Lhasa Apso vs. Tibetan Terrier (History, Personality, Health, and Training)

If you paid enough attention, you must have noticed the similarities of Lhasa Apso and Tibetan Terrier dog breed. Tibetan Terrier and Lhasa Apso look very similar, they are both adorable medium sized purebred dog breeds with awesome personalities and an utterly stunning coat. Most people pick a dog looking only at its appearance, do not be that person, please! If you had it planned to get any of these two dog breeds, make sure you get to know as much as possible about them. Lhasa Apso and Tibetan Terrier require a lot of attention and care, keep that in mind! To learn more, please continue reading! I have done research and gathered up enough information to share it all with you.

What are the differences between Lhasa Apso and Tibetan Terrier? Tibetan Terrier and Lhasa Apso share many similarities, but that does not make them the same! Tibetan Terrier is usually larger and heavier than Lhasa Apso, sheds more than Lhasa Apso and requires more exercise than Lhasa Apso. Tibetan Terriers are known for being willing to please their family and owners, unlike Lhasa Apso who seems to be rather stubborn in certain situations.

Lhasa Apso is known for its independent nature, fearless personality, and great watchdog traits, Tibetan Terrier is a little bit different – they are friendlier, less territorial, but they have a lot more energy than Lhasa Apso. Tibetan Terrier and Lhasa Apso are very affectionate and loving dog breeds in general, but only if given proper care. Lhasa Apso has a straight fur coat coming in many different colors, while Tibetan Terrier has silky and wavy hair coming in fewer colors.

No one likes to be alone for a very long time, neither do Tibetan Terrier or Lhasa Apso. These two breeds simply hate being alone and they can develop separation anxiety if it happens. With their affectionate personality, loyalty and insane amounts of love, these two breeds will surely keep your heart warm at all times. Both of these dog breeds enjoy activities and fun, but if you are an active person and you often take running sessions, Tibetan Terrier might turn to be a better choice for you

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

The History Of Lhasa Apso And Tibetan Terrier Dog Breeds

Lhasa Apso and Tibetan Terrier have been very respected dog breeds throughout history. They both originate from Tibet and are one of the most popular breeds who originate from there. Lhasa Apso and Tibetan Terrier have proved to be charming, loyal watchdogs a long time ago. What is their story and how they got to the rest of the world?

The History of Lhasa Apso

The fascinating story of Lhasa Apso goes back two thousand years ago, right up in the mountainous home of Tibet. Lhasa Apso dog breed used to be kept and bred in a palace-monastery of the Dalai Lama. They were that kind of dog breed only nobility and holy men had access to. Everyone loved Lhasa Apso due to their awesome temperament, loving disposition, and their glamorous coats. Surprisingly, Lhasa Apso was not only there to be prized as a regular companion dog, they were also watchdogs and protected the homes and castles. Holy men and nobility knew the intelligence Lhasa Apso has, they were valued as a good luck talisman that kept evil away from their homes. To make things even more interesting, when one of the nobility or spiritual leaders died, it was believed their soul went over to their Lhasa Apso dog until their soul could finally reincarnate into a human form.

Back in the days, it was impossible to buy a Lhasa Apso dog, you could have one only if you had received it as a gift from the Dalai Lama himself. The Dalai Lama never gave out the dogs individually, he presented pairs of Lhasa Apsos to foreign leaders and diplomats. Thanks to this act, Lhasa Apso dog breed was taken all around the world and grew in popularity right away. Even today, certain Lhasa Apso owners see them as a blessing or believe their Lhasa Apso brings them good luck and fortune.

The History of Tibetan Terrier

Tibetan Terrier was actually bred to be a hardy, strong dog that can survive the worst weather conditions. They were raised in the Dalai Lama monasteries as well, two thousand years ago. Back in the days, they were mainly known as ‘’Holy Dogs’’ or ‘’Luck Bringers’’. Just like Lhasa Apso, Tibetan Terrier was never sold, they used to be given as gifts. Those who tried to sell it were believed to be bringing bad luck and a terrible fate. It is believed Tibetan Terriers used to show their monks the way to their homes, they brought them peace and happiness.

Tibetan Terriers were also used to herd flocks of sheep, they would run upon and over the backs of many sheep whenever they would be passing through narrow ravines. The history of Lhasa Apso and Tibetan Terrier is very similar. There is often confusion or a debate over how precise the development of each breed went. Many believe that Tibetan Terrier is actually a progenitor of other Tibetan breeds.

Tibetan Terrier first came to America in 1956. 1957. Tibetan Terrier Club of America was founded thanks to Alice Murphy, who was also the one who brought them there.

Personality Traits of Lhasa Apso And Tibetan Terrier Dog Breeds

Knowing about personality traits of a dog you are wishing to get is crucial! You should make sure to know everything about the traits of a dog you are planning to get – do not be like those people who get a dog without knowing the important things about them. Lhasa Apso and Tibetan Terrier are not toys, they are lovely dog breeds who require good and caring owners to look as adorable as they are.

Lhasa Apso Personality Traits

Lhasa Apso is not a dog breed for everyone to own, as independent as they are, they actually require a firm owner who will handle their unacceptable behavior as supposed to. Not very fond of strict discipline, Lhasa Apso can seem like a very sensitive dog breed. With a proper approach, however, it is all possible! Your Lhasa Apso might not react to your orders right away, but if you have a treat in your pocket, there is hardly anything they will not do just to get the treat out of you! Lhasa Apso is one of the dog breeds that just love to be the leaders, their confidence is huge and it is crucial you always make sure he/she is well aware that only you can be a leader. If you let your Lhasa Apso do whatever he/she pleases, soon you could end up on a leash instead. Teaching your Lhasa Apso to respect you and your orders is important, otherwise training and living with them might become a problem.

Lhasa Apso is extremely friendly and lovable to their families, but they can get very sensitive and defensive to strangers and other pets around them. If you own a cat or any other pet, it is advised you teach your Lhasa Apso how to behave. Some Lhasa Apso owners talk about their dogs being completely fearless, it is like they just see themselves as a large dog and they simply do not care! Luckily, Lhasa Apso is not very prone to barking. They bark but mainly if there are other dogs around or they hear unusual sounds, after all, they are watchdogs. The intelligence of Lhasa Apso is an admirable thing, they can sense when you are nervous and they know how to manipulate with their adorable appearance. While this is hard on some owners, it is also a proof Lhasa Apso can be an amazing companion as well.

Tibetan Terrier Personality Traits

Tibetan Terrier is a lot more lively than Lhasa Apso or other Tibetan breeds, they are known for their bright and lovely nature, true devotion to their families and great alertness. Just like Lhasa Apso, Tibetan Terrier will love spending time and doing fun stuff with you, they thrive in a healthy family environment. Knowing Tibetan Terrier is full of energy, they need a lot of daily exercises. If you have children, Tibetan Terrier could turn to be an amazing way to keep them busy, while they get along with older children better than with younger ones, they can still be trained to play and have a fun time. Unlike most small and medium dog breeds, Tibetan Terriers are not very prone to injuries caused by small children. Tibetan Terrier is a much better choice for first-time owners than Lhasa Apso is, they are outgoing and very easily commanded.

Tibetan Terrier is easily adaptable if given enough mental stimulation and daily exercise. They will be happy living in an apartment just as much as in the house. However, they might not like living in a backyard, it makes them feel lonely and isolated. Sadly, Tibetan Terriers seem to be loving their own bark, sometimes so much that they will continue for hours. Teaching your Tibetan Terrier when to stop barking is one of the most important things.

Health And Care of Lhasa Apso And Tibetan Terrier Dog Breeds

Lhasa Apso and Tibetan Terrier are both purebred dogs, their life expectancy goes up to 15+ years, depending on the genetics and healthcare requirements. Tibetan Terrier can weigh up to 25lb, unlike Lhasa Apso who can weigh up to 16lb. While they are both rather old dog breeds who originate from Tibet, they still have certain health issues you need to be aware of before getting one. Their grooming requirements are also rather important so please, continue reading.

Lhasa Apso Health and Care

Lhasa Apso does not have many health issues and those issues they do have, they are not easily detected in a growing puppy. Knowing this, it is advised you get a puppy from a reputable breeder or adopt one from a shelter. Lhasa Apso dog breed is a rather healthy one, but of course, all dogs have a potential to develop various health problems thanks to genetics. Lhasa Apsos usually battle with hip dysplasia, dry eye, glaucoma, juvenile renal disease, and kidney disease.

Most health issues Lhasa Apsos face are mainly avoided by giving your dog proper veterinarian visits, checks, grooming, and food. Owning a Lhasa Apso means putting a lot of time into grooming and training.

Nail, Teeth and Ear Care

If you want to keep your Lhasa Apso happy and healthy at all times, you are required to take care of their nails, teeth and their ears.

When it comes to ear cleaning it is important to clean your Lhasa Apso’s ears at least once a week. While your Lhasa Apso might not require a strict ear cleaning as often, it is advised you keep their ears checked and always try to clean them using a dry soft cloth.

Nail trimming is a little bit trickier though, it is advised you cut your Lhasa Apso’s nails at least once every two weeks. The moment you hear their nails clapping on the floor, you should get their nails trimmed. Nail trimming is not something anyone can do, it can be painful for the dog unless done properly. Each dog nail has a quick vein that is located in the middle of their nail. If you cut this quick, your dog’s nail can start bleeding and cause insane amounts of pain. This can also result in your dog becoming scared of nail trimming which can become an issue as well.

Teeth brushing is another important thing for Lhasa Apso dog breed. Knowing they are prone to tooth decay and possible bacteria, you should brush your Lhasa Apso teeth at least three times a week. Always use toothpaste for dogs only because human toothpaste can be toxic for the dogs. Getting your Lhasa Apso used to tooth brushing is crucial because you will want to keep the plaque and bacteria away at all times.

Grooming

Having proper grooming tools is extremely important if you own a Lhasa Apso. Have a double-sided brush and a brush with separated pins on one side, these will help you get rid of all the tangles and keep your Lhasa Apso’s coat glamourous and beautiful as it naturally is. Whenever you brush your Lhasa Apso, brush in the direction of its hair growth, this way you will never create tangles and extend your brushing chores. Lhasa Apso is one of the dog breeds that require brushing on a daily basis, if this is not done, their coat will turn into tangles and might result in a skin disease too. Of course, not everyone can afford to have to brush their dog every day, many owners decide to cut their Lhasa Apso coat and make it a little bit shorter. This is done to cut down the daily brushing chores and it is often called a ‘’puppy cut’’.

Your Lhasa Apso also requires a bath once every two weeks at least, they love being clean and can feel rather bad knowing they are dirty. Bathing your Lhasa Apso is done to keep them clean and have them relax as you do the grooming chores.

Feeding your Lhasa Apso

Just like most dogs, Lhasa Apso should be fed once up to two times a day. Lhasa Apso should be fed with quality food low on grains and high in proteins. Vitamins A and E are also extremely important, just as much as Omega fatty acids and protein. Today there are many great foods on the market that will keep your Lhasa Apso well-fed and healthy!

Of course, having access to fresh water is always the most important thing for any living being. Dehydration is extremely dangerous and can occur when you least expect it, always have fresh water available to your Lhasa Apso.

Tibetan Terrier Health and Care

If you properly care for your Tibetan Terrier, there is a high possibility they will never get seriously sick. However, there are certain health problems that do appear in Tibetan Terriers and they are deafness, hip dysplasia, and eye problems. Just like in Lhasa Apso, these health problems are hardly noticeable in growing puppies so it is advised you get a puppy from a decent breeder or you adopt one from the shelter.

Grooming of Tibetan Terrier

Tibetan Terrier does not require as much grooming as Lhasa Apso. Tibetan Terrier will be fine with brushing three times a week. To brush Tibetan Terrier properly, you should get a high-quality pin brush, a comb, and a slicker brush to remove small mats. When it comes to Tibetan Terriers it is important to note that they need to be brushed in small sections at a time, this is to remove loose hair that forms into mats.

When brushing your Tibetan Terrier, make sure you always brush in the same direction as their coat grows, start at the front feet and move your way up to their tail. Most Tibetan Terriers battle with mats in the areas of leg joints and behind their ears, always make sure to check these spots. Tibetan Terriers also like baths, so make sure you give him/her a bath once every two weeks.

Nails, Teeth and Ear care

Your Tibetan Terrier will be healthy only if you do all the chores as supposed to. They will love your attention and get used to it all very quickly!

Knowing Tibetan Terriers can have mats behind their ears, it is important you check up on their ears and make sure they are always clean and completely dry. This is done using a dry soft cloth and making sure your dog feels comfortable as you do it.

Just like Lhasa Apso, Tibetan Terriers also require nail trimming. They also have fast growing nails which means you should cut them at least every two weeks. Having long nails can be painful for the dog, especially when walking outside.

When it comes to teeth, Tibetan Terriers also need their teeth brushed frequently. It is advised you get a vet-approved toothpaste for dogs and make sure you brush their teeth properly to remove all the plaque and possible bacteria in their mouth. Brushing is important because it will keep their overall health better and give them a fresh breath.

Feeding your Tibetan Terrier

If you own a Tibetan Terrier puppy, feed him three times a day until they get to six months of age. After six months of age, feed them once up to two times a day. Just like Lhasa Apso, Tibetan Terriers love high-quality dry dog food, this food provides them with balanced nutrition and is easily mixed with canned food, water or broth. Many Tibetan Terriers love cooked eggs, vegetables and fruits, just make sure you never give too much of it! Tibetan Terriers should be fed with protein-rich foods and low grain foods.

Everyone deserves to have fresh water available to them, so does your Tibetan Terrier. Make sure his/her bowl is always filled up with fresh water and in reach of your dog.

Training And Activities For Tibetan Terrier And Lhasa Apso Dog Breeds

Before you jump into fancy trainings and activities, make sure your Lhasa Apso and Tibetan Terrier know where his/her food and water dishes are. Get him/her used to the times of the day when he/she can expect to get food. Teach your Lhasa Apso and Tibetan Terrier where is his/her bed and when is the right time to sleep and get up. Teaching routines to your puppy is important because it teaches them who is the leader and makes them well-behaved knowing you are the leader.

Teaching Your Dog Words

After your dog has learned the basics of living in your apartment and with you, it is time you teach them a couple of words. ‘’No’’ and ‘’Good’’ are one of the most important words out there, they teach them when to stop doing whatever they are doing and lets them know that we appreciate what they do or did.

These two words should be taught in the first two months of age in a puppy. Using the right tone of the voice and right body language, this will not be as hard as it might sound it is.

Teaching Your Dog Your Household Rules

As soon as your dog gets used to you, your tone of the voice, surroundings and learns a few things, you can slowly teach him of your household rules. Knowing household rules is extremely important because that might actually prevent your dog from causing a huge mess. Teach your dog whether he is allowed to jump on the furniture or into the lap of the people who sit. You do not want your dog jumping into laps of everyone without any rules at all. Let him know he/she is not allowed to shred and tear apart entire toilet paper roll. Teach him/her that they should never take the clothing out of the laundry basket. Let him/her know whether they are allowed to sleep on your bed or not.

These things might sound like not very important things to you, but these are important to teach your dog some discipline. These rules will not make him/her sad, they will teach him of their limits and give you an easier time cleaning and maintaining the tidiness of your house or apartment.

Fun Activities For You And Your Dog

Just like us humans, our dogs also love to have fun and a good time. Why not take your dog to a run with you? Including your dog in your activities will not only make them more fun to you, but it will also help your dog feel better and confident about themselves. Wherever you go with your dog, make sure you take treats and fresh water for him/her.

Hide and Seek

We all played hide and seek at least once in our life, now you should probably show this awesome game to your Lhasa Apso as well! Let your dog stay in one place and you go and hide, when you are ready, let them know and watch them look for you. Your dog will be using his senses the best he can just to find you! Such a great way of seeing how good their senses are!

The Name Game

Your dog most likely knows about words such as ‘’ball’’, ‘’treat’’ or ‘’walk’’. In order to play this awesome game, you might want to teach your dog a few other words. The bigger the vocabulary of your dog is, the better this game will turn out to be! Just tell him the name of an object you want and see him look for it all around the room just to please you.

Treasure Hunt

Who does not love good old treasure hunting games? Your dog relies on his nose more than any other sense they have. A powerful sniffer like a dog will make a treasure hunting game fun and an amazing experience for both of you! Hide his smelly toy somewhere and tell him to look for it, it will be hilarious!

Jogging

If you own a Tibetan Terrier, jogging might be the best thing you two can possibly do. Jogging throughout the neighborhood is an awesome way to keep your own and your dog’s body healthy. Lhasa Apso can also jog with you, but not as much as a Tibetan Terrier can. Make sure you bring enough water!

Fetching

Most people think fetching is something dogs know about right away. But this is not the case, teach your dog how to fetch and watch them chase anything you throw away. Teaching your dog how to fetch is not a hard thing to do, first, you start by teaching them a ‘’sit’’ command’’ and then you throw the ball saying ‘’fetch’’. Eventually, most dogs will instinctively chase whatever you threw away.