The Lhasa apso originated in Tibet, about eight hundred years ago. (some claim
the breed to be two thousand years ago)
The forerunner of the modern Lhasa apso probably dates back to around 800
B.C.
There were at least two types of Lhasa apsos. One of them is a breed called
Gompa apso,
which was being bred in the temples and the other is a breed called Patos, which was being bred by the civilians.
In Tibet, there was a belief that the soul of a demised person would enter
the Lhasa apso, therefore they have been treated importantly by the Tibetans
for centuries. And they had been exported to the neighboring countries
only as tributes until Tibet began diplomatic relations with the foreign
countries.
In 1928, a British Lieut-Col Bailey brought five Lhasa apsos called Pema,
Droma, Litsi, Takru, and Tsitru to his homeland. And in the next year -1929,
Lhasa apso have participated in The ladies kennel association dog show
for the first time.
In 1933, Lhasa apso became the dog species authorized by The Kennel Club.
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