In Tibetan usage, “apso” refers to a bearded or shaggy-coated dog, a definition echoed in Western breed literature. The American Kennel Club and the Lhasa Apso breed club both note that apso is commonly translated as “bearded,” describing the breed’s abundant facial furnishings and coat rather than its size.
The Lhasa Apso is the best-known example, but the term’s meaning becomes clearer when applied to a very different dog: the Tibetan Kyi Apso, a large, double-coated guardian type closely related to the Tibetan Mastiff. Encountered for the first time, it often prompts confusion—is it a long-haired Tibetan Mastiff? An oversized Tibetan Terrier?
No, and no. The Tibetan Kyi Apso is a distinct traditional landrace, and the “apso” in its name is the key. As with the Lhasa Apso, the word signals coat type, not stature: a heavy, shaggy, double coat with pronounced facial hair. For this reason, the Kyi Apso is also commonly known as the Tibetan Bearded Dog.
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