The Lhasa Apso: A Guide to Your Fabulous Furball
Character: Picture a dog that's the life of the party but only invites a select few. Friendly and confident, but they'll give strangers the side-eye like a seasoned bouncer.
Size: Varies, but around 25-28 cm at the shoulder. Ladies are a bit more petite, just like in the doggy fashion world.
Color: Any color goes! Whether they rock dark tips on their ears and beard or not, they’re always in vogue. Think of them as the fashionistas of the canine world.
Body Shape: Longer than they are tall, like a furry hot dog. Strong and sturdy, with well-developed muscles and thighs that could rival a bodybuilder's.
Coat: Heavy, straight, and dense. Think of it as their built-in winter coat – no woolly or silky nonsense here. Perfect for those chilly mountain hikes.
Mouth and Muzzle: Preferably slightly undershot bite. Medium-length muzzle – no square jaws, please! They’re not boxers, after all.
Head: Heavy head furnishings (think fabulous bangs), narrow skull, and a straight foreface. Nose black, and the length from nose to back of skull should be about one-third. They’ve got the perfect face for selfies.
Eyes: Dark brown, not too big or too small – just right. They’ve got that soulful gaze down pat.
Ears: Pendant and heavily feathered. They’ve got the best ear muffs in town.
Legs: Straight forelegs, with both forelegs and hind legs covered in hair. They’re ready for any runway.
Feet: Round and catlike, with good pads. Perfect for sneaking around and pouncing on unsuspecting toys.
Tail and Carriage: Well-feathered and carried over the back in a screw. A low tail carriage is a big no-no. They’ve got that tail curl that screams confidence.
Five Key Areas to Judge Your Lhasa Apso:
Balance: They should look like a well-proportioned, furry rectangle.
Head: Heavy head furnishings and a narrow skull – think of a wise old sage.
Structure & Movement: Agile and athletic, like a mountain goat in a fur coat.
Coat: Heavy, straight, and dense – no bad hair days here.
Temperament: Lively, fun-loving, and a bit suspicious of strangers – the perfect watchdog.
Balance and Outline
The Lhasa Apso should be a small, moderate dog with no hint of being chunky or bony. They should be about 25-28 cm tall, with females being slightly smaller. Their body length should be about one-third longer than their height, making them look like a furry rectangle.
Their neck should be strong and well-proportioned, carrying their head with an air of confidence. As they trot, their head extends slightly forward, showing off their mountain heritage.
Reflecting their mountain heritage, the Lhasa Apso is a dog of moderation. No one part should stand out; everything should be in harmony. Think of them as the zen masters of the dog world.
Head
The Lhasa Apso’s head is one of their most distinguishing features. With heavy head furnishings, they look like they have an old soul. Their skull should be narrow, not domed or apple-shaped, and their ears should be set at eye level.
To correctly understand the phrase "falling away behind the eyes to a marked degree," gently push the hair towards the back of the skull. There should be no bulging or broadness behind the eyes. The zygomatic arch (or cheekbone) should be only slightly curved, not prominent.
Their muzzle should be one-third of the total head length, with a strong but not prominent lower jaw. The planes of the muzzle and skull should be parallel when viewed in profile.
Bite
The preferred bite is slightly undershot. A reverse scissors bite with a full set of incisors is ideal. A scissors bite or an undershot bite where the teeth show when the mouth is closed is not desirable. The bite should not interfere with their charming expression.
Eyes
The Lhasa Apso’s eyes should be medium-sized and dark, with no white showing when they look straight ahead. Their eyes should be oval or almond-shaped, not round or protruding. They’ve got that perfect soulful gaze that can melt hearts.
Expression
Typical Lhasa expression includes:
Balanced head of 1/3 muzzle to 2/3 skull
Straight foreface
Narrow skull
Medium-sized, oval, dark brown eyes
Deep black pigment
Correct bite
Strong lower jaw
Heavy head furnishings
Structure
The Lhasa Apso is a sturdy dog with moderate bone. They should be longer than tall, well-ribbed up, and have a strong loin. Their ribcage should be long and slightly curved, allowing for increased lung capacity.
Their loin should be strong and muscular, providing the agility needed to cover uneven terrain. Their forelegs should be straight, and their rear legs should be strong and well-developed.
Proper shoulder placement is essential for good balance, with a smooth transition from neck to backline. The lengths from withers to point of shoulder and point of shoulder to elbow are equal. Front and rear angulation should be about equal with balanced reach and drive.
Movement
At the trot, the Lhasa Apso should move with efficiency and grace. Their legs should move parallel, with a tendency to converge as they increase speed. The side gait should show good reach and drive. They should look like they’re gliding on air.
Coat
The Lhasa Apso’s coat is heavy, straight, and dense. It should be strong and resilient, not light or fine. The coat should look like a beautiful cloak of hair, draping their silhouette. It should also be natural-looking – excessive trimming and sculpturing is discouraged.
While length of coat is desirable for a mature, finished look in the adult Lhasa, texture of coat is most important. Lhasa hairs are hard, straight, and described as almost human. On close examination, individual hairs can be seen, and each strand can be individually felt when rubbed between your fingers.
Temperament
The Lhasa Apso is lively, fun-loving, and a bit suspicious of strangers. They are independent by nature, watchful, and intelligent. Above all, they are guardians of their domain. The term "chary of strangers" implies a dog that is suspicious but never shy nor aggressive.