| Lhasa Apso
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| Alternative names
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| Common nickname
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| Lhasa
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| Country of origin
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| Tibet
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| Classification and breed standards
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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 have dark brown eyes and a heavy straight coat that comes in all different colors. Their tail curls 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. They are bright and outgoing, but tend toward wariness of strangers. Also, they tend to be quite aggressive 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.
Miscellaneous
Apparently monks believe that Lhasas are reincarnated lions and as such hold them in high esteem.
