Longevity
Life expectancy
With good care, a suitable diet and regular veterinary follow-up, the Lhassa Apso can live a long time for a small-sized dog. Its longevity is promoted by a stable lifestyle, controlled weight and attentive maintenance of its coat and its sensitive areas.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
The Lhassa Apso has a rather solid build for its size. It tolerates the cold well, but its sturdiness does not exempt it from regular hygiene, particularly regarding the ears and the coat, in order to avoid discomfort linked to humidity, knots or irritations.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
Even if the breed is not known to be particularly fragile, prevention remains important. Regular attention paid to the drooping ears, to the eyes sometimes exposed to hair, and to the quality of the skin under a dense coat helps to quickly detect small problems before they become established.
Otitis and ear irritations: Drooping ears that are well covered with hair require regular cleaning to limit moisture, debris, and infections.
Eye irritations: Hair around the eyes can promote discomfort if facial grooming is neglected, hence the importance of careful hygiene.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
The Lhassa Apso tolerates cold temperatures well thanks to its abundant coat. In hot weather, care must be taken to avoid exertion during the hottest hours, to maintain good hydration and to keep a well-groomed coat to limit discomfort.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
This small-sized dog must keep a light silhouette to remain comfortable in its movements and preserve its tone. A measured ration, limited treats and daily walks are generally enough to maintain a stable weight.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Brush the coat several times a week to prevent knots.
- Clean and check the ears regularly.
- Neatly clear the hair around the eyes if necessary.
- Maintain regular veterinary follow-up and a stable weight.
Vaccination
Lhasa Apso vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Lhasa Apso need? Like all dogs, Lhasa Apsos should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Lhasa Apso vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Lhasa Apso booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Lhasa Apso need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy Lhasa Apso
During routine visits, it is useful to have the condition of the ears, eyes, skin and coat checked, as well as the overall weight. Regular monitoring also makes it possible to adapt care and feeding according to the dog's age and lifestyle.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
