins way back in 800 BC in the sacred city of Lhasa, Tibet, known locally as “the place of the gods.” Lhasa boasts holy Buddhist pilgrimage sites nestled in some of the highest mountain peaks in the world, over 3.6km above sea level. If you’d like to find out more about the Lhasa Apso breed, or are trying to determine if a Lhasa might make the right companion for you, this handy guide, by Smudge herself, might help.Īfter a grooming pamper session, a nice walk and a tasty lunch (Scrumbles of course!), Smudge sat down with us to answer some questions about her breed.

Lama dog breed