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Tibetan Terrier breed guide
The American Kennel Club calls the Tibetan Terrier the Holy Dog of Tibet, an ancient watchdog and companion long tied to Buddhist monasteries, a heavily coated small-to-medium dog with snowshoe feet that is affectionate, sensitive and clever.
The name gets it only half right: it is Tibetan, but not a true terrier by blood, temperament or job description.
Temperament
The Tibetan Terrier is an independent-minded breed that is quick to learn and will wither under obsessive repetition or harsh methods. Training practices that let the dog choose the right behavior suit it and clicker training suits it as well.
Westerners hung the name terrier on this usually Asian dog, which has also worked as a herder and flock guardian.
Lifespan
Tibetan Terriers live 15 to 16 years. They are a hardy breed that ages gracefully, though diet and lifestyle changes from its country of origin may be linked to shifts in its health issues. Early spay and neuter may predispose dogs to joint issues and many breeders ask that the dog reach maturity before altering.
Geriatric heart murmurs and cataracts are not uncommon.
Care
Prospective owners who see the manicured coats on televised dog shows may think this is not the dog for them, but under the flowing coat is an agile, versatile dog with a multi-purpose coat suited to everyday life. The double coat has a wool undercoat that resists moisture and insulates naturally.
TTs love walks and being outdoors with their people and individuals vary in their drive for exercise, so if you want to hike up a mountain there is a Tibetan Terrier for that and if you are more of a homebody there is one for that too.
History
The Tibetan Terrier is an ancient breed developed in the splendid isolation of the Lost Valley, among several Tibetan dogs tied to Buddhist monasteries and the Dalai Lama.
TTs are best known as companions and watchdogs. Their large, flat snowshoe feet adapted over centuries to the snowy, mountainous terrain of their homeland.
AKC trait ratings
| Trait | AKC rating | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Level | 4 of 5 | Couch Potato to High Energy |
| Trainability Level | 3 of 5 | Self-Willed to Eager to Please |
| Shedding Level | 3 of 5 | No Shedding to Hair Everywhere |
| Barking Level | 3 of 5 | Only To Alert to Very Vocal |
| Adaptability Level | 4 of 5 | Lives For Routine to Highly Adaptable |
| Good With Young Children | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Children |
| Good With Other Dogs | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Other Dogs |
| Watchdog/Protective Nature | 4 of 5 | What's Mine Is Yours to Vigilant |