| By :
Brent McCoy
The Lhasa Apso (once named the "Lhasa Terrier") is a small non-sporting breed of Tibetan dog that features a long coat in many colors and is very much the meaning of their name in the native Tibetan language - "long-haired Tibetan dog". The breed first appeared in as early as 800BC, and they were originally raised for the main function of being a watch dog inside Buddhist monasteries. A small number of their most distinct characteristics are often described as their stubborn but highly devoted temperament - which assist in making the Lhasa Apso a regular dog breed as a companion for families with older children, apartment dwellers or retirees. The Lhasa Apso is well-known for their bold, alert, devoted and sometimes stubborn nature. They are usually reserved with people they don't know and have very keen hearing as well as a sharp bark, which often means they are a good watch dog but not very suitable as a guard dog due to their size. The Lhasa Apso is also known to be fairly intelligent - scoring 68th in comparison with other dogs in terms of their ability to be trained obedience directives. They are also recognized to be good with older kids - meaning they are somewhat suitable as a family pet. The Lhasa Apso is quite well-matched and playful with other animals such as other dogs and pets. Grooming the Lhasa Apso is a reasonably demanding undertaking. They need a regular level of brushing each day or two and full grooming every 2 to 3 weeks if their coat is kept long - though some owners may prefer to clip their dog short in a "teddy bear" cut to make things easier if they're primarily a companion dog. The Lhasa Apso doesn't need a yard, and they are quite suitable for apartment living if they are given daily exercise. They can live in cooler environments, and can be less content if it gets too hot due to the thickness of their coat. The Lhasa Apso loves endeavors including indoor play sessions, outdoor adventures and games of fetch in an open area. They possess a low to medium quantity of energy and need exercise each day in the manner of average-length walks to avert behavior problems such as excessive barking. The Lhasa Apso could make the ideal breed of dog for families with older children, apartment dwellers, retirees or anyone with a less active lifestyle. They are appropriate for anyone who is willing to commit to a high level of grooming and allow time to give them early socialization and obedience training to establish leadership in addition to take them on moderate walks every day and give a good quantity of companionship and devotion. Although they might be a little inappropriate as a guard dog or pet for families with young children, if you are able to meet their high grooming requirements and need for patient training then the Lhasa Apso may possibly be the perfect breed of dog for you.
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