How long are lhasa apsos

Their small size might make them seem like ideal apartment dogs , but their bark might prove otherwise. Lhasas need a moderate amount of exercise. A minute walk once or twice a day and some playtime in the house or yard, especially during the puppy stage, will do. The ideal Lhasa owner is someone with "a sense of humor, intelligence, and who likes interacting with their pet," Evans says.

He advises that new owners be patient and understand that just like with other dogs, it can take your Lhasa apso time to adjust to her new surroundings. When it comes to grooming, the Lhasa apso is definitely high-maintenance.

Though she doesn't shed much , her long and lavish coat can get quite tangled and matted if not cared for correctly—daily brushing and a bi-monthy bath is recommended. Some owners opt to keep their dog's coat short in a "puppy cut" style so that it's easier to maintain, but both hairdos are equally adorable and aww-worthy.

Lhasas will also need basic grooming every couple of weeks beyond their hair care, including nail trims and teeth brushing. Experts recommend brushing your dog's teeth every day if possible. Just make sure to use dog toothpaste , because human toothpaste is toxic for dogs!

Her ears also need to be checked and cleaned regularly. Your Lhasa should eat dog food made from high-quality ingredients. Monitoring her food and exercise is an important part of care, preventing your dog from gaining an unhealthy amount of weight.

A visit to your vet can help you determine how much and how often to feed your Lhasa to keep her healthy. The Lhasa apso is a generally healthy breed but can be prone to health problems like hip dysplasia and patellar luxation. Other common health issues for Lhasa apsos include cherry eye a red mass at the inner corner of the dog's eye , allergies , and a genetic skin condition called sebaceous adenitis , where the sebaceous glands become inflamed.

Lhasa apsos can also be susceptible to hemorrhagic gastroenteritis HGE , a life-threatening disease that can occur in small and medium-sized dog breeds , according to the ALAC.

If you catch the warning signs like bloody diarrhea early, the condition can be cured. On the face, the eyes may be hidden by a long fall of hair and there is a long beard as well. The muzzle is slightly shortened, leading to an undershot bite. Virtually all colors are acceptable, but the most popular are the leonine shades of wheaten, honey or golden with black on the tips of the ears, tail and beard hair.

Black, grizzle, slate, white and even parti-colors may be seen. It should be remembered at all times that the Lhasa Apso was bred as a guard dog as well as a companion dog. These dogs can be aloof with strangers, although they are affectionate with people who they know and trust. The sharp alarm bark can become a nuisance if the dog is not guided as to when it is appropriate. Lhasa Apsos are dogs that do best with a fair amount of socialization and plenty of human company.

They are not always good with other dogs, so they should be socialized to dogs and other pets as well as people right from puppy hood. Some Lhasa Apsos have a suspicious nature and can be snippy. At home with family and friends, however, they are lively and can be almost silly. Lhasa Apsos are "easy keepers;" too many treats or not enough exercise can easily lead to obesity. Luckily because of their small size, a regular walk two or three times a day is adequate.

Lhasa Apsos are intelligent dogs, but they are a bit stubborn and independent, so training is a must. A firm but patient hand works best. Lhasa Apsos should be well socialized to both people and other animals, including other dogs, in puppy hood. They are excellent watchdogs with a sharp, loud alarm bark. Lhasa Apsos can do well with children, but they should be supervised and exposed to them early on.

These are notoriously long-lived dogs, routinely going into their late teens. The record holder is a breed champion who lived to 29 years of age! The Lhasa Apso is an ancient breed, developed in Tibet from the Tibetan terrier and similar herding-type Tibetan dogs. Buddha is said to have had power over lions, and the Lhasa Apso with its full coat, full head of hair and leonine colors was referred to as "the lion dog.

Lamas Tibetan priests are reputed to be reincarnated as Lhasa Apsos if they do not reach Nirvana. The Dalai Lamas not only kept Lhasa Apsos as pets, but also used them as gifts for honored guests. Lhasa Apsos not only served as pets and companions but also as guard dogs because of their alert nature and their sharp bark.

This deformity can cause respiratory and eye problems. Dry Eye — This is a condition where the Lhasa Apso has a deficiency in tear film over the surface of the eye and in the lining of the lids. Symptoms of this would be: excessive blinking, swollen blood vessels, discharge of mucus from the eye. Patellar Luxation — This is a health condition often found in small dogs.

This is caused by the femur, patella and tibia not being aligned properly. When a dog has this condition, the sebaceous glands in the skin become inflamed and are generally destroyed. Nothing in this article should be construed as financial, legal or veterinary advice. What the Heck is My Dog Doing? Top 5 Strange Behaviors in Dogs. See where this beloved breed ranks in comparison to other breeds in 7 key categories. Trainability The Lhasa Apso is generally responsive to training using positive reinforcement.

Shedding Friendliness This breed does not shed that much. Health This breed suffers from a deformity in the legs and back. Call us right away if he has any problems with his eyes. A damaged cornea is painful and should be treated immediately. Medication and sometimes surgery is required. Glaucoma, an eye condition that affects Lhasa Apsos and people too, is an extremely painful disease that rapidly leads to blindness if left untreated. Symptoms include squinting, watery eyes, bluing of the cornea the clear front part of the eye , and redness in the whites of the eyes.

Pain is rarely noticed by pet owners though it is frequently there and can be severe. People who have certain types of glaucoma often report it feels like being stabbed in the eye with an ice pick! Glaucoma is a medical emergency. Your Lhasa is more likely than other dogs to have a liver disorder called portosystemic shunt PSS.

Some of the blood supply that should go to the liver goes around it instead, depriving the liver of the blood flow it needs to grow and function properly. If your friend has PSS, his liver cannot remove toxins from his bloodstream effectively.

Surgery may be needed, but in some cases, we can treat with a special diet and medication. Your Lhasa is susceptible to different kinds of skin infections and diseases. One of them is caused by yeast Malassezia dermatitis. When it infects the ears, it causes itching, redness, and an accumulation of brown waxy discharge. On the skin, it leads to greasy, hairless areas, especially on the neck and throat, with a characteristic odor.

Another common skin disease called seborrhea can cause dry, flaky skin or greasy, oily skin. These diseases make your pet itchy and uncomfortable. The earlier you call to have his skin problems checked, the less likely it is that you will end up caring for an itchy, bald, smelly dog. There are several types of inherited bleeding disorders which occur in dogs.

They range in severity from very mild to very severe. Many times a pet seems normal until a serious injury occurs or surgery is performed, and then severe bleeding can result. Stones can form in the urinary bladder resulting in irritation and potentially obstruction.

There are a few different types of stones that can form in the kidney or in the bladder, and Lhasa Apsos are more likely to develop them than other breeds. Call us immediately! Because damaged kidneys leak protein, we may be able to diagnose this disease by testing his urine for excessive protein. We recommend yearly urine analysis because early detection leads to a happier pet and an easier, more affordable treatment plan.

We may also recommend a special diet as part of the therapy plan. Illustration of degenerative valves in the heart. Over time, some dogs will develop heart failure. Heart failure is a leading cause of death among Lhasa Apsos in their golden years. Most heart disease in dogs is caused by weakening of a valve. A heart valve slowly becomes deformed so that it no longer closes tightly. Blood then leaks back around this valve and strains the heart.

Pets with heart valve disease sometimes called mitral valve disease have a heart murmur. The same tests will need to be repeated at least every year to monitor the condition. If heart valve disease is diagnosed early, we may be able to prescribe medications that could prolong his life for many years.

Veterinary dental care and fatty acid supplementation can help prevent heart disease and weight control can help diminish symptoms.