Breed Standard
Head: Medium in length. Skull not completely flat. Pronounced stop. Strong muzzle. Well-developed lower jaw with a slight beard. Black nose.
Ears: Not too large, forming a V. Pendulous but not too close to the head, with heavy feathering.
Eyes: Large, round, dark brown. Veiled with long hair.
Body: Square build, compact, muscular. Well-developed neck. Short, slightly arched loin.
Tail: Set on fairly high, medium in length, carried gaily, curled over the back. Very well-furnished with hair.
Hair: Long and fine but neither silky nor woolly. Straight or wavy, but not curly. Fine, woolly undercoat.
Coat: White, golden, cream, grey, or smokey, black, parti-color, and tricolor. Chocolate and liver (brown) are undesirable.
Size: Various
Weight: Various
History
This very ancient breed resembling both a miniature Old English Sheepdog and a Lhasa Apso comes from Tibet, where he was once kept by monks. He was actually worshiped as a sacred animal and a guardian of temples. Around 1920, a Tibetan princess gave Dr. Greig, her British doctor, a pair of Tibetan Terriers as a gift. He brought them back to England, where they were used to develop the European strain. The breed was officially recognized in 1930. The Tibetan Terrier is still very uncommon in Europe.
Behavior
The temperament has been one of the most attractive aspects of the breed since it was first established. They are amiable and affectionate family dogs, sensitive to their owners and gentle with older children if properly introduced. As is fitting for a dog formerly used as a watch dog, they tend to be reserved around strangers, but should never be aggressive nor shy with them. Though not prone to excessive barking, the Tibetan Terrier has an assertive bark.
Suitable for apartment living, the Tibetan is still an energetic and surprisingly strong dog, and needs regular exercise. The energy level of the Tibetan is moderate to high and its general nature is happy, active, lively, intelligent and agile. As a result, they are well suited for dog sports such as agility. They are steadfast, determined, and clever, which can lead to them being stubborn. Tibetan Terriers are usually charming and loyal. Some dogs of this breed can often be jealous, which can make it hard to live with another pet.
He can live in an apartment. He is athletic and needs exercise. He also requires daily brushing and combing.
Function
Agility, Watchdog, Pet.
Health
This breed can be very flea sensitive. It is an athletic, non-sporting breed that has been bred for a natural look, and the Tibetan Terriers are considered a healthy breed. That said, they can be susceptible to a variety of health problems, especially those related to the eyes and joints. These problems can include canine hip dysplasia, luxating patella, progressive retinal atrophy, lens luxation, cataracts and heart murmurs. Tibetans also have a history of being somewhat allergic to dairy, wheat, and other grains. Because of these potential health conditions, Tibetan Terrier clubs recommend purchasing from breeders who participate in eye and hip testing, such as the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) and Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
In addition, Tibetan Terriers can carry the genetic disease canine neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, called Batten disease in humans. The first symptom of the disease is night blindness. Blindness and neurological signs such as epilepsy, motor abnormalities, dementia, and unexpected aggression may follow some years later. The gene responsible for the disease in Tibetan Terriers was identified in 2009 and there is now a DNA test for it. A German study showed that about one third of Tibetan Terriers in a German Tibetan Terrier club were carriers, but thanks to the use of DNA testing along with a prohibition on carriers from being bred together, none of the club's dogs were affected by the disease.
