Lhasa Apso vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Lhasa Apso vs Keeshond - Breed ComparisonLhasa Apso is originated from China but Keeshond is originated from Netherlands. Lhasa Apso may grow 20 cm / 7 inches shorter than Keeshond. Lhasa Apso may weigh 10 kg / 22 pounds lesser than Keeshond. Both Lhasa Apso and Keeshond has same life span. Both Lhasa Apso and Keeshond has almost same litter size. Both Lhasa Apso and Keeshond requires Moderate 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.

keeshond - historyKeeshond is the term used for German Spitzes and although many American references have it that the Keeshond originated in the Netherlands, some say the dog originated in Germany and is a member of the German Spitz family.

The Club for German Spitzes was founded in 1899. The Nederlandse Keeshond Club was formed in 1924. The Keeshond is also referred to as ‘The Smiling Dutchman’.

It was in the 17th and 18th centuries that the Keeshond was used greatly as a watchdog, appearing in England in the late 1800s, but after the turn of the 20th century, Mrs. Wingfield Digby of Dorset, England and Mrs. Alice Gatacre, a Dutch breed authority, living in England, stirred interest in the breed with their kennels.

An English breed Club was formed in 1926, and the first Keeshond was registered with The American Kennel Club in 1930.

Basic Information

Group:
Non sporting dog
Non sporting dog
Origin:
China
Netherlands
Height Male:
25 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Height Female:
25 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
6 - 8 kg
13 - 18 pounds
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 8 kg
13 - 18 pounds
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
3 - 8
Size:
Small dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Lhasa, The Lion Dog, Tibetan Apso
German Spitz , Dutch Barge Dog, Smiling Dutchman
Colors Available:
cream, black and white, white, Gold, tan
silver, Grey, black and cream
Coat:
Long and dense
Long, straight, coarse
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

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.

keeshond puppy - descriptionThe Keeshond is a medium-sized dog and a member of the Spitz group of dogs. He stands at 43 – 48cm in height and weighs 14 – 18kg.

He has a 2-layered, dense coat which is fairly long, straight and coarse and colors are grey, silver, black and cream. His undercoat is a very light cream color. He has erect ears, a fairly shop muzzle and a feathery, plumed tail which curves over his back.

The hair on his legs is fairly short accompanied with some feathering. A typical marking-feature of the Keeshond is the dark line which runs from the outer corner of each eye to the lower corner of each ear. It's what gives the dog his well known keeshond expression. The eyes of the dog are dark brown.

Temperament:

The Keeshond, just like other Spitz dogs, are playful, affectionate, friendly and eager to please. He is intelligent too and will respond well to training and socialization.

He makes a wonderful family pet as he is friendly and playful with children, loving all their games. He gets on well with other pets too. He is a social dog, thriving on being with his human family, wanting to participate in all family activities.

They are sensitive, loving pets and become very attached to their owners. They have even been used as comfort dogs in rescue situations, as they bond so well with people.

He makes a good watchdog too with his loud bark which he uses to deter intruders. He may well be a good watch- and guard dog but he isn't an aggressive dog.

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.

keeshond dog - characteristicsThe Keeshond, with his thick double coat, loves to be outdoors in cool weather. He won't be there too long however, because he will be missing his human family. He is such a social dog, craving human company and therefore isn't a dog to be put out in the backyard and left day after day.

He loves games and being totally involved with his human family. Look after your Keeshond well – he is a companion dog - and you will find him to be a most exceptional friend of yours.

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.

keeshond puppies - health problemsWith good food, fresh water, exercise and lots of interaction with your Keeshond, he can reach 12 to 14 years of age.

No matter how healthy your dog is, he can still get ill, but the chances are less likely when he is feed nutritionally. Nonetheless look out for hip dysplasia, bloat, ear infections, skin rashes and eye diseases.

Cataract:

This is a problem in the lens of the eye. Your dog has a cloudy look to the eye. A cataract can occur when the cells are damaged. A disease such as diabetes can also cause a cataract and high blood sugar levels can change the metabolism of the cells in the lens.

The lens should be crystal clear, but with a cataract, the vision of the dog is obscured. It can cause blindness. Thankfully, cataracts aren't painful and most times dogs with cataracts can still see. There is the option of surgery to remove them too.

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.

Grooming:

keeshond dogs - caringWith his double coat, your Keeshond will need regular brushing to get rid of all those loose hairs. He is a dog which doesn't have that typical dog odor about him so bathing him is discouraged. Too much bathing irritates a dog's skin and dries it out.

Check the inside of his mouth and make sure that his teeth are in a healthy state. If you are unsure, speak to your vet about dental hygiene as bad teeth won't only cause pain and discomfort for your pet, the teeth can affect his immune system and other body parts.

Check his claws too and have them cut when they become too long. When they are long they can hook on things and injure the sensitive area of the paws.

Exercise:

The Keeshond is a sturdy dog, loving all the activities and games that his family are involved in. He will love to be your walking companion and looks forward to his walk every day.

He is such a playful, adventurous dog and is always willing to join you in new games. Never put him in your back garden and forget about him, as this will make him ill and depressed. He must be part of the family to be healthy and happy and relies on you to include him in all your activities. He can live in the city or the countryside but will require being exercised wherever he is.

Diet:

Top quality dry kibble will work for your Keeshond. If you want to keep him bright eyed and bushy tailed, mix in some quality home-made food too such as cooked chicken, rice and vegetables. You can also try to sometimes include a little bit of raw meat as well.

He is an active dog and will need a diet high in protein. Also, his thick coat needs to be maintained, and apart from regular brushing, look for quality dog foods that have Omega-3 fatty acids in them so as to maintain the skin and coat of the dog. Make sure he always has access to fresh, cool water.

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. Keeshond vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Keeshond vs Chow Chow - Breed Comparison
  28. Keeshond vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  29. Keeshond vs Dalmatian - Breed Comparison
  30. Keeshond vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed Comparison
  31. Keeshond vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Mexican Hairless vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  33. Tibetan Terrier vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  34. Standard Poodle vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  35. Norwegian Lundehund vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  36. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  37. Pomsky vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  38. Sakhalin Husky vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  39. Other vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  40. Olde English Bulldogge vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  41. Old English Bulldog vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  42. Schnauzer vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  43. Puggle vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  44. King Charles Spaniel vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  45. Schnoodle vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  46. Pharaoh Hound vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  47. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  48. Hungarian Vizsla vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  49. Redbone Coonhound vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  50. Norwegian Elkhound vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds