What Color Is that Puppy?

The question of Lhasa Apso color often arises when a person is filling out the AKC registration paperwork and suddenly stops, considers the color codes, and asks, "Hmm…I wonder what color she will be?"

Lhasa puppies tend to change color as they grow, and often it is difficult to predict just what is going to happen to the color. For example, a red-gold puppy with some dark overlay might, as she grows up, lose the red and the dark overlay, and simply be gold with black tips on her ears and face (or not!). Knowing that, an owner has to be cautious when registering and think ahead to what might be rather than looking at what is. The general rule I follow is that because the coat color tends to lighten with age, I chose what experience and educated guessing has shown to happen. One way to get a better handle on coat color for a gold puppy is to push the hair the "wrong" way and to check color at the roots. Gold puppies tend to be born a dark gold or brown color and lighten as they grow. Checking color near the skin will give you a better idea of what the coat is doing as it grows.

The colors and codes AKC accepts for Lhasa registration follow.  The codes are in parentheses.

The standard Lhasa colors are Black (007), Black and Tan (018), Cream (076), Golden (093), Grizzle (109), Red (140) Red Gold (152), and White (199). 

Alternate colors are Blue (037) (Note: we are not talking Smurf Blue here!), Charcoal (331), Gray (100), Liver (123), and Silver (176).  

The standard markings are Black Mask With Tips (054), Black Tips (053), Brindle (051), Parti-Color (038), Sable (026), and White Markings (014).

Sable, White Markings (067) is an alternate marking.

A little confusing, isn't it?

I have never seen a blue Lhasa. The blue that is referred to is like the color of a Kerry Blue Terrier (ranging from a blue-black slate to a light blue-gray). I have only seen photos of a liver Lhasa. The problem with the liver color for people who show is that the Lhasa standard calls for black pigment, and the liver Lhasas have liver pigment so they cannot be shown. Way back in 1973, I saw a Lhasa male whose color could be described as silver. He was a young dog and the color was beautiful but I have not seen one that color since. I've often wondered what happened to that coat color as he matured.

If you are looking for Lhasa resources: (1) The AKC Lhasa pages have some information for people wanting to know more about our breed. A brief "Meet the Breed" description is given, followed by the Standard and then links to the following: Information about colors and markings, a few trivia bits about the breed, a brief history, a few photos of Lhasas (all with long coats), a link to help people find a puppy (but the link only brings up names of people who have listed litters on AKC's classified advertising page), a link to a page for supply shopping, and then one to a few-second video showing some adult coated Lhasas and a cute puppy romping through the grass.

(2) Check out the American Lhasa Apso Club's website where you will find more information about the breed, articles of interest, more photos, and other helpful resources. A map of the U.S. offers help to someone looking for a breeder. Click a state and a box comes up listing ALAC members who live in that state.

(3) Also, don't forget my website with all of its great articles, helpful grooming tips, photos, resources, and links!

Finally, congratulations go to Stacey and Lisa who drove to Macomb last weekend for Dreamer. I'm posting a video of Dreamer as she meets another of their family pets!  I'm proud of Dreamer for being so polite in her play as she meets a new friend. 

Life is good when you have a Lhasa to love you!

Joyce