With a big personality hidden in a small dog's body, the Lhaso Apso is adored for its assertive, cheerful, affectionate temperament, as well as its beauty, cuteness and long coat. It is no wonder that the Lhasa dog is part of the list of most popular breeds in Brazil. Despite being a companionable, faithful and playful dog, he can show a more agitated and ferocious side if there is no trainingFind out more about the Lhasa Apso's personality below so you can assess whether this is the ideal breed to have in your home.

Lhasa Apso: personality shaped under watchdog position in Tibet

The appearance of a Lhasa Apso and all its pomp might indicate that it has always been a domestic animal, but in fact, the history of the Lhasa Apso might surprise you: the breed was originally bred to guard Buddhist monasteries and palaces in Tibet - hence its name, a tribute to Lhasa, the capital and holy city of the autonomous area of China.

With this important "sentinel" position, the Lhasa dog has gained fame and become the protagonist of many Tibetan myths throughout history. According to a local folk tale, the Lhasa dog breed is the earthly embodiment of the mythical Snow Lion, the protector of the nation. Until the beginning of the last century, Lhasas were not allowed to leave their homeland unless they were offered to do so.by the Dalai Lama as a gift.

This curious history is important to understand the trajectory and temperament of the Lhasa breed, puppy or adult. Today, they are excellent companion dogs, but they still keep the innate instinct of vigilance. The Lhasa Apso dog may be small, but it definitely acts as if it were bigger than it is, being a dog of pure courage. Therefore, it is always alert toprotect the house and its guardians from any threat, no matter how big or small.

Lhasa Apso: dog of the breed can be agitated and a little fierce with strangers

Naturally, the Lhasa Apso dog is not sociable and friendly with strangers, a trait compatible with an instinctively protective dog. With keen senses, an ability to observe and a distrust of anything new or different, when it comes to the Lhasa Apso, the dog has a tendency to monitor and draw the attention of its guardians when it notices an "invader". It is preciselythat's why the idea that the Lhasa barks a lot is totally valid, because in addition to loud barks and growls, even small bites can be part of their protective behavior.

Lhasa Apso: breed characteristics involve a certain territorialism

With proper training and early socialization, the Lhasa Apso can be an excellent pet; affectionate, calm and gentle with people, including children who are affectionate with dogs. However, as not everything is flowers, the territorial side of the Lhasa breed dog sometimes speaks louder, especially in relation to other animals in the house. When having to share your space withanother dog, for example, the Lhasa Apso can become extremely bossy and jealous. Despite occasional fights over dominance, most of them live peacefully with the other pets in the family.

The Lhasa Apso is one of the most intelligent dogs in the canine world. They have the ability to learn anything you throw at them, as long as it is done in their own way and time. Therefore, patience, gentleness and consistency in commands are key when training a Lhasa Apso puppy.

Methods that emphasize food and praise will always be met with more cooperation, which is known as positive training. However, it's important to be mindful when training an adult or puppy Lhasa Apso: if routines and practices start to get repetitive, they may lose interest quickly.

Lhasa Apso barks a lot and this is part of the genetics of the breed

The Lhasa Apso is a very barky dog, and its high-pitched vocalization can become a major nuisance in the home if the animal is not taught from a young age when it is appropriate to bark. While some of this frequent barking can be toned down during training, it is inherent in the genetics of the breed (i.e. the Lhasa Apso does bark a lot and the family will need to learn to tolerate it).It is very difficult to get a Lhasa Apso to stop barking completely, but it is possible to try to alleviate this with training to make the dog breed calmer.

Lhasa: can a dog breed be considered aggressive?

In fact, the Lhasa Apso is a determined, stubborn animal and has a dominant pattern. In the absence of a lead, they follow their own rules and when they feel pressured or intimidated, they may react aggressively. If the fierce behavior is not corrected quickly and to the appropriate degree, the Lhasa breed dog will learn to use this aggressive side more often, since it has had success with the same onetactic earlier.

Although many people do not take the Lhasa Apso seriously because of its size, it is extremely important that this aggressive behavior is properly managed. When there is a relationship of mutual respect and the guardian gives space to the face regardless of the breed, the Lhasa will naturally respect and follow the rules of the house.

Is the Lhasa Apso the right breed for you?

If you are considering having a Lhasa in the house, you should keep in mind the protective and restless nature of this breed. There is no way to change this, although you can socialize and train the Lhasa Apso puppy to teach him good manners and thus create a calm and friendly dog in your household.

With patience and willpower, it's worth all the effort put into this little dog's many qualities. Companionable, curious, loyal and playful, the Lhasa dog loves to stay close to his family and follow people around the house, whether it's to be part of the activities or to take a place on their lap. Being one of the most independent dogs, he's fine when he needs to bespend time alone.

The Lhasa Apso is not extremely active and is therefore happy living indoors, such as in apartments. Unlike many other dog breeds, the Lhasa Apso does not need intense exercise to burn off energy. It does, however, appreciate and benefit from short walks and daily play sessions.

Lhasa Apso: the breed's personality has striking traits

After learning a little bit more about the Lhasa Apso's personality, you can check out what are the most striking characteristics of the pet. The Lhasa Apso breed dog is:

• Smart
• Dedicated
• Courageous
• Protector
• Affectionate
• Gentle
• Stubborn
• Dominant
• Warning
• Spirited
• Playful