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Schapso |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Germany <> Tibet -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Schapso |
| When you mix a Lhassa Apso with a Miniature Schnauzer, you get the Schapso, a small hybrid breed small enough for an apartment or small house but with a big personality. This breed is very healthy and lives to around 15 years, with only a few possible health risks due to the breeding process. The Schapso is an adorable, funny dog that loves to play as much as it loves to snuggle in your lap. He gets very attached to his master and has been nicknamed the Velcro dog. He tends to have problems with dogs of the same sex, so you'll need to make sure he's socialized early on. |
History of the Schapso |
| Over the last few decades, hybrid dogs have become very popular, and you can now find just about any mixed breed you can imagine. However, they don't really have a detailed history, so you need to look into the backgrounds of the two parent breeds. |
A little of the Miniature Schnauzer |
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| In the 1800s, the Miniature Schnauzer was created in Germany to hunt rats and mice. It was bred from small Poodles, Affenpinschers and smaller Standard Schnauzers to create a dog small enough to hunt and flush small animals from their hiding places. They became increasingly popular after the First World War, when they became the third most popular breed in America. They were introduced to the USA in 1924 and accepted by the American Kennel Club a few years later. However, they went from being the 3rd to the 17th most popular breed in America. | ||
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| Standard of the Miniature Schnauzer |
A little of the Lhassa Apso |
| The Lhassa Apso has been considered the guardian of monasteries and temples for thousands of years, and has always been revered in Tibet. They were bred from Tibetan Terriers and possibly a type of mountain wolf, depending on their DNA. Buddhist monks in the Tibetan mountains bred them as companions and protectors because of their excellent hearing, ability to withstand extreme cold and good judgment. The monks protected the dogs as much as the dogs protected the monks, and no ordinary person was allowed to own a dog of this breed. However, the Dalai Lama gave pairs of Lhassa Apsos to certain royal families visiting Tibet. These gifted dogs are thought to have contributed to the creation of the Shih Tzu and other small breeds in China. The Lhassa Apso finally arrived in America in 1933, when the Dalai Lama gave a pair of dogs to a couple in New Jersey. Two years later, the breed was accepted by the American Kennel Club, where it is the 71st most popular dog breed. |
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| Standard of the Lhassa Apso |
Appearance of the Schapso |
| The Schapso is a small, spread-eared bundle of fur with round eyes that can be brown or amber, and a black or brown nose on a small, pointed muzzle. It weighs just 4.5 to 9 kilos and stands around 30.5 centimeters tall when fully grown. Its straight coat is thick and can be any color, but the most common colors are tan, gray, brown, white, black, particolored, pied, red, brindle and blue. They have short legs and a square body with a short to medium tail. Many Schapsos wear a beard like the Miniature Schnauzer, but this depends on parentage. |
Temperament of the Schapso |
| Although the Schapso is gentle and friendly, it needs to be socialized properly and early, as it tends to have problems with dogs of the same sex. He may also try to chase small pets if not properly trained. Schapso can be easy to train if you stick to the rules and remain firm, but don't use physical punishment, only positive reinforcement. In general, they don't mind being on their own, but if they get used to having you at home all the time and you suddenly have to be away for an extended period, you may need to make arrangements for them. |
Needs and activities of the Schapso |
| Your Schapso is just as happy to stay at home and sleep as he is to go out and play. So you need to make sure you encourage him to get the exercise he needs to stay healthy. This breed needs around 30-45 minutes of physical activity a day, such as taking him for a walk, playing in the dog park, playing ball or even taking a hike in the local park. They love to run around outside, so if you have a fenced-in yard, they'll entertain themselves for an hour or two every day by chasing birds and squirrels. |
Maintenance of the Schapso |
| The Schapso can have a hard or soft coat, but either way, you'll need to brush your dog at least four or five times a week. He has a thick, straight coat that tends to tangle if not brushed often enough. You can use a bristle brush and wire comb, as well as a detangling tool, to groom your dog thoroughly, taking care to reach hard-to-reach places, such as under the neck and legs. Dogs shed, so you need to brush them regularly to prevent excessive hair loss. Only bathe your dog once a month, or when absolutely necessary, and use a mild, conditioning shampoo approved by your vet. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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