Lhasa Apso vs Chow Chow - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Lhasa Apso vs Chow Chow - Breed ComparisonBoth Lhasa Apso and Chow Chow are originated from China. Lhasa Apso may grow 23 cm / 9 inches shorter than Chow Chow. Lhasa Apso may weigh 24 kg / 52 pounds lesser than Chow Chow. Both Lhasa Apso and Chow Chow has almost same life span. Both Lhasa Apso and Chow Chow has almost same litter size. Lhasa Apso requires Moderate maintenance. But Chow Chow requires High maintenance

History

lhasa apso - historyThe Lhasa Apso is a non-sporting dog hailing from Tibet. He was a useful dog to the monks who would use him in the palaces as well as the monasteries to ward off intruders.

He actually takes his name from the holy city of Lhasa, with the history of the breed going back to 600BC.

Today he is a true companion dog, a family dog, known as as the Tibetan Apso, the Bearded Lion Dog, the Apso and Lhasa.

The dog has been recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1935, in the Non-Sporting Group category.

chow chow - historyNorthern China is the original home of the Chow Chow. In that region of China, the breed was known as the Songshi Quan – “the puffy-lion” dog. They have also been known in China as the “Dog of the Tang Empire” or the Tang Quan. The Chow is believed to be an ancient breed that the Foo Dog, or stone dog guardians of Buddhist palaces and temples, is modeled after. It is one of the most ancient of dog breeds that are still around today.

It is believed that they have existed for around 2000 years or perhaps even as far back as 3000 years, starting out in Mongolia and migrating to China. The ancientness of the Chow Chow has been validated through DNA testing. In China all those centuries ago, the Chow Chow was born to be a working dog. They hunted, herded, guarded and pulled carts. They went on quests with the Mongolian armies when China was invaded, as well as when the Mongolians invaded the Middle East and Europe later on.

Today’s Canadian Kennel Club has about 350 Chows registered while the AKC gets 10,000 new registrations every year.

Basic Information

Group:
Non sporting dog
Non sporting dog
Origin:
China
China
Height Male:
25 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
43 - 51 cm
16 - 21 inches
Height Female:
25 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
41 - 60 cm
16 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
6 - 8 kg
13 - 18 pounds
25 - 32 kg
55 - 71 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 8 kg
13 - 18 pounds
20 - 27 kg
44 - 60 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
11 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
4 - 8
Size:
Small dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Lhasa, The Lion Dog, Tibetan Apso
chowhound, chow, chowdren
Colors Available:
cream, black and white, white, Gold, tan
cream and blue, Red (light gold to deep red-brown) • Cinnamon (light tan to brown) • Black
Coat:
Long and dense
double thick and coarse
Shedding:
Minimal
Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Quiet, Stubborn
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
High maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Hard
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Description

lhasa apso puppy - descriptionLhasa Apsos are small dogs which stand at between 25 to 28cm in height and weigh in the region of 6 to 8kg.

The body length of the dog is longer than the height of the dog. He has brown eyes, a black nose and medium length, floppy ears. The long tail is carried over the dog's back.

Many people get used to seeing a sheared or clipped Lhaso, so when they see a dog where the coat has been left uncut they can’t believe the long, straight, dense coat.

Because the dog hails from Tibet where the weather can be extremely cold, he has a double coat – an under- and outer coat. While the coat looks fairly silky, it isn’t really and is in fact quite course to the touch.

Colors of the coat can be gold, tan, cream, white, black and white. Regular brushing will be needed for the coat because this is a dog with continual shedding. These dogs are regarded as being hypoallergenic as they hardly shed.

Temperament:

Looks can be quite deceiving when it comes to the Lhasa Apso as he is a dog who looks as though butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth and that he is essentially just a cuddly lapdog.

This small little dog is tough, robust, strong-willed and in his heart he believes he is a huge Tiger.

He’ll make his human family a loyal and loving pet but he is wary with strangers, distrusting anyone he meets for the first time. He is a dog that will need to be trained and socialized as he may take over your home in his ‘Tiger’ role.

Smart and dominant, this training will turn him into an obedient dog to have around which is important as he can become bossy if left to go his own way.

chow chow puppy - descriptionThe Chow really does look like a small lion with a black tongue. The dog is sturdy and square with erect, small ears on a broad skull. They have a very dense double coat. Their eyes are deep set and look like almonds, while they all have that very distinctive purple or black tongue. Their lips are also distinctive with their blue color. The nose is black, but some Chows might have a blue nose. The tail is curly.

These are medium size dogs when it comes to height and weight, but they are powerfully built for their size. Their power is in their compact body holding the energy and strength of a much larger dog. Its hind legs are almost entirely straight, unusual for any dog. They get their lion appearance from the huge ruff that stands behind their heads. Their chest is broad and deep.

Characteristics

lhasa apso dog - characteristicsThe Lhasa Apso is a small dog full of surprises. That's because he can be manipulative, naughty and feisty one minute, and sweet and gentle the next. He happens to be a good watch dog too, and will alert you well in advance to intruders.

Because he is small and not a particularly energetic dog, he can slot into life in the city or the countryside with ease. However, exercise is good and necessary for every dog so be sure he joins you on your daily walks or you give him some games indoors.

The Lhasa can be a wonderful family companion and you’ll find that he can get on well with children who have been taught to treat animals with kindness and respect. He isn’t the kind of dog that you keep outdoors but is essentially an indoor dog, relishing the time he spends with his beloved human family and making a wonderful companion.

chow chow dog - characteristicsLoyal and true to their family and those they know; the Chow Chow is a little standoffish with strangers. They are very protective and usually attach themselves to one or two people. They are intelligent but stubborn, which can affect your training with them. They need to respect their people and Chows respect hose who take care of them. They can be aggressive toward dogs of their same sex especially if those dogs are the same breed as well.

They are known to be very clean and many have compared them to cats in that regard. They appear to be dignified and refined. They are usually very quiet but very adaptable dogs.

Health Problems

lhasa apso puppies - health problemsEvery dog can develop genetic health problems, but it is highly unlikely that with good care, your Lhasa Apso is going to get sick.

He’s a healthy dog breed that can get to 14 years of age and even older. With Lhasas, health problems can include things like hip dysplasia, eye problems and intervertebral disc disease.

If you are buying a puppy, be careful from where you buy him from. You want careful breeders who screen their parent dogs for genetic diseases. Keeping your dog at the right weight and preventing obesity will also help to ensure he remains healthy.

chow chow puppies - health problemsAlthough an ancient breed that obviously has survived many centuries of trials, the Cho Chow of today is prone to several different health conditions. These include:

Eyelid Entropion

This condition can require surgery to keep the turning eyelid from injuring the eye ball.

Hip Dysplasia

This can cause lameness and arthritis.

Elbow Dysplasia

This can cause lameness and arthritis.

Stomach Cancer

Ear Infections

Make sure you keep the ears clean and keep an eye on them.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

lhasa apso dogs - caringThe Lhasa Apso is going to require regular brushing of his coat as it can get long and then it will matt and tangle easily.

There are owners of this dog breed who prefer to send their dog to their grooming parlor where the coat is trimmed short the way they prefer, minimizing the time spent grooming the dog. At the grooming parlour they also check the ears, the teeth of the dog and the nails, particularly if they don’t wear down naturally.

Diet:

The Lhasa was bred to be a watchdog, so even though he is a small dog, he does his best to guard and protect you. He is no pushover, and training him and socializing him makes him even more adorable to be around.

As man’s best friend, he needs a high-quality, nutritious diet because this helps to protect him from disease. You can feed him the best commercially manufactured foods, but study the packaging details on what the ingredients are. You want to be avoiding corn and wheat, colorants and preservatives.

Your Lhasa has 4 – 6 puppies and as these get older and are weaned they will require 4 meals a day. Once your dog reaches one year of age, he can have 2 meals a day instead of one larger meal.

Every dog loves a little bit of home-made food as a treat, and your Lhasa will wag his tail when you add in some cooked chicken, brown rice and some raw or cooked vegetables into his kibble. Include some raw meat in the diet occasionally as well as this helps to avoid dog skin problems.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis is a skin disease starting in the hair follicles of the dog and often occurs in conjunction with other skin disorders like mange. It is found mostly on the dog's abdomen, his armpits and groin and you’ll notice scaly rings with pus and scabs.

To avoid nasty skin diseases which can be very distressing for your pet, remember that your dog's dietary intake plays a huge role in the maintenance of a healthy skin and some raw meat is key to his wellbeing.

chow chow dogs - caringDon’t overfeed a Chow Chow as they are hard workers and big eaters. Feed them at least twice a day.

Health issues

Additional health issues include:

Glaucoma

This eye disease can lead to blindness if not checked and treated.

Juvenile Cataracts

These can be removed from an adolescent puppy.

Lymphoma

Again, the Chow is susceptible to cancer.

Diabetes

Can lead to heart or kidney problems if left untreated.

Hot Spots/Allergies/Melanoma

Keep a close eye on your Chow Chow skin.

Exercise and games

The Chow Chow was developed as working dog, but today’s version is more laid back and doesn’t need excessive exercise. Daily walks will suffice. They live very happily in the city if walked regularly. They are not really a competitive breed outside of obedience and confirmation. They are seldom seen in sports like agility or frisbee.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Miniature Poodle vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  2. Tibetan Spaniel vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  3. Pomeranian vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  4. Maltese vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  5. Pug vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  6. Maltipoo vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  7. Miniature Schnauzer vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  8. Mal-Shi vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  9. Papillon vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  10. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  11. Miniature English Bulldog vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  12. Miniature Dachshund vs Lhasa Apso - Breed Comparison
  13. Lhasa Apso vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  14. Lhasa Apso vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  15. Lhasa Apso vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  16. Lhasa Apso vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  17. Lhasa Apso vs Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  18. Lhasa Apso vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Lhasa Apso vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  20. Lhasa Apso vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Lhasa Apso vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  22. Lhasa Apso vs Corgi - Breed Comparison
  23. Lhasa Apso vs Cavachon - Breed Comparison
  24. Lhasa Apso vs American Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  25. Lhasa Apso vs Japanese Chin - Breed Comparison
  26. Chow Chow vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Chow Chow vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  28. Chow Chow vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed Comparison
  29. Chow Chow vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  30. Dalmatian vs Chow Chow - Breed Comparison
  31. Keeshond vs Chow Chow - Breed Comparison
  32. Mexican Hairless vs Chow Chow - Breed Comparison
  33. Tibetan Terrier vs Chow Chow - Breed Comparison
  34. Standard Poodle vs Chow Chow - Breed Comparison
  35. Norwegian Lundehund vs Chow Chow - Breed Comparison
  36. Chow Chow vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  37. Chow Chow vs American Pit Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Chow Chow vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  39. Chow Chow vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  40. Chow Chow vs Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Chow Chow vs Basset Hound - Breed Comparison
  42. Chow Chow vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  43. Chow Chow vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  44. Chow Chow vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  45. Chow Chow vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  46. Chow Chow vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  47. Chow Chow vs Aussie Doodles - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds