Health & Welfare

Lhasa Apsos are generally a healthy and long-lived breed, often living for 12–15 years or more. However, like all breeds, they can be predisposed to certain inherited health conditions. The North of England Lhasa Apso Club (NOELAC) is dedicated to promoting responsible breeding and ensuring that health testing remains a top priority for all members and breeders.

1. Generalised Progressive Retinal Atrophy (GPRA)

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The most significant inherited health concern in Lhasa Apsos is Progressive Retinal Atrophy (GPRA), specifically the PRA4 variant.

What is it?

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GPRA is a progressive eye disease that causes the gradual degeneration of the retina. It typically leads to night blindness first, followed by a total loss of vision. It is a slow-moving but incurable condition.

Inheritance & DNA Testing

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In Lhasa Apsos, this condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. This means a dog must inherit the mutated gene from both parents to be at risk of developing the disease.

• Clear: The dog has no copies of the mutation.
• Carrier: The dog has one copy. It will never develop the disease but can pass it on to offspring.
• Affected/At Risk: The dog has two copies and is likely to develop the disease during its lifetime.

Official Screening

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The Kennel Club (UK) maintains an official DNA testing scheme for GPRA in Lhasa Apsos. We strongly advise that all breeding stock should be tested before being mated. This allows carriers to be identified and safely bred to “Clear” dogs, ensuring that no “Affected” puppies are ever produced.

You can verify the health test results of any registered dog on the Kennel Club Health Test Results Finder.

2. Other Health Considerations

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While PRA is the primary focus of official screening, responsible owners and breeders also monitor for:

Kidney (Renal) Dysplasia

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A condition where the kidneys fail to develop properly. This can range from mild to severe. Breeders often use clinical history as a guide, and any dog showing signs of kidney failure at a young age should not be used for breeding.

Patellar Luxation

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Common in many small breeds, this involves the kneecap slipping out of its normal position. It can range from occasional slipping to permanent displacement.

Dry Eye (KCS)

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Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) is a condition where the dog does not produce enough tears to lubricate the eye. If left untreated, it can lead to painful infections and scarring.

Advice for New Owners

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When looking for a Lhasa Apso puppy, always ask the breeder for proof of GPRA DNA testing for both parents. A responsible breeder will be happy to show you their certificates or provide their Kennel Club registered names so you can check the results yourself.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Kennel Club Lhasa Apso Health Resources.