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Original Lhasa Apso

History
The heavy coat of Lhasas can also be explained by the geographical features of Tibet: the temperature frequently drops below freezing thus making it hard for a dog to survive without sufficient insulation. Lhasas were rarely groomed by their owners thus allowing the breed to adapt to the harsh weather, although when they are in warm climates, such as the south-western U.S., many owners prefer to have the coats trimmed. Located between India and China; the isolated region called Tibet (also referred to as “The Roof of the World”) sits on the largest and highest plateau on Earth. This plateau has an average elevation of 16,000 feet. Surrounded by the Kunlun and Himalayan Mountains on three sides and by China on the fourth, Tibet receives only 10 inches of rain annually. Tibet‘s climate varies little seasonally with temperatures ranging from 18 degrees Fahrenheit to 45 degrees Fahrenheit on average. The capital of Tibet is Lhasa which means “holy land“. Tibetans practice Buddhism also known as Lamaism. Tibet is also the birthplace of the Lhasa apso, its name comes from the capital city of Tibet, Lhasa.

Appearance Lhasas are about 10 to 11 inches at the withers and weigh about 14-18 pounds. The females are slightly smaller, and weigh between 12-14lbs. The breed standard requires dark brown eyes and a black nose. Texture of the coat is heavy, straight, hard, not woolly nor silky, and very dense. A Lhasa’s coat should be of good length. All colors are equally acceptable, with or without dark tips to ears and beard. The tail should be carried in a tight screw over the back. The breed standard currently used by the American Kennel Club was approved July 11, 1978. TemperamentHaving been bred to be sentinel or watch dogs, Lhasa Apsos tend to be alert and have a keen sense of hearing with a rich, sonorous bark that belies their size (some are known as “singers”).

Lhasa Apsos although small, can exhibit brief periods of explosive energy.. Unique personality characteristics of Lhasa Apsos have gained them a reputation in some circles as being a very emotive breed that in some cases prove themselves to be completely fearless.
If properly raised it will come to appreciate bathing, hair combing and cutting. The Lhasa Apso is a long-lived breed, with some living in good health into their early 20s.
In 1901 Mrs. A. McLaren Morrison brought the Lhasa Apso to the UK where it was registered as an official breed in The Kennel Club in 1902.

The original American pair was a gift from Thubten Gyatso, 13th Dalai Lama to C. Suydam Cutting, arriving in the United States in the early 1930s. The American Kennel Club officially accepted the breed in 1935 in the Terrier group, and in 1959 transferred the breed to the Non-Sporting group.

Recently DNA Analysis has identified the Lhasa Apso as one of the 14 most ancient dog breeds. In the 1950s the Lhasa Apso and Maltese were accidentally bred creating a type of dog that later became known as the Kyi-Leo rare dog breed in the 1970s. (information from Wikipedia)

Faults Any departure from foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact propotion to its degree.

Note * Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.