Hauling from Tibet, the Tibetan terrier is one of the best dogs for an apartment. One needs not to think twice before petting one.
Being the decedent of a terrier breed, they are the best guard dogs one can ever think of. They get all the features that a dog owner would expect.
They are so affectionate with the family and the members that it may start having separation anxiety when left alone.
But, is this dog breed capable enough to serve the potential of the features you are thinking of?
Table of Contents
Tibetan Terrier Pictures
Tibetan Terrier Facts
Avg. Weight: 18 to 30 pounds
Avg. Height: 14 inches to 17 inches.
Life Expectancy: 15 to 16 years
Dog Group: Companion dogs
AKC Rank: 96
At A Glance
Size: (3/5) – Terriers are usually not much in size, neither is this breed.
Affection Level (5/5)- Terriers are very protective and affectionate towards the family.
Apartment Friendly (5/5)- terriers make themselves the best apartment dog.
Cold Weather Tolerability (4/5) – They are averagely good with cold climatic conditions.
Hot Weather Tolerability (4/5)- They can stay in hot conditions. They adjust to it.
Barking Tendencies (2/5)- They usually do not bark. But when do, they try to alert.
Cat-Friendly (3/5)- They do not mind being around a cat.
Dog-Friendly (3/5)- They are more or less okay with other dogs
Exercise Needs (5/5)- Being a terrier breed it needs a huge amount of exercise.
Grooming Needs (5/5)- Grooming them is very essential as they get long furs.
Playfulness (4/5)- Tibetan terrier is known to be very playful all the time.
Trainability (3/5)- Tibetan terrier may take some time to get trained.
Intelligence (2/5)- they are comparatively less intelligent than other terrier breeds
Mouthiness (2/5)- They do not chew, nip, or play bite much.
Price Group (3/5) $1000 to $2000- All terriers are costly because of the features they possess
About Tibetan Terrier
Tibetan terrier is the best companion dogs a person can ask for. They have a long history of being the best friend of the human race. Tibetan terrier dog breeds are medium-sized dogs who were used in highlands for a company by the herdsmen who would take with the flocks for grazing.
It is also believed that Tibetan terrier dogs bring a bit of good luck. Therefore were never sold but always presented as gifts.
Tibetan terriers are not accepted as terrier completely. They get the title because of the same characteristics of terriers. It tends to dig vermins just like any other terrier breed. Additionally, the temperament is the same as that of the terriers.
They live on the love and friendship of the owner. They can be really good therapy dogs as they understand humans better than humans. They bond pretty well with all the members of the house.
Tibetan terrier plays a great role in watchdogs because of the obedience they retain. They suit well for an apartment with grown-up children as they know the best way to show affection to the family members. However, they may need some time to get adapted to the strangers
Where Tibetan terrier Dogs Come From?
Tibet is a place of highlands and a place that can provide peace of mind. Developed by Buddhist monks known as Lama, Tibetan terrier puppies were believed to bring luck to anyone who owns it.
They traveled with herdsmen too who would go to nomadic ventures in search of water and food. They make great companions and therapy dogs at the same time.
Tibetan terrier breed became famous after Dr. Agnes R. H. Greig, was gifted with one such dog after he saved the life of a Tibetan man’s wife. Dr. Greg named it Bunti and got so close to it, that he started breeding the dog.
The year 1930 witnessed the recognition of the breed standard by the Kennel Club of India and seven years later the breed was officially recognized as a breed. The first-ever Tibetan terrier puppy, Gremlin Cortina was brought to the US in 1956. Dr. Henry and Alice Murphy were known to be the first owner of the Tibetan puppy.
In 1957 the Tibetan Club of America was formed and AKC recognized the breed in 1973.
Size
Tibetan terrier is generally medium-sized dogs who do not weigh more than 21 to 25 pounds. Heights among the Tibetan breeds do not go more than 13 to 16 inches.
Height in Tibetan terrier can also depend upon the lifestyle and eating habits. The better they eat, the better it will be for their growth. Fickle eaters may find it hard to grow as they are supposed to.
Trainability
Training a Tibetan terrier can be a strain at times as it is averagely intelligent. But a Tibetan terrier always obeys what their master tells them to. They are disciplined and try to learn things always.
You may not find it easy to train them at the beginning but being harsh on them is not something they would expect from their loved ones.
It is important to start the puppy training at an early age so that the pup can take its own sweet time to adapt to the things.
It is equally important to make their training interesting and enjoyable so that they do not get bored.
One should train the puppy with different words in a different manner so that they understand the requirement for the action. In layman’s statement, commands should sound different from another.
Colors & Grooming
The colors that they get can be black, golden, and white, silver. Out of all the colors, the Black Tibetan terrier is the most famous. They mainly get two coats, the wooly undercoat and the topcoat which can be curly or straight. The coat should be brushed regularly to keep it tangle-free and smooth.
Once the dog has reached the age of 15 months then you might need to groom him properly. They would need grooming at least twice a week.
Tibetan terrier shed very less amount of fur. One can brush their hair down deep through the skin. This will ensure that all the furs are covered and de-tangled. Keeping check formats and insects is very important.
You can give them a clipping to reduce effort. If your pup is a wanderer then you must bathe him frequently.
Your terrier should have healthy teeth and nails. Maintaining hygiene is very important. Try to brush their teeth so that tartar does not build up and goes to the stomach. This can be very painful. Brush their teeth at least thrice a week.
Trim their nails as per the need and check if the dog is clicking the nails. They should also be checked for any sores or patches and if any should be addressed to the veterinarian consultant.
Common Diseases
Targeting The Bones
Hip Dysplasia
This is a condition where the hip joint and the thighbone do not fit properly. This common problem among dogs and is found in most dogs.
Targeting The Eyes
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
This is a disease where the retina tends to lose its power resulting in loss of vision. In some dogs, the indications of this disease are night blindness. Consulting an ophthalmologist can solve the problem with some additional medications.
Cataract
The blurring of a lens is commonly known as a cataract. This is one common problem among dogs. It can be treated by open surgery.
Lens Luxation
It is an inherited disease where the lens fits indecorously in the eye causing a problem in vision. This can be treated with surgery or even medicines.
Feeding
They should be given 2 cups of dry organic dog food divided into two meals every day. The better the quality of the food, the better will be their health and activeness.
You should make sure that the dog is not eating excessively or else they might become obese and be a sloth bear.
Their food should be high in protein which will help them in achieving pro-activeness and better immune systems. This dog should also be given foods that are high in Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, and Omega 3 fatty acids as they are prone to problems related to their eyes.
This does not mean that they should be deprived of other nutrients. One can also consult a puppy dietician to get a food chart.
Changing the meal schedule without the permission of the dietician/ veterinarian consultant can bring a negative impact on the Tibetan.
Suggested: Senior Dog Food
Vaccination And Care
The pup should be given vaccinations that are common to every dog. The initial vaccinations needed are Hepatitis, Distemper, parvovirus, para-influenza, Anti-coronavirus, and Anti-Rabies.
You may need to ask your veterinarian doctor if your puppy needs more shots. Puppy information websites may provide you with the details of vaccinations but having a vet who knows the pup better would better about understand vaccinations required.
You can also read our Guide To Dog Vaccination to have a thorough knowledge about dog vaccination
When it comes to caring for a Tibetan terrier puppy, certain things need to be kept in mind. Terrier breed love to roam around but at times they can be a sloth bear.
They should be exercised regularly. His exercise should not be more than 15 minutes as they do not need more exercise to stay fit. This will cut down the risk of being obese.
Tibetan terrier is very joyful and playful. But it advised securing the backyard with fences so that he does not run away often. They tend to bark when bored and this indication should be understood at once or else they may get angry on you.
If you are patient enough to handle the Tibetan terrier then he can be the best pooch in the world. They initially take time to understand things but they obey all the regulations that you have made.
You should motivate the dog when he does well or trying to do so. This will help them maintain their energy and spirit. Giving them crate training is very essential for Tibetan terrier breeds as it will make housetraining easier.
Monthly Expense Estimation
After excluding the price of the puppy which happens to be around $1000 to $2000, one can expect a bill between $1100 to $1200 a year which includes the medical bills, vaccination, food, grooming, and toys.
They might need some additional medicines or food supplements which can increase the cost to some extent.
It is important to feed them good food so that they do not fall ill frequently and cause a hole in your wallet.
Tibetan Terrier Behavior
Children: Known for their playfulness, the Tibetan terrier loves to be around kids. But they would prefer kids who are older or little grown up as they would know how to handle dogs.
Dogs: The presence of a dog is not much of a fuss. They can be with them without fighting. But if provoked, it can turn into a mishap.
Cats: Same goes with the cats. They would not mind sharing the owner with another pet but cats should know their limits of behavior.
Overview
Coming from Tibet, the Tibetan terrier is one of the best companion dogs that the world has seen. It has once been with the lamas who knew what true love and trust are. The Tibetan terrier has a long past which is very interesting to know about.
Possessing great characteristics, the dog is very affectionate among the family and kids making itself suitable for apartment living. They are not huge which further makes them more cute and adorable
They are not much intelligent hence can take some time to learn new things. It is also advised to teach them patiently.
Always appreciate the doggy when they are doing well and cheer them up. They can be one of the best dogs if trained properly.
Grooming them can be tough but patience is the key factor that is needed in petting a terrier. They get colors like grey, black, white, silver. It is very important to maintain a good hygiene level among dogs in general.
Just like many other dogs, this breed is also prone to health issues. The diseases can be cured with medications or minor surgery. They should always be checked with any health issues if yes, then should not be delayed
They should also be given vaccines on time with a proper schedule to evade the risk of any unfortunate mishap.
Food should be adequate in quantity with as high as possible nutrients availability. The pup should eat good food and be healthy. Too much food can make them obese.
Dogs are sure to bring a smile on your face and when it is a terrier breed, they bring more than smiles.
Something Fun About Tibetan Terriers!
Tibetan terrier breeds are one of the best companion dogs in the United States of America.
Even after having the name of Terrier, Tibetan Terriers are not terriers.
It was believed that treating them badly brings bad luck.
They were never purchased and only gifted as a present
Hey, Readers!
That’s all from our side on Airedale Terrier. Did you like this breed or dog? Or the thought of buying it is intimidating?
Happy Petting To You Guys!
