Tibetan terriers are a clever, playful type of mountain dog. They were bred millennia ago by Buddhist monks. They’re members of the non-sporting group in the American Kennel Club (AKC).
They evolved in rough, mountainous terrain and sometimes have unique health issues at lower elevations. The dogs are fantastic companions but aren’t good for all families. Some individuals can struggle with other dogs and young children. Keep this in mind before bringing one home.
Characteristics of Tibetan Terriers
Body size. Tibetan terriers are on the border between the small and medium-sized breeds. The average Tibetan Terrier size is between 14 and 17 inches tall. They weigh an average of 18 to 30 pounds. The females are often slightly smaller than the males. Talk to your veterinarian if you’re concerned that your dog is too far under or overweight.
Body shape. Tibetan terriers have powerful bodies. Their height is approximately equal to their length, creating a square outline. They’re built for both speed and endurance.
They have strong, straight legs and moderate rib cages. Their backs remain level when they’re moving with their effortless stride.
One of the most unique Tibetan terrier characteristics is the snowshoe shape of their feet. Their feet are extremely large, flat, and round. This shape turns their feet into natural snowshoes, perfect for the mountainous terrain from which they come.
They have heavily-feathered “V” shaped ears and their muzzles have small beards. Their tails also have a long coat and curl tightly over their backs. A layer of hair also falls over their foreheads to cover their eyes and the fronts of their faces.
Lifespan. The Tibetan terrier life span is quite good for their size. On average they live for 15 to 16 years. The oldest recorded Tibetan Terrier survived to the age of 18.25 years. This means that you should expect a long life with your pet — especially if you bring one home as a puppy.
Coat. Tibetan terriers have a double coat, which means they have two different coats, each with its own characteristics. Their undercoats are thick and wooly. They are water-resistant and act as a natural insulator for the dogs.
The outer coats are very long and abundant. These hairs are much finer and have an intermediate texture.
The dogs are very colorful. The AKC lists over thirty recognized colors for the breed including:
- Black
- Black, brown, and white
- Fawn
- Gold
- Grey and white
- Red
- Black, white, and gold
Their coats can also come with six recognized markings such as:
- Black points
- Black masks
- White markings
Eyes. They have large eyes that are set far apart on the skull. They are normally dark brown but could appear black.
Personality. The Tibetan terrier personality is that of a loyal, playful, and intelligent companion. They love interacting with their families and will become very attached to people that are kind to them.
The Tibetan terrier temperament can contain a bit of shyness. They might be cautious and reserved until they warm up to you. But once they’re comfortable, you’ll never find a more devoted friend.
Caring for Tibetan Terriers
Grooming. The amount of grooming that your Tibetan terrier needs depends on how you choose to keep their coat. Some owners choose to keep them in a short puppy cut because it requires minimal grooming and doesn’t become full of twigs and other debris. You can also choose to leave their coat naturally long — but this will require more frequent brushing.
Some coats form matts easier than others. You’ll need to groom your pet even more frequently if their coat is long and is easily tangled. This could require harsher brushes or scissors to remove particularly bad matts.
You can choose to manage your dog’s coat yourself or take them to a groomer.
You should always trim your dog’s nails as needed and brush their teeth on a daily basis.
Feeding. Tibetan terriers are lean animals that mostly eat what they need to survive. They were bred in an environment that lacked a steady supply of food and are used to leftovers. They’re likely to leave food in their dishes — so don’t be worried if your dog isn’t eating as much as the packaging predicts.
You can find a high-quality dog food brand that your pet likes or make the food yourself. Consult your veterinarian first to find out the best nutrients to include in homemade dog food.
Some Tibetan terriers struggle with food sensitivities — specifically to dairy, wheat, and grain. Always talk to your veterinarian first, but you can try eliminating these foods from your dog’s diet if it seems like they’re having problems.
Exercise and mental stimulation. The amount of physical activity that your Tibetan terrier needs depends on the individual dog. They all require a moderate amount of physical activity but some individuals are more active than others.
Walks outside around the neighborhood and some light play are healthy for all Tibetan terriers. Some, though, will need more than this. These individuals are built for long mountainous hikes and are great for people that need a companion in the wilderness.
If you get your dog from a breeder, you can discuss their thoughts on the likely activity levels of the puppies. If you’re adopting from a shelter or similar organization then you should play with the dog for a while and talk to people that have interacted with the animal to determine their energy needs.
The dogs also need a reasonable amount of mental stimulation. Playing with you or working with you in canine sports are good ways to help both their mental and physical health.
Veterinary visits, medications, and immunizations. Your veterinarian is the best person to consult in order to determine all of the vaccinations that your pet needs — but all dogs require a core set.
This includes vaccinations for:
- Canine parvovirus
- Distemper
- Adenovirus
- Parainfluenza virus
- Rabies
There are also non-core vaccinations that you can discuss with your veterinarian. These tend to be specific to your region.
Dosages for flea and tick medications are based on your dog's weight. Oral and skin-based applications are available from your veterinarian or other distributors. Use them as directed by your veterinarian.
Many of these medications are effective against a variety of pests and parasites, so talk to your veterinarian to figure out the best one for you. Heartworm medication is also recommended year-round in all parts of the U.S.
Health Problems to Watch for With Tibetan Terriers
Many of the health issues that are associated with Tibetan terriers are related to their introduction to new environments. In their native home of Tibet, they’re very healthy animals that age gracefully.
When they’re raised outside of this environment, the diet and lifestyle differences can be difficult for the breed.
Common Tibetan terrier health issues include:
- Cataracts
- Geriatric heart murmurs
- Cancer. This is a common cause of death for this breed.
- Hip dysplasia. This is a hereditary condition affecting your dog’s hip joint. It is present from birth and worsens over time. Your veterinarian can evaluate the extent of this problem in your dog.
- Canine neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. This breed can carry this disease of the nervous system in their bloodlines. It’s a progressive condition that’s not well understood.
Special Considerations for Tibetan Terriers
Tibetan terriers are incredibly loyal dogs that are sensitive to their owner's moods. This has both positive and negative consequences. They’re easy to train but don’t do well with harsh reprimands.
Instead, you’ll want to use positive reinforcement. Work on building trust and respect with your pet. They’ll reward you with their quick learning abilities and fierce support.
They’re also very intelligent creatures so allow them to make independent choices during training sessions. Don’t bore them with heavy repetition.
They also enjoy being able to perform the guard dog tasks that they were trained for. Try to provide a spot in the house — like a window or door — where they can see outside and protect their home.
In terms of their physical characteristics, they shed a moderate amount and drool even less.
History of Tibetan Terriers
Tibetan terriers are at least two thousand years old. They were bred across the centuries while isolated in the extreme environment of Tibet. DNA evidence suggests that they’re descended from some of the earliest domesticated dog breeds.
They’re called Tsang Apso in their native land — which roughly translates to “shaggy or bearded dog from the province of U-Tsang”. They’re also called Dokhi Apso which means “outdoor shaggy dog”.
They got the Western name of Tibetan terrier from a casual observation by European travelers. These visitors thought that the dogs resembled terriers. But Tibetan terriers don’t share any ancestry, personality traits, or functions with actual terriers.
Instead, these dogs were bred by Buddhist monks to work on steep, snowy terrain at high altitudes. They’re loyal companions and watchdogs for the monks. They’re capable of working as herders and protectors of flocks on the mountains. They’re also used to retrieve items that have fallen down the mountainside.
The Buddhist monks think of them as good luck charms. They never sold these dogs — only gave them away as gifts. These dogs are also known as the Holy dogs of Tibet and they deserve to be treated as such.
