Lhasa Apso — size comparison

The Lhasa Apso is a small, strongly built dog with a somewhat elongated body and a long, heavy coat. Hair falls down the sides of its body, covers the head and forms a generous beard. Its tail, carried over its back, is also heavily feathered. Its sturdy build recalls its origins in a harsh mountain environment.

The breed comes from Tibet, where small dogs accompanied people in their homes and served as alert watch dogs. Their main role was to notice strangers and raise the alarm. The first Lhasa Apsos were brought to Britain in the early twenties of the twentieth century. Initially, European names for small Tibetan dogs were inconsistent, and separating individual breeds required organised breeding.

The Lhasa can be cheerful and affectionate with those close to it but decides for itself whom to trust. It need not greet a stranger enthusiastically straight away; often it first watches from a distance. It is perceptive and quick to learn, yet independent. It moves confidently around familiar territory and quickly signals changes in its surroundings. Among familiar people it reveals a much more relaxed, sometimes mischievous nature.

Measurement sources

• Wzorzec FCI
• AKC — długość życia, pielęgnacja i historia