The 320 pages of This is the Lhasa Apso are filled with useful information for all Lhasa Apso owners and other dog fanciers. Mrs. Brearley includes an invaluable step-by-step guide to the proper grooming of the Lhasa's magnificent coat, as well as numerous health and safety tips. Most informative is the chapter on breeding, as it thoroughly explains all aspects of the female heat cycle, mating, whelping and raising a litter of puppies. The text is explicit enough for the novice yet offers advice valuable to even the most experienced breeder. This is the Lhasa Apso is highlighted throughout with brilliant photographs of important Lhasa Apsos from the United States and abroad, past and present. The book is a thoroughly useful guide that combines a beautiful pictorial history of the breed with an authoritative text -  but more than this, This is the Lhasa Apso stands as a tribute to the breed.

From a review by Jean Kausch Fergus, published in June/July 1979 Lhasa Apso Reporter:

Joan McDonald Brearley's This Is The Lhasa Apso published by T.F.M. Publications, Inc. Ltd., contains 320 pages and about as many photographs, many in color. This book is crammed with information, much of which could apply to other small, coated breeds. In that the book was researched by an author who has written on many breeds, the material is of great value. However, as most of the information came from the breeders who responded to a request for input, the information tends to be limited in certain areas. There is also emphasis on many successful Lhasas and kennels alike, while others, who have made equally tremendous contributions to the breed, are left out. *This is partially due to a lack of response to the author's inquires for assistance). An example of this is a section devoted to the breeds' top brood bitch. It never tells how many champions she produced, only that she had three finish in 1969. Also, names, dates or places are often incomplete in the captions below the photos, which are often poorly reproduced due to the paper used in the book. Another full page is devoted to the Shih Tzu who were imported and registered as Lhasas, and mentions only those who formed the foundation for Ming Kennels, ignoring the fact that some of these Chinese imports are also behind Lhasas bearing the Hamilton prefix, the most famous of which is Ch. Hamilton Tatsienlu, whose great grand-dam is Shanghai.

However, the book is outstanding in the sheer number of photographs of the older Lhasas. For years I have wanted to see Conquistador Kismet, for instance, and there he is, along with scores of other dogs who are perhaps seven or more generation behind the dogs currently being shown; dogs whose pictures are no longer published. I am amazed that so many old photographs were submitted. This history of the breed is well represented and all the photographs. interesting anecdotes, as well as practical information on the care of the Lhasa, make this book a must for everyone who has one.