Lhasa Apso

AKC Group: Non-Sporting

Club: American Lhasa Apso Club, Inc.

Secretary : Jan Bruton
Address: 5406 SW Woods Ct., Portland, OR , 97221
Website: www.lhasaapso.org
Email: jandlbruton@hotmail.com
Club Type: Specialty

Size:

Variable, but about 10 inches or 11 inches at shoulder for dogs, bitches slightly smaller.

Coat:

Heavy, straight, hard, not woolly nor silky, of good length, and very dense.

History:

Beyond the northern boundary of India, where the mighty Mount Everest stands like a guardian sentinel, is the mysterious land of Tibet, a country where conditions are hard on man and beast because of the intense cold and great heat. This is the home of the Lhasa Apso, known in that land as Abso Seng Kye, the "Bark Lion Sentinel Dog". Small wonder, then, that these members of dogdom should be of such hardy and vigorous constitution.

Since danger threatened from without and within in this strange land, a huge Mastiff was chained to a post beside the outer door to prevent intruders from entering, while Lhasa Apsos were kept as special guards inside the dwellings. For this work, the little dogs were peculiarly adapted by their intelligence, quick hearing, and finely developed instinct for distinguishing intimates from strangers.

The Lhasa Apso, from the lamaseries and villages around the sacred city of Lhasa, is one of three breeds native to Tibet that are in the Non-Sporting Group. The others are the Tibetan Terrier and the Tibetan Spaniel. Of the three, the Lhasa was the first admitted to AKC registration - in 1935. It was originally shown in the Terrier Group, then reassigned to the Non-Sporting in 1959.

Interesting Facts:

• The Lhasa originated in Tibet.
  
  
• The original name of the Lhasa was Abso Send Kye, the "Bark Lion Sentinel Dog."
  
  
• Lhasas served as guards inside dwellings in Tibet, while Mastiffs served outside.
  
  
• The Lhasa, along with the Tibetan Spaniel and Tibetan Terrier, is one of three natively Tibetan breeds in the Non-Sporting Group, and of the three, it was the first admitted to the AKC (in 1935). The three breeds share the heavy coat of protective hair and an upcurled tail over the back.
  
  
• The Lhasa was originally shown in the Terrier Group and was reassigned in 1959 to the Non-Sporting Group.
  
  
• Suydam Cutting, a naturalist and world traveler, is singularly responsible for the establishment and reputation of the Lhasa in America.