Tibetan Terrier Dog

As their name indicates, Tibetan terriers come from the Tibet region (China). There these dogs served in the monasteries as guardian animals, while accompanying the monks and guiding their flocks. Due to its remote origins and the isolation of the area of ​​origin, the breed has remained practically unchanged over the years, being one of the best preserved today.

The origins of the Tibetan terrier dogs date back more than 2,000 years , and it is said that they arose when the Tibetans decided to separate the large dogs, from which the current Tibetan bulldogs descended , and the small ones, that is, the Tibetan terrier, which are precursors of breeds such as the Tibetan spaniel, or the Polish lowland sheepdog.

The breed arrived in Europe in the 1920s, after a doctor, named Agnes Grey , attended to some locals who had it as a pet, who after receiving medical attention gave her one of the puppies that her dog had lighting. That puppy became part of a breeding program, and subsequently traveled with her owner to England in 1922. In 1930 the breed was officially recognized by the Kennel Club of England (KCE), and its expansion throughout Europe became especially notable in the 40s. Finally, he arrived in the United States in 1956, where the American Kennel Club recognized him in 1973.

Formerly known as Tsang Apso ” shaggy dog ​​of the province of Tsang “, it took the name terrier because foreign travelers saw it very similar to the terriers known in Europe, which is why they baptized it as Tibetan terrier. Other names are Tibet Apso or Dokhi Apso.

Tibetan terriers are medium-sized dogs , weighing between 8 and 12 kilograms, and with a height at the withers ranging from 35 to 45 centimeters, with females being slightly smaller than their male counterparts. Their life expectancy normally ranges between 12 and 14 years , with some specimens reaching 17.

Some characteristics of the Tibetan terrier dog breed are:

• Its body is solid and compact : square in shape.
• Its head is also square in shape : lining up on the snout, and presenting a stop.
• A notable characteristic in the breed standards is that the distance from the nose to the eyes must be the same as that of the eyes and the base of the head : these eyes are round, large and expressive, dark brown in color, somewhat lighter tones being accepted if the coat is also a very light color.
• The ears of Tibetan terriers are fringed : “V” shaped and hang on the sides of the skull.
• Its fur is dense, as it has a double layer : the outer coat is long and straight and the inner coat is thinner and woollier , which makes it an insulator against the inclement weather typical of its region of origin.

Tibetan Terrier Dog Breed Colors

The coat colors of the Tibetan terrier dog breed can cover the entire color spectrum , except for chocolate and liver.

Now that you know the characteristics of the Tibet terrier, let’s focus on what its character is like.

Despite being within the terrier category, the Tibet terrier differs from its peers in that it has a much sweeter and more docile character . He loves to play and spend time with his loved ones, although he is wary of strangers. If he is going to live with children, we must get them both used to living together and interacting respectfully. That is why we must educate our terrier from a young age and ensure that socialization is full and satisfactory.

They are tenacious and very brave , if the situation requires it they will prove to be undisputed heroes. Many of the Tibetan terrier dogs serve as therapy dogs , collaborating in sessions for the benefit of various groups, such as children, the elderly or people who need care.

They are sociable animals, which do not tolerate loneliness well , since they need constant affection and attention. If they have that, there will be no problem with them living in a flat or apartment. As long as they can release their energy with long walks, we will have a playful, happy animal. and balanced with which to enjoy great moments.

• Food : we must choose a balanced diet adapted to the needs of both the breed in general, that is, a medium-sized dog with long hair, and our animal in particular, adapting the diet to its specific nutritional needs, if, for example, our pet If you suffer from kidney or liver failure, or if you have heart problems, we can find feed and products on the market that address these vitamin deficiencies and the most convenient levels of minerals, proteins, fats and carbohydrates to improve or maintain your health.
• Exercise : as we have mentioned in the section on the character of the Tibetan terrier, it is a playful and active dog, so it will need at least an hour of daily exercise . Don’t hesitate to teach him tricks and play with him when you go out for a walk, as he will always be receptive.
• Grooming : because its hair is long and dense, our Tibetan terrier will need our attention, as we must brush its coat frequently so that it remains soft and shiny, thus avoiding tangles and knots. It is also recommended to give it at least a monthly bath , to keep it clean and neat. Because they have a significant amount of hair on the inside of the ears, we will have to be attentive and, if necessary, peel that area, as complications may arise due to knots or the accumulation of dust or humidity.

Except for this brushing, the Tibetan Terrier will need the attention of any other breed, such as brushing its teeth several times a week, providing it with sufficient physical activity time, cutting its nails regularly or cleaning its ears with ear products suitable for use in dogs.

In general, Tibetan terriers are easy dogs to train , but we have to be constant and dedicated when it comes to their training, since they are stubborn and sometimes we will need a lot of energy and patience to make their training effective and satisfactory.

One of the most relevant aspects in the training of this breed is socialization , this must be carried out from the earliest possible ages , since otherwise difficulties may arise when living with both people and other animals. This happens due to its distrustful nature and its skills as a guard dog, but if we follow the guidelines and are patient and constant, we will undoubtedly achieve our goal, since we are dealing with a friendly breed with surprising adaptation capabilities.

It will also be essential to teach him the basic orders of obedience .

In general, we can say that the Tibetan terrier is a breed with enviable health, however, they may present some hereditary pathologies such as hip dysplasia , which will require constant veterinary supervision, carrying out the appropriate radiological tests and providing them with supplements such as chondroprotectors, which help keep joints in good condition.

In turn, the breed is considered to be somewhat prone to developing progressive retinal atrophy and retinal dysplasia, which can cause problems as considerable as blindness. Likewise, we also highlight cataracts and ocular dislocation as common pathologies.

This is why we have to carry out regular veterinary check-ups , every six or twelve months . It will also be essential to identify the Tibetan terrier with a microchip and tag, as well as follow the vaccination schedule and deworming routine . In this way we can prevent and detect various diseases promptly.

Although the Tibetan terrier dog breed was not well known in Spain until the 1960s, the reality of the 21st century is very different. Its distribution is now much wider and dog lovers do know this breed native to Tibet. It should be noted that, although getting a Tibetan terrier dog is easy when it comes to purchasing, at AnimalWised we always encourage the adoption of dogs. For this reason, you can go to the animal shelters closest to your home or visit a breed club that you think may have a Tibetan terrier dog.

Even so, we want to emphasize that what is important when adopting a dog is not the physical traits it presents, but the possibility of offering it a better life based on affection and optimal care.