People often purchase a Lhasa Apso because they know someone who has one and like its personality, or because they have seen pictures of Lhasas and think the coats are pretty, or because they have fallen in love with a cute little Lhasa puppy face. Whatever the reason, I find time and again that first-time Lhasa owners are seldom prepared for the grooming. They know, of course, that grooming is necessary. But it's one thing to be aware that Lhasas require grooming and it's quite another thing to actually do it. That is not to say that grooming a Lhasa is a horrendous job. It isn't -- as long as you establish a regular grooming routine.

Another part of a grooming routine is establishing a regular grooming pattern. You can, of course, start grooming anywhere on the dog. But if you aren't quite sure where or how to begin, here's a grooming pattern you can use with your Lhasa. (Feel free to modify it to a convenient routine for yourself and your Lhasa.)

With the Lhasa on his back, either in your lap or on the grooming table (in your lap works best for young puppies because they feel more secure) push all his coat the "wrong" way. Then begin by brushing the fronts, backs, and insides of the back legs. Layer by layer, work your way up the dog's stomach to the chest and front legs. Brush the front legs -- fronts, insides, and backs -- taking special care to remove any mats from the "armpit" areas, which are mat traps! When the front legs are brushed, continue layer by layer until you have brushed the front of the neck area right up to the dog's chin.

Next roll the dog on a side. Again, push all the coat the wrong way. You've already brushed the legs, so you probably won't have to do more than just brush the leg hair down to keep it out of the way. Once more, working one layer of coat at a time, brush the Lhasa's side coat. Start at the rear with the tail and work (layer by layer, all the way up to the dog's spine) toward the front. Groom the neck area, behind the ears, and the ears themselves. You may also brush the eyefall, cheek area, and mustache while the dog is on its side. Then do the other side the same way.

Let the dog sit or lie on his stomach while you put the eyefall into braids or ponytails or secure it back with a couple of barrettes -- anything to keep it out of the eyes. Add some finishing touches to the face and mustache. This done, let the dog stand (undoubtedly he'll want to shake). Smooth down the coat--rear skirts, sides, eyefall. Finally part the coat, starting at the nose, going straight down the middle of your dog's back right along his spine to the base of his tail.

You're finished!

Here are just a few quick grooming reminders:

1) Spray the coat lightly as you brush each layer. Use a diluted creme rinse or conditioner or a commercial grooming spray. Spraying the coat as you brush will cut static thus keeping coat ends from snapping off easily. It also makes mat removal easier.

2) If you find a mat or tangle (it's inevitable that you will!), remove it carefully and gently. You have two reasons for doing so. First, you'll save coat. Second, you'll have a more cooperative dog to groom. Spray the mat with the grooming spray and separate it as much as possible with your fingers. Then, using the end tooth of a metal comb, pull the mat apart a few hairs at a time. Once it is loosened, use a brush and work the loose, dead hairs that caused the mat out of the coat.

3) If you find a mat that is really packed, saturate it with a mat-remover/detangling spray * and let it sit for a while to loosen. Work on it a small section at a time. If you absolutely have to cut to loosen it (NOT recommended for show coats!), do not cut horizontally. Use a vertical cut to carefully divide a small part of the mat and to give you a place to start the mat removal process. Do not cut a mat out unless you want a big "hole" in your Lhasa's coat.

4) Brush with an easy downward motion and don't flip up the brush at the ends of the coat.