Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso dog is known for having a dense double coat that parts in the middle and drapes down to the floor. The breed will need to be brushed and trimmed regularly to help keep shedding at bay. A comb or slicker brush should do the trick on a daily basis, but having a detangling kit on hand can also be helpful. If the hair is kept long, you’ll see many of these dogs with a ponytail to keep those lengthy strands out of their eyes. To avoid daily grooming, many pet parents keep their Lhasa Apso’s coat in a short puppy cut, which is about one- to two-inches long all over their body.

Because of their long hair, a Lhasa Apso puppy may need to be bathed every four to six weeks, depending on how much dirt they pick up and how well-maintained their coat is in between baths.

Lhasa Apso dogs’ nails need to be cut on a regular basis, just like any other breed. Depending on how active your pup is, you may need to trim them about once a month. You’ll know it’s time when you hear the familiar tap-tap-tap on your hardwood and tile floors.

Lhasa Apsos tend to have a bit of an underbite, which may make them more susceptible to teeth issues, so it’s essential to start brushing their teeth as a puppy—the earlier you start, the faster your dog will get used to it, too! Work up to daily brushing. Your vet can teach you how to brush your dog’s teeth, and it’s recommended to get an annual professional teeth cleaning by your vet (not the groomer).

Training is essential for Lhasa Apso dogs. It’s best to start socializing and training them while they’re puppies, as they can be very independent and strong-willed. And an untrained pup may leave you dealing with a lot of behavior problems later. Basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and leave it are a good place to start, and this intelligent breed can also have fun with agility or the AKC Canine Good Citizen program.

Obedience classes can help your dog learn both training skills and socialization skills around other dogs. Outside of class, expose your Lhasa Apso to many different people and dogs of all shapes and sizes, being sure to give them breaks if they start to get scared or overstimulated. While this breed can be headstrong, they are also a calm breed who responds well to positive reinforcement training that rewards them with treats, toys and praise. They learn quickly and enjoy the relationship-building time with their pet parents.

Lhasa Apsos do well on a high-quality commercial dog food. Be sure to factor in your dog’s age and choose a formula that fits their stage in life (puppy, adult, senior) as you choose a food to meet their nutritional needs.

Because Lhasas aren’t highly active, you need to watch how much food you give them. Even one or two extra pounds can add stress to your petite pup, so it’s important to be mindful of how much food they eat every day. Remember that treats equal calories, and calories add up quickly, so choose a treat made especially for small dogs or that are lower in calories when training or rewarding your dog for good behavior.

Your vet can help you nail down the best food as well as a feeding chart to guide you on how much and how often to feed your dog based on their unique needs and lifestyle.

Couch potatoes, rejoice! The Lhasa Apso is a perfectly content lap dog, so you won’t have to do much to give them the exercise they need. These dogs are not known for their speed, so a 15-30 minute walk once a day should be plenty. This playful breed may also enjoy agility classes or chasing a ball around the yard, but they aren’t going to need it every day. A well-socialized Lhasa Apso will enjoy play dates with other pups, too.

Even though Lhasa Apsos don’t require a lot of exercise, it’s important to take them on regular walks to maintain their weight and physical fitness and keep them curious about the wider world outside your home.

Lhasa Apsos do well in homes with single people or families, and they do better with older kids. If properly socialized, they can get along with other dogs and cats, but they’d be just as happy as your one-and-only. (Lhasas love their people and are extremely loyal.) And because they don’t need a lot of exercise, they are the perfect companion for apartment dwellers.

Their thick coat keeps them warm in colder climates, but you can easily keep it short if you live where it’s warm or don’t want to mess with all that hair. They do have a shorter muzzle, which means they have smaller airways and can have difficulty breathing while exercising on hot days. So, when you do take walks outside, make sure you keep it to the cooler parts of the day in the summer.