The geographical region where the country of Tibet is found was formed millions of years ago when a tectonic shift between the land masses of India and Asia occurred.  The Himalayan Mountain chain was one of the results of this collision.  Tibet is surrounded by the Himalayan Mountains on three sides, and China is on the fourth.  It is remote, and the climate is as harsh and unforgiving as any found on earth.  Tibet is referred to as "The Roof of the World."  A devoutly Buddhist country, the monasteries of which are found perched on the mountainsides.  It is a plateau where the average elevation is 16000 feet.  It is here that the Lhasa Apso has its origins, the foundation for this breed of dog being developed by the Buddhist monks. They wanted a dog that was not only a guardian but one that served as a companion as well. They sent us the "Apso Seng Kye", "Bark Lion Sentinel Dog".
     The Lhasa Apso is well adapted to the environment that is found in Tibet.  Even though Tibet is on the same latitude as northern Florida, the elevation sustains lower temperatures.  So you have a climate that is in temperature alone ranges from over 100 degrees (Farenheit) in the summer to below zero in the winter.  The Lhasa possesses a compact, and muscled body to preserve its bodyheat; it has a weatherproof coat that serves to insulate the dog from all kinds of weather, the hair also shields the dog's eyes from the wind and bright sunlight; and its short legs give it agility to maneuver in the rocky terrain.
     It is thought that the Lhasa terrier (the British called the Lhasa Apso by this name when it first arrived in England) had developed in the area of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, about 800 years ago.  However, this breed of dog could also be found in  Bhutan and other countries bordering on Tibet.  By the way, the Lhasa Apso is not a terrier.  It does not go underground after vermin, prey, etc., and in no way is an earthdog.
     Mrs. A. McLaren Morrison brought the Lhasa Apso to England in 1901.  This was this breed's first appearance in the world outside of the region of Tibet.  The breed gained in popularity rapidly and the following year, 1902, the Kennel Club of England recognized the Lhasa terrier as a separate and unique breed of dog.  World War I had a huge impact on this breed, even as other breeds of dog had suffered. After peace had been declared, breeders of the Lhasa imported several dogs from China.  These dogs were not Lhasas, but Shih Tzus.  Nevertheless, they were included in the breeding programs, that was how serious the impact of war had been on this breed.
     C. Suydam Cutting and his wife, Mary, were Americans from Gladstone, New Jersey.  In the 1930's Mr Cutting arranged to meet with the 13th Dalai Lama through a series of letters.  Mr Cutting was not only a world traveler, but also a naturalist.  The two men became friends, and as is custom exchanged gifts, and among these gifts were Lhasa Apsos. So the Lhasa Apso now traveled to the new world to continue its tradition of guardian and companion to humans.
     The A.K.C. recognized the Lhasa in 1935, but it was as a Lhasa terrier, just like in England.  This was not changed until 1944.  The Lhasa Apso stayed in the Terrier Group until 1959, when it was transferred to the Nonsporting Group.  Change comes slowly, but comes nonetheless.
     The Ameican Lhasa Apso Club was formed in 1959 and recognized by the AKC as the parent club for the breed.

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