Lhasa Apso
Dogs
Lhasa Apso
Lhasa Apso |
A male golden Lhasa Apso
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Alternative names |
Lhassa Terrier |
Country of origin |
Tibet,
China |
Common nicknames |
Lhasa |
Classification and breed standards |
FCI: |
Group 9 Section 5 #227 |
|
AKC: |
Non-sporting |
|
ANKC: |
Group 7 (Non-Sporting) |
|
CKC: |
Group 6 - Non-Sporting Dogs |
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KC (UK): |
Utility |
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NZKC: |
Non-sporting |
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UKC: |
Companion Breeds |
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Not recognized by any major kennel club |
This breed of dog is
extinct |
Notes |
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The Lhasa Apso is a small
breed of
dog originally from
Tibet. They were
used as watchdogs inside Tibetan
monasteries
for over 2000 years, for which they are uniquely suited with keen intelligence,
acute hearing, and instincts for identifying friends from strangers.
Appearance
They are generally 10 to 11 inches (25 to 28 cm) at the
withers and
weigh between 15 and 25 lbs (7 and 11 kg). Lhasas should have dark brown eyes
with black pigmentation on eye rims and a black nose. They have a straight
coat
with soft
undercoat (depending upon weather conditions) which comes in a variety of
different colors. The tail should curl up over the back.
Temperament
Having been bred to be sentinel or
watch dogs,
Lhasa Apsos tend to be alert and have a keen sense of hearing with a rich,
sonorous bark that belies their size. They are bright and outgoing, but some
tend toward wariness of strangers. Wariness does not mean unwarranted
aggressiveness but having a discerning attitude towards strangers; people
approaching the dog simply need to show that they are a friend. However, many
Lhasas are quite friendly from the first introduction. If not properly
socialized, some may become aggressive or overly shy toward strangers.
History
The original American pair was a gift from the
Dalai Lama
to C. Suydam Cutting, arriving in the United States in the early 1930s. The
American Kennel Club officially accepted the breed in 1935 in the Terrier
group, but in 1959 moved the breed to the Non-Sporting group.
Recently, DNA Analysis has identified the Lhasa Apso as one of the 14 most
ancient dog breeds.
Miscellaneous
Apparently monks believe that Lhasas are reincarnated
lions and as such
hold them in high esteem. Golden Lhasas are said to house the souls of the Dalai
Lamas.
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