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Lhasa Apso grooming: brushing, bathing and shedding

A practical grooming routine for the Lhasa Apso: coat care, baths, nails and ears.

In full coat, brush and comb every day, or at least every other day, working in sections from the skin outward with a pin brush and a metal comb. Mist the coat lightly with water or a conditioning spray first, since brushing dry hair causes breakage. Bathe every one to two weeks, and dry thoroughly with a dryer while brushing so the coat doesn't tangle.

A puppy clip, trimmed to 2 to 5 cm every six to eight weeks by a groomer, cuts home care to two or three brushings a week. Whatever the length, keep the hair around the eyes trimmed or tied up, wipe tear stains daily, trim the hair between the pads, and check ears for hair buildup and odor. Brush teeth several times a week, since small breeds are prone to dental disease.

Lhasa Apso grooming in numbers

This is an illustrative schedule based on our editorial grooming score, not a breed-specific care protocol. Coat condition, skin problems and professional advice may call for a different routine.

TaskPlanning example
BrushingDaily
BathingEvery 3 to 6 weeks
SheddingMinimal
Nail trimEvery 3 to 4 weeks
Ear checkWeekly
TeethDaily brushing; introduce gently and ask your vet if the mouth seems painful

Coat

Long, heavy, straight topcoat of hard texture over a moderate undercoat, reaching the floor when grown out, with a fall of hair over the eyes and a feathered tail carried over the back.

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Grooming guides for similar-sized breeds