Lhasa Apso vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Lhasa Apso vs Indian Spitz - Breed ComparisonLhasa Apso is originated from China but Indian Spitz is originated from India. Both Lhasa Apso and Indian Spitz are having almost same height. Both Lhasa Apso and Indian Spitz are having almost same weight. Both Lhasa Apso and Indian Spitz has same life span. Both Lhasa Apso and Indian Spitz has almost same litter size. Both Lhasa Apso and Indian Spitz 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.

indian spitz - historyThe Indian Spitz is a working dog and has always been used for hunting and tracking small game. It is a popular dog breed in India.

There isn't too much information on the exact origin of the dog but dog experts tell us the dogs have descended from different Spitz breeds and wild wolves, and that they date back thousands of years.

People often mix them up with the Pomeranian, but they're different, being introduced in India by the British. The British began breeding them from a stock of German Spitz's and years of breeding produced the ideal dog type which could cope with the tempestuous weather conditions in India.

They aren't recognized by any major kennel clubs but the Kennel Club of India is working to establish the Indian Spitz as a separate breed.

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.

indian spitz puppy - descriptionThe Indian Spitz is an attractive, fluffy looking dog breed thought to have been domesticated thousands of years ago.

The dog comes in two sizes – the smaller- and larger size. The Smaller Indian Spitz stands at between 20 - 25 cm and weighs between 5 – 7kg while the Greater Indian Spitz stands at 35-45cm and weighs between 12 – 20kg.

The dog has a long-haired coat, with the hair on the head being shorter than the rest of the body. The color of the coat can be white, brown or black and white.

Temperament:

The Indian Spitz is an easy-going dog which adapts to all kinds of living conditions in India. They therefore adapt easily to life in the city or in the countryside.

The Indian Spitz is a social, friendly dog who is loyal towards his human family, showing his joy at being with them with high-pitched barking. He gets on well with children in the home and because he isn't aggressive, he gets on well with pets in the home too.

He is intelligent which means that he is able to be trained and socialized, turning him into an obedient pet who takes his job as guardian and protector seriously.

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.

indian spitz dog - characteristicsPlayful, feisty, intelligent, loving and loyal, the Indian Spitz is full of character and just loves being in a loving family home.

Easy to train, he becomes a wonderfully obedient canine friend who loves nothing more than to spend time with you, especially when it is outdoors going for a walk or playing ball.

He is an entertaining little dog too, and anyone wishing to buy a dog like this won't regret it as he brings in a joyful dimension to any home.

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.

indian spitz puppies - health problemsThese feisty little dogs can reach 14 years of age if looked after well.

Your Indian Spitz will need to see a vet when he is 6 weeks of age for his first vaccinations and also whenever he is sick.

He is a dog breed that doesn't get sick very easily, but still it is wise to know about some of the more common dog diseases that could plague your little pet, and these are among others, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, cancer and vision- and dental problems.

Dental Disease:

It is important to be keeping an eye on your dog's oral health. Infected teeth can have a bad impact on his health and can actually contribute to heart- and kidney disease for instance.

One of the major causes of dental disease in dogs is none other than diet. Always try to feed your pet the best quality food there is. Certainly if you feel your pet isn't getting the best food, try a probiotic supplement as this can create a healthy bacterial environment in your dog’s mouth.

Check your pet's mouth regularly so you can attend to any dental problem before it gets out of hand.

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.

Diet:

indian spitz dogs - caringThese dogs have been used to a diet of milk and rice, but if possible it can be beneficial to the dog to include some cooked chicken and vegetables too. Raw meat is also important, but it is expensive, so just adding it in from time to time can still be beneficial. Water which is cool and clean should be available to the dog day and night, non-stop.

Grooming:

Your Spitz dog will simply require a brush twice a week to keep it clean and vibrant and free from loose hairs. While brushing him, make a point of checking him for fleas and ticks as well.

Exercise:

This is a busy little dog that wants to involved in everything you're busy with. He will love to join you in your long walks each day or if you take him to the park, he will love the chance to run off his leash.

Basic Information

Group:
Non sporting dog
Working dog
Origin:
China
India
Height Male:
25 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
Height Female:
25 - 28 cm
9 - 12 inches
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
Weight Male:
6 - 8 kg
13 - 18 pounds
5 - 7 kg
11 - 16 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 8 kg
13 - 18 pounds
5 - 7 kg
11 - 16 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
1 - 5
Size:
Small dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Lhasa, The Lion Dog, Tibetan Apso
Greater Indian Spitz, Smaller Indian Spitz
Colors Available:
cream, black and white, white, Gold, tan
White, brown or black and white.
Coat:
Long and dense
Long and fluffy
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
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, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

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. Indian Spitz vs Danish Swedish Farmdog - Breed Comparison
  27. Irish Jack Russell vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  28. Lancashire Heeler vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  29. Miniature Siberian Husky vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  30. Telomian vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  31. Turnspit Dog vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  32. Pomeranian vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  33. Maltese vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  34. Pug vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  35. Maltipoo vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  36. Jack Russell Terrier vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  37. Miniature Schnauzer vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  38. Mal-Shi vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  39. Papillon vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  40. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  41. Japanese Chin vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  42. Miniature English Bulldog vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  43. Miniature Dachshund vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  44. Lhasa Apso vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  45. Miniature Poodle vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  46. Japanese Spitz vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  47. Italian Greyhound vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  48. Rat Terrier vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  49. Scottish Terrier vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  50. Malti-Pom vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds