Origin: Tibet
Origin of Name: The Tibetan Terrier is a medium-sized breed of dog that originated in Tibet.
Size | Temperament | Shedding | Drooling | Monthly keeping cost | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Medium | Zero High |
Negligible Hair Everywhere |
Zero Excess |
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The name of the breed is only half correct: Tibetan terriers are Tibetan, but they are not true terriers — not by blood, temperament, or job description. Westerners carelessly hung the name "Terrier" on this Asian dog, and it stuck. Among the many Tibetan dogs associated with the TT Buddhist monasteries and the Dalai Lama, an ancient breed developed in spectacular isolation of the Lost Valley. TTs are known as companions and sentinels, but during their long history they have served as shepherds and guardians of the herd.
Potential TT owners may mistakenly think that this is not a dog for them, based on the manicured, flowing coat seen on television dog shows. But there is an agile, versatile dog under a multi-purpose coat suitable for everyday life. The TT has a double coat, undercoat fleece, moisture resistant and a natural insulator. The texture of the coat can vary from soft to hard to prone to more or less matting. The natural coat of the breed can stand for anything of nature. It may be convenient to keep the dog in a puppy cut if a full coat hinders the desired outdoor adventure. That being said, the real benefit of grooming TT is that it strengthens bonding in the relationship, has great training, and is a way to monitor the dog's health. It can be surprising how pleasant beauty can be.
It is an independent-minded breed that is sharp in learning and will wither through obsessive repetitions or harsh methods. Training practices are recommended that allow the dog to choose the right behavior. Clicker-training instruction is widely available, and both humans and dogs will enjoy a developing partnership by training together. TTs are enthusiastic students who like to work closely with their boss (in things like agility, rally, and nose work) and doing chores that contribute to the household. They seek companionship on the basis of mutual cooperation, trust and respect. They have great potential for love and dedication towards their people.
TT likes to take walks and hang out with his people. Individuals of the breed may have more or less drive for exercise. A good breeder will be able to match each potential owner with a compatible dog. If you want to climb a mountain, there is a TT for that. If you are a household person and just walk around the block or take the stairs twice a day, there is a TT for that. Many TTs enjoy a post in the house where they can look out of a window or door and do sentry duty for their home. If the place is like a staircase or a balcony view, it is even better.
Tibetan terriers evolved into a challenging land that experienced both feasting and fasting as a way of life. A traditional Tibetan diet would include easily digestible porridge (ripe barley flour), and meat broth such as staples. TT often got leftover ghee in the form of food. Naturally lean animals that taste their food (they chew it!), It is not uncommon for TT to leave something in their bowl. Historically, the diet of farmers promoted longevity, while the rich foods of kings caused the disease. Keeping this in mind, it is best to feed an honest meal with real ingredients, and rely on a TT to get what it needs rather than relying on the instructions on the feed bag. A lean dog is more energetic, healthy and full of happy vitality!
TT can be a hardy, healthy breed that grows gracefully. But just as second-generation immigrants in Western countries succumb to Western diseases, the same phenomenon can be linked to changes in TT health issues due to environmental changes in diet and lifestyle from their country of origin. Early spay and neuter can predispose dogs to joint issues. Many breeders request that the dog reach maturity before changing. Geriatric heart murmur and cataracts are not uncommon in old age TT. Occasionally senior TT gets vestibular disease, which is fortunately something they can recover from. Cancer is an increasing concern in aging TT. Responsible breeders examine their stock for health conditions such as allergies, thyroid issues, bladder stones, periodontal disease, hip and patella issues. Genetic testing (such as for NCL, LL, PRA, etc.) is a valuable tool used by breeders to eliminate the expression of those diseases in their puppies.
Recommended health tests from the National Breed Club: