The Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso comes from the mountains and the Tibetan plateau, from a country 
often called the roof of the world. These regions are situated at heights of 3500 to 5000 meters. The climate predominating there is rather extreme. Icy, long winters alternate with short, hot summers and animals as well as the people are shaped by difficult living conditions.

Due to this all Tibetan dogs are tough and robust. Nearly every breed is given a dense, thick coat by birth. It's a perfect protection against effects of the weather.

Few visitors from the West have gone to the country, which is shrouded in mystery and was rather isolated from the outside world in the past. Due to this only very few dogs from Tibet appeared in the western countries. Only since the beginning of the 20th century there have been dogs of different Tibetan breeds transported to Europe and to the North of America building the basis for the breeds which exist today.

According to historical reports a huge number of Lhasa Apsos were to be found already 800 AC in Tibetan monasteries and at the aristocrats' courts. He was considered as a lucky charm and is probably the only real Tibetan lion dog. The privileged position of the Lhasa Apso, who enjoyed the Tibetans' special and heartily affection, shaped his nature. He is an extremely proud, self-assured, intelligent dog having his own will.

As a fellow tenant he is very pleasant and extremely attached to his owner. He likes to adapt himself to his owner as soon as he has gained confidence in him. But he doesn't know inferiority and he isn't impressed by violence at all. He wants to be his owner's friend, he needs to have a close contact, otherwise he will die. He is suspicious against foreigners, always vigilant and a good guard dog in the house and the garden.

Full of happiness by nature he has some sense of humor. He is often a little actor able to play to the gallery.

Due to his small size of about 24-28 cm he can be kept inside apartments very well.

His special mark is his beautiful, thick coat, which was necessary in his native country to protect him against the extreme climate. It makes him very beautiful and it's easy to care for, if you follow the breeder's care instructions. One must care most about regularity. An extra mark is the variety of colors and the steady change of colors of the Apso. Every Apso is apparently a "unique edition", as there can hardly be found two of them being exactly the same.

 

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