Tibetan Terrier Puppies
Tibetan Terrier Puppies
Tibetan terrier puppies are the noble heirs of a genetic lineage that extends more than 2,000 years into the past. DNA testing has recently revealed that these beguiling little companions represent one of the most ancient breeds of domesticated dog in the world. After so many years of refinement, the Tibetan terrier breed has taken on a few unmistakable characteristics that may or may not be a perfect match for your household and lifestyle.
Tibetan Terrier Puppies: History
Thousands of years ago in the snowy Himalayan Mountains, monks raised Tibetan terrier puppies as companions, temple mascots, and good luck charms. They were also occasionally used to herd sheep and goats, and their agility and sure footedness on steep mountain trails meant that they could retrieve lost items from precarious places where humans could not go. But other than their part time work as trail guides and herding dogs, they were not selectively bred for any specific task.
Since they were rarely trained to hunt, they are not true terriers, but they were called terriers by early European travelers in reference to their strong, stocky little bodies. Centuries ago, Europeans were believed to have received a few of these little dogs as gifts, and after they were carried home, the breed and the slightly misleading name began to proliferate.
Though historic records show no evidence that Tibetan terriers were trained as hunters or specialized working dogs, they have been cherished for their outstanding qualities as companions. Even many centuries ago, Tibetan terrier puppies were welcomed into families and monasteries where they were treated as children, and they responded to this treatment with temperaments that were endlessly patient, loyal, and cheerful.
To this day, they are praised for their friendliness and bright spirits. They like to follow their people around the house and they take an intense and genuine interest in household and social affairs. They have a tendency to “laugh” as some companion breeds do, and they appreciate clowning around, gentle romping, and physical humor. They thrive on attention, petting, verbal affection, and kindness.
Tibetan Terrier Puppies: Appearance
Despite their non-working heritage, Tibetan terrier puppies can be expected to develop very strong stocky bodies adapted to harsh climates. Under their long shaggy fur, their heads and bodies are compact and powerful, and their feet are the broad, splayed feet of dogs bred for agility in deep snow. Their coats fall down over their eyes, and their feathery tails are raised and gently curled over their backs. The general effect of a Tibetan terrier is that of an Old English sheepdog, but in miniature, and with a signature ingratiating, bouncy gait. Their noses are black and their eyes, though unseen under their coats, are dark and darkly rimmed. Tibetan terriers can be found in almost any color common to dogs, including patches of white, black, or tan. They may also be solid colored, tricolored, or brindled.
Tibetan Terrier Puppies: Special Care
Full grown Tibetan terriers have a long coat of very dense hair, not fur, which means that instead of shedding, they lose hairs one at a time the way humans do and, similar to humans, their coats don’t ever fully stop growing and should be periodically trimmed. Tibetan terrier puppies are born with a soft puppy coat that is shed only one time during a dog’s life, all at once, an event that usually happens when Tibetan terrier puppies reach an age of about nine months. After this, Tibetan terrier puppies develop an adult coat made up of two distinctive layers. The warm undercoat is soft and downy, and the dense outer coat is silky and similar in texture to human hair. It’s a good idea to groom your Tibetan terrier frequently in order to remove the long hairs as they slough away. It’s also important to trim his or her coat before it becomes long enough to touch the floor. You need not worry about the long hair that falls down over the face–Like many breeds with long forelocks, Tibetan terriers have thick, lush eyelashes that protect their eyes from the falling hair, and despite this obstruction they have unusually sharp eyesight.
It’s also a good idea to pay close attention to your Tibetan terrier’s feet. Their special snowshoe adaptation means an excessive amount of hair between the paw pads, which should be kept clean and occasionally trimmed.
Tibetan Terrier Puppies: Temperament
Bred to be excellent companions for temple monks and loving families, Tibetan terriers are known to be bright, intelligent, animated, and affectionate. They have high energy and are surprisingly strong, so they need plenty of exercise, but they are also reserved and gentle and are never yappy.
Like any dog, Tibetan terriers should be closely supervised while being introduced to babies and toddlers for the first time. But once a relationship is established, there are few dogs more trustworthy with children. Tibetan terrier puppies form strong and unique bonds with each of the people in their household and can be very good watchdogs, sounding an alarm bark that’s been compared to a rising siren.
But it’s wise to remember that every positive attribute can be become problematic in the wrong context. While Tibetan terriers are extremely gentle and loyal with their own families, they can be shy with outsiders and they may also be prone to jealously if there are other dogs in the home. If your Tibetan terrier is shy or sensitive around unfamiliar people, it’s best to protect him from upsetting situations. For example, you may want to provide him with a safe refuge if you will be inviting a large number of strangers into the house.
Like many clever breeds, Tibetan terriers enjoy stimulating exercises and agility training, but be warned: discipline should be administered with care and tact. Because of their intelligence, sensitivity and gentle natures, Tibetan terriers should never be treated with force or aggression of any kind.