Tibetan Terrier

The Tibetan Terrier was originally a companion to Buddhist monks, so by welcoming one into your home, you’ll have an ready-made—and hopelessly devoted—sidekick. This dog is ready to be your shadow, whether you’re binging Netflix, strolling down the sidewalk or hiking in the hills. These easy going pups will also give you a reason to get out and moving, especially on cold, snowy days. The Tibetan Terrier was made for winter, and you won’t want to miss the joy of your dog frolicking in their beloved snow. Dress warmly, because their double coat of fur means your fingers will be numb before your pup’s ready to go home.

With their perky upturned tail, floppy ears and large eyes, Tibetan Terriers look like puppies well into adulthood. But underneath their long, woolly coat and childish good looks, you’ll find a dog who’s wise beyond their years. With strong legs and springy snow-shoe feet, this medium dog is primed for adventure.

Their feathered coats may be various shades of gold, from light to dark. As they age, some Golden Retrievers even develop a wise white-golden hue across their face.

1. Ears Their ears are relatively large and hang down from the head.
2. Eyes Their large, wide-set eyes are dark brown, almost black.
3. Nose They have a black nose that's well suited to nose work.
4. Coat Length The Tibetan Terrier's double-coated fur is extremely long with a soft, woolly undercoat and a plentiful but fine-haired overcoat. If left uncut, their hair covers their eyes and front of their face.
5. Coat Color The Tibetan Terrier comes in many colors, from white to golden brindle (subtle tiger stripes) and black.
6. Tail The Tibetan Terrier's tail is set high and falls forward onto their back. It's well covered in hair and may have a kink at the tip.

The Tibetan Terrier packs plenty of enviable traits into their personality, including funny, mischievous, independent-minded and extremely smart. They’re an interesting combination of toddler and tween, cat and class valedictorian.

With a gentle temperament, the Tibetan Terrier’s biting tendencies are lower than the average dog breed, but be aware that, in their playful youth, they tend to be pretty mouthy and are prone to nibbling. It’s wise to invest in a few chew toys.

The Tibetan Terrier makes a devoted pet and is very compatible with cats and other dogs. They’re great with kids, too, but because Tibetan Terriers are a pretty sensitive breed, they’ll do better with older kids who understand the importance of boundaries and respect for a dog’s space. It’s always advised to supervise any dog breed when playing around toddlers and younger ones. Kids should also be taught how to interact with dogs.

These dogs are friendly, though not quite extroverts, so they can appear pretty standoffish and aloof to guests in the home. On the other paw, this ancient breed evolved as alert dogs for Buddhist monks in monasteries, so their instinct is to bark whenever someone approaches the door. But, as you now know, their bark is worse than their bite!

As you care for your Tibetan Terrier, plan on dedicating a lot of time for maintaining their coat and exercising your pup. With their double coat and extremely long fur, you’ll spend about 15 minutes every day brushing their gorgeous locks. These high-energy pups also need daily exercise to keep them well-behaved members of society. They’re a delight to train, giving you a great outlet to help engage their brains and their bodies.

Grooming

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Tibetan Terriers need lots of grooming. That means you’ll be spending plenty of time bonding with your dog over their care and training, but hey—you wouldn’t have it any other way. Here are some grooming tips for your Tibetan Terrier: Brushing: If you decide to keep their fur style au naturel , expect to brush them down to the skin daily with a pin brush for at least 15 minutes. (If you choose to skip a day or two, your sessions will be longer.) Pay attention to extra debris that clings to the hair on their feet. Some people choose to cut the hair that grows between the pads on the underside of the foot to help with traction. These dogs shed far less than other breeds, but they start to “blow their coat”—they shed their hair in clumps in the spring and fall—when they hit adolescence (about 9 months old). Couple this with a thick double coat of fur for extra insulation, and you’ve got a dog who’s prone to forming thick mats—and those mats can take hours to get out! Hair trimming: If you want to lighten your grooming load, consider cutting the fur shorter. It will be easier to maintain, though you’ll still need to brush them a couple of times a week. It’s a great solution for active parents—and dogs—on the go! Bathing: When it comes to bathing , it really depends on your lifestyle. Is your dog sitting on the sofa most of the time or traipsing through the woods by your side? Is their hair long or cut shorter? An active, outdoorsy Tibetan Terrier with long hair may need a bath once a week, while a couch potato with a shorter cut may only need a bath once a month, though you may want to use a deodorizing spritz between washes. Dental care: Brushing your Tibetan Terrier’s teeth helps remove plaque and tartar and reduces periodontal disease. Aim to brush their teeth daily. If you’re new to being a pet parent, ask your vet to teach you how best to brush. Starting when they’re puppies will help them get used to it more quickly. All Tibetan Terriers will benefit from an annual professional cleaning by your vet (not a groomer). Nail trimming: How often you need to trim your Tibetan Terrier’s nails depends on what type of surfaces they walk on. Lots of walking on concrete or other rough surfaces is more likely to wear them down compared to a homebody who’s mostly walking on plush carpeting. That said, the Tibetan Terrier’s flat feet may make their nails wear down less quickly than other breeds. The best approach is to tune into the sound your dog makes when they walk. If you hear a tell-tale clicking on the floor, that means their nails are too long and it’s time for a trim. Most dogs need a nail trim about once a month.

Training

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The smart-witted and gentle Tibetan Terrier is a quick learner and eager to please. But fair warning: Their intelligence can lead them to ask, “What’s in it for me?” So don’t expect them to do what’s asked just because their beloved pet parent is doing the asking. Remember that Tibetan Terriers respond much better to positive reinforcement and rewards. Think training treats and affection in return for good behavior. Start training as soon as you bring your Tibetan Terrier puppy home; short bursts of up to 10 minutes each day should help to hold their concentration. At first, try some basic obedience commands , like sit and stay , and graduate to something more challenging like being taught to retrieve different toys by name. This breed is also pretty strong-willed and tends to have a mind of their own if off-leash. If you don’t want to go on a wild goose chase through the wilderness, it’s wise to invest some additional time in recall training, aka teaching your pet to return to you, before you plan that hiking adventure. Again, start with the basics such as come and oodles of positive reinforcement. Unless your Tibetan Terrier has had a haircut, be sure to bring a barrette to training. Pinning their hair up and away from their face will help ensure they can see you and the trainer under all that fur—and help your Tibetan Terrier focus better on the task in hand. The Tibetan Terrier is very friendly but can come across as pretty standoffish and aloof to house guests. You can make these interactions easier for your beloved dog by socializing them at a young age so they are happy to meet and greet and welcome new friends with a wag of their gloriously luscious tail.

Diet

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Every dog needs a complete and balanced diet. The Tibetan Terrier typically does well on a high-quality commercial dog food . When choosing a variety, be sure choose one that fits your dog’s age and stage in life (puppy, adult or senior). As the holy dogs in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, the Tibetan Terrier often ate leftover gruel (like cooked barley). So be sure that whatever food you choose contains some whole grains. That’ll help keep their heart happy, too. To prevent your pup from gaining too much weight, putting them at risk for health conditions, like heart disease and diabetes, keep treats to a minimum—and resist the urge to give into those big eyes and share your dinner with them. Because the energetic Tibetan Terrier tends to be lean and attuned to their needs, you can often (though not always!) trust them to eat what they need—provided you resist their pleas and stick to commercial dog food. However, be sure to ask your vet for information and advice on the best food and feeding schedule for your dog based on their individual needs.

Exercise

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Lace up your walking shoes—the Tibetan Terrier dog needs regular exercise, so plan on dedicating an hour throughout the day. While strolling through town on a leash is great, running in a fenced area, frolicking in the snow or hiking in the hills can help a hyper pup burn off steam. But be aware that the independent and mildly rambunctious Tibetan Terrier may have a mind of their own when it comes to being off-leash. So if you venture into the wilderness, don’t let your dog off-leash until you’re completely certain your dog will return when called. Otherwise, you may end up embarking on an unplanned adventure. Do you have a bit of a competitive streak? If so, you and your pup may enjoy participating in dog sports, like agility , rally and nose work. Not only will you and your Tibetan Terrier have fun participating in these sports together, you may just come home with some fancy 1st place ribbons. When you’re planning your daily exercise, don’t forget to work out their brains as well as their bodies. Tibetan Terriers are smart, and some mental stimulation with puzzle toys will help youngsters burn off some of their excess energy.

Environment

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The Tibetan Terrier is a very adaptable dog and is a great fit for a first-time pet parent. This breed is good for apartment-dwellers but will also be delighted with a large home, especially if it comes with big fenced-in yard to run around in. While they’re happy romping in the snow and rambling through the hills, they also do well as a mostly indoor family dog. Tibetan Terriers are great with kids and good with other dogs and pets, too, so maybe you can finally live the dream and set up that menagerie at home! Entertaining is a walk in the park, too, as this is a very friendly breed. These dogs can be aloof with people they don’t know, but you can help to ease your dog into meeting and greeting humans by socializing them from an early age. For the Tibetan Terrier breed, winter is their season, and they love to frolic in the snow. With their double coat, including the soft, wooly undercoat and their fine outer coat, they have the built-in insulation needed to weather the winter elements. And their big, round snowshoe-like feet means they’re always up for a winter adventure.

Tibetan Terriers have a lifespan of 15-16 years and are generally a very healthy breed. But like all dogs, the Tibetan Terrier can be prone to certain health issues. That’s why it’s so important to work with a reputable breeder who screens for conditions common to the breed. DNA testing prior to breeding and assessing the health of prospective parents can help avoid these common health problems.

Be familiar with potential health problems so you can recognize and treat them quickly.

1. Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (Lipid Storage Neurological Disease) This is an inherited degenerative neurological disease that may impair vision and balance, cause aggressive behavior or even trigger seizures. There is currently no treatment for the condition, although research is ongoing into potential therapies. Genetic testing is available to screen for this disease.
2. Hip Dysplasia Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joint doesn’t form properly as a dog grows, leading to looseness in the joint. This can cause pain and lameness, and lead to degenerative joint disease. Treatment with medication, joint supplements, weight management and physical therapy can often greatly improve their quality of life. In severe cases, surgery may be recommended.
3. Primary Lens Luxation This inherited disease causes the lens of the eye to detach from its normal position, leading to pain, inflammation and potential secondary glaucoma. Always watch for painful, red and teary eyes, especially if they look cloudy or hazy. See your vet annually for an eye exam to catch problems early. If detected early, surgery and medication can help prevent further complications.
4. Progressive Retinal Atrophy With this inherited disease, the retina slowly degenerates, leading to progressive vision loss and eventually blindness. Regular eye exams with your vet are essential to catch the problem, which may not have any obvious symptoms. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for this disease, but a dog who loses vision can still lead a happy and full life. There is a test available to screen dogs for this gene prior to breeding.
5. Diabetes Mellitus Tibetan Terriers are prone to developing diabetes mellitus, which occurs when the pancreas fails to produce adequate amounts of insulin. This leads to elevated blood sugar levels, which can lead to other problems including weight loss, increased thirst and urination, urinary tract infections, and the formation of cataracts. Careful observation is necessary to catch signs of this disease early on.
6. Patellar Luxation Patellar luxation is a condition that occurs when the kneecap moves in and out of its normal position. Although this sounds uncomfortable, most dogs tolerate the problem well and do not require treatment for the condition. In severe cases, surgical correction may be recommended.

Often called the “Holy Dog of Tibet,” the Tibetan Terrier is an ancient breed with a long history. The breed evolved over 2,000 years ago as a watchdog and good luck charm for Buddhist monasteries on the cold, wind-swept plains of Tibet. With their wise eyes, sensitivity and slightly mischievous nature, it’s easy to imagine that this luck bringer connected, somehow, to the Dali Lama himself!

Because they were originally bred as companions and watchdogs for monks, they make devoted companions for modern pet parents, even if you’re sitting on the sofa rather than a zafu.

The Tibetan Terrier first came to the West thanks to a British surgeon, Dr. Agnes Greig, who lived in northern India in the 1920s. After performing life-saving surgery on a Tibetan woman, Dr. Greig received a Tibetan Terrier as a thank you gift. She became so enamored of her dog—and really, who wouldn’t?—that she started her own breeding program when she returned to England. By the 1950s, two dogs from her program were brought to the US, and by 1973, the American Kennel Club (AKC) had recognized the Tibetan Terrier.

So what’s the best way to bring a Tibetan Terrier into your life? Start with a reputable breeder on theAKC’s websiteor contact one of the 16 breeders (yes, just 16!) listed with theTibetan Terrier Club of America. The cost of a Tibetan Terrier puppy from a reputable breeder is around $2,500—but the value of bringing one into your life is priceless. For that price you usually get a dog who’s been screened for health and temperament issues, and they might even come with pedigree papers. You can also adopt a dog through aTibetan Terrier rescue program, or searchChewy’s database of adoptable dogsin your area.