How to Identify a Lhasa Apso

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Co-authored by Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC

Last Updated: February 24, 2025 References

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Recognising the Body Structure

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Taking Notice of the Coat

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Temperament

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Expert Interview

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Q&A

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Tips

Lhasa Apsos are famed for their floor-length, flat-hanging coat which is parted in the middle and drapes over either side of their body.^{[1]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

Go to source} The dog is a member of the non-sporting group, and is an ancient dog of Tibet who used to live in the Himalayan mountains.^{[2]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

Go to source} The Lhasa Apso shares some traits with other dogs, but by recognising their key traits it's easy to identify a Lhasa. This wikiHow will help you know whether or not a dog is a Lhasa Apso.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Recognising the Body Structure

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The Lhasa Apso is a rather small breed of dog.^{[3]
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Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC
Canine Behavior Consultant

Expert Interview} They're only 10–11 inches (25.4–27.9 cm) tall, the females being slightly smaller, and they weigh 12–18 pounds (5.4–8.2 kg).^{[4]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

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Lhasas have dark brown eyes, which are almond shaped.^{[5]
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A Lhasa Apso has heavily feathered ears that are set slightly higher than eye-level. The ears are carried close to the cheek^{[6]
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Lhasa Apsos have straight muzzles which are about one third of their head's length, from the nose to the back of the head. They have a black nose, and a level or slightly undershot bite.^{[7]
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A Lhasa has a feathery tail that's set high enough for it to be carried over the back with a curl to the side. The tail may have a kink in the end.^{[8]
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A Lhasa Apso's neck is medium in length and blends smoothly into their back, and the body looks rectangular when seen in profile. The elbows are close to the body, and the legs are heavily coated in hair and straight from the elbow downward. The feet are round and catlike on both the hind legs and front.^{[9]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Taking Notice of the Coat

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The Lhasa Apso has a heavy, thick, dense coat. The coat is double coated, and generally straight and tough, not woolly or silky.^{[10]
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American Kennel Club
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Go to source} Lhasa Apsos are considered allergy friendly, as they don't shed.^{[11]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

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2
Look at the coat's colour. Lhasa Apsos can be any colour, and all are equally acceptable.^{[12]
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American Kennel Club
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Go to source} There are some colours which are seen more frequently, despite the fact that the dog can be any colour.
- The colours which are more standard, include: black, black and tan, cream, golden, grizzle, red, red gold and white.^{[13]
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  American Kennel Club
  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
  
  Go to source}
- Other lesser seen colours include: blue, charcoal, grey, liver and silver.^{[14]
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  American Kennel Club
  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
  
  Go to source}
3
Look at the 'cut'. Some people choose to give their Lhasa Apsos specific haircuts, rather than leaving it the standard cut. Some of these may include: the Puppy cut, the Teddy Bear cut, the Show cut.^{[15]
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- The Puppy cut is seen as the same short length all over.^{[16]
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- The Teddy Bear cut appears as longer hair around the head and face.^{[17]
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- The show cut traditionally is seen as letting the hair grow to floor length, and cutting to show standards.^{[18]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Temperament

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The Lhasa Apso can be very cautious and careful around strangers.^{[19]
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Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC
Canine Behavior Consultant

Expert Interview} They're very careful with their socialisation, and they may be suspicious of everyone, which can lead to biting.^{[20]
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EXPERT TIP

Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC
Canine Behavior Consultant
Colleen Demling-Riley (CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC) is a Canine Behavior Consultant and the Founder of Pawtopia Dog Training. With more than 20 years of experience, she specializes in creating and customizing dog management programs for dog owners. She is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, and American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Colleen is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and has been a featured expert in national media including the New York Times, Woman’s Day, Readers Digest, Cosmopolitan, and Yahoo.com.

Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC
Canine Behavior Consultant

Early socialization is critical for a Lhasa Apso. They are known for being very friendly with their families but can be distant and unapproachable with strangers. Despite their small size, Lhasa Apsos were originally bred to be guard dogs. They'll often bark at anything that seems threatening and may not always get along with other dogs.
Lhasas have their own mind, and a personality that is catlike in their independence.^{[21]
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Research source} They'll often be wilful, obstinate, manipulative and bossy.^{[22]
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Research source} This means that when you give the dog a command, they might not listen to you straight away.^{[23]
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Lhasa Apsos are very likely to become jealous of other pets, animals, or even children when the attention is on them. They won't like being teased, and can become quite possessive.^{[24]
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The Lhasa Apso is rather intelligent, and they have their own mind. The dog will probably do best with reward based training, because they're smart enough to learn that there are reasons to do things.^{[26]
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The Lhasa Apso won't mind being left on their own, and will happily entertain themself. They're very playful, and will find something to do whenever they're inside.^{[27]
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Community Q&A

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How do I know the dog's breed when it is puppy?

Linnie

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Puppies will still have the same physical traits, such as coat color and structure. Their temperament may be somewhat different as puppies are typically more energetic and playful, so it's best to rely on physical characteristics until they're a bit older.

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I have a lhasa apso and he fits all the descriptions of a purebred except the non-shedding part. Mine sheds quite a lot when his coat isn't trimmed. Why is this?

Linnie

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Some lhasa apso do shed but just at a very slow rate, so the breed is generally considered "non-shedding" for this reason. Your dog may be an exception to this when he has a natural coat. It's completely possible that this is just natural for your dog; however, there's also a possibility that his frequent shedding is either a result of a medical condition or a mix with another breed.

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Is my 9‑month‑old Lhasa Apso purebred if its facial fur is rough?

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A 9‑month‑old Lhasa Apso can have rough facial fur because she’s still transitioning from her puppy coat to her adult coat, which often feels coarser. Regular grooming and conditioning help smooth the hair as it grows. Rough fur alone cannot confirm if she’s purebred, since coat texture varies even in pure Lhasas. To be certain of purity, you’d need pedigree papers or a DNA test.

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Tips

If you're wondering whether your dog is a Lhasa Apso, consider using a DNA test, as this will confirm your dog's breed.

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