The Tibetan Terrier
 Kham Ra Tibetans |
 Stacie Wilcox |
The Tibetan Terrier came from the land of Tibet where they were bred and raised for over 2,000 years in the monasteries. They originated in the Lost Valley- lost when the access road was destroyed in the 14th century by a major earthquake.
The Lost Valley was so inaccessible, that the occasional visitor was often given a dog to safeguard him on the return trip to the outside world. No dog of this kind was ever sold-no family would ever tempt fate by selling part of their "luck," but they were presented as a mark of esteem or a measure of gratitude for favors or services rendered.
The Tibetan Terrier is not actually a terrier. They do not have the terrier disposition, nor do they burrow into the earth as terriers were originally expected to do. They were called terriers because it was of a size that was widely associated with terriers. The Tibetan people call them "Luck Bringers" or "Holy Dogs."
The Tibetan Terrier was never a guard dog or herding dog in Tibet. They were valued as companions and were treated like children of the family. They eagerly assisted in taking care of the family's property, their flocks and their herds, but these dogs were not raised for utilitarian purposes. They were always kept purebred, any mismating might bring back luck to the family and might even be blamed for any village misfortune.
This is an exceptionally healthy breed- most likely a result of rigorous natural selection process in their recent homeland. Tibet has one of the most difficult populated terrains in the world, and the one with the most dramatic climates.
The people have made no effort to eliminate any of the many colors found on the breed, believing that good health and delightful temperment were far more important than coat color.
Males should be 15-16 inches tall and weigh 18-30 pounds, though they are usually 20-24 pounds. Females are slightly smaller. Their coat is a double coat-undercoat is soft and woolly, outer coat is profuse and fine but never silky or woolly. The hair may be wavy or straight. The coat is long but should not hang to the ground. Any color or combination of colors can be found on this breed.
Both parents should have OFA certificates (hips), yearly CERF (eyes), and be screened for luxating patella.
