HEAD - HEAVY HEAD FURNISHINGS WITH GOOD FALL OVER EYES, GOOD WHISKERS AND BEARD, SKULL NARROW - FALLING A WAY BEHIND EYES INA MARKED DEGREE, NOT QUITE FLAT, BUT NOT DOMED OR APPLE-SHAPED; STRAIGHT FOREFACE OF FAIR LENGTH, NOSE BLACK, THE LENGTH FROM TIP OF NOSE TO EYE TO BE ROUGHLY ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE TOTAL LENGTH FROM NOSE TO BACK OF SKULL.
The Lhasa Apso head must be regarded as very important. The distinct expression of the Lhasa Apso is enhanced by the standard’s request for heavy head furnishings which includes muzzle furnishings and beard, its length and density in proportion to the head fall. The long headfall over the eyes is commonly brushed to the sides when being shown, enabling the dog to see better. Artificial means, such as bands and/or barrettes, to hold back the hair should never be used in the conformation ring.
The skull shape is narrow and although not quite flat, it should not be domed or apple-shaped. Well-placed ears, at eye level, will accentuate the narrow head. An earset that is higher than eye level can mislead one into assuming the skull is broad.
To understand the term "falling away behind the eyes" correctly, one must be able to see the width of skull without the illusion created by heavy head furnishings. When examining the head, gently push the hair towards the back of the skull and feel the zygomatic arch (cheek bone), which is slightly curved but not prominent. At the point where the malar bone extends back from the muzzle the zygomatic arch should show a minimal curvature or a very slight arc.
The foreface of the Lhasa Apso is straight. This means not roman nosed or dish faced. The length from the outer tip of the nose to eye is roughly one third the total length from the tip of nose to back of skull or occiput and can be expressed as a one to two ratio (1:2). The muzzle meets the backskull at a moderate angle, forming a shallow stop when viewed in profile.
The standard’s request for "nose black" eliminates any possibility of self color liver pigment being correct. Full depth of pigmentation is extremely important in the Lhasa Apso. Dark pigment on eye rims, lips and nose are essential for good expression.