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Hound Handbook
Breed profile

Lhasa Apso

Tibetan monastery watchdog in a floor-length coat. Devoted at home, aloof with strangers, and quick to announce every visitor.

Golden long-coated Lhasa Apso lying on a floral blanket, mouth open mid-yawn
A full-coated Lhasa Apso, mid-yawn.Photo: localpups / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Weight
6–8 kg13–18 lb
Height
25–28 cm10–11 in
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Group
Utility / Non-Sporting
Origin
Tibet
Popularity
#83 US#45 UK · 2025

Known for: Flat-friendlyLow shedding

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Independent, Watchful, Affectionate, Reserved.

Health problems to know about

Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breed. Veterinary organisations in several countries urge buyers to choose dogs with longer muzzles or health-tested parents, because breathing problems are common and can be severe.

  • Progressive retinal atrophy
  • Dry eye (KCS)
  • Renal dysplasia
  • Patellar luxation
  • Atopic dermatitis

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

A long coat needs daily brushing; a short puppy trim cuts that to a few times a week. Wipe the eyes daily and keep hair out of them. Short walks and play cover exercise.

A good fit for

Flats and smaller homes, adults or families with older children, and owners who like a self-possessed dog rather than a shadow.

Probably not ideal for

Owners who want an eager-to-please trainee, homes with close neighbours (they bark), and anyone without time for grooming.

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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