A Quick Glance at the Lhasa Apso

This breed was said to have originated from Tibet, and considered to be exclusive – meaning not everybody could get their hands on this cute dog. It was kept amongst the noble families, and was never available for sale. The only way you could get one was if it was given to you, but the odds of that happening was extremely low, unless you were a member of a neighboring royal family or a visitor of high ranking. This was in the past, obtaining this breed as a house pet can be done by anybody now. As a matter of fact, the Lhasa Apso's popularity has boomed, earning itself a spot in the top 50 most popular dog breeds as of today.

What makes this pet such a hot pick amongst the populace nowadays is it's compact and cute look. It can weigh anywhere from 12 to 18 pounds, depending on its gender. It has a beautiful coat with a matching personality on the inside. Being affectionate and playful is something that many owners love about it. Despite its small build, it's actually quite energetic – able to play for hours or take long walks. The Lhasa Apso is also compatible with cold weather. You shouldn't be surprised because it originated from a place full of snow. Running around and other physical activities in the snow won't be a problem for it.

This pooch has been famous for its protective instincts. It has the tendency to become very territorial, and it could treat strangers and some of your friends that it doesn't know as hostile enemies. Small size with cute build doesn't mean half-witted coward. It's actually very intelligent and extremely brave. Shaping these key attributes properly can turn it into an ideal watch dog. Has a great sense of hearing and a mind that's constantly alert – rest assure that you'll be hearing it barking if anybody has gotten in the house. It has tiny and sharp teeth that it isn't afraid to use if necessary, but its overall appearance doesn't strike perpetrators as a force to be worried about.

So you could say that the Lhasa Apso is only effective as a watchdog, not a guard dog. Discipline for this dog is essential – it's possible it would become very stubborn which would lead to problems during training and for its behavior. Starting at an early age is the best solution to rid it of any unwanted behavior and bad habits. There is a very good possibility that it would try bossing you around, so let it know that you're in charge, not it. During the entire process, you have to be firm, yet kind and loving. Routines should be kept short yet interesting – it'll be able to absorb more of whatever you are trying to teach it.

Socialization is the key to turning it into a friendly pet. Having it mingle with other pets and humans can improve its conduct, but never expect it to get along with everyone it meets – this will depend on how well you train it and the traits it inherited. Nevertheless, if you play your cards right you'll end up with a very nice pet - I wish you and your Lhasa Apso the best of luck.