CARE

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE GETTING A DOG.

Written by renowned judge:
Sari B. Tietjen

Before you get a dog, there are several questions that must first be asked. This is because all dogs have certain needs and requirements that will last for a lifetime. A dog depends on its human owners for care, conditioning and love. This dependency is rewarded many times over with the dog’s unquestioned devotion and heartfelt affection.

A dog quickly becomes a family member and as such it must be able to fit in with the family’s lifestyle. If it is the wrong breed of dog, brought home for the wrong reason, and/or one that fails to meet your expectations, then instead of the animal becoming a beloved member of the family, it could become a burden and an outcast. With careful consideration about the needs and requirements of different breeds and thought as to how this pertains to your own lifestyle, the end result will be four-legged loving companion that will bring you much joy and happiness for years to come.

There are 147 different AKC recognized breeds of dogs. They come in many shapes and sizes. Some breeds have long hair, others are short-haired; some need lots of room to run, others just a small yard; some require laps to sit in, others are more independent. Before bringing a dog home to become a part of your family, you should ask yourself the following questions and write down the answers. Then seek a dog that best meets your responses.

When considering a dog....
• If a puppy....
  
  • do you know how big it will grow?
  • do you have enough room, both inside and outside, to meet its exercise needs?
  • do you know how active it will be?
  • will its temperament and personality fit your own?
  • will it constantly need attention?
  • do you have the time to train the puppy?
  • is it easy to housebreak?
  • are you prepared to forego other activities in order to tend to the pup’s
  • needs?
  • can you afford the necessary vaccinations and visits to the veterinarian?
• If an adult.... the above, plus....
  • can you provide sufficient daily exercise routines for the dog?
  • do you have time to spend taking care of the dog’s emotional needs?
  • are there special dietary needs?
  • are there any health problems that you should consider and be aware of?
  • do you have a safe place to keep the dog when you are not at home?
  • will its coat require special care and professional grooming?
  
  Other thoughts that should be considered are...
• Do not bring a dog into your life if you are not prepared to...
  • spend quality time with the dog
  • make personal sacrifices in order to see to the dog’s needs
  • feed, groom and house it properly
  • be forgiving if it goes to the bathroom where it should not
  • deal with dog hair
  • take it to training classes, if necessary
  • treat the dog as a four-legged member of your family
  • accept the responsibilities of dog ownership
• Do bring a dog into your life, if you want...
  • a companion who asks no questions, makes no judgements
  • someone who loves you regardless of who you are, what you do or how much money you
  • have in the bank
  • to come home to a presence that immediately fills the room with love and devotion
  • when you walk through the door
  • to live a life that is mindful while being minded, loving while being loved, and
  • caring while being cared for

In short, dogs are man’s best friends and most faithful companions, but they do bring with them responsibilities and obligations that must be considered by anyone thinking about getting a dog.

LHASA APSOS

Dog Show Judges Opinions

"Over the years changes do occur, but must our standard be ignored or revised to fit the "new fad"."

"The English Dog World weekly newpaper carries, on occassion, a breed study with interviewsand opinions from some the leading breeders of the day. The accompanying pictures chronicle the considerable transformationin the presentation of the breed from the early days. Originally the breed was know as Tibetan Apso. One of the more famouse was Princess Tassel who was Best of Breed At Crufts in 1950,51,52 & 53. She was given to her owner by an officer of the Indian army and was of unknown pedigree. When she passed away she was "stuffed" so she could be admired for her type and beauty. Even then, she was brought to several shows but was not, of course, entered into the competition! It is said the gold badge of the breed club is modeled after her image. In those days, coat texture was considered important as the dogs were probably only bathed once a year ..... remember this was before the advent of the blow dryer! One famous show winner was Brackenbury Gunga Din of Verdes, considered by many to be the "father" of the present day Lhasas. He dominated the show ring with his presence, arrogand head carriage and heavily plumed tail. Later in his career a about 14 years, breed enthusiasts came to visit him, by appointment only. Appointment time was set at 4:00 p.m. - once when visitors arrived early there was no Gunga Din. When the clock struck 4 a thud was heard upstairs, there was a rush of flying paws and he appeared for both visitors and his afternoon tea. The issue contained many unique photos including Mitch Wooten handling the great Am. Ch. Hamilton's Torma - one of the first to win an All Breed Best in Show in the USA. Another picture depicted Eng. Ch. Cheska Alexander of Sternroc, the first of the breed in the UK to win a BIS at an all breed general show (LKA in 1973) I have judged his charming breed for many years ..... in fact I awarded one of the late Mrs. James Roberts' black & white dogs a First in the Terrier Group; when the breed was re-classified as a Non Sporting Dog, a First in that group as well. Lhasa Apsos have a fine reputation in Canada and many of the breed have repeatedly won op honours, including in the early years the famous Ch. Teako of Abbotsford. One breeder describes he Lhasa Apso as "the little dog with the giant heart". How apt."

I am aware of size disqualification.. I feel that exhibitors try to over move or race ther Lhasas, both in the USA and Canada.. I am known as a judge who feels movement tells me much about the structure of the animal. Your GAIT discription is adequate. All aspects of the breed is important including correct muzzle , skull, and bite. An owner can tell temperment of his or own dog much easier than a judge who has but a few moments with a dog in the ring, if it is a frightened or mean dog. it would show up and I would penalize it's behavior. I do not see where your standard mentions the bone structure of the front assembly, which is important, also a level topline should be mentioned and tail carriage is of great importance , a downtail should be penalized." 

No - I do not believe that the Lhasa Apsos that are shown in the ring in Canada today are similar to the ones shown years before? I do find that movement is important when judging a Lhasa. The head is certainly one of the characteristics, but it takes all parts to create the total picture. Per the standard, chary of strangrs, but by no means shy or vicious. I am more familiar with the US standard, but I like the Canadian standard, because it is more specific, and I really like the height disqualification.

RE: CH. SOSUEMEI COUP DE GRACE

"I thought the overall balance of my Winners Dog and Winners Bitch was outstanding and I especially like their heads. They were very sound in movement and represented the kind of dogs that I would like to take home with me.

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