Tibetan Terrier

The Tibetan Terrier has always been a companion dog. That's probably why to this day the Tibetan Terrier enjoys people so much. He is a happy, outgoing dog. They are extremely agile. They can use their paws like cats to wash, catch, hold and even bat at tennis balls. They are usually quiet and when they do bark, it starts out low and rises to a high pitch.

Tibetan Terrier breed facts

Tibetan Terriers originated in the Lost Valley of Tibet.

The breed was thought to bring good luck to anyone who owned one.

The Lost Valley was so inaccessible that visitors were often given a dog to safeguard them on their journey. These dogs were never sold, as the families did not want to tempt fate by selling their "luck."

Information you should know before owning a Tibetan Terrier

The coat requires regular grooming in order to keep it free from matting.

The Tibetan Terrier is a highly intelligent and sensitive dog. He is devoted and loyal to his family, but may be cautious and shy of strangers.

Tibetan Terriers came from the land of Tibet where, they were bred and raised in the monasteries by the Lamas almost 2,000 years ago. Originating in the Lost Valley ("lost" when the access road was destroyed in the 14th century by a major earthquake) they were prized as companions and "Luck Bringers" or "Holy Dogs" for those fortunate enough to own them. The breed was called "terrier" because it was of a size widely associated with terriers. The occasional visitor to the Lost Valley who made the hazardous journey was often given a dog to safeguard him on the return trip to the outside world. In the 1920s a practicing physician was given a dog by a grateful Tibetan whose wife he had treated. When the physician returned to England, she established a famous kennel.

The first "official" Tibetan Terrier arrived in the United States in 1956, an import from the above kennel and since then, the breed has attracted fanciers from Canada to Florida, and from coast to coast. Tibetan Terriers were valued in Tibet as companions, and were treated like children of the family. Like the children, they eagerly assisted in taking care of the family’s property, their flocks, and their herds, but they were not raised for utilitarian purposes. The breed was kept pure-bred, as any mismating might bring bad luck to the family and might even be blamed for any village misfortune.

The Tibetan Terrier was admitted to registration in The American Kennel Club Stud Book on May 1, 1973, and to regular show classification in the Non-Sporting Group at AKC shows October 3, 1973.

Is this a vulnerable breed? Yes, No	No
What size is this dog? Small, Medium, Large	Medium
How much excercise is required? 30 mins a day, 1 hour a day, Over 2 hours a day	1 hour a day
How long is this dog's coat? Short, Medium, Long	Long
How much grooming is required? Once a week, More than once a week, Every day	Every day
Does this dog shed? Does shed, Does not shed	Does not shed
What area is this dog best suited to? Town, Country, Either	Either
What size house is required for this breed? Flat/Apartment, Small House, Large House	Small House
What size of garden is required? Small Garden, Large Garden, No Garden	Small garden

	General Appearance Sturdy, medium-sized, long-haired, generally square outline. Balanced, without exaggeration.
	Characteristics Lively, good-natured. Loyal companion dog with many engaging ways.
	Temperament Outgoing, alert, intelligent and game; neither fierce nor pugnacious. Sparing of affection to strangers.
	Eyes Large, round, dark brown, neither prominent nor sunken; set fairly wide apart. Eye rims black.
	Mouth Scissor or reverse scissor bite. Incisors set in slight curve, evenly spaced and set perpendicular to jaw. Full dentition desirable.
	Neck Strong, muscular, medium length, allowing head to be carried above level of back and giving overall balanced appearance. Flowing into well placed shoulders.
	Forequarters Heavily furnished. Shoulders well laid; with good length and slope of upper arm. Legs straight and parallel; pasterns slightly sloping.
	Body Well muscled, compact and powerful. Length from point of shoulder to root of tail equal to height at withers. Fair spring of rib with depth of brisket to elbow. Ribbed well back. Top line level, loin short, slightly arched; croup level.
	Hindquarters Heavily furnished, well muscled. Well bent stifles and low set hocks giving level topline and drive.
	Feet Large, round, heavily furnished with hair between toes and pads. Standing well down on pads; no arch in feet.
	Tail Medium length, set on fairly high and carried in a gay curl over back. Very well feathered. Kink near tip often occurring and permissible.
	Gait / Movement Sturdy, medium-sized, long-haired, generally square outline. Balanced, without exaggeration.
	Coat Double coat. Undercoat fine and woolly. Top coat profuse, fine but neither silky nor woolly; long; either straight or waved but not curly.
	Colour White, golden, cream, grey or smoke, black, parti-colour and tricolours; in fact any colour except chocolate or liver permissible.
	Size Height at shoulder: dogs: 36-41 cms (14-16 ins); bitches: slightly smaller.