The history of the Lhasa Apso is a lengthy and information-packed one. It is something that should be learned for a number of reasons. Studying the history of the breed will allow Lhasa Apso owners an insight into the intricacies of his or her beloved family pet. It may also answer questions that someone has about the breed as a whole. Digging into dog history, in general, gives us the ability to better understand specific breeds and what might be expected of them in the future.
What parts of a Lhasa Apso’s history can we expect to learn in the coming paragraphs? From the reason behind the breed to the more recent findings, all things Lhasa Apso will come to light in this informational history guide. As a true Lhasa Apso lover, knowing that history can (and likely will) repeat itself is key to understanding all things Lhasa Apso.
The breed has an interesting story as its beginning, as few breeds were treated as highly and respected as a Lhasa Apso. Relating the early treatment of the breed to the temperament that we see in a Lhasa Apso today can shed some light on your little friend’s personality. While some points in the breed’s history seem a bit far-fetched (depending on your personal beliefs), they do make for fun theories.
(Also, check out answers to related questions you may have at the end of this article)
Lapso Apso History
While some historical sources believe that the Lhasa Apso breed has been around for 4000 years, others say 2000, and some say nearly 3000. Nevertheless, the Lhasa Apso is one of the oldest known breeds around. Recent DNA testing places the Lhasa Apso breed as one of the oldest among 14 total breeds. These 14 breeds are known as ancient dog breeds.
The 14 ancient breeds, including the Lhasa Apso, are listed as follows:
- Basenji
- Akita
- Chow Chow
- Siberian Husky
- Samoyed Dog
- Alaskan Malamute
- Shiba Inu
- Shih Tzu
- Shar Pei
- Pekingese
- Afghan Hound
- Saluki
- Tibetan Terrier
What is most prominent about the majority of these ancient breeds is the innate ability to survive cold weather. In fact, only a few of these breeds do not do well in frigid winter temperatures. That may say a lot about the oldest breeds and their resilience, especially since Lhasa Apso dogs are known to be just that: resilient. Perhaps the extensive history of the Lhasa Apso breed will inform you of exactly how resilient and hardy they are.
The name of the Lhasa Apso breed comes from a Tibetan city called Lhasa and “A
The true original Lhasa Apso does not have a confirmed origin story. One popular myth states that the Lhasa Apso dogs were simply the runts of Tibetan Terriers. Since the smallest pups in the liter were unable to herd well, they were given to the monks to keep. Another tale says that “A
The truth is difficult to decipher, as Lhasa Apso dogs were often referred to as Tibetan Terriers throughout history. Documents and other historical items struggled to differentiate between the two breeds. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that The Kennel Club in London referred to what was previously considered a Tibetan Terrier as a “Lhasa Terrier, 10-inch type.” This distinction made it clear that the dog they referred to was, in fact, the Lhasa Apso that we know today.
The dog was originally put to use as a guard dog, of sorts. Commonly referred to as “sentinels,” the Lhasa Apso would stand watch and utilize their sharp bark to alert monks to intruders. Most were watchdogs at Buddhist temples or monasteries and the homes of noble people. Perhaps the purpose of the Lhasa Apso sentinels would make the term “alert dog” more apt.
You might say that the bark of the Lhasa Apso dog was the original home security system. Not only did the bark alert monks and persons of nobility to intruders, but it served to scare off anyone trying to get past the dog. You could imagine an intruder immediately running from the monastery when a Lhasa’s bark sounded off, alarming anyone nearby of the danger.
It is significant to note, however, that the Lhasa Apso was one of two guard dogs used in Tibet. The first was a Tibetan Mastiff, which was used for their larger size and intimidation factor, leaving the much smaller Lhasa Apso to alert to the intruders. This means that the Lhasas were the second line of defense. This made them no less important.
The importance of the Lhasa Apso breed went far beyond watchdogs, however. Many believed that upon death, a lama (a Tibetan Buddhist priest) would be reincarnated into a Lhasa Apso prior to returning to a human body. In the case of the Dalai Lama, it is believed that once a Dalai Lama dies, the soul lives in the body of a Lhasa Apso until death, then is reincarnated as the next Dalai Lama.
If you are unfamiliar with the Dalai Lama, it is a title given to the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. The Dalai Lama is thought to be the embodiment of someone on their way to achieving Buddhahood. In other words, the Dalai Lama is, and was, a big deal to most people. The Dalai Lama reincarnation cycle of human, Lhasa Apso, human, Lhasa Apso, human, etc. shows the level at which this breed of dog is revered.
As a result of the reverence Lhasa Apso dogs held in Tibet, the dogs were never sold. It was always considered wrong to do so. However, they were often gifted. It was because of gifting the dogs that they have populated around the world. In fact, centuries ago, the Dalai Lama gifted a Lhasa Apso to the emperor of China as a symbol for good fortune. One theory says that the end result is the existence of the Shih Tzu, as they are believed to be descendants of the Lhasa Apso.
While dogs as pets have existed far beyond the time the Dalai Lama brought a Lhasa Apso to the Chinese emperor, doing so allowed that region access to a new bloodline. In fact, the domestication of dogs may have first started occurring as many as 40,000 years ago. By spreading “good fortune,” the Dalai Lama also played a part in a whole new breed of domesticated dog.
Despite the fact that Lhasa Apso dogs were nearly disintegrated in World War 1, a British Colonel by the name of Eric Bailey and his wife got two dogs from the Lhasa Apso breed in 1922 while living on the Tibetan border. By 1928, the Baileys, along with their now 6 little dogs, returned to their original homeland in England. It was Colonel Bailey that can be attributed to the growth of the breed in England.
Sadly, with the destruction accompanying World War 2, the Lhasa Apso bloodline was nearly diminished once more in English countries. Possibly coincidentally, the oldest known Lhasa Apso passed away in 1939 – the year in which World War 2 started. The dog was 29 years old at the time, despite the usual lifespan of 12 to 15 years. It is unclear as to the Lhasa Apso dog’s cause of death. However, it is possible that the war played a part in this particular dog’s end.
Because of the exposure to Lhasa Apsos from people like Colonel Bailey, there were numerous individuals, known as fanciers, that loved the breed and worked to bring them back after the war. The breed was ultimately recognized as a champion breed in England’s Kennel Club in 1965, 20 years after the war’s end.
It wasn’t until the 1930’s that Lhasa Apso dogs made their way to the United States. A renowned traveler by the name of Charles Suydam Cutting and his wife paid Tibet a visit. The Dalai Lama gifted them with two new Lhasa Apsos that were brought back to the states with them. They enjoyed the dogs so immensely that they made it their personal mission to further establish the breed in America. The Cuttings did so by importing a number of Lhasa Apso dogs over time.
In 1935, it was Cutting’s Lhasa Apso that became the very first that was registered with the American Kennel Club. Throughout the remainder of the 1900s, the breed grew in size and in acclaim. Today, the Lhasa Apso could be considered one of the most popular of small breeds in the United States, currently ranking at 71 of 193 of dogs of all sizes with the American Kennel Club’s breed popularity rankings.
There are a number of Lhasa Apso lovers that are such fanciers of the breed that they work to preserve a specific bloodline within the breed. This bloodline is called Gompa Lhasa Apso and it is so revered because the bloodline is a direct descendant of the Lhasa Apso dogs from Tibet’s Drepung Monastery. Lama Gyen Yeshe was given a Lhasa Apso in 1941 at the monastery. The descendants of that particular Lhasa Apso are Gompa Lhasa Apsos. Nine of these descendants made their way into North America via Canada in the 1980s. It wasn’t until the year 2000 when the line made it to the United States when preserving the bloodline became a top priority.
In fact, the GLAPP (Gompa Lhasa Apso Preservation Program) tracks those particular dogs in the bloodline and utilizes DNA Profiling to ensure the specialized breed remains true. This line of Lhasa Apso dogs is so protected because of the importance the Drepung Monastery held since its creation in 1416. As the original residence of the first 5 Dalai Lamas, the Drepung Monastery is a piece of history that even dog lovers appreciate.
Although the Lhasa Apso breed has a long and difficult history, the temperament and personality of the breed as a whole seems to have developed and remained the same over time. Perhaps it is because of the struggles the breed had to overcome or the experience they had in the temples, but there are a number of correlations to the history and the characteristics we see in Lhasa Apsos today.
Lhasa Apso Historical Traits
There is a lot of personality packed into the 14-pound body of a Lhasa Apso. There are also a number of qualities attributed to the history of the breed. By examining those particular qualities and personality traits, the Lhasa Apso breed is better understood as a whole. By trying to understand our little friends, we can do better to provide a quality life as they deserve.
Consider the climate in which the Lhasa Apso breed began those thousands of years ago. The Himalayan region is known to experience a variety of climates, depending on the exact area. Lhasa Apso dogs are adapted to the region that has hot summers, but long and frigid winters, as this was the climate the monasteries Lhasas guarded saw most often. The area has high altitudes which tend to cause an arid climate. If you were to apply the body of a Lhasa Apso to the adaptation of living in these conditions, their qualities make more sense.
The long coat of a Lhasa Apso dog ensures more warmth and better insulation in the winter months. Even the breed’s eyes and other features are designed to survive the varying climate. The longevity and fortitude of a Lhasa Apso were established as a result of surviving the cold temperatures and dusty air. The breed carried those qualities of determination with them to survive two separate, known, near collapses of the breed during the world wars.
Those qualities may also be the reason the Lhasa Apso breed is one of the more stubborn dogs around today. While not overly difficult to train, a Lhasa Apso is known to require a lot of consistent training. At times, a Lhasa Apso will perform the command as requested, but they will do it at their own pace as a way to keep some control. It is because of this temperament that consistency is imperative. The Lhasa Apso as a breed is likely to think themselves the boss until the patience and consistency of their owner show them otherwise.
Over time, a relationship can be built with a Lhasa Apso that allows the pup to trust his or her master. By letting the dog know that you are the alpha of the house early on, his or her dominant nature will be less of an issue in training and building trust. It is that trust that leads the breed to perform commands as given. Prior to that development of trust, a Lhasa Apso will make their intention of not following the command clear as day.
To create a bond of trust that is unfailing with your loyal companion, be sure to reward in training. Punishment is not taken well by Lhasa Apso dogs. Especially when struck, punishment acts as a deterrent to building trust and is often seen as a betrayal. Betraying a stubborn Lhasa Apso means that earning that trust would be nearly impossible. This is why dog trainers recommend that Lhasa Apso dogs are trained with treats and praise.
Training your Lhasa Apso to not bark at every single thing they see as an intrusion can be a challenge because of the ingrained behavior in the breed. It is possible, but it requires that same consistency and trust. As a watchdog, a Lhasa Apso is fiercely protective and has been taught to alert on all potential dangers since before your own pup can even remember.
How is this ingrained behavior possible? A breed is grouped together based on genetics. Studies show that in dogs, genetics accounts for a large portion of the temperament. The other part of temperament comes from the environment that the dog lives in. Despite the attempt that some breeders make to remove specific characteristics of a breed, it seems that only the first generation of a cross-breed has the desired effect. The pups of that first generation become highly unpredictable.
So how does this information come into play for a Lhasa Apso dog’s history of particular traits? With purebred Lhasa Apso dogs, removing their stubborn nature and instinct to bark at what they do not trust is not a likely scenario. The best chance you’ve got at changing the nature of the dog is to change his or her environment.
Rather than the cold, bitter winter climate that the breed was developed in, ensure the warmth and safety of your pup. Don’t expect your Lhasa Apso to stay outside for long periods of time in the cold. Inviting the dog inside will help to create that lasting bond of trust. You can then work on reversing thousands of years of barking by praising their inaction.
Given that Lhasa Apso dogs have been stubbornly surviving and alerting their masters of potential Intruders for centuries, it would make sense that training their nature from them takes a little time. By treating your Lhasa Apso well and training him or her properly, you can be sure to have a dog that follows commands as ordered.
The beginnings of the Lhasa Apso breed have defined the dogs as winter-proof, stubborn, barking pups. It is not likely that you’d find a Lhasa Apso dog that does not have these characteristics prior to training. By embracing these traits as historical truth, we’ve learned another facet of our beloved Lhasa Apso dogs.
Considering History Prior to Adoption
If you are thinking about adopting a Lhasa Apso, take the breed’s history into account. There are a number of lessons that can prepare you for life with a Lhasa. If these lessons are not ones you’d be interested in learning, you may want to consider a different breed.
Firstly, we have learned in the former paragraphs that Lhasa Apso dogs existed as sentinels in Tibetan monasteries. Because of this, they are protectors and watchdogs. However, if you are looking for a watchdog to protect a large property alone, you’ll need more than one Lhasa Apso. The breed is happy to sit in a single spot for the majority of the time. Most Lhasa Apso pups are content with a few 10-15 minute walks each day. With the facial structure of a Lhasa, breathing can be difficult if the dog were to exercise too much. This means running across a larger property is probably not ideal for the little dog.
We also discovered that Lhasa Apso dogs are snow dogs. Because of the Lhasa’s history in a cold climate, the long, thick fur is capable of keeping them warm. If this coat is too much for you to groom regularly, consider the reality of life with a Lhasa Apso. If kept long, the coat requires often daily brushing and bi-weekly bathing. It is important to ensure thorough drying of the fur after the bath so as to avoid any skin issues. If the fur is kept short, it may require frequent trimming. If paying for grooming services, it can get costly. If grooming yourself, a Lhasa Apso is time-consuming.
We’ve also gone over the stubborn and resilient nature of a Lhasa Apso. As previously noted, it is that same nature that makes training a bit more difficult than many would expect. A Lhasa Apso believes themselves to be an alpha and has to develop a strong sense of trust with their owner before relinquishing that title. It requires time and patience to have a relationship flourish into that trusting bond. The consistency needed to successfully train a Lhasa Apso is another aspect that potential owners should be made aware of. Dedication is necessary when it comes to adopting a Lhasa Apso dog.
As a watchdog, the Lhasa Apso breed is expected to bark a lot. If barking truly bothers you, I suggest looking for a different breed. While it is possible to train a Lhasa Apso not to bark so much, it is something that will take a lot of time. In fact, by the time your Lhasa Apso learns to stop the frequent barking, you will be used to it.
As a potential Lhasa Apso owner, remember that they will protect your residence, but will prefer a smaller space to be in charge of. They need a lot of grooming rather frequently – more so than most other breeds. Training can be hard, as they see themselves as the boss. Finally, they bark. Sometimes they bark a lot. Knowing these factors enhanced by the breed’s history, is a Lhasa Apso for you?
While the historical traits that come with Lhasa Apso dogs seem to be the hard ones, they are positives in a number of ways. For example, you Lhasa Apso will never leave you unprotected. You will always know if someone comes near his or her territory, which works well for you because that is also your territory.
Historically, Lhasa Apsos are loyal. They want to protect their masters as much as their territory. A family-owned Lhasa will be a lifelong friend when treated well. If you are looking for a family dog, a Lhasa Apso might be for you.
History will always be relevant. As you can see from the above information, what we learn about historical events can enlighten us on the present. That knowledge can better our lives and the lives of our Lhasa Apso companions.
Thousands of years ago the Lhasa Apso was bred as a protector and alarm. Today, our Lhasa Apso provides companionship, protection, and an alarming bark. While the breed may adapt to their current surroundings, it is also important to know what aspects of the Lhasa Apso comes from their blood.
Related Questions
When was the AKC’s breed standard for a Lhasa Apso dog set? The breed standard for a Lhasa Apso show dog was updated in 1978 from the 1935 version. Critics believe the standard makes it so that Lhasa Apsos would no longer survive in their home region of Tibet, a tough place to live climatically.
When did Lhasa Apso dogs also become companions? If you were to imagine the solitude monks experienced in Tibetan monasteries it would be easy to assume Lhasa Apso dogs have been companions in addition to their guard duties as long as the breed has been around. Lhasas are primarily companions in the modern world.
Because of Lhasa Apsos’ history of being guard dogs, are they also aggressive? A Lhasa Apso will not be necessarily aggressive unless his or her environment has encouraged it. Abuse or rough play can teach or make a Lhasa snap or bite, but a properly raised dog will not be considered aggressive.