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Lhasa Apso Breed Standards

© Kathi Mitchell

The current breed standards for the lhasa apso were instituted in July of 1978. They specify that the proper height is 10 to 11 inches at the shoulder for dogs and slightly smaller for bitches. The coat should be heavy, it should also be straight and dense - silky or wooly is unacceptable. All colors are acceptable with or without darker points. They should be longer from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks than their height at the withers. The eyes should be dark brown and of medium size and position. They should have a good beard and whiskers with heavy coat on head. The pendant ears must have heavy feathering as should the legs and feet. They should have a level bite or slightly undershot bite and their muzzle should not be square. These standards, of course, apply primarily to show quality lhasa apsos. While these qualities are desirable in pets they are not necessarily essential and lhasa apsos lacking in some of the required standards still make wonderful, loving companions.