| There are three breeds of dogs that stem from the | | | | owner of a Tibetan Terrier, as they seem to have a |
| high mountain regions of Tibet. The Tibetan Terrier, | | | | natural good health and are not prone to a lot of the |
| the Tibetan Spaniel and the Tibetan Mastiff. All three | | | | diseases which afflict many of the modern dogs. |
| are indigenous to the region and were known to be | | | | There can occasionally be found cases of juvenile |
| in existence as long as 1000 years ago. The | | | | cataracts or hip dysplasia but for the most part the |
| Himalayan regions of Tibet encompass high cold | | | | incidence of these problems is low.Oddly enough, the |
| mountains and hot deserts and grassy flat plateaus. | | | | Tibetan Terrier is not truly a "Terrier" and does not |
| The dogs that developed are hardy and adaptable | | | | qualify except in the area of being of small stature. |
| because of the harsh regions in which they originated. | | | | This dog furthermore is not shown in the Terrier |
| The people of Tibet are wanderers and nomadic in | | | | classes. In the United Kingdom he is classified as a |
| nature. they did not purposely breed dogs. Thus the | | | | "Utility Dog" and in the United States the classification |
| Tibetan Terrier, known for being of compact size, | | | | is that of the Non-Sporting group. Terriers are known |
| possessing double coat and great agility and large flat | | | | to be rodent killers and "ratters" and this is the |
| feet, suitable for crossing the rugged terrain, is a true | | | | farthest thing from the description of the capabilities |
| creature which demonstrates "survival of the | | | | and usefulness of this breed.Through the years of its |
| fittest".The Tibetan Terrier's coat may be of any | | | | development, the Tibetan Terrier and the Nomadic |
| color, but it is always long and profuse and double. | | | | tribes began to interact and the dogs became part |
| Thorough brushing down to the skin at least twice a | | | | of the livelihood of the Tibetan people, serving as a |
| week helps to keep it looking nice, though in the wild | | | | drover of the flock, a companion and a caravan dog. |
| lands of Tibet it is true that it does not bother the | | | | Eventually this dog became an indispensable part of |
| dog when it is unkempt and uncombed! The coat | | | | the life of the monasteries, the small villages and the |
| should not be shaved, for mother nature has | | | | wandering tribes. The small size (15-16 inches at the |
| endowed it with insulation in both hot and cold | | | | shoulder) and the hardiness of the coat and |
| weather and also protection from the sun. A dog | | | | sturdiness of its' structure have become important |
| whose coat is shaved is much more likely to develop | | | | attributes in the performance of these various tasks. |
| skin problems and irritations. The coat of the Tibetan | | | | Furthermore, the Tibetan Terrier has become an |
| Terrier parts naturally down the middle of the back | | | | indispensable part of the family life of its' owners and |
| and if kept clean and free of mats it is an easy job | | | | masters, preferring human company above all else |
| to comb out, but once mats have developed this can | | | | and likewise being treasured and loved by the people |
| be quite a chore. Attention needs to be paid to the | | | | to whom it belongs.The Tibetan Terrier in the |
| ears also, which are long and covered with long hair, | | | | modern family of today makes a gentle and sensible |
| if they become infected they are difficult to keep | | | | companion, a wonderful obedience dog and also |
| clean because no air gets to the inside of the | | | | excels in the sport of agility. It is an intelligent dog, |
| ear.Other than coat care and occasionally a nail trim, | | | | loves to learn tricks and delights in pleasing its owner. |
| there is not much else which needs to concern an | | | | |