| Country of origin: | Tibet |
| Registries: | AKC, UKC, CKC |
| Occupation: | Watchdog, companion |
| Size: | 10 to 11 in tall; 14 to 15 lbs |
| Longevity: | 12 to 14 years |
| Exercise: | Low activity level |
| Training: | Challenge to housetrain |
| Grooming: | Difficult |
| Colors: | Gold, honey, sand, grizzle, slate and smoke grey, parti-colour, black |
Named after the capital city of Tibet and a favourite gift of earlier Dalai Lamas, this somewhat reserved breed was probably developed by Buddhist monks in Tibet and neighbouring Bhutan, to act as both a companion and a noisy guardian. Its Tibetan name, Apso Seng Kyi, roughly translates as “bark lion sentinel dog”. When Lhasas first arrived in the West, they were classified together with Shih Tzus and Tibetan Terriers as a single breed. Even today it can be difficult to differentiate between a large Shih Tzu and a small Lhasa Apso. Lhasas have profusely dense, long coats, ideal insulation for breeds of dog living at an elevation of 5,000 metres in Tibet, but demanding to keep well groomed and clean. They generally bond closely to one particular individual.