Background:

The Lhasa Apso, interestingly enough, was bred as a watch dog, despite its small size.  This breed was bred to guard the interior of the Palaces in Tibet, giving warning when they saw a stranger.  This would explain their alert nature and sharp barking.  As a rule, Lhasas are well behaved dogs, but they do not react well to unruly children and need to be watched around children or they may administer a correction to the children with a sharp nip.  This breed has beautiful, flowing coat that needs some regular attention.

Personality:

Self confident, alert and affectionate, this breed makes an excellent companion in both urban and rural settings.

Physical Appearance:

Links to Breed Resources