Lhasa Apso Blog: April Showers and All That

“But it is a sort of April-weather life that we lead in this world. A little sunshine is generally the prelude to a storm.”~ William Cowper

Greetings! Happy April. Haven and I attended one day of a show weekend in Maquoketa, IA. The weather was perfect for a show. No snow, no rain...just a blue sky and weather that was warm and cozy. Haven won Best of Breed over another bitch special so she earned another single point.

Here is the story behind what prompted me to add the following article to this blog: Haven does not like to stand to have her hair parted. She is lazy! I was having problems getting her part in straight. The part should follow the spine in a straight line. She did everything but roll over to keep me from achieving a decent part. Finally, I had what looked like success and that was good because friends were saying it was time to get to the ring.

We set up the ringside table. She laid down. Part looked okay from where I was standing. It was not.

We went in the ring. We went around the ring. I put her on the table for the exam. The judge looked at her then at me and told me that her part was off center. He was right. About 1/8 of an inch. I was quite embarrassed! I fixed it before we went back in the ring for group judging!

The Important Part

by Joyce Johanson

A Lhasa Apso's coat seems to fall naturally to either side and form a part down his back. If you train your Lhasa's part to form a completely straight line from nose to tail, you will enhance his appearance for the show ring.

Different people have different methods of parting their Lhasas. Some like the dog to lie on his stomach while they put in the part. Others (me, for example) prefer the dog to stand. It's a matter of preference. The important thing is that the dog stand (or lie) straight and still. It makes putting in a straight part a lot easier.

When I put a part in, I stack the Lhasa on a table and stand directly behind him. Using the end tooth of a metal Greyhound-style comb (some people prefer to use a knitting needle or end of a rat-tail comb) and beginning at the base of the dog's neck, I run the tooth of the comb straight down the spine, allowing the coat to fall to either side. If the dog is standing straight so his spine is straight, there's a much greater chance of getting the part straight the first time.

Once I have this basic part in, I sight down the dog's back from both front and rear to make sure the part runs straight. If it doesn't, I restack the dog and start over. (If I am working on a younger dog that doesn't have the patience to stand still for long, I usually call for some assistance!) If the part is basically straight except for a place or two, I work with those spots a few hairs at a time until it is straight.

If I am training the part in a young Lhasa's coat, at this point I spray the coat along the part with a light hairspray or dab it with hair gel to keep it in place. At a show, I use a light gel or hair spray and mist the coat along the part to keep it in place. "Setting" the part this way is necessary because, as anyone who has ever parted a Lhasa can tell you, the first thing the Lhasa will do after he is groomed is shake.

Once the back's part is set, I begin work on the head and neck. I part the hair evenly on the muzzle; then run the end tooth of the comb from that part, between the eyes, over the head, and down the neck to meet the part I just put in the dog's back. Again, I usually have to re-do a spot here and there to get the part perfectly straight. When I'm satisfied, I "set" the part with a gel or light spray.

At home, I keep my Lhasas' eyefall in topknots or braids to help train the head part so that at shows it fall automatically into place.

Parting your Lhasa's coat may seem like a minor detail, but it's an important grooming practice that is a must for improving your Lhasa's appearance in the show ring. A crooked part often creates the illusion of a poor topline. It also makes you look like an amateur, haphazard groomer.

I won't tell you that getting a part trained is easy. Many of your first attempts may give your Lhasa's back the look of the "mark of Zorro!" The thickness and texture of your Lhasa's coat and its natural tendency to part (or not to part) are all factors to be taken into account. You will need a steady hand. Your Lhasa will need to stand straight -- and to stand still. If you have these things going for you, getting that part in right the first time is a cinch! If not, oh well. If at first you don't succeed...

Please note: Permission to reproduce and/or circulate this article is granted. However, the article must be disseminated in its entirety and credit must be given to Joyce Johanson, Joyslyn's Lhasa Apsos. Thanks!

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The major April holiday's came early this year. Our kids (if people in their 30's and 40's still can be called "kids") do not come home for Easter so we celebrated by going to a restaurant after Easter services, and I, who had given up chocolate candy and ice cream (all flavors) for lent, ate a chocolate bunny! And it was yummy!

On April 15 we celebrated our 54th Anniversary.

I was curious about other April holidays in addition to Easter, Passover, April Fool's Day, Earth Day. So I found a site that listed things to celebrate throughout the month. Here are a few of them:

National North Dakota Day, Lima Bean Respect Day, Poetry and Creative Mind Day, National Cheddar Fries Day, National Talk Like Shakespeare Day.

https://www.calendarr.com/united-states/calendar-april-2026/

Our girl Athena left for her new home on the 11th. Her new people sent pictures and it sure looks like she is not missing us!! Here is Athena while she still lived with us. She loved giving kisses!

Before the end of the year, probably by fall, we should have another adult female available to a pet home.

Puppy News

We will find out by mid-May if we have at litter on the way. Puppies should be some shade of gold as adults. If you asked to be on the waitlist, you are still there. If you once were but don't want to be anymore, let me know.

Notes and Photos from Others

From Sally: "Nothing exciting here - just wishing some day I would see a blade of grass.... still a good 3 feet of snow on the level. The only one who loves it is Ginger- she is delighted with the snow the silly girl. Jaxon remains more of an inside guy although will play out if I join him."

Here is Ginger, the snow lover, exercising her right to "chill!"

and here is Jaxon chilln' with his Lamb Chop and keeping warm!

Have you all noticed how much Lhasas love the Lamb Chop toys?

Lisa sent this picture of Duncan (right) and her other Lhasa, Dresden (left) enjoying some April sun.

Nanda sent this of Ty and Gigi on a shopping spree with her.

LaVonne sent this photo of Misti, taken at a recent show. So so pretty!

An Article From Long Ago

As I was browsing through my store of Lhasa Apso magazines, I happened on this article that appeared on page 12 in the February 1976 issue of Lhasa Tales. Just click it should enlarge.

While we are on the subject of articles, here is one written by my friend Judy Gregurich, who is the American Lhasa Aspso Club's Chairperson for AKC companion events. Judy gave me permission to use it for my blog. While I may be all about showing, Judy makes it clear that AKC offers dog lovers many other options for taking part in events for your dogs.