Yes! I knew the day would come when my children would ask me for a dog as a pet … But not only did they want me to buy a dog, but they also adored and specifically wanted a Lhasa Apso, the “Bearded Lion Dog.” Happily, I was also encouraged, and I thought about looking for a Lhasa Apso puppy, but before that, I set myself the task of finding out how this breed gets along with the children.
So … Is the Lhasa Apso ideal for children? Although it has a small size and is a very playful and cheerful dog, it is not the best dog to live with very young children, because it does not have the patience to tolerate the prolonged games of small children. However, a properly socialized Lhasa Apso is a perfect company for any family.
Either way, we must know that there are no good or bad dogs by nature. The behavior of a dog is determined 50% by breed or lineage, and 50% by their education and life experiences … And in fact, there are many exciting things to understand and know about the Lhasa Apso breed that will allow us to form a family nucleus with all the members of the family. What is an ideal breed for children? What is the temperament of Lhasa Apso? For what ages of children is Lhasa Apso recommended? What is the best way to educate him? …
Dog Breeds for Kids & Lhasa Apso
Dogs provide a great advantage in every way during the growth stage of the youngest. Coexistence with dogs brings benefits at the level of physical, emotional, cognitive and social development of children. All dogs, regardless of breed, color or age, are capable of positively affecting our lives.
However, if we are thinking of expanding our family with the addition of a four-legged hairy companion, we must bear in mind that there are always some breeds that due to their characteristics may be more appropriate than others. Then, when we talk about dogs for children, we must identify those factors that can facilitate coexistence- be it size, personality, qualities, and the care they require. And although what is more logical is to opt for a small breed with patient and playful nature, there are breeds of different sizes and characteristics that are recommended to live with children.
In this sense, the American Kennel Club (AKC) takes into account that some breeds have infinite patience, others tend to play non-stop, and others are naturally protective of children, and makes a selection of the 10 most recommended breeds for children. Among these are Beagle, Boxer, Italian Bracco, Bull Terrier, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Newfoundland, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Spanish Mastiff, and Weimaraner.
While other clubs like The Kennel Club of the United Kingdom, recommend the Labrador, the Boxer, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier as the 3 breeds especially suitable for families with children, due to their loyal and affectionate nature.
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However, I must emphasize that both the AKC and most canine clubs and coaches certify that any dog breed with adequate training is ideal to accompany children in their growth and development. It is also emphasized that to generate a stable relationship between any dog breed and a child, right education and the strengthening of the values of our children are indispensable, teaching them to interact respectfully and affectionately with their new family companion.
On the other hand, the Lhasa Apso was classified in 1959 by the AKC like a dog of the Non-Sporting Group. A very diverse group of breeds with different sizes, fur, personalities, and general appearance. Coming from a diversity of backgrounds, making it difficult to generalize about this group of dogs but most are good watchdogs and house dogs. Although the AKC does not classify it as the first 10 dogs ideal for children, it is a breed that has an excellent reputation as a family companion dog. Even many breeders and dog trainers describe it as a good breed with children, as long as they live since they are puppies with them and have appropriate socialization.
Lhasa Apso Temperament
The Lhasa Apso came from the city of Lhasa in Tibet and was initially bred as a guard dog of the Tibetan monasteries. Typically, the Lhasa’s were the guardian couple of the huge Tibetan Mastiff who was held by a leash on the outskirts of the monastery. Then, when the little Bearded Lion Dog barked, it was the warning signal to the monks that intruders or uninvited people had managed to dodge the huge Mastiffs. This makes the Lhasa Apso one of the best examples that a small dog can be a great guardian.
Many factors, including inheritance, training, and socialization, affects the personality and temperament of most dogs. That is why the history linked to Lhasa Apso forged a particular character, and we can see that the nature of these dogs is a unique and interesting mixture.
The Lhasa Apso is a breed that due to its character is very similar to a cat, since it is very independent but also very much a homebody, and also, it will always look for the greatest possible comfort. In general, it is a confident, smart, cheerful, naughty and comical dog; It is also majestic, independent and fierce. It is funny to observe how a dog of this breed thinks it is a big dog, a huge dog. Raised for hundreds of years to be a real guard dog, the modern Lhasa takes the job of being a faithful guardian of home and family seriously, just as his ancestors did.
The Lhasa may be small, but it is not a frail dog. On the contrary, it is characterized by being robust and strong, and naturally, distrusts strangers. He will make friends, but not until he knows that, an individual does not pose a threat. And since its origins were aimed at barking in the presence of strangers, we should expect a dog completely attentive to the arrival of strangers, the typical sentinel dog.
In fact, the protective nature of Lhasa may surprise those who are not familiar with it, given its small size and its long and loose coat. It certainly does not seem fierce. But, when it comes to protecting their own, the Lhasa is fierce, although it is never unusually aggressive.
On the other hand, the duality that Lhasa presents in his personality is lovely for the family. These dogs like to stay close to the family members, follow them room by room to participate in the activities. But … because of his independent nature, he is fine when left alone at home for a reasonable time. Therefore, the Lhasa Apso are excellent dogs for the family company but usually do not suffer from separation anxiety.
As for the Lhasa puppies, they usually have gentle temperaments, are curious and playful, and willing to approach people and be held by them. If you are looking for a Lhasa puppy for your children, choose the extroverted puppy, who is in the middle of the road, not the one who is fighting his littermates or the one who hides in the corner.
Also, it is recommended to know at least one of the parents to make sure they have the temperament with which you feel comfortable. Meeting siblings or other relatives of parents may also be useful when assessing how your puppy will grow up.
The Lhasa Apso and children of different ages
We know that the personality and temperament of a dog are determined by several factors. The same goes for their affinity for children. Thus, some dogs naturally have infinite patience for the usual awkwardness associated with children.
In the case of Lhasa Apso dogs that have a cat-like personality, they link easily with adults rather than with young people. Even many Lhasa breeders refuse to sell puppies to people who have children, especially young children. But this is not a rigid rule.
As with people, some Lhasa’s just do not like children. Other Lhasa’s, like most people, love children. In fact, once I met a Lhasa who had a great affinity for children and when he walked down the street with his mistress and saw a child, he cried until his mistress allowed him to greet him.
In general, it is not that I distrusted the Lhasa as a good breed with children; the problem is that younger children, do not understand that a dog is NOT a toy. Young children, tend to be very abrupt, make unexpected movements, make squeals, and have a clumsy way of treating dogs. Plus, children’s general exuberance generates distrust or annoyance in the Lhasa Apso and could make the dog feel threatened by this behavior.
Also, for the Lhasa, some memories are difficult to erase. Therefore, any negative experience or bad behavior of children towards a Lhasa could ensure that there will NOT have a very good relationship between them. This situation usually occurs with young children who do not have a well-developed sense of reason. Consequently, many breeders have had to decide and announce that the sale of their Lhasa Apso puppies “is not available for homes with small children.” On the contrary, older children, or young children who are exceptionally kind to dogs can live happily with the Lhasa.
Therefore, The Lhasa Apso is an excellent breed for families with children already grown or with children mature enough to properly care for their dog. Families with children whose parents teach them respect for animals and other people. This is why when looking for a Lhasa Apso puppy, we must consider the age of our children and we must be honest about the behavior of our children towards animals; are they obedient children, mature and able to follow specific rules?
In this process of introducing the new four-legged member to the family, one can even think of a trial period with the children and the puppy. In this sense, the breeders and the parents of the children reach an agreement, and if the situation is perfect and they manage to establish a good relationship from the beginning, the puppy is finally and happily incorporated into the family. On other occasions, potential buyers may choose to wait a few more years until the children are ready to interact correctly with a Lhasa Apso puppy.
Education and ideal environment for the Lhasa Apso
With its peculiar and complex character, the Lhasa Apso needs a master who understands and teaches it correctly. The independent and guardian Lhasa Apso has a strong instinct to distrust strangers. Therefore, it is essential to do an excellent job of socialization to avoid problems in this regard.
To begin, and as with the education of any dog, it will be vital to start with training and socialization classes from the time they are puppies. In this way, the dog can learn to relate to people, animals, and objects of all kinds, without suffering fears or phobias. Mainly you should teach good dog manners, and you should try to avoid thinking that you can run the chicken coop. The owners of Lhasa’s must be strong and kind leaders. Upon the arrival of the adult stage, it will be imperative to start practicing the basic obedience commands that will help us to facilitate communication with the dog.
I must emphasize that the training of this breed requires a lot of patience and a gentle hand. These dogs can be willful and stubborn; if they decide they do not want to do something, they just will not do it.
The best strategy is one that includes food rewards in addition to verbal praise, short training sessions, different routines, and rest spaces as soon as we see that our dog begins to tire. Very severe treatment will result in the revenge of the dog.
Absolute consistency is essential when working with a Lhasa. The lack of consistency in the rules is an invitation to disobedience and to pass over the master taking control of the situation. Although the training warrants a considerable time, in the beginning, it will be worth it. Once the leadership is established and the Lhasa realizes that there is food for him, he will advance to the plate, carry out the tasks in question and the rest of his training will be basic and straightforward.
Another factor to take into account is the tone of voice. It is essential to use a standard, calm and confident tone during training sessions of this breed. On the other hand, when we want to reinforce good behavior, we must exaggerate the emotion and use a higher and more loving tone. Using a “no” with a low and weak sound will send an unequivocal signal. Therefore, if you just incorporated a Lhasa puppy into your family, you should stay constant and patient. In this way, you will not have problems in training your bearded lion dog, and you will get a faithful companion and guardian of your home of exemplary behavior and cheerful character.
On the other hand, the Lhasa is not extremely active and is happy living indoors. Due to its size, it is fully adaptable to small spaces such as apartments. Unlike many other breeds, you do not need strenuous exercise to reduce nervous energy. However, like most dogs, he enjoys and benefits from short walks and play sessions.
Related Questions
What are the primary caregivers of the Lhasa Apso?
Lhasa Apso’s have a long and conspicuous coat that require a lot of grooming to maintain proper coat care. They should have a high protein and fat content diet. And although they do not merit exercising too much, mental stimulation is as important as physical exercise.
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What diseases commonly affect Lhasa?
Lhasa Apso is a very healthy dog. However, the skin is one of the most sensitive organs of this breed, especially if the hair does not stay healthy, it will be more likely to get sick. Other common diseases in this breed are Hip Dysplasia, Cherry Eye and Patellar Luxation. Regular veterinary checks will help us detect any problem of health in time.
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Which are the breeds closest to the Lhasa Apso?
The Lhasa Apso originated in Tibet when the Tibetans began to separate large dogs, whose current descendant is the Tibetan Mastiff, and small dogs, from which came the Tibetan Terrier and the Lhasa Apso. Among all, the Lhasa is the relative of smaller size and shorter legs.
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