7 reasons to choose a Lhasa Apso dog

7 reasons to choose a Lhasa Apso dog

Are you thinking of bringing home a Lhasa Apso? These fantastic little guys can be great pets, and are definitely worth considering. While many people have a stigma against small dogs, thinking that they're frivolous or "yappy", Lhasa's often win their hearts, once they've had the opportunity to spend a little time with one.

If you do an internet search, you'll read lots of articles about the history of these little dogs. And while for many breeds the history doesn't really matter any more, it's not a bad idea to read a little more about the Lhasa Apso. They were bred as indoor watch dogs in the isolated Himalayan Mountains of Tibet, and have remained relatively unchanged for a long time. This breeding results in a unique personality.

I've put together the Top 7 Reasons to take home a Lhasa Apso to give you a little more insight into the personalities of these dogs. I've also included a few quirks that can cause problems in certain households, and should be considered as well.

Top 7 Reasons to Take Home a Lhasa Apso:

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  Lhasa puppies are full of energy & curiosity. They are very playful, and are excellent at entertaining themselves (and you!)
  
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  Lhasa's have a long lifespan (anywhere from 12 to 18 years) and age well. They tend to stay playful well into their teens.
  
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  They are very independent dogs. Because they were bred indoors, they are excellent dogs for apartment & condo living, and rarely suffer separation anxiety.
  
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  Additionally, being indoor dogs, they don't require extensive outdoor exercise. Indoor play and daily walks should keep them content.
  
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  Lhasa's do not shed like short-hair dogs, and many people with allergies (and even some with asthma) can live comfortably with them.
  
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  Lhasa Apso's are generally a very sturdy and healthy breed. The most serious hereditary disease is renal dysplasia (kidney failure). However, they often display symptons of this disease as puppies, and reputable breeders will not put a Lhasa Apso puppy for sale that show signs of kidney problems.
  
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  They do not bark nearly as much as many of the other breeds of small dogs. Because Lhasa's were bred as indoor watch dogs, they have very discriminating hearing. They learn to distinguish ordinary, day-to-day noises from unusual ones, and so will usually only bark for legitimate reasons. Lhasa's will usually not join in when they hear other neighborhood dogs barking.
  

Additionally, they should always be supervised around small children. Lhasa's tend to associate more with adults than children, and can become quite defensive (read: unpredictable) around a child that plays rough. Games like hide and seek, and fetch tend to be better at teaching the puppy to trust the child.