Dog Breed Guide

Tibetan Terrier

Profile

Size

Small - Medium

Country of origin

China (Tibet)

Origin

Ancient

Bred for

Herding, Watchdog, Companion

Height

male 36 - 41cm (14 - 16in), female slightly smaller

Weight

8 - 14kg (18 - 31lb)

Life span

12 - 15 years

A long, profuse coat covers the whole body, and a fringe falls over the face. Its feet are large, round and flat, shaped almost like snowshoes for walking on snow. It comes in many colors.

Bright and cheerful, the Tibetan Terrier shows deep affection for its family. It is smart and sensitive and picks up well on its family's feelings. It is a little cautious with strangers and makes a reliable watchdog.

Despite the word "terrier" in its name, it is not actually a terrier. It needs moderate exercise and loves to play. The long coat tangles easily, so frequent brushing is essential.

Good to know

In Tibet it was called the "luck bringer" and treasured as a "holy dog of Tibet" that lived with the monks in monasteries. It was believed that selling or mistreating one would bring misfortune to the family or village, so these dogs were never bought or sold, only passed from person to person as gifts. These beliefs are what kept the breed safe.

It reached the West in the 1920s. Agnes Greig, a British doctor working in northern India, was given a puppy in thanks for performing surgery that saved a Tibetan woman's life. When she returned to Britain she began breeding them and introduced the breed to the world.

It was called a "terrier" simply because it was about the size of a terrier, and it has no blood relationship to the hunting terriers. The Kennel Club recognized it in 1937.