The Tibetan terrier is a medium-sized dog breed with long fur, floppy ears, facial hair, and a tail that curls around the back. This ancient breed was once revered in their native Tibet and thought to bring good luck to their owners. Tibetan terriers were raised as companions for Buddhist monks, and they also made excellent guard dogs for the nomadic high-plateau herdsmen. Nowadays, with their affectionate and laid-back personalities, these dogs are popular as family pets.

Learn more about the appearance, characteristics, history, and care needs of the Tibetan terrier.

Characteristics of the Tibetan Terrier

The Tibetan terrier is known for having a gentle, loving, and companionable personality that thrives with human company. These dogs make excellent family pets, providing the children are respectful and gentle, and can also make excellent therapy dogs because of their temperament.

Tibetan terriers generally get along well with other dogs and can live peacefully with cats (if introductions are done carefully). However, they can be wary around strangers, so early socialization is important, as it can get them to be outgoing and comfortable around others rather than shy and timid.

Because they rely on company and affection, this breed is best suited to a household where someone will be around most of the day. Tibetan terriers typically have a calm temperament inside the home, but they're also happy to play and exercise with their family when opportunities are presented. Barking is a common trait in this breed, so owners should be prepared for a vocal dog and consider special training techniques if it becomes excessive.

History of the Tibetan Terrier

The Tibetan terrier's name is a bit misleading, as this breed isn't actually a terrier at all. These dogs were given this name because of their size when they were introduced to Western countries. They do not have traditional terrier personality traits.

In their native Tibet, they're referred to as the Tsang Apso, which refers to the dogs' shaggy appearance. This thick coat helped to keep them warm in the cold, mountainous weather conditions of their origin.

The Tibetan terrier's history is long, and it's believed that this breed was first introduced as far back as 2,000 years ago in the remote Himalayan monasteries of Tibet. Buddhist monks kept them as companions, watchdogs, and as good luck charms. This also earned them the nickname "Holy Dogs of Tibet" thanks to their owners.

This breed was never sold in ancient Tibet, but rather gifted to preserve luck. They were frequently owned by the nomadic herdsmen that traveled across the country's harsh, high plains. Tibetan terriers also helped protect the herd and kept guard outside the tents at night.

The breed was first introduced to a wider audience when an English doctor, Agnes R. H. Greig, was gifted a puppy by the grateful husband of a patient she treated. Once she was able to acquire another dog, she started a European breeding program in the 1920s. The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom recognized the breed in 1937.

Tibetan terriers were first imported to the United States in the 1950s, and they gained official recognition by the AKC in 1973. The gentle and loving nature of these dogs has helped their continued popularity. Tibetan terriers have also contributed to the development of other popular dog breeds like the shih tzu and the Lhasa apso.

Joe Camp, who created the character Benji the dog, said that the canine was a Tibetan terrier and Spaniel mix. And actors like Hugh Bonneville and Lesley Nicol, both in the show “Downton Abbey,” are proud owners of Tibetan terriers, further proving just how beloved this breed is today.

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Tibetan Terrier Care

Tibetan terriers have average exercise requirements, but they need plenty of time with their families to thrive. Thankfully, training is relatively simple for these intelligent dogs. Grooming can be high-maintenance, so owners should be prepared to keep up with their dog's long, tangle-prone coat.

Exercise

While they still require a decent amount of daily exercise and won't be averse to joining their owner on an adventurous hike, Tibetan terriers are a moderate energy dog breed. They won't need excessive amounts of exercise to stay stimulated and free from boredom, which makes them popular dogs for apartment living and owners without active lifestyles.

A few short walks and runs each day (about 15 minutes each) should suffice to keep this breed healthy. And if it snows, you can let your Tibetan terrier out to play, as they have large feet that provide traction and a thick coat that provides warmth.

While owners for this breed can be generally low-energy, it's important that they be home often to prevent their dog from developing separation anxiety.

Grooming

Prospective owners need to be prepared for an intensive grooming schedule with a Tibetan terrier. If you don't keep this dog's hair trimmed short, it can easily become tangled. These tangles can quickly develop into thick, uncomfortable mats, which will require professional help to remove.

Daily brushing is necessary to keep the Tibetan terrier's coat in good condition. Detangling sprays are a great option to help the brush or comb move through your dog's coat freely and without pain when removing tangles.

Another thing to consider before getting a Tibetan terrier: shaggy dog syndrome. Their fur can pick up a lot of debris and dirt while they’re outside playing and walking. In addition to making your dog look and smell dirty, all of that debris can be tracked into your house. Even eating can be messy with this breed, so keeping the coat clean and neat requires more work compared to other breeds. After being outside, check their coat thoroughly to remove anything that got stuck to them, and clean their fur if necessary after meals as well.

Trim your dog’s nails regularly, such as every three weeks, and clean your dog’s ears at least once a month.

Training

The Tibetan terrier's history as a watchdog means that alert barking can sometimes be an issue. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to discourage excessive barking if the habit grows.

This breed's intelligence and desire for attention make positive reinforcement training especially effective. However, they can be stubborn and have a mind of their own, so it’s important to remain patient and consistently train them to listen to your commands. 

Provide your dog with treats, toys, and affection as rewards for desired behavior during puppyhood. Basic obedience training can begin for Tibetan terrier puppies as young as seven weeks old.

Common Health Problems

Although they're known for their longevity, Tibetan terriers, like most breeds, can be prone to certain genetic health problems. To increase your dog's chances of living a healthy life, only adopt from reputable breeders that perform health tests on prospective parent dogs.

Some common conditions for Tibetan terriers include:

• Eye Problems: Common conditions for this breed include cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and primary lens luxation (PLL). 
• Hip Dysplasia: This condition affects your dog's hip joints, causing abnormal development as they age. Severe cases may require surgery.
• Hypothyroidism: Also known as underactive thyroid, this condition affects your dog's ability to produce important hormones and can lead to a variety of other health problems.
• Luxating Patella: Affecting the knee joints, a luxating patella causes your dog's knee to pop in and out of place. Corrective surgery can improve quality of life.
• Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL): This affects the central nervous system. It can cause various symptoms including vision loss.
• Heart Murmur: This problem can be detected with a stethoscope, as it’s an abnormal sound coming from the heart. It might be a sign of heart disease or other conditions.

Diet and Nutrition

On average, you can expect to feed your Tibetan terrier about 1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality dog food, split between two meals per day. Talk with your veterinarian to determine a healthy diet and portion schedule for your specific dog based on their age, weight, and activity level. The best food for your Tibetan terrier will vary throughout their life, as age-specific diets can provide the proper nutrients for various stages of life.

It's also important to limit treats and be mindful of portion sizes to prevent excessive weight gain, as canine obesity can lead to other health problems in the future.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Tibetan Terrier

Puppies from breeders can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500, though prices can vary based on pedigree and availability.

While purebred Tibetan terriers may be difficult to find in local rescues, check with shelters in your region to find similar breeds in need of forever homes. The process of rescuing a dog can be incredibly rewarding, and many dogs like Tibetan terriers could be waiting to come home with you.

If you have your heart set on a Tibetan terrier puppy, it's essential to research options in your area to find a responsible breeder. This will increase the chances of your puppy being happy, well-adjusted, and healthy. Ensure the breeder allows you to see the conditions their dogs are kept in, along with readily providing the medical history for the litter's parents.

To start your search, check with resources like the national breed club, rescues, and the AKC:

• Tibetan Terrier Club of America (TTCA) Rescue Dogs
• Tibetan Terrier Club of America Breeder Referral
• AKC Tibetan Terrier Breeders

Tibetan Terrier Overview

The Tibetan terrier can make a wonderful companion because of their endearing personality, but there are a few things to consider, particularly because of the breed’s specific needs when it comes to grooming, activity, and training.

Pros of Tibetan Terriers

• Affectionate and gentle
• Well suited for apartment living
• Gets along with respectful children and other pets
  

Cons of Tibetan Terriers

• High-maintenance grooming requirements
• Prone to alert barking
• Needs owners who are home often to prevent separation anxiety
  

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More Dog Breeds and Further Research

If you want to learn more about similar breeds to the Tibetan terrier, check out:

• Lhasa Apso
• Shih Tzu
• Tibetan Spaniel

There are plenty of wonderful dog breeds out there to bring home. With a little research, you can find the perfect fit to join your family!