Lhasa Apso Colors: Standard and Non-Standard Shades

Lhasa Apso colors are a vital aspect of this ancient breed's charm. The American Kennel Club recognizes four standard colors: black, gold, dark gold, and white.

These colors are not just aesthetically pleasing, but also have a rich history. The Lhasa Apso's original purpose was to serve as a temple guard dog in Tibet, where black was a highly valued color.

The breed's coat is made up of two layers, with the undercoat being soft and dense, and the outer coat being long and coarse. This unique combination gives the Lhasa Apso its signature look.

The Lhasa Apso's colors can also be a good indicator of their temperament, with some owners noting that their black Lhasa Apso is more confident than their gold one.

Related reading: Yorkshire Terrier Blue and Gold

Lhasa Apsos come in many shades, but solid colors are extremely rare. Most pups have some type of markings and pattern on them.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes a wide range of markings in this breed. These markings come in many different patterns and combinations.

You can find Lhasa Apsos with a variety of patterns, but the AKC allows certain markings in this breed.

Lhasa Apsos come in a wide range of colors, but some are considered standard by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The AKC recognizes eight standard coat colors for Lhasa Apsos.

These colors include black, black and tan, black and white, brindle, brindle and white, brown, brown and white, cream, cream and white, gold, gold and black, gold and white, gold brindle, golden, grey, grey and white, honey, honey and white, particolour, red, red and gold, red and white, sandy, tan and white, tricolour, and white.

Some of these colors, like golden Lhasa Apsos, have a range of shades that can vary from light gold to wheat. Golden Lhasa Apsos can also come with white markings.

For another approach, see: Cream Pomeranian Dog

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes eight coat colors as standard for Lhasa Aposos. These colors are considered traditional and well-known in the breed.

Some Lhasa Aposos can come in a variety of shades, including black, gold, and red. These colors can be solid or have white markings.

Black Lhasa Aposos are extremely rare, especially if they are solid black. They have black noses, eyelids, mouths, and paw pads.

Black and tan Lhasa Aposos have a black base coat and tan markings on their chest, legs, muzzle, face, and eyebrows. They may also have white spots on their stomach, chest, and feet.

Golden Lhasa Aposos come in a shade that varies from light gold to wheat. They can also have white markings.

Red gold Lhasa Aposos have a red base coat with golden hairs sprinkled across their body. This gives them a vibrant and shiny appearance.

Here are the standard breed colors accepted by the AKC:

Gray Lhasa Apsos have a lighter coat shade than their charcoal counterparts, with the possibility of white markings all over their bodies.

Their coat color can change as they mature, with many gray Lhasa Apsos originally born black or dark gray.

This color change can be a surprise for new owners, but it's not as prominent as in Shih Tzus.

Gray Lhasa Apsos are a result of the breed's natural graying process, which can start as early as their transition to adult coats.

Many black-coated Lhasa Apsos will experience some degree of graying as they mature.

A different take: Do Goldendoodles Change Color

Non-standard coat colors in Lhasa Apsos can be found in the breed's genetics and are recognized by the AKC.

These colors are not prohibited by kennel clubs, but they're considered undesirable. Many breeders still sell puppies with non-standard colors, and it doesn't mean they're irresponsible.

Non-standard colors can be connected to health conditions or mixed breeding. For example, silver is not the same as blue, charcoal, or gray coat.

Grizzle is a coat color that appears in Lhasa Apsos, characterized by a coat of many colors without a pattern.

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Silver is a unique coat color in Lhasa Apsos that's often misunderstood.

It's not the same as blue, charcoal, or gray coat colors, so don't confuse it with those.

Silver Lhasa Apsos have a light gray undercoat with a topcoat that comes in many shades, making them quite similar to grizzle ones.

Their silver coloring on the tail is also a distinctive feature not found in gray or charcoal pups.

Silver-colored coats in Lhasa Apsos are different from those in other dog breeds that have a standard shiny gray shade.

While silver is not a standard color, it's still a recognized color by the AKC, just like other non-standard colors.

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Red is a stunning coat color in dogs, and it's not always what you'd expect. Red Lhasa Apsos can come in various shades, from deep bronze to almost mahogany.

Some people might confuse red Lhasa Apsos with red Shih Tzus, given that red is one of the most common Shih Tzu colors. Red Lhasa Apsos can have white markings, as well.

Red Gold Lhasa Apsos are a stunning sight to behold, with their long coat giving them a ginger-like appearance.

Their fur actually consists of a red base coat and golden hairs sprinkled across their body, making them stand out from the rest.

The red hairs on a Red Gold Lhasa Apso are very shiny, and the gold color adds an extra dimension to their overall appearance.

These small pups can have white markings, just like their red and golden counterparts.

Their coat color varies from a deep red to a more golden hue, depending on the individual dog.

On a similar theme: Yorkshire Terrier Black and Gold

Cream Lhasa Apsos are a stunning example of non-standard coat colors, with their white markings on a cream or beige base color.

These pups can have a base color that's often mistaken for solid-colored, especially since white and cream are so similar.

Some Cream Lhasa Apsos may even have black hairs, particularly around their muzzle and face.

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Parti-color is a common pattern in Lhasa Apsos, where a dog has two or more coat colors on its body, one of which is white, in more or less similar amounts. This pattern can be found in any color, including cream.

Cream Lhasa Apsos are particularly prone to parti-color, as they often have a cream or beige base color with white markings. In fact, some cream Lhasa Apsos may appear to be solid-colored at first glance, but a closer look will reveal their parti-color pattern.

Parti-color is not just limited to cream Lhasa Apsos, though - it can be found in any color, including the more rare coat colors like grizzle. This means that even if your Lhasa Apso has a unique coat color, it's still possible for them to have a parti-color pattern.

As with any Lhasa Apso, parti-color dogs can have white markings on their chest, muzzle, and tip of the tail. These white markings can add a touch of elegance to an already beautiful coat color.

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Brindle is a common color in American Bullies, but it's rare in Lhasa Apsos.

These dogs have tiger-like stripes on a base coat, although the pattern can be hard to notice in long-haired dogs.

Brindle dogs might be mistaken for having weirdly shaped parti markings.

It's worth noting that Brindle is a specific coat pattern, not just a mix of colors.