There is no better feeling in a home than having a comfortable environment where everyone lives happily. You can also make this even better when you have a dog to keep company with. Dogs are described as man’s best friend because they are a huge source of friendship and companionship.
However, there are dog breeds that provide more than friendship. These dog breeds go as far as providing security for their owners and you can find this quality in the Lhasa Apso dog.
The Lhasa Apso dog breed is of Tibetan origin and was used in the past as an indoor guard dog. Recently, it has evolved to an outdoor dog that can be used for non-sporting activities. They come in different colors such as black, cream, golden, red, white and are hypoallergenic.
This breed is a small dog with a height of about 25-28cm and a body weight which is between 5-8kg for both the male/female gender. If you are looking for an easy-to-care-for and considerate dog, then check out the holistapet lhasa apso guide for some options.
This breed can be very playful but very sturdy which means it wouldn’t be a pushover. They are always strong-willed and very loyal to the family and this means that you would have a keen watchdog. To get more information about the Lhasa Apso dog breed you would need to read the features and how to care for them as outlined below
Features of the Lhasa Apso Dog Breed
The following are some features to look out for:
Hypoallergenic
The Apso dog isn’t a threat to allergic people like other dog breeds. This simply means even humans with any form of allergy can comfortably own them. Lhasa Apso breed is low shedding so the amount of hair that would be released into the environment will be too low to elicit any allergies. With this breed, there will be fewer allergic reactions by owners.
Companionship
One breed of dogs that don’t joke with keeping the owner company is the Lhasa Apso. They can be very humorous and can best be described as comedians as they leave their owners feeling good but the same cannot be said about strangers. If this breed is properly handled without any form of bullying, it is always eager to please the family.
Brave and Loyal Tendencies
One outstanding trait of this breed of dogs is that they are very loyal to the owners while also being alert for their sake. You will always have their loyalty at all times as they protect you and wade off intruders.
If you need tips on how to raise a loyal dog, you can check here: https://www.wikihow.com/Bring-Up-a-Loyal-Dog
Independence
The Lhasa Apso breed tolerates being on its own without any hassles. Because they are smart dogs, they can survive on their own. The breed is also known for intelligence and because of their independent nature, training them might be a difficult task.
Territorial
This breed is highly territorial and doesn’t want anyone invading its space. It is always wary of strangers and tries to always keep them off by becoming very aggressive
Caring for Lhasa Apso Dog Breed
Here are some tips to guide you:
Nutrition
This breed always needs foods that are of high quality. You would need to feed it with foods high in both fat and protein. Working with a good breeder to help recommend a good diet for your dog wouldn’t be a bad idea but always make sure not to over feed them to avoid unpleasant digestive issues.
Training
The Lhasa Apso breed is a fast learner, so you are sure of having a very confident and intelligent dog if you train it. But you shouldn’t give them repetitive drilling as they become bored easily. To keep them on their toes and interested in the training there should be an introduction of flexible/different training routines to keep motivating them to learn.
Health
This breed is naturally healthy. The only health issue that they can be plagued with is a hereditary kidney problem. Though this can’t be detected easily, working with an experienced breeder can help. The breeder would detect early the ones with the issue and keep them away from others.
Other health issues that you need to know about are the issues of slipping stifles, cherry eye, dry eye, hip dysplasia, and progressive retinal atrophy. You need to pay close attention to your pet’s body language to know when it is sick. If you need tips to help you understand your dog’s body language, you can check here.
Grooming
Dogs need regular maintenance and this breed is no exception. You need to bathe and brush your dog as often as possible. If your Lhasa Apso has long hair, then you should brush it with the right tools. Don’t forget to bathe the coat at least twice in 2 weeks. You can also groom it with a good conditioner and a nice spray. They will help keep your pet cute and appealing to everyone.
Exercise
This breed loves to jump around so they are not new to exercising. But this shouldn’t stop you from still having scheduled exercises with yours. You can take yours on a brisk walk or a short jog. This will keep your dog agile and fit for a long time. Refuse giving room for laziness or your dog turning into a couch potato.
Conclusion
Having a dog that keeps you company can be fun and beneficial since it will be performing other functions too. You would surely enjoy your Lhasa Apso breed as they are wired to protect as much as possible. You can use the above tips to groom them better to enable them to function maximally.
