The Lhasa Apso is one of 14 breeds known as the ancient breed. Along with breeds such as Chow Chows, Basenjis, and Alaskan Malamutes, the Lhasa Apso survived generations of wars, climate changes, and various trials and tribulations.
Lhasa Apso dogs were originally used as watchdogs in Tibetan monasteries and in the Himalayan mountains. It was the sharp bark associated with the breed that alerted the monks to danger.
One theory of the existence of the Shih-Tzu breed is that it stemmed from the Lhasa Apso. The Dalai Lama gifted the emperor of China a Lhasa Apso. It is believed that it was that Lhasa Apso that was used to breed Shih-Tzu dogs. Today, Shih Apsos are a popular mixed breed.
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