Mary Allen
The Tibetan Terrier is traveling under a false name because the fluffy Wieseltier is actually not a terrier at all! We unmask the impostor!
If you only know the Tibetan Terrier as a participant in dog shows, you will be surprised when you actually get to know the dogs. Even if they sometimes look like it, the beautiful dogs are by no means lap dogs. On the contrary: they are real bundles of energy, descended from shepherd dogs from Tibet and used to hard work.
Are you interested in little dogs and want to learn more about their history, upbringing, and care? In our breed portrait, we provide you with all the answers about the small but extremely hard-working dog.
What does a Tibetan Terrier look like?
The most striking feature of the Tibetan Terrier is clearly the beautiful, long coat. This either grows smoothly or in gentle waves. The undercoat is dense and woolly and protects the Shepherd Dog very well from the freezing winter temperatures in the Himalayas. At the same time, the long coat also functions as a kind of fan that gives the dogs enough cooling in the hot summer months.
In terms of color, the coat can be in a wide variety of combinations, only dark brown tones are not allowed in breeding.
Unlike what you may have seen on some Tibetan Terriers, the dogs’ fur should by no means grow to their paws or fall over their eyes. These “traits” are made up solely by humans for dog shows and showmanship and are of no use to the dog. Rather, they impair his ability to walk and see. When grooming, it is therefore important not to let the fur grow too long.
Underneath the luxuriant tangle of hair is a compact and muscular body that makes the dog real sporting aces. Unique to the dog are its very wide and flat paws, which are not found in any other breed of dog. With these large “snow lion paws” and their low weight, the dog can walk optimally over snow. So he brings the best conditions for a shepherd dog from Tibet.
How big is a Tibetan Terrier?
With an average height at the withers of between 35.6 cm and 41 cm, the Tibetan Terrier belongs to small to medium-sized dog breeds. Females are usually only slightly smaller than males.
How heavy is a Tibetan Terrier?
The average weight of bitches is up to eleven kilos. Males can weigh up to 15 kilos.
How old does a Tibetan Terrier get?
The breed is one of the healthy dog breeds and reaches an average age of between 12 and 15 years. With good health, husbandry, and care, the nimble dogs with big paws can even live up to 17 years.
What character or nature does the Tibetan Terrier have?
Beneath the Tibetan Terrier’s beautiful coat hides a robust, friendly, active, and fun personality. You can definitely have a lot of fun with him. The Tibetan herding dogs are very agile and keen on moving and true nature lovers from the snout to the tail, who also master long hikes through the mountains without any problems.
The dog is considered to be very people-oriented and socially acceptable so that it prefers to be surrounded by its family at all times. He gets along great with children and is a loyal, loving, and fun playmate. If he gets enough species-appropriate workload, he is also well suited as a family dog.
Due to its nature as a herding dog, the Tibetan Terrier has an innate herding and protective instinct. This is expressed in the fact that he reports strangers or animals approaching his “herd” early on and observes them carefully. However, aggressive or threatening gestures are completely foreign to a properly trained terrier.
The breed is considered to be very willing and able to learn but is also characterized by a small stubborn skull. If little attention is paid to consistency during training, the dog will notice this and exploit this weakness.
In addition, the Tibetan Terrier is considered a real creature of habit. If certain things change, such as the feeding rhythm, the sleeping place, or the usual time for going for a walk, he can become quite defiant and loudly announce his displeasure. However, with patience and sensitivity, the dog can easily get used to changes.
Where does the Tibetan Terrier come from?
The name says it all: The little dogs with the shaggy fur come from Tibet. Today no verifiable information can be given about their origins. However, it is assumed that the ancestors of today’s Tibetan Terriers were kept as temple dogs in numerous monasteries up to 2,000 years ago.
The breed had adapted perfectly to the rough and extreme conditions in the Himalayan mountains and, with its characteristics and its friendly, willing-to-learn character, proved to be the ideal helper for the house, yard, and pastures. Their main job was to guard flocks of sheep and homes and to loudly report potential dangers.
In 1922, British doctor Dr. After caring for a patient in Tibet, Greig gave two of the small herding dogs out of gratitude and took them back to England. Enthusiastic about the dogs, the doctor then started her own breed and just two years later the first puppies were born.
In 1931, the new breed was officially recognized by the British Kennel Club, but there was a little lie that has haunted the dog to this day. He’s actually not a terrier at all. Instead of adopting the name “Tibet Apso” used in Tibet, the “terrier” was added to the name. And that despite the fact that they are completely different dog breeds. Direct relatives of the Tibetan Terrier are, for example, the Shih Tzu, the Lhasa Apso, or the Tibetan Spaniel.
Tibetan Terrier: The right attitude and training
Anyone who thinks that a small dog like the Tibetan Terrier does less work and needs less exercise is seriously mistaken. True to its past as a herding dog, the Tibetan Whirlwind is a real jock. The dog needs daily exercise, games and fun outdoors, mental challenges, and ideally also agility training in order to be adequately utilized.
These intelligent dogs have a mind of their own and can very quickly become stubborn if something doesn’t suit them or if they aren’t satisfied. If the terriers realize that their people are too soft, too inconsistent, and too yielding, then they shamelessly exploit this weakness. Puppies are especially sweet. Some people, therefore, tend to let the puppy get away with everything. However, this is counterproductive in education. Remain self-confident and consistent in training from the beginning and teach the puppy unyieldingly but lovingly where its limits are.
If you are an active person and like to be outside a lot, Tibetan Terriers are the perfect companions for you. The dogs have even been considered beginner dogs thanks to their relatively simple upbringing.
What care does the Tibetan Terrier need?
The terrier’s dense, thick coat requires optimal grooming. Regular brushing is a must here. Make sure that the undercoat does not become matted. Get your puppy used to regular brushing and make grooming a game for him.
What are the typical diseases of the Tibetan Terrier?
The breed is generally one of the healthy and robust dogs breeds. Breed-specific diseases are rare, but can still occur. These include hip dysplasia, eye diseases such as lens luxation and progressive retinal atrophy, habitual luxation of the kneecap or canine ceroid lipofuscinosis, an unfortunately fatal hereditary disease.
How much does a Tibetan Terrier cost?
If you ask breeders about the price of a puppy, the answers will vary. Some name it immediately, others are reluctant to say it or point out that price shouldn’t be an issue when adopting a dog. The reactions are understandable, as there are always people for whom puppies from breeders are too expensive, which is why they prefer to look for “cheaper” offers on the Internet.
What must never be forgotten: Breeders in Germany carefully ensure that their puppies are protected as well as possible from breed-specific diseases and are in the best possible health. Exactly this care is reflected in the price. A puppy of the Tibetan Terrier breed can cost around 1,250 euros on average. If you consider that you will gain a healthy, happy, and long-lived new family member and, above all, prevent animal suffering elsewhere – namely with dubious breeders – it should definitely be worth the price.
Alternatively, there is of course always the possibility of giving a dog from the animal shelter a second chance. Maybe that’s something for you too.