Dog breed
Lhasa Apso
The Lhasa Apso is a small, long-haired dog from Tibet that for centuries served as an alert sentinel in monasteries and palaces. It looks like a plush toy, but its personality is serious: confident, independent and wary of strangers. With its own people, it's a devoted, cheerful companion.
- Low shedding
- FCI Group IX · Companion dogs · standard no. 227
- Weight
- 5.4–8.2 kg
- Height
- 25–28 cm
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
- Origin
- Tibet (China)
Temperament
The FCI standard describes the Lhasa as gay and assertive, alert and steady, but somewhat aloof with strangers. That sums it up well: at home it can be playful and cuddly, but a visitor will get barked at and watched first. The AKC gives it top marks for affection and watchdog instinct. The Lhasa has a lot of dignity and doesn't like being forced into anything; yanking, pulling its hair or overly insistent hugs from children can end in a growl. It learns willingly when there's something in it for the dog, but it doesn't have a people-pleasing mentality. It usually gets used to other pets. Left alone for a few hours, it most often just sleeps.
- Energy
- calmvery energetic
- Affection
- independentvelcro pet
- With children
- not idealgreat
- With other pets
- difficultgreat
- Trainability
- stubborneager to learn
- For first-time owners
- for experienced ownersyes
- With strangers
- waryoutgoing
- Playfulness
- dignifiedeternal puppy
- Shedding
- minimalheavy
- Grooming
- easydemanding
- Being left alone
- strugglescopes well
- Apartment living
- needs a house and yardgreat in a flat
- Barking
- quietvocal
- With other dogs
- difficultgreat
- Protectiveness
- lowhigh
- Drooling
- hardly anya lot
- Cold tolerance
- feels the coldexcellent
- Heat tolerance
- strugglescopes well
Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits
Who is the Lhasa Apso for?
The Lhasa Apso suits adults, seniors and families with older children, in an apartment or a house, who want a small dog with personality and an alert watchdog. People with allergies may consider it, since it sheds little, though no dog is fully hypoallergenic. It's not a good choice for families with young children, people who don't want to brush a dog every day, or anyone who expects unconditional obedience.
Pros
- an alert watchdog despite its small size
- does well in an apartment
- sheds very little
- long-lived
Challenges
- demanding care for the long coat
- wary of strangers
- may not tolerate being pulled at by children
- risk of kidney and eye disease
Size and looks
| Height at the withers | males 25–28 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | males 5.4–8.2 kg, females 5.4–8.2 kg |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
| Coat | long |
| Colors | golden, sand, honey, dark grizzle, slate, smoke, parti-color, black, white, brown |
| Country of origin | Tibet (China) |
| Classification | Group IX: Companion and Toy dogs |
| Also known as | Lhasa |
Care and exercise
The Royal Kennel Club recommends up to an hour of exercise a day; a Lhasa enjoys walks but doesn't need to run for miles. The bigger commitment is the coat: kept full length, it needs daily brushing right down to the skin, or the undercoat will mat. Many owners choose a shorter clip from a groomer every few weeks. Tie up or trim the hair over the eyes, and wipe around the eyes, because the breed is prone to tearing and dry eye. Look after the teeth and trim the hair between the paw pads. Training should be short and reward-based, since a Lhasa can't stand monotony. From puppyhood, get the dog used to having its paws, muzzle and coat handled, rewarding calm behavior on the grooming table.
How much should the Lhasa Apso eat?The calculator starts from this breed’s typical weight: calories and grams a day.Health and breed-related conditions
The AKC considers the Lhasa a generally sturdy, healthy breed, but names familial kidney disease as its most serious problem: it can be mild or severe, and there's no reliable test for carriers. Breeders who know about the problem remove affected dogs from their breeding programs. Other conditions worth asking about are dry eye, progressive retinal atrophy, patellar luxation, hip dysplasia and cherry eye. The Royal Kennel Club considers a DNA test for PRA4 the minimum before breeding and an eye exam good practice. The AKC gives a life expectancy of 12–15 years.
- familial kidney disease (renal dysplasia)According to the AKC, the breed's most serious problem; there is no reliable test for carriers.
- progressive retinal atrophy (PRA4)The Royal Kennel Club considers a DNA test the minimum before breeding.
- keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye)A lack of tears that requires ongoing treatment with eye drops.
- prolapsed third eyelid gland (cherry eye)A red lump in the corner of the eye, usually treated surgically.
- patellar luxation and hip dysplasiaThe AKC advises asking the breeder about them.
Health tests to ask the breeder about
- PRA4 DNA test
- eye exam (ECVO)
- patella evaluation
This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.
Breed history
The Lhasa Apso comes from Tibet, where many dogs lived at high altitudes in a harsh climate. The long, hard coat with a dense undercoat protected them from the cold, and the fringe over the eyes shielded them from wind, dust and glare. The AKC describes them as sentinel dogs of Buddhist palaces and monasteries, linked for centuries with the Dalai Lama. The name combines Lhasa, Tibet's sacred capital, with the word "apso," meaning a long-haired dog. The first dogs reached Britain in the early 1920s and were initially confused with other breeds under the name "Lhasa Terriers." The British breed club was founded in 1933.
Fun facts
- "Apso" means a long-haired dog in Tibetan.
- In the 1940s, dogs given as gifts by the 14th Dalai Lama helped establish the breed in the US.
- The FCI standard calls for a reverse scissor bite, with the upper incisors closing just behind the lower ones.
- In Tibetan belief, Lhasas were considered earthly representatives of the mythical Snow Lion.
Frequently asked questions
Do Lhasa Apsos shed?
Very little; the AKC gives the breed its lowest shedding rating. But dead hair stays caught in the coat, so without regular brushing mats form quickly.
Are Lhasa Apsos good for people with allergies?
They're often recommended to allergy sufferers because they don't leave hair all over the house. But no dog is fully hypoallergenic, since allergens are also found in saliva and dander, so spend time with an adult Lhasa before deciding.
How long do Lhasa Apsos live?
The AKC gives 12–15 years, and the Royal Kennel Club places the breed among dogs that live more than 12 years. Many Lhasas reach a ripe old age in good shape.
Do Lhasa Apsos bark a lot?
A moderate amount, but always when they decide something is happening at the door. They were sentinel dogs for centuries, so sounding the alarm is in their blood. Teaching calm behavior helps reduce barking.
How much does a Lhasa Apso weigh?
Adult dogs of this breed usually weigh: males 5.4–8.2 kg, females 5.4–8.2 kg. Height at the withers: 25–28 cm. That range is for healthy adults in good condition.
This breed also appears in
Sources
- 1FCI standard nr 227 – Lhasa Apsofci.be
- 2AKC – Lhasa Apsoakc.org
- 3Royal Kennel Club – Lhasa Apsoroyalkennelclub.com
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
