Tibetan Terrier
Breed characteristics
- Size
- Medium
- Exercise
- Up to 1 hour per day
- Size of home
- Small house
- Grooming
- Every day
- Coat length
- Long
- Sheds
- No
- Lifespan
- Over 12 years
- Vulnerable native breed
- No
- Town or country
- Either
- Size of garden
- Small/ medium garden
About this breed
Closely related to the Lhasa Apso, the Tibetan Terrier was classified with that breed at early dog shows in the UK as a Lhasa Terrier. The breed is not a terrier but has been used as a herding dog for sheep.
The breed first came out of Tibet thanks to an English surgeon, Dr Greig who was working in a hospital on the Indian/Tibetan border in the early 1920s. When she returned to England in the 1930s she brought her dogs with her and her Lamleh strain was instrumental in establishing the breed both in the UK and in the USA. The breed was recognised by The Kennel Club in 1937.
Squarely built and rustic in appearance, the Tibetan Terrier has gained great popularity as a show dog in recent years.
Images for this breed
The Utility breed group
This group consists of miscellaneous breeds of dog mainly of a non-sporting origin, including the Bulldog, Dalmatian, Akita and Poodle. The name ‘Utility’ essentially means fitness for a purpose and this group consists of an extremely mixed and varied bunch, most breeds having been selectively bred to perform a specific function not included in the sporting and working categories. Some of the breeds listed in the group are the oldest documented breeds of dog in the world.
Colour Watch
Category 0: Breeds with no NBS colour registration options.
Read more about Colour Watch.
Breed Standard colours
Breed standard colour means that the colour is accepted within the breed standard and is a traditional and well-known colour in this breed.
Breed standard colours in this breed include:
- Black
- Black & Tan
- Black & White
- Black White & Tan
- Black With White Chest
- Chocolate
- Chocolate & White
- Cream
- Cream & White
- Dark Sable
- Grey
- Grey & white
- Gold
- Gold & White
- Gold Sable
- Gold Sable & White
- Red Sable
- Sable
- Sable & White
- Smoke
- Smoke & White
- Tricolour
- White
- White & Black
- White & Gold
- White & Gold Sable
- White & Sable
Other colour/s
'Other' means you consider your puppy to be a colour not currently known within the breed and one that does not appear on either the breed standard or non-breed standard list. In this instance you would be directed through our registrations process to contact a breed club and/or council to support you on identifying and correctly listing the new colour.
Non-breed-standard colours
Non-breed-standard colour means that the colour is not accepted within the breed standard and whilst some dogs within the breed may be this colour it is advised to only select a dog that fits within the breed standards for all points.
Colour is only one consideration when picking a breed or individual dog, health and temperament should always be a priority over colour.
Health
Whether you’re thinking of buying a puppy, or breeding from your dog, it’s essential that you know what health issues may be found in your breed. To tackle these issues we advise that breeders use DNA tests, screening schemes and inbreeding coefficient calculators to help breed the healthiest dogs possible.
More about health
Priority health schemes and tests
The Kennel Club Assured Breeders must use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice. All other breeders are strongly advised to also use these.
- Eye screening scheme (BVA/KC/ISDS)
- Hip dysplasia screening scheme (BVA/KC)
- DNA test - PLL - part of The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services* (see below). Find a list of tested dogs
- DNA test - NCL12 - part of The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services* (see below). Find a list of tested dogs
- DNA test - PRA3 - part of The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services* (see below). Find a list of tested dogs
- DNA test - PRA (rcd4) - part of The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services* (see below). Find a list of tested dogs
Important health schemes and tests
We strongly recommend that all breeders, both assured breeders (ABs) and non ABs, use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice.
Other health schemes and tests available
- DNA test - DP-LHX3 (pituitary dwarfism) - part of The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services* (see below). Find a list of tested dogs
*The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services - simple to use and easy to organise all-in-one DNA tests
The DNA tests listed above marked with an asterisk (*) are included in our DNA Testing Services. This includes:
- Primary Lens Luxation (PLL)
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA-rcd4)
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA3)
- Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL12)
- Pituitary dwarfism (DP-LHX3)
- DNA profile (SNP ISAG 2020)
Kennel Club Assured breeders and Kennel Club Accredited Instructors receive a 10% discount.
Find out more about The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services.
Find out about a particular dog's results
Please visit our Health Test Results Finder to discover the DNA or screening scheme test results for any dog on The Kennel Club's Breed Register.
You can also view the inbreeding co-efficient calculation for a puppy's parents, or for a dog you're thinking of breeding from.
Have any questions about health in your breed?
If you have any concerns about a particular health condition in your breed then you may wish to speak to your vet or you could contact your breed health co-ordinator.
Breed health co-ordinators are individuals working on behalf of breed clubs and councils who are advocates for the health and welfare of their chosen breed. They acts as a spokesperson on matters of health and will collaborate with The Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.
To contact your breed health co-ordinator please email
Breed watch
Category 1
Currently no points of concern specific to this breed have been identified for special attention by judges, other than those covered routinely by The Kennel Club's breed standard.
Breeding restrictions
There are a number of The Kennel Club rules and regulations that may prevent a litter from being registered, find out about our general and breed specific breeding restrictions below.
More about breeding
There are not currently any additional breed specific restrictions in place for this breed.
Looking for a puppy?
Looking for a Tibetan Terrier? Explore our list of puppies and rescue dogs for sale near you.
More information
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