Tibetan Terrier
Other names: Tsang Apso, Dhoki Apso

Despite his name, the Tibetan Terrier is not a terrier! He was originally used as a herding dog and watchdog before eventually falling into the companion dog category we are mostly familiar with today. Considered sacred in Tibet, he is much more lively than his Tibetan cousins hailing from the same group. Cheerful, docile and very smart, this little dog is perfectly suited for family life, which he takes great pleasure in and is very devoted to.
Key facts about the Tibetan Terrier
Origins and history
His origins can be traced back to Tibet, where he gets his name from. The breed has since further developed in the United Kingdom. It is throughout the course of the 20th century that Dr. Agnes Greig imported the first specimens in Europe. The FCI officially recognised the breed in 1957.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 9 - Companion and Toy Dogs
Section
Section 5 : Tibetan breeds
Physical characteristics of the Tibetan Terrier
Adult size
Female : Between 14 and 16 in
Male : Between 14 and 16 in
Weight
Female : Between 18 and 29 lb
Male : Between 18 and 29 lb
Coat colour
All colours are admissible (white, golden, grey, black, etc.) barring chocolate and liver. Parti and tri-coloured dogs exist.
Type of coat
The coat is long.
The Tibetan Terrier sports a doublecoat: an abundant topcoat, of fine texture that is neither silky nor wooly, which can be straight or wavy, but never curly. The undercoat is thin and wooly.
Eye colour
The eyes are a dark brown.
Description
The Tibetan Terrier is slightly smaller than what would traditionally be considered a medium-sized dog, and has an abundant coat. His head is not massive but is certainly robust, with a short muzzle and a strongly built lower jaw. The eyes are big and round. The ears are ‘v-shaped’ and pendant, with a fringe. The frame is stocky and compact. The limbs are straight and muscular. The tail, of medium size, is cheerfully carried in a curl over the back.
Good to know
In Tibet, he was considered a sacred dog, and was indeed dubbed the ‘Sacred Dog of Tibet’.