Lhasa Apso vs. Havanese – History, Personality, Health and Training

You might have noticed the glamorous coat and friendliness of Lhasa Apso and Havanese. These two dog breeds look rather similar, but they are also very different at moments.

What are the differences between Lhasa Apso and Havanese dog breed? Lhasa Apso and Havanese might look very similar. Lhasa Apso is a little bit heavier and larger than Havanese, Havanese is a little bit lighter, less dominant and willing to please. They both have a rather friendly temperament, they get along with children and their own families.

When it comes to strangers, Havanese will mainly always turn out to be friendly, while Lhasa Apso does not get along with strangers well at first. They both require coat maintenance and a lot of care. Havanese requires a little bit less grooming than Lhasa Apso. While Lhasa Apso is known for its straight coat texture, Havanese shows off their silky, wavy coat. Knowing Lhasa Apso is a watchdog, it is obvious to say their guarding will be a lot better than the guarding of Havanese.

(Also, check out answers to your related questions at the end of the article).

If you are looking to get one of these two dog breeds, it is advised you learn as much as possible about them. Many people decide to get a Lhasa Apso or Havanese just because they look adorable, this is wrong. You should get a dog only after you are well aware of their personality traits, possible health problems, trainability and more. If you are not a person who is willing to spend time grooming your dog, getting Lhasa Apso or Havanese might not be the best choice for you. Lhasa Apso and Havanese can be amazing dog breeds, but only with your help.

The owners of these two dog breeds often talk about their affectionate personality, love, and loyalty. Neither of these two dog breeds enjoys being alone, they love the attention and will always be ready for some of it. Havanese is more likely to want to please you than Lhasa Apso would, Lhasa Apso is rather stubborn and very dominant at moments. Havanese and Lhasa Apso make great indoor or apartment dogs, however, Lhasa Apso will also enjoy having access to a small yard.

The History of Lhasa Apso and Havanese Dog Breeds

Lhasa Apso

Lhasa Apso originates from Tibet. Lhasa is actually the capital city of Tibet while word ‘’Apso’’ means ‘’bearded’’ in the Tibetan language. This would mean that name Lhasa Apso simply translates to ‘’long-haired Lhasa dog’’. Lhasa Apso breed is a breed almost two thousand years old, they have a place in history related to ancient myths and legends. Back in the days, Lhasa Apso breed was kept exclusively only by holy men and nobility, they lived in the monasteries and a palace of Dalai Lama. They were originally used as watchdogs, they would be alerting the inhabitants of the monasteries whenever some kind of danger approached. Lhasa Apso was also prized as a companion dog thanks to their loving nature and insane amounts of loyalty. If you wanted to have a Lhasa Apso back in the days, it was impossible, unless you got it as a gift from the Dalai Lama himself.

Havanese

Havanese however, they come from Cuba and their name comes from the place of the breed, Havana, Cuba. Havanese is actually the National Dog of Cuba and their only native dog breed. It was first created sometime between the late 1800s and early 1900s. The breed itself was developed mainly as a human companion or a lap dog, thanks to its diminutive size, alerting and affectionate nature, they managed to fit in perfectly with emerging Cuban tastes back in the days. 1979. The Havanese Club of America was founded by a group of newly involved breeders.

Personality Traits of Lhasa Apso and Havanese Dog Breeds

Lhasa Apso and Havanese look very similar but in reality, they have many differences that might be crucial to you. Do not be one of those dog owners who buy a dog just because he/she features a glamorous and beautiful coat. Read through and learn as much as you can about the dog you wish to get and make sure you can afford it properly before getting one. In case you want to know more about the personality of Lhasa Apso and Havanese dog breed, continue reading.

Lhasa Apso Personality Traits

Lhasa Apso is known for being an independent dog breed, they are great watchdogs and they often see themselves as large dogs. If you own a Lhasa Apso, you probably know they are never afraid to join in any activities we often associate with larger dog breeds. As small as they are, they will always be willing to do anything with you, hiking and even cross-country skiing! Lhasa Apso is incredibly willful and they will never do something they do not feel like doing. Many Lhasa Apso owners often speak of how food rewards seem to be doing everything for their dogs, these tiny dogs, they will do anything for a treat! Lhasa Apso is certainly not a breed for everyone, especially not those who have never had a dog before. While they look adorable and very lovely, Lhasa Apso is known to be very dominant and manipulative, owners who are not consistent, they often end up trained by their Lhasa Apso instead the other way around.

Lhasa Apso is very suspicious of strangers and they like to keep their territory free of them. If you own a Lhasa Apso, you might have noticed how possessive they are, they will protect their toys, food and food bowls at all times, and if something does not go their way, they can get very moody. Lhasa Apso is one of these dog breeds that mainly only think of themselves, they will not be pleasing you unless you please them first. If you let your Lhasa Apso be the leader, he will gladly take that role and be your leader. This lovely dog breed is also special due to their childish personality. Lhasa Apso is one of these dog breeds that simply never grow up, they might always be acting like puppies and will take a long time to mentally mature.

Havanese Personality Traits

Havanese is a rather lively and very loyal little dog breed, they are affectionate and very confident of themselves. Havanese owners always speak of their dogs as ‘’show-offs’’, they claim their dogs love attention more than anything and will do anything to bring a smile on your face. Unlike Lhasa Apso, Havanese gets along with everyone, they are friendly and always ready for a good time. If you own Havanese, you probably noticed how intelligent and outgoing they can be. Luckily, if you are first time owner of a dog, getting along with Havanese should not be a problem at all.

While Havanese is incredibly intelligent, they can also pick up any bad habits if you allow them to. Making sure you give them the right sort of training and education should be a priority. Just like Lhasa Apso, Havanese dog breed hates being left alone, they crave and thrive in human companionship more than anything else and if left alone they can suffer from separation anxiety. Havanese dog breed has a lot of energy, therefore they get along with children as well, they are great swimmers and enjoy playing in the water.

Health and Care of Lhasa Apso and Havanese Dog Breeds

It is no surprise such beautiful dog breeds require a lot of care, with their glamorous coats and possible health problems, they surely do not belong to just anyone. The owners of Lhasa Apso and Havanese dog breed always need to be ready for daily brushing, proper dental care, and regular vet checks.

Lhasa Apso Health and Care

Lhasa Apso is known to be prone to several eye conditions, some of these are hereditary and others are environmental. They can easily develop eye problems as well as some skin conditions such as sebaceous adenitis. Lhasa Apso who has sebaceous adenitis might also get silvery dandruff, brittle coat, skin lesions, and musty smell. Sadly, Lhasa Apso is also prone to rental cortical hyperplasia, a kidney disease that is connected to bad improper development of kidneys.

Not to scare you though, all these can be avoided by regular care and proper veterinarian visits.

Feeding your Lhasa Apso

It is advised you feed your Lhasa Apso 1-2 times a day and only with foods featuring vitamins A and E, Omega fatty acids and protein. Always try and chose a dog food that is low on grains and very high in protein. Knowing Lhasa Apso loved food so much, it is also advised you learn how to resist their cute face when they beg for a little treat. Instead, save up these treats and surprise him/her when he/she does well in training!

Your Lhasa Apso should always have access to fresh water, this goes for all the dogs in the world, not only Lhasa Apso. Dehydration is dangerous an can occur very quickly.

Grooming of Lhasa Apso

Grooming is a daily routine for Lhasa Apso breed, they require brushing every single day and it is all to prevent tangles and other annoying things that can appear. When brushing your Lhasa Apso, try to get a double sided brush, the one with separated pins on one side and nice smooth bristles on the other side. Knowing Lhasa Apso has an undercoat, proper grooming tools can make your life a lot easier. When brushing your Lhasa Apso, make sure you always brush in the direction of the hair growth, that way you will avoid creating tangles on their glamorous coat.

Aside from daily brushing, your Lhasa Apso will require coat cutting too. With their naturally long hair, many owners decide to go for a ‘’puppy cut’’, this means they cut their Lhasa Apso’s hair and make it shorter. This is done to lower grooming chores and prevent tangles that can so easily appear on a Lhasa Apso. If you know how it is all done, you can groom your Lhasa Apso yourself, however, be aware that this actually takes a little bit of skill and a lot of patience. Make sure you have done some practice before you decide and fully groom your Lhasa Apso on your own.

Lhasa Apso also requires nail trimming and ear cleaning at least once a week. As soon as you hear your dog’s nails clapping on the floor, it is the time for trimming. If you never did this, it is important to note you should not even try on your own. When trimming nails of a Lhasa Apso, it is extremely important not to cut the quick of the nail. The quick is a vein located in the middle of your dog’s nail, it will bleed if cut and it can also be extremely painful for your dog. Your Lhasa Apso ears have to be cleaned and checked at least twice a week, look for dirt and debris in their ears. Cleaning is done by using a dry soft cloth.

Just like most dogs, Lhasa Apso also requires regular teeth brushing. Using a dog toothpaste, you will need to brush your Lhasa Apso’s teeth to avoid tooth decay. Make sure you never use a toothpaste made for humans, these are toxic for the dogs and can have a harmful effect on them. Get a dog only toothpaste and slowly get your dog used to the teeth brushing!

Havanese Health and Care

Havanese is known to be prone to cherry eye, congenital deafness, hereditary cataracts, and cataracts. Unlike most small dog breeds, Havanese is actually believed to be one of the healthiest small breeds out there. They do not have a tendency to suffer and develop any major health issues that usually plague other pedigree dogs.

Feeding your Havanese

Havanese is a very energetic dog breed, this means they also require a diet featuring good quality protein. Just like Lhasa Apso, Havanese should be fed at least twice a day. Those who are spayed/neutered need slightly less food though. Havanese is not a dog breed that should be fed by cheap dog foods, they require food that is low on grains and they need a lot of quality protein to stay healthy, lively and affectionate as they are.

Grooming of Havanese

Havanese might be a low shedding dog, but that does not mean they are non-shedding. Many people get a dog thinking low shedding means low maintenance, but really, it is not like that at all! Your Havanese might be a low-shedding breed, but they also require frequent grooming sessions several times a week. Just like with Lhasa Apso, grooming will help a lot keeping your dog’s skin, teeth, coat, gums and nails in great condition. While most owners get bored with grooming, think of it as a chance to see the early signs of problems such as parasites, skin disorders, mats, wounds and weird growths that might occur. Grooming should start at an early age, and your dog should be used to it in no time. Get a pin brush, small soft slicker brush, and a flea comb, these tools will help you remove the dead hair of your Havanese, they will stimulate the growth of new hair and help distribute natural oils throughout the entire coat of your dog.

Knowing Havanese is prone to eye diseases just like Lhasa Apso, it is advised you gently bathe the skin around their eyes using moistened cotton or a soft washcloth. The same thing goes for ears, their ears need to be cleaned regularly and the hair growing inside of their ears should be carefully plucked out.

Just like us humans, Havanese teeth will accumulate plaque and it will harden into tartar. If you neglect the teeth of your dog, the bacteria can grow and cause various infections. You should brush the teeth of Havanese at least three times a week. Start at a young age and make sure you always gently brush their teeth. Always use a dog only toothpaste because human toothpaste is toxic for the dogs.

Trimming the nails of your Havanese is just as important as everything else. If their nails are left unattended, they will grow too long and can cause a lot of issues.

Training and Activities for Lhasa Apso and Havanese Dog Breeds

Both of these breeds are lively, active characters, they enjoy having things to do, they enjoy walks and daily exercises you come up with. To keep your dog healthy, fit and happy, you will need to do all these things with him/her. Lhasa Apso and Havanese are both rather small dog breeds, but Havanese is a lot more active than Lhasa Apso.

Lhasa Apso is a stubborn dog breed, they can be trained but only when they feel like it. Training a Lhasa Apso might seem to be a little bit harder than training a Havanese dog breed, but overall, they can both be trained and well-behaved dogs. Thanks to their great amount of intelligence, they easily learn things. The only difference in training these two is that Havanese will be learning anything just to please you, while Lhasa Apso will be learning the things that make him/her happy. When training Havanese it is important you give them proper training, they easily pick up bad habits just as good ones.

When you spoil a Havanese dog breed, it can develop a condition known as ‘’small dog syndrome’’ this means they are very hard to handle and they only do as they please. If you own a Havanese or Lhasa Apso dog, you need to make sure they know some of the basic commands: come, sit, quiet, stay, leave it, down, bed – these commands will not only make your life a lot easier but make your dog well-behaved as well!

Many owners claim how difficult Lhasa Apso is to train, however, if you are consistent and unwilling to give up quickly, your Lhasa Apso will be a lot easier to train and follow all of your commands. Lhasa Apso might not often be motivated to listen to humans and follow their directions, but if you have a treat, they will do anything to get it from you. Use this wisely.

Activities for You and Your Dog

Doing activities and having fun with your dog will strengthen your bond and provide physical and mental stimulation for your pet. No matter whether you have a puppy or a grown-up dog, they all like new entertainment and things to do. Here is a couple of things you can do to bring a little bit of fun to your Havanese or Lhasa Apso!

Walking tours

Both Havanese and Lhasa Apso enjoy walking around, they will follow you as long as you want them, just make sure you always bring enough water!

Riding a bike together

Why not take your dog with you on a bike? This will be a new experience and a whole new perspective of the world for your new best friend!

Jog together

Jogging is not only healthy for humans, but it can also be super healthy for your dog as well!

Spend a day exploring a beach

Lhasa Apso and Havanese are both very curious dog breeds, letting them explore around will make them very happy!

Do an obedience training class

Your dog should always be obedient, training him/her to be obedient might not be the easiest task in the world, but once you manage, it will be an amazing experience to remember!

Teach your Havanese/Lhasa Apso a new trick

Who wouldn’t want to see adorable Lhasa Apso or Havanese giving you a paw for a treat? Teach your dog some new tricks and bring a smile to people’s faces right away!

Do an Instagram photo shoot of your Lhasa Apso/Havanese

There are more and more people making Instagram profiles of their cats and dogs, who knows maybe your Havanese or Lhasa Apso are the future Instagram star?

Participate in local events

Lhasa Apso and Havanese love participating in activities, get them to participate in a local event in your town and see how love for you grows by every day!

Choosing Your Havanese or Lhasa Apso Dog

Now that you know the personality traits, health problems and requirements for owning one of these two gorgeous dog breeds, you can finally decide which one of them will suit you the most. Before you decide, make sure you ask yourself a couple of questions, answering those might help you out choosing the perfect dog breed for you and your needs.

Do you work a lot and barely spend time at home? If you are barely ever at home, it might be a bad idea to get a Lhasa Apso or Havanese dog breed, these two hate being alone and might develop separation anxiety when you are away. This can lead to the destruction of your furniture and bad behavior.
Where would you like your dog to be at? If you have a huge yard and you plan to get a dog for it, you should not be getting Havanese or Lhasa Apso, these two are a great apartment and indoor dogs. They might not be doing amazingly well outside at all times.
Can you afford any of these two dogs? Grooming and food of these two dog breeds can get pricey. If you are not in a stable financial situation and you cannot guarantee to be able and pay for everything you are required to, do not get a dog.
Can you commit to the responsibility? There are many people who get a dog just to show off, they forget all the responsibility that comes with a dog and these dogs often end up sick or sad.
Are you willing to properly take care of a dog? Havanese and Lhasa Apso require a lot of grooming and care, if you are too lazy to brush them every day and you are disgusted by the thought of brushing your dog’s teeth, you should never get a Havanese or Lhasa Apso.

Havanese and Lhasa Apso are great companion dogs, but in order for them to stay like that, they will require you to be their family, support and give them insane amounts of love. Upon getting any of these two, you will have to accept the fact that only you can change the way they behave, stay strong and do not give up fast. Both of these two breeds need a lot of socialization and they are both generally good with people. They are perfect dog breeds for those who look for a small, active dog who does not require a huge yard. These two are content with frequent walks and a game of fetch every now and then. If you do not mind frequent brushing and you are more than willing to be their family for a long time, you should probably get one and make it the happiest dog in the world.