Lhasa Apso

Coat

Solid: Grey (25) Black (35) Cream (45) Red (55) Orange (65) Brown (95) Tan (105) Blue (115) Dusty (125)
Tan: with tan markings in the traditional pattern.
Legs may lack tan, have tan only on the toes/fingers (may or may not include feet/paws) or in the normal pattern (paws and lower legs).
Lack of tan on the legs is not a fault, but some degree of tan on the legs is preferred.
May lack chest spots without fault.
Sable: Red sable is accepted in any of the patterns.
Dusty (125) is accepted as a base colour and Grey (25) Blue (115) as shading colour. with Black (35) as shading is also accepted.
Dark tail (or tailtip) is optional in all sable patterns in this breed.
Masking: All of the above may be masked with (small or standard mask). Masking can be present as dark eartips alone.
White Markings: White (15) allowed on all of the above as trim, irish spotting or in the piebald pattern.
Solid is also allowed.

Eyes

Dark Brown (50-59/90-99)

Nose

Black (35-39/244)

Faults

None

Disqualifications

None

Notes

The Lhasa Apso has been kept both as a companion and a watch breed in Tibetan monasteries and homes for hundreds of years. There is little information on the breed's past, which could be due to the fact that the dogs were hidden from the West. The tiny dogs played a role in religious rituals and were believed to keep off evil spirits.

The breed is most likely related to similar Chinese breeds, and the term 'lion dog' has been used in both countries. The original Tibetan name is 'longhaired lion dog', apso meaning 'the hairy'. One of the first Apsos exported to the West came from the city Lhasa, therefore the first part of the name.

When the breed was first exhibited in Britain, it was shown together with the Tibetan Terrier, under the name of 'Lhasa Terrier' - it wasn't until 1934 that it was accepted as its own breed. Today the breed is especially common in the USA, with more than 20,000 yearly registrations.

The Lhasa Apso should be robust, with a rectangular body and confident expression. The head is moderately thin with a straight muzzle and slight stop. Well developed ribcage and straight back. The tail is set high and carried curved over the bod. The coat is long, straight and hard, with moderate undercoat.

Breed Files

Lhasa Apso - Supernova — Supernova
**Filename:** Lhasa apso
**Offset:** 0035
**Base:** Mutt
**SCP:** Dalmatian
**Accepted:** February 7, 2008
**Notes:** Addballz ears, tail and optional trailing fur (hind and front, hind only or none). Two texture variations.