All Dog Breeds >>Lhasa Apso Breed Standard
Character
Gay and assertive, but chary of strangers.
Head
Heavy head furnishings with good fall over eyes, good whiskers and beard; skull narrow, falling away behind the eyes in a marked degree, not quite flat, but not domed or apple-shaped; straight foreface of fair length. Nose black, the length from tip of nose to eye to be roughly about one-third of the total length from nose to back of skull.
Size
Variable, but about 10 inches or 11 inches at shoulder for dogs, bitches slightly smaller.
Body Shape
The length from point of shoulders to point of buttocks longer than height at withers, well ribbed up, strong loin, well-developed quarters and thighs.
Mouth and Muzzle
The preferred bite is either level or slightly undershot. Muzzle of medium length; a square muzzle is objectionable.
Eyes
Dark brown, neither very large and full, nor very small and sunk.
Coat
Heavy, straight, hard, not woolly nor silky, of good length, and very dense.
Color
All colors equally acceptable with or without dark tips to ears and beard.
Tail and Carriage
Well feathered, should be carried well over back in a screw; there may be a kink at the end. A low carriage of stern is a serious fault.