Lhasa Apso Owner – A website about Lhasa Apso’s

When my fiancé decided to get a Lhasa Apso as a pet many years ago, I had some reservations because I knew next to nothing about these dogs. One question I had was "do they shed hair?" I knew most doges shed hair, but I wanted to be sure Lhasa’s didn’t. I did some research and asked around from people who owned Lhasa Apso’s to get a better understanding. So, do Lhasa Apso’s shed hair? Lhasa Apso’s are low shedding dogs. Unlike most breeds, they take after humans in their way of shedding; they shed little by little as a result of the long length of their hair. Most Lhasa Apso owners would even say they don’t shed or the quantity of hair they shed is very little. This particular feature makes them suitable for some people with allergies; because they have long hair do not shed regularly, the hair becomes heavy making it difficult for allergens to escape and become airborne. This doesn’t mean that they are generally non-allergenic, what it means is that they cause less allergic reactions than other breeds with short hair. Lhasa Apso’s are known for their companionship, and they typically require more care and attention; for example, the hair length and the tendency to shed slowly make them need regular haircuts and grooming. A lot of people love these beautiful dogs but do not take time to do enough research and learn the peculiarities. If you would enjoy a great and comfortable relationship with your pet dog(s), you should take time out to learn some stuff about the particular breed; shedding, grooming, training, and health issues are some things you should know about before getting a Lhasa Apso. How do Lhasa Apso’s Shed Hair It is a common fact that most dogs shed hair, and all dogs shed dead skin cell. However, when we talk about hair shedding, certain breeds stand unique in their way of shedding. One such breed of dog that doesn't shed like others is the Lhasa Apso. The Lhasa Apso has long hair, and as they grow, the hair tends to become heavier; this long length makes it unsuitable for them to shed hair in more frequently and in large quantity. Nonetheless, they shed very slowly. This ability to shed slowly was developed so that they can keep themselves clean and avoid tangling of the lower hair, close to the coat. The undercoat is smooth and strong, and the outer coat is made up of the longer hair which protects the inner coat. The long hair also means that there is a need for regular trimming, in spite of this; some people find it hard to get the hair trimmed regularly. If you cannot cut the hair regularly, you should commit to regular bathing and brushing of the hair to prevent it from tangling. Otherwise, you should think twice before getting a Lhasa Apso. The manner of shedding also makes them compatible with people who have some form of allergies; the hair on the outer coat is always thick because they shed lightly, this makes the dander stay on their body and not get released into the atmosphere in large quantities. The Lhasa Apso manner of shedding means it will take a lot of effort to keep them as pets, seeing that you have to bathe, cut their hair and groom them regularly, it also means that you wouldn’t have dog hair polluting your house and getting on all your clothes, unless at the few times when they shed. If you, however, decide to go for the one you should know how they shed and more importantly, how to take care of them properly. Grooming your Lhasa Apso You should know by now that it is not easy work grooming a Lhasa Apso. They are beautiful dogs with beautiful long hair, but for the hair to stay attractive, you have to take care of it regularly by brushing, bathing, and clipping. Brushing In particular, you should comb and brush the hair every day; when you brush the hair, take time to get to the root of the hair so you can untangle all the knots forming underneath. You should carry out further research on effective combing and brushing methods. If you choose to get the hair trimmed, you should know that this doesn’t eliminate brushing as a way of taking care of your dog; it only makes it easier. Cut or not, Lhasa Apso hair should be brushed regularly, if not, the hair will tangle, the dog may develop a serious skin infection, and altogether lose its splendor. Bathing The dog should be bathed biweekly or monthly at the very most, the lush and lovely hair is the most striking feature of the Lhasa Apso, and if the beauty will be kept as it is, it requires intensive care. Bathing is one of the necessary steps to keep your dog in good health, and although they are generally healthy dogs, this breed is susceptible to skin infections which can be prevented by regular bathing. When you bathe your dog, wet the hair first with water, and rub soap all through the hair to the root, then using your fingers comb through the hair in a vertical pattern to avoid tangling. After this, rinse entirely with water and go on to apply conditioner. Remember not to rub the dog with a towel, you can pat the dog with one but steer clear from rubbing to avoid tangling. Trimming You can trim yourself, or you can take your Lhasa Apso to a groomer. Either option involves careful attention. If you choose to trim by yourself, it is usually a good idea to have the dog on an elevated platform. Use a suitable clipper to cut the entire body, starting from the back down to both sides. It is usually a good idea to trim the facial hair also, as they can grow over the eyes and block your dog’s vision. You should, however, change to a more suitable clipper blade before you go on and trim the face; and if you feel uncomfortable doing this, you can carefully use a sharp pair of scissors. The paws, ears, and tail should also be trimmed carefully with a sharp pair of scissors with more attention to details, particularly in the tail area. There have been several cases where pet owners and even inexperienced groomers mistakenly cut the tail with trimming scissors. To avoid this feel the tail and the extent of the hair with one hand and trim carefully with the other. See also: 5 SIMPLE WAYS TO GROOM YOUR LHASA APSO General Care of Lhasa Apso’s One of the most challenging parts of keeping care of a Lhasa Apso is grooming; this does not imply in any way that it stops there, there are several other things to know about taking care of them. Brushing your dog's teeth is just as important as these additional steps, and you need to get your dog used to this. It is not advisable to start brushing your dog's teeth right away; start by rubbing the gums and lips slowly with your hand daily for a couple of weeks, after this step, you can gradually introduce a dog toothbrush and toothpaste. Cut your dog's nail regularly, using nail clippers, and look out for any sign of infection when you are doing all these. Additionally, you should clean the ears by using an ear cleaning solution that comes in a spray; spray a little into your dog’s ears and clean them out with cotton. Although they are indoor pets, you should walk your dogs regularly to keep them active and compliant. Another thing you should be careful with is their feeding; Lhasa Apso’s are not heavy eaters, but they need a lot of protein and vitamins, be sure to include a lot of that in their feed. If you notice any suspicious signs, you should contact a veterinarian as soon as possible; these are general things you should know, and they cannot in any way replace professional opinions and examinations. Related Questions Are Lhasa Apso’s healthy dogs? This particular breed is a very healthy one, but like most animals, they are prone to specific health issues. They are generally inclined to skin infections, especially if they are not given adequate care and some other health issues. See also: DO LHASA APSOS HAVE HEALTH PROBLEMS? Do Lhasa Apso’s bite? They are famously described as biters, but that may just be a general misconception. Sometimes when they play with you, it feels like they are biting you, but in fact, they are just playing with you. If you, however, train them well form a young age, you can eliminate the biting.

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