The medium-sized shaggy dogs were considered to bring luck and hence are often known with names such as “Luck Bringers” and “Holy Dogs”. These dogs were companions to Buddhist monks and guarded the tents of nomads as they wandered through plains along with their flock.
Physical Traits
Area of Origin: Tibet
Used for: Watchdog, companion
Average Life Span: 12-15 years
Color: All colors and patterns
Coat: Fine, long and profuse outer coat with soft and wooly undercoat
Average Height: 14-17 inches
Average Weight: 18-30 pounds
Group: Non-sporting
History and Domestication
The Tibetan Terriers were raised in monasteries by lamas almost 2,000 years ago. They served as companions to these lamas and watched the flocks for nomadic herdsmen as they travelled. They were also used to retrieve articles that fell down the mountains. Despite their name, they are not true terriers. They were called terriers owing to their small size.
Standard Physical Characteristics
The Tibetan Terrier is a medium-sized dog and squarely proportioned. The medium-sized head has a moderate stop. The large eyes are dark brown and wide set. The nose is black. The ears are V-shaped and pendant and hang close to the head. The well-feathered tail curls over the back. Eyes are covered with hair which can be trimmed or held up. The front legs are slightly shorter than the back legs.
Care, Grooming and Health
The Tibetan Terrier requires an extensive amount of grooming and needs to be brushed regularly to remove dead hair and free tangles. However, mist the coat before brushing to ease the process. Give them regular baths- probably every one or two weeks. These dogs are considered to be on the non-shedding side but a slight amount of shedding can still be seen.
These are active dogs with lots of energy. They need regular amount of exercise along with some running and long walks. These dogs are prone to PRA, hip dysplasia and are also flea sensitive.
Living Conditions
The Tibetan Terriers are very adaptable and can easily adapt to the household they are kept in as long as regular exercise is provided to them. They prefer living with their people inside the home and should’t be left in a kennel in the backyard. A small yard will suffice but do not leave him in the yard for prolonged periods because they moment he becomes bored, he will bark or become an escape artist.
Temperament
Loving, sweet and gentle, the Tibetan Terrier is a lively and fun loving dog with great agility and endurance. He is smart, affectionate and very pleasant and his eyes always seem to have a gleam of humor in them. He loves his family and is completely dedicated but a little reserved and aloof from strangers. Puppies are smart and lively but settle down once they mature into dogs. They make excellent watchdogs and bark to alert you. They do not like being left alone for long. They need firm, confident and consistent training.
