Lhasa Apso

Lhasa Apsos have regal attitudes that make them appear both elegant and serious. These dogs are outgoing, comical, and charming with their owners.

Thanks to their watchdog roots, Lhasas require socialization to reduce or prevent their aggressive tendencies. Because they're alert and want to protect their people, they often bark if something strikes them as a potential danger. Training can help them tell the difference between typical household sounds and noises that could signal trouble. If well-trained, they can be quiet, respectful apartment dogs.

Their confident, outgoing personalities make Lhasas great therapy dogs. They're good with children and other pets. However, they need supervision around young children and big dogs due to their small size.

These independent dogs rarely suffer from separation anxiety, making them excellent companions for people who work during the day.

Choose a high-quality dog food that's appropriate for their life stage (e.g., puppy, adult, senior). A diet formulated for small breeds is a good option to consider. Overfeeding Lhasa Apsos can cause digestive upset. Portion out their food using a standard measuring cup and limit treats to no more than 10% of their daily calories to prevent overfeeding.

Whether their coats are left long or trimmed into a "puppy cut," Lhasas require regular grooming. Professional groomers will trim their hair and add clips to keep it out of their eyes.

At home, bathe Lhasas at least twice per month and use conditioners to make grooming easier. After a bath, dry the hair completely (leaving it damp can cause painful matting) and brush it thoroughly. Brushing Lhasas at least once a week helps remove dirt and mats. Starting a grooming routine when they're puppies will help them get used to the process.

Be sure to keep their nails trimmed. Overly long nails can cause pain or lead to problems running or walking. Start a regular dental care routine that includes at-home teeth brushing when Lhaso Apsos are young. Good dental hygiene is an essential part of their lifelong care.

These one-time watchdogs require little exercise. A brisk walk around the block is enough to tire a Lhasa Apso out. This breed is also good at "self-exercise" and will happily explore a fenced yard or play with toys to burn off their energy. Lhasas excel at agility, and some even retrieve and herd.

These outgoing, friendly dogs can also be stubborn and independent. That stubborn streak may come out during training. So, while Lhasa Apsos can be quick learners, they may choose not to follow directions.

Keeping training activities short and fun can help hold their attention. Use positive praise and rewards to encourage these willful dogs to learn (and follow) basic commands. Lhasas don't respond well to harsh training methods but do require firm, fair, consistent training. Prioritize a mix of mental and physical stimulation to keep them engaged.

Socialization is also important for these curious, outgoing pups.