The Tibetan Kyi Apso is an ancient rare breed. In fact, it is one of the rarest breeds on earth. Coming from Tibet, the Kyi Apso guarded livestock and homes for the nomads of the “rooftop of the world”. Apso means bearded and Kyi meand dog thus the Kyi Apso is a bearded dog.
This breed is very intelligent with a great personality and charm. In Western countries the breed is called Apso Do-Kyi or the Tibetan Collie. The first time these dogs are mentioned in any kind of documents was the late 19th and early 20th centuries in writings about Central Asian dogs. The Kyi Apso is related to the Tibetan Mastiff.
The breed is known to have been imported by Captain George Augustus Graham as a Tibetan wolf dog. The dog was also known to be owned by the 13th Dali Lama. There have not been many exported to Europe or North America, with the first coming to North America in the 1970’s.
There have been no registered litters since 2000 and the Tibetan Kyi Apso Club closed in 1999.
Height Male:
61 - 71 cm24 - 28 inches
Height Female:
60 - 70 cm23 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
40 - 45 kg88 - 100 pounds
Weight Female:
38 - 43 kg83 - 95 pounds
Other Names:
Apso Do-Kyi Tibetan Collie
Colors Available:
Any coat color is permitted; Black and tan, golden, mahogany and chocolate are also found and are equally acceptable , and black and silver are the most common colors. Multi-colored coats (more than two colors) are also acceptable.In Tibet, black and gold,black with a white chest spot, white
Coat:
long and full erect tail
Temperament:
Affectionate, Independent, Intelligent, Playful, Protective, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Description
The Tibetan Kyi Apso is a large dog with a bearded face, full coat and curled tail. They have longer hair than the Mastiff and of course the shaggy, bearded muzzle. It is not as hefty as the Mastiff of course, and he is more athletic. Like many primitive dogs before them, the Kyi Apso comes into heat only one time a year, contributing to the rareness of the breed.
With their bearded face, the breed’s head appears bigger than it is. The ears are shaped as a V and skull is flat with the eyes on the outside of it. Their muzzle looks larger than it is due to the beard. Nose and lips are black, eyes are amber and almond shaped.
The coat is double, sheds odors and molts once a year. The coat can be black and tan, shades of red, blue-gray with white and solid black.
1Children friendliness - under the right circumstances never sneak up on them
2.Special talents - exceptional agility and fast starts
3.Adaptability – large dog not good for apartment life. Need large yard
4.Learning ability – intelligent and trainable but stubborn.
Hip dysplasia: Can cause lameness and arthritis.
Bloat: Fatal unless treated immediately by a vet. Common to this size dog and can be controlled by eating habits.
Elbow dysplasia: Just like hip dysplasia can cause lameness and arthritis.
Other than these the Tibetan Kyi Apso is an ancient dog and very healthy as they were mostly isolated and did not interbreed. No genetic predetermined health problems.
1Feeding the puppy – grow quickly don’t overfeed. High quality large breed puppy food and feed 4 small meals a day.
2.Feeding the adult – don’t over feed and don’t feed right before or after exercise due to the possibility of bloat. Feed high quality adult large breed dog food 2 x day in smaller meals.
3.Points for Good Health – ancient breed generally healthy
4. Games and Exercises - enjoys running, luer chasing,
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