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Tibetan Terrier
Tibetan Terrier
Origin
Tibet
Size
Medium Breed
Ideal Space
Independent House
Ideal Weather
5º-25ºC
Life Expectancy
12-15 years
Cost of buying
₹ 25,000 - ₹ 50,000
Top 5 Traits
Intelligent
Playful
Protective
Friendly
Loyal
Avg Monthly Expenses
₹ 4,650 - ₹ 6,600
Tibetan Terrier Dog Breed Information
Tibetan Terriers, also known as the ‘Holy Dog of Tibet’, resemble their smaller cousins - Lhasa Apso. Their affectionate, sensitive, and clever nature makes them favorite pet dogs.
They are fun-loving companions that have larger-than-life personalities. They are playful and can make super family pets who are up for dog sports and long walks. Their happy and bouncy nature makes them adorable and a top choice as a pet.
There's more to this breed than meets the eye. Let us have a closer look at their origin.
Origin of Tibetan Terriers
Tibetan Terriers(TTs) originated in Tibet among several other dog breeds. According to the Tibetan Terrier Club of America, the history of the TTs dates back more than 2,000 years. They were bred by the Buddhist monks in monasteries for guarding and to be affectionate companions.
This breed was initially brought to the UK in the early 1930s by an English surgeon, Dr. Grieg who used to serve on the Indian-Tibetan border. She was intrigued by this particular breed and was instrumental in breeding the first litter of puppies and showed them to the judges and the Indian Kennel Club.
Later it was decided that they are pure breed and are named as ‘Tibetan Terriers’. Even though they are named ‘Terriers’ they are not true terriers by blood, features, and temperament by a long shot. They were given the name ‘Terriers’ just because their size was widely resembling the terriers from England. The Kennel Club in the UK recognized them in 1937 as a pure breed.
So now we know the history of this breed. How about we explore more about the temperament of this breed in detail?
Temperament of Tibetan Terrier
- Tibetan Terriers are good-natured, outgoing dogs that get along with people of all age groups.
- They are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and caring nature.
- Since, they have also acted as guardian dogs; they are aloof and wary around strangers.
- TTs are vocal dogs, so pet parents should be ready to deal with that, and train them if it gets excessive.
- They can get along with other dogs and even cats(if introduced from an early age)
- Early socialization is a must for any dogs including Tibetan Terriers. As it gets them to be outgoing and comfortable around others and not stay shy and timid.
Characteristics
Barking
Quiet
Loud
Temperament with Kids
Aggressive
Friendly
Playfulness
Silent
Very Playful
Friendliness
Not Friendly
Super Friendly
Compatibility with other dogs
Aggressive
Friendly
Need for attention
Independent
Very Needy
Monthly Expenses
Tibetan Terrier Price In India
Cost of buying
₹ 25,000 - ₹ 50,000
If are planning to buy a Tibetan Terrier for your home, here are some important points to consider -
- The most essential thing when purchasing a pet is choosing a trustworthy breeder. Ensure that any breeder treats the dogs appropriately and follows the moral breeding procedure.
- Ask the breeder to provide health certificates and lineage papers to ensure that the dog is healthy and purebred. Visit the kennel to confirm that there is no in-breeding taking place.
- The cost of Tibetan Terrier puppies depends on many variables like ancestry, possibility of show quality, and breeder reputation.
Adopt
There is another way to get a Tibetan Terrier home, i.e. to Adopt
- Give a homeless pet all the love with adoption. Maybe breed-specific rescues, a local animal shelter, or other rescue groups have a puppy up for adoption.
- Adoption fees usually cover vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and initial medical care. These fees vary, but they are generally lower than they would be to buy from a breeder.
Here are some of the breeds that are similar to Tibetan Terrier
Lhasa Apso | Shih Tzu | Polish Lowland Sheepdog | Yorkshire Terrier
Prerequisites to pet a Tibetan Terrier
Appropriate Climate
Lifestyle Compatibility
Access to Veterinary
Access to Groomer
Financial Capability
Now that you know what it takes to raise a Tibetan Terrier, are you ready to take the next step to pet one?
Research: Do a thorough review of the traits, requirements, and possible health problems of the breed. Ensure that the Tibetan Terrier breed is a good fit for your lifestyle.
Find Reputable Sources: When purchasing from breeders, look out for trustworthy breeders who have an emphasis on the temperament and well-being of the dogs. If you're thinking about adopting, check out the local rescue or animal shelters.
Visit the Breeder/Adoption Center: Make plans to meet the dogs or pups by scheduling a visit to the breeder or adoption center. Inquire about their health, immunization history, and socializing while keeping an eye on their living conditions.
Ask for documentation: Ask the breeder for vaccination records, health certificates, and any other relevant paperwork. If the dog is being adopted, find out about its past, present health, and behavior.
Prepare your home: Create a safe and comfortable space for your dog. Prepare your house for a puppy if you're adopting a young dog. Ensure you have the necessary supplies, including food, bowls, a bed, and grooming tools.
Nutritional Guide For Tibetan Terriers
Monthly Food Expenses
₹ 2,250 - ₹ 3,000
Calories per day
Puppies: 1000 kcal
Adults: 700 kcal
Essential Nutrients
Protein
Fats
Carbohydrates
Vitamins
Minerals
Fibre
List of foods
Chicken
Dry Dog Food
Fresh Fish
Fruits
Fresh Meat
Vegetables
Tibetan Terriers are lively dog breeds and need high-quality dog food that support their daily energy needs. Let us get a better understanding of the Tibetan Terrier’s nutritional needs.
These dogs’ nutritional requirements differ based on their age like puppy stage, adulthood, and senior dogs. Below is the detailed information on their nutritional requirements TTs -
- Raw foods are best-suited for Tibetan Terriers, dogs’ digestive systems have not evolved much from wolves. Hence, they can easily digest fresh, high-protein diets like that of meat, bones, and offal.
- The healthy diet should include high-quality proteins, healthy fats, minerals, vitamins, and fibres from vegetables and berries
- An important point to note is that dogs’ anatomy is not equipped to digest carbohydrates which are the main ingredient in kibbles. So give kibbles in a controlled manner.
Note: These are general guidelines. Consult a veterinarian to determine the specific dietary needs of your dog.
Breakdown of Macro-nutrients
Selecting Good Quality Food For Tibetan Terriers
Tibetan Terriers should have a balanced diet to support their overall growth and development. Let us now break down the dietary guideline in detail.
- Protein: Proteins play a vital role in supporting daily energy needs, new skin, nails, and hair tissue formation. So, choose protein-rich food items like eggs, meat, fish, and lamb.
- Fat: After proteins, healthy fats are very essential, properly balanced fats promote optimal health. Include Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in your dogs’ diet. This can be found in poultry, oily fish, lamb and eggs.
- Carbohydrates: Even though this is not considered an essential nutrient, plant-based carbohydrates from vegetables, fruits provide fibre, prebiotics, and antioxidants.
- Water: Water plays a major role in maintaining a proper functioning of a dog’s physiology. This regulates body temperature, prevents dehydration, detoxification and lubrication and cushioning of joints.
Never feed these foods to Tibetan Terrier
Avoid anything with these ingredients
Almonds
Avocados
Alcohol
Cherries
Cinnamon
Fruit seeds
Dairy
Coffee / Tea
Garlic
Grapes
Lemon
Milk Products
Mushrooms
Onions
Salt
Sugar
As we understood what are the dietary needs of the Tibetan Terriers, now let us have a sneak peak into all those food items that can be harmful for your dog.
- Chocolate: As we all know chocolates can pose serious problems to the digestive system of a dog. It contains theobromine which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, heart issues, and seizures.
- Milk & Dairy Products: Milk and milk-based products can cause digestive problems and cause allergic reactions in your dog.
- Grapes & Raisins: These food items can cause kidney problems in dogs. Hence, keeping them away from your dogs’ reach is a must.
- Onions & Garlic: These food items in any form like raw, cooked or powdered form should be avoided as they can kill the red blood cells in dogs.
- Xylitol: These are sweeteners that are present in toothpaste, candies and baked foods that can cause vomiting, lethargy, and sometimes seizures and eventually liver failure.
Health care Guide : Tibetan Terrier
Avg Monthly Expenses
₹ 1,200 - ₹ 1,800
Common Health Issues
Bloat
Canine distemper
Hip Dysplasia
Parasites
Parvovirus
Rabies
Heartworm
Kennel Cough
Well being
Exercise
Bonding
Games
Socialization
Agility Training
Energy Level
Medium
Exercise routine
30 - 60 minutes
Recognising Stress
Changes in appetite
Excessive Barking
Pacing
Excessive Panting
Reluctance to move
Increased laziness
Decreased play
Common Diseases found in Tibetan Terriers
Tibetan Terriers are generally healthy dogs with a lifespan of 12-15 years. Yet, TTs are prone to certain health conditions recognised by the Tibetan Terrier Club of America, Inc. such as,
Hip dysplasia: This is a common health issue found in dogs where the hip joint is not properly developed and causes joint pain leading to arthritis. This can be addressed based on the severity of the condition.
Patellar Luxation: This is a condition where the knee joint is dislocated from its original position and causes pain. Depending on the severity of the condition the degree of treatment changes.
Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus(DM): Just like humans, this is caused when the endocrine glands fails to secrete enough insulin increasing the amount of glucose in blood. This can be treated by administering insulin injections and a strict diet.
Eye Disorders:
-Cataract: This is an eye condition where the lens becomes cloudy. This causes vision impairment, and surgery can be a right solution.
-Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): This is a condition where the retina is slowly degenerated causing blindness. Unfortunately, this condition does not have a cure yet.
-Primary lens luxation: This is a painful genetic eye condition where it leads to complete blindness.
Atopic Dermatitis: This is an inflammatory skin condition that causes itchy skin. This is triggered by allergens like pollen, dust mites, or mold.
Vaccination details
Growth Stage
Core Vaccines
6-8 Weeks
Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza
10-12 Weeks
DHPP, Rabies
14-16 Weeks
DHPP, Rabies
Annually
DHPP, Rabies
Senior Tibetan Terrier dog care
As we had a detailed understanding of health care for the TTs, let us now know more about how to take care of senior Tibetan Terriers.
- Regular vet Check-ups - TTs enter adult age after 8 years, and they need special attention as they age. Their veterinary needs increase and hence, you should take them to regular vet check-ups.
- Balanced Diet: Their dietary needs change as they age and hence, consult your vet to design a well-balanced diet for your senior TTs.
- Safe Environment: They may experience declined vision and hearing, so provide a familiar environment to make their life easier.
- Mild Exercise: Even though their stamina is reduced they need physical exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle. So give them regular and mild exercise.
Important Note: This information is for general guidance only. Always consult a qualified veterinarian for personalized advice.
Grooming guide for Tibetan Terriers
Avg Monthly Expenses
₹ 1,200 - ₹ 1,800
Shedding Level
Low Shedding
Hygienic Checklist
Bathing
Brushing
Ear Cleaning
Nail Trimming
Eye Care
Teeth Care
Benefits of Grooming
Cleanliness
Low Shedding
Odourless
Prevents infections
Quality of life
Prevents Bad Breath
Tibetan Terriers have double coats and are low-shedding breeds. Let’s understand more about their grooming needs in this section.
- Regularly need to brush the fur to keep the matting at bay.
- Bathe them a few times a month and use vet recommended shampoos, conditioners and other cleaning products.
- Dry their fur thoroughly and ensure it’s not damp as TTs have a serious coat. And if it’s left without proper drying it can cause discomfort to them.
- Nail trimming once you find any overgrown nails should be done as this might cause discomfort while walking.
- Ear cleaning is equally important as any debris, dirt in their ears can cause serious problems like ear infection or discharge.
Compare with similar breeds
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Tibetan Terriers good with children?
Yes, Tibetan Terriers are generally good with children when socialized and trained properly. They are playful and can form strong bonds with kids.
Are Tibetan Terriers hypoallergenic?
While no dog breed is completely hypoallergenic, Tibetan Terriers are known to produce less dander and shed less, making them suitable for some allergy sufferers.
Do Tibetan Terriers like to swim?
Some Tibetan Terriers enjoy water activities, but not all of them are natural swimmers. Supervision is recommended around water to ensure their safety.
