Lhasa Apso, also known as Tibetan dog, Lhasa Lion dog, Tibetan Lhasa dog or Tibetan Lhachhi Apso, English name: Chrysanthemum. It is originally from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China. Its appearance resembles a lion, hence the name. It has a small size and a cheerful and confident personality. However, it is very indifferent to strangers and loyal to its owner. It does not look as fierce as a lion. A long time ago, it was the guard dog of the Dalai Lamas of Tibet and was deeply loved by them. The original meaning of Chrysanthemum is "like a goat", and goats have a very special symbolic image in the mythological culture of Tibet.
Lhasa Apsos have a strong physique and enhanced endurance. Because it used to be a watchdog and guard dog, it often barks and has a strong sense of self-esteem and vigilance. However, in front of trusted owners and familiar people, it behaves very obediently and cheerfully.
Lhasa Apso, also known as Tibetan dog, originated in Tibet. It is rarely found in areas other than Tibet. The origin of its name is not unified yet. One explanation is that the name is derived from the Tibetan word "Apso" in Lhasa, which means "a good barking guard dog". Another explanation is the Tibetan word "Lhapso" because of its long and hard coat, resembling a wire.
The Lhasa Apso has existed for more than 2,000 years. Before the 20th century, it was hardly seen in areas other than its place of origin, Tibet. Tibet has many temples and monks, and the Lhasa Apso was originally bred to accompany and guard the monks and temples. In the hearts of Lhasa Apsos, the monks are considered sacred beings. It is believed that when the owner dies, their soul will be attached to the dog's body and bring good luck to the next owner. Therefore, it was very difficult to purchase this breed at that time and it was unlikely to succeed. However, in history, the Dalai Lama also presented Lhasa Apsos as gifts to the court and neighboring countries to establish relationships with the influential people. The dog lived up to expectations and gained popularity and love from people, eventually spreading to various parts of the world.
Lhasa Apso is strong and muscular, with a brave and proud temperament. It has a keen sense of hearing, strong vigilance, and is indifferent to strangers. It has a strong ability to distinguish strangers and is an excellent watchdog. The size of the dog is not large, so it does not need too much space and is suitable for keeping in the family.
1. Dog Infectious Diseases
Dogs are prone to infectious diseases, commonly including canine distemper, canine coronavirus, etc. Common clinical manifestations are: fever, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, sleepiness, difficulty breathing, bloody stool, purulent eye discharge, dry nose, cracked paws, etc.
Generally, this type of infectious and fatal disease is more common in the period when the dog is weaned or around 1 year old. Puppies have a higher risk of infection, a lower cure rate, and are more likely to leave sequelae.
How to prevent:
When bringing a dog home, it is recommended for the owner to choose a dog through regular channels, vaccinate the dog on time, regularly disinfect the house, do not take the dog out for a walk until it has completed the vaccination, do not let the dog come into contact with unfamiliar dogs, and do not allow others to touch the dog's mouth and nose casually.
2. Dog Skin Diseases
Because dogs often walk outside, they can easily contract various skin diseases. If the dog is accidentally infected with mites, bacteria, or fungi, there is a risk of long-term difficult-to-cure. Therefore, all owners must pay attention. Clinical manifestations of dog skin diseases include greasy skin, peeling, erythema, itching, papules, ulcers, pus, hair loss, scabs, etc.
How to prevent:
In daily care, it is necessary to keep the dog's living environment clean and tidy, avoid darkness and humidity. In addition, regular disinfection of the dog's living environment, internal and external parasite control, use of dog-specific bathing liquid, regular grooming, and supplementation of vitamins and fish oil are necessary.
3. Dog Parasites
Common parasites in dogs include roundworms, heartworms, ticks, fleas, etc., which often cause skin diseases and gastrointestinal diseases in dogs, and may cause vomiting and diarrhea, affecting the quality of life and physical development of dogs. Generally, dogs with parasites are often thin and lackluster.
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How to prevent:
When feeding, owners should pay attention and try not to give dogs non-sterilized raw meat and unknown sources of meat. Internal deworming of dogs should be done once every 3 months, external parasite control should be done once a month. When going out, prevent dogs from eating and licking randomly, and going into the grass. After returning home, make sure to carefully check the dog.
Lhasa Apso needs 180-380 grams of meat in its daily diet, mixed with an equal amount of dry vegetarian food and warm water. The meat must be cooked and chopped, and the vegetables should also be cooked. Clean water should be provided at all times. If you don't want to make the food yourself, you can also buy specialized dog food for Lhasa Apso, but you also need to supplement it with other nutrients.
Although this breed is not large in size, it still needs a certain amount of exercise every day. You can let it run freely or take it for a walk in the yard, or take it for a walk every day. Moderate exercise not only helps improve appetite and enhance the dog's physique, but also to a certain extent, it can improve the dog's reproductive ability.
Its fur is relatively thick and needs to be groomed every day. Pay attention to cleanliness and hygiene in both grooming and diet. The grooming methods are the same as other dog breeds.
Lhasa Apso is familiar with those it knows and wary of strangers, so it is best to raise this breed from a puppy to adulthood and avoid changing owners midway. Otherwise, it is easy for them to refuse to obey the new owner's discipline and commands due to nostalgia for the old owner, even if they have been together for a long time, it is difficult to change this.
Lhasa Apso has a relatively weak resistance, so when feeding, not only pay attention to the cleanliness and hygiene of food and utensils, but also always observe its mental state, appetite, fecal shape, the moisture of the nose, and whether there are any stool stains around the anus. Once any abnormalities or signs of illness are found, you should take measures to treat it as soon as possible.
1. Can't bathe frequently
When bathing a dog, of course, it cannot be too frequent. The frequency of bathing a dog depends on the dog's hygiene. In hot weather, bathe the dog one or two more times, and reduce it by one or two times in winter, but in general, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Brush regularly
Dogs shed hair almost every day, especially in spring and autumn. If you want the fur to grow well, regular brushing is an important step. Pet owners can use pet-specific brushes to help dogs clean their naturally shed hair and prevent tangling. Brush once in the morning and evening, and about five minutes each time.
3. Sunbathe
Sunbathing is beneficial to the growth of a dog's fur. In addition, besides making the fur more shiny, letting the dog sunbathe can also help sterilize. At the same time as sunbathing, pet owners can let the dog exercise, which can help improve the dog's physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.
4. Deworm
Poor fur quality is actually closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body and compete for nutrients, so deworming is necessary. It is recommended to deworm internally and externally at the same time. Deworming medicine can cause great harm to a dog's stomach and intestines, so it is recommended to feed probiotics together to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order for the dog to have a beautiful fur, it must have a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to daily diet. On the one hand, feed the dog with nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a dog food that is suitable for the dog and has sufficient nutrition to meet the dog's needs; on the other hand, you can also feed the dog with lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and vegetable oil in appropriate amounts.
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