Although known for their floor-length coats, there are also short-haired Lhasa Apsos that are just as beautiful and sophisticated-looking as the long-haired ones.
Lhasa Apsos are small dogs with big personalities. Regardless of whether they come with long or short hair, these dogs make loyal companions that can be a great addition to any home.
If you are curious about short-haired Lhasa Apsos, you are in the right place!
In this guide, we will talk about everything you need to know about short-haired Lhasa Apsos, including haircut styles suitable for these dogs and how to keep their coats short and healthy.
Can Lhasa Apsos Have Short Hair?
Lhasa Apsos don’t have naturally short hair, as these dog breeds have floor-length, flowing, and dense hair. The only way for these dogs to have short hair is by having them professionally cut according to the owner’s desired haircut, style, and length.
These dogs may be known for their flat-hanging coats, but many Lhasa Apso owners opt to have their dog’s hair cut short. This is because maintaining this dog’s hair can be very hard and expensive.
However, while cutting your Lhasa Apso’s hair short is a good idea, this may not be an option for dogs that compete in dog competitions. Most organizations prefer their long coats.
To have a visual idea of what a short-haired Lhasa Apso looks like, you can watch this video:
LHASA APSO GROOMING 🐶❤️ Teddy bear style haircut!!<a href="https://youtu.be/LVPWg1FTSc0" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FLVPWg1FTSc0%2F0.jpg" alt="LHASA APSO GROOMING 🐶❤️ Teddy bear style haircut!!" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Lhasa Apso Coat
Lhasa Apsos are double-coated dogs with coats that are often heavy and hard to touch. Its undercoat is short and soft, while its outer coat is thick and slightly rough.
Their coat comes in various colors, including black, golden, grizzle, red gold, white, black and tan, cream, and red.
Aside from these standard colors, you can also find Lhasa Apsos in combinations of gray, silver, liver, charcoal, and blue coats.
These dogs may have brindle, sable, parti-color, black masks with tips, black tips, and white markings all over their bodies.
A Lhasa Apso coat will change between the ages of eight months and one year old. Its soft puppy coat will be replaced by the coarse-textured coat of an adult.
Likewise, its color will also change or lighten. Lhasa Apso puppies that are brown may turn gold later on, while some gold-colored puppies may actually have cream coats when they get older.
This is why Lhasa Apso owners should register their dogs when they are at least six months old.
Lhasa Apso Haircut Styles
Maintaining a Lhasa Apso’s hair can be a lot of work, which is why it is totally understandable when Lhasa Apso owners opt to have their dogs’ hair cut shorter.
Depending on what look you are trying to go after and the length you prefer, there are different haircuts that are suitable for your Lhasa Apso.
Puppy Cut
A puppy cut for your Lhasa Apso is one of the most common and simplest haircut styles you can get. This haircut style leaves your Lhasa Apso with fur that is the same length all over.
Note, however, that a puppy cut is a very common haircut style for dogs. Each groomer may have their own interpretation of this cut since there is no general rule regarding this style.
That said, it is important that you communicate with the groomer so you set both of your expectations correctly.
Teddy Bear Cut
The teddy bear cut is the most popular haircut style for small dog breeds such as the Lhasa Apso.
From the name itself, this cut usually resembles the look of a teddy bear, giving a rounded, fluffy shape to the dog’s face. Meanwhile, the hair all over its body is trimmed short, and its tail is kept long.
Like the puppy cut, there is no standard length for a teddy bear cut, so you can inform your groomer beforehand if you don’t want them to cut your Lhasa Apso’s hair too short.
Lamb Cut
Although the lamb cut style is more popular and often seen in wire-haired dogs such as Poodles, dogs with straight and flowy hair like your Lhasa Apso can also rock and enjoy this haircut style.
To create this look, the groomer will have to trim your dog’s neck and body hair short while leaving the leg hair longer.
This Lhasa Apso haircut style also leaves your dog with a little amount of scruff around the nose and chin, giving your dog a distinctive yet very adorable appearance.
Top Knot
Long-haired dogs such as your Lhasa Apso often sport the top knot hairstyle. Owners can opt to have the rest of the dog’s hair trimmed shorter or leave it as is.
In a top knot hairstyle, a portion of the head’s hair is gathered and secured with a band or clip, creating a loose ponytail. If you want to keep your dog’s hair out of its eyes, this hairstyle is a great option.
Lion Cut
As the name suggests, expect to have a dog that resembles a lion’s mane when you choose this haircut for your Lhasa Apso.
With a lion cut, your Lhasa Apso’s hair will be cut short on its entire body except for the hair on its neck and head, which will be left long.
The hair is often cut with scissors to create a slope from the shoulder to achieve the lion’s look.
While you may still need to maintain the hair on your dog’s head and neck, the lion cut will definitely reduce the stress of maintaining your Lhasa Apsos long hair.
It is very important that you take your dog to a professional groomer if you want to cut its hair short. This is especially true if you are a first-time dog owner or have never had experience with dog haircutting before.
Aside from the fact that it may be hard to achieve a specific cut when you try to do it yourself, a minor accident while cutting your dog’s hair can cause trauma and injury to your dog.
Can You Keep a Lhasa Apso Hair Short?
Yes, owners can definitely cut and keep a Lhasa Apso hair short. In fact, many seasoned Lhasa Apso dog owners, especially those that do not show their dogs, opt to keep them in a short hairstyle.
A Lhasa Apso’s long and flowy hair is very high-maintenance. Owners may need to do frequent brushing and will need to follow certain bathing techniques to avoid hair matting.
By cutting it short, owners will save a lot of time, effort, and money on grooming their Lhasa Apsos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Lhasa Apsos Shed a Lot of Hair?
Unlike other dog breeds, Lhasa Apsos shed very minimally. These dogs belong to the list of breeds that shed the least, including Bichon Frises and Tibetan Terriers.
Though they shed all year round, owners will hardly find strands of hair on the floor or bed. That said, Lhasa Apsos may be a good option for those wanting to get a dog but are sensitive and allergic to dog fur.
However, it is still imperative that you check with your doctor to make sure it is perfectly fine for you to live with a Lhasa Apso.
Are Lhasa Apsos Hypoallergenic?
Although there are no completely hypoallergenic dogs, Lhasa Apsos are among the few breeds that are referred to as hypoallergenic dog breeds.
Since they shed very minimally, they don’t produce enough dander to cause a problem. That said, allergy sufferers can coexist with these dogs.
However, since people may react differently to each dog, those with allergies can continue practicing how to control their allergies and live comfortably with their pets.
Can You Cut Your Lhasa Apso’s Hair Yourself?
Yes, it is possible for dog owners to cut their Lhasa Apso’s hair themselves. However, it is highly inadvisable, especially when you don’t have the right tools for grooming and the proper training.
It is still best to have them groomed by professionals, as they have the tools and knowledge to safely groom your dog, including its sensitive areas.
Can a Lhasa Apso Be Shaved?
It is never recommended to shave your Lhasa Apso. As a general rule, dogs with double coats cannot be shaved at all as this may cause long-term damage, such as changes in coat texture and color.
However, if, for some reason, you want to keep your Lhasa Apso’s hair less maintained, you can opt to cut it to the shortest length possible but never shave its coat completely.
Final Thoughts
Lhasa Apsos are adorable pups that make incredible family dogs, too. They can be, however, very high maintenance in terms of grooming because of their long and flowy hair.
If you are deciding to take home the Lhasa Apso but want to skip the very time-consuming grooming, you can opt to have your Lhasa Apso’s hair cut shorter.
Note, however, that while their hair may be shorter, they will still need bathing and brushing, but less work and time will be spent on these tasks.
Do you think short-haired Lhasa Apsos are as adorable as long-haired ones? Let us know in the comments.
Comentarios