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Tibetan Terriers
This FAQ do***ent is maintained by Steve Layten; originally submitted
to Rec.Pets.Dogs.Info in October, 1995. Copyright (c) 1995, 1996,
1997, 1998 Steve Layten and Sue Mechem. All rights reserved.
Permission to make multiple copies is hereby granted to nonprofit dog
clubs, humane societies, animal shelters, and rescue organizations,
provided this copyright statement and the article remain intact.
Check http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs
/ page for the rec.pets.dogs FAQ
Homepage.
Revisions:
* Corrected new address for Tibetan mailing list (CTM)
* Corrected link to AKC page for Tibetan Terrier (SWL)
* Updated publication section with info from readers (SWL)
* Updated TTCA Secretary name (SWL)
* Added paragraph about rescue (SWL)
* Updated TTCA info and added link (SWL)
* Updated Breeder Referral, TTCA Secretary, & added mailing list
(SWL)
* Updated TTCA web site, CVTTC officers, rescue.
* Updated Publication information (SWL).
Table Of Contents
* Description
* Native History
* History in the Western World
* Frequently Asked Questions
+ Why are they called terriers?
+ Are they easy to train?
+ Are they healthy?
+ Are they easy to care for?
+ Are they good with children and strangers?
+ How do I get one?
+ How do I find a breeder?
+ What do I want? Show? Pet? Male? Female?
+ What should I expect from the breeder?
+ Is there a rescue organization for Tibetan Terriers?
* Other Information Sources
+ Publications
+ Tibetan-Breeds Mailing List
+ Tibetan-Terrier Mailing List
+ Tibetan Terrier Club of America
+ Cuyahoga Valley Tibetan Terrier Club
_________________________________________________________________
Description
The Tibetan Terrier is a rare, mid-sized (20-25 lbs.) shaggy dog which
comes in a wide variety of colors including black, white, silver,
cream, golden and sable in solid, parti-color, and tri-color
combinations. He is small enough to live comfortably in an apartment
and share your bed or chair, yet large enough to enjoy a long hike or
romp with kids. Owners often describe them as a large dog in a small
dog's body.
In their native Tibet, where they have always lived close to people,
they are called Little People. Their English-speaking friends usually
call them Tibetans or TT's.
The Tibetan's most obvious feature is the long, slightly wavy coat
which covers him from his nose to the tip of the tail he carries up
over his back and even between the pads of his large, flat
snowshoe-like feet. The heavy coat protected him from the harsh
winters of his homeland where temperatures remain far below zero for
weeks on end; long heavy eyelashes hold the hair out of his eyes yet
lets it protect them from the snow-blindness in the winter and blowing
sand in the summer. The coat has no odor and shedding is minimal.
Under all that hair, his body is quite solid and should look square.
Like people, Tibetans come in a variety of personalities. Although
often aloof with people he does not know, TT's normally have a great
zest for life and like to participate fully in family activities. In
general, they are intensely family oriented and often will form an
extremely close bond with one special person in the family. Most are
intensely curious and many will easily jump more than twice their
height or climb, using their paws like hands, to investigate something
they find interesting.
_________________________________________________________________
Native History
According to legend, the Tibetan Terrier originated in the Lost Valley
of Tibet over 2000 years ago. They were raised in the monasteries and
were never sold but might be given to someone who had done the lamas a
favor or to a visiting dignitary; this association with the
monasteries gave them the name Holy Dog of Tibet. They also became
known as the Good Luck Dog or Luck Bringer as they were also given to
those about to embark on dangerous journeys or caravans; the
traveler's safety was ensured as no one would harm anyone fortunate
enough to have been given a Tibetan Terrier. The present Dalai Lama
took his Tibetan Terrier, "Senge," with him when he was forced to
leave Tibet.
There is also evidence that TT's were used to herd as well as to
retrieve articles that tumbled down the steep rocky mountains into
crevices. The breed is very sure-footed and they are powerful jumpers;
they would be well suited for such tasks.
_________________________________________________________________
In the Western World
Dr. Agnes R. H. Greig, an English Doctor, is the person who
established the breed in both India and England. While in India, she
was given a Tibetan Terrier puppy by a nobleman on whose wife the
doctor had performed surgery. Dr. Greig was charmed by "Bunty" and
fortunately was able to procure a mate for her; she subsequently
persuaded the Indian Kennel Club to recognize the breed in the 1920's.
In the 1930's Dr. Greig began her Lamleh Kennels, establi****ng the
breed in England where it was accepted by the Kennel Club of England
in 1937. Dr. Greig continued her tireless efforts breeding and
promoting Tibetan Terriers until her death in 1972. She kept a tight
rein on her breeding stock and it was not until the mid-1950's that a
few other breeders began to emerge using Dr. Greig's stock and a few
other im****ts certified by the English Kennel Club. Among the first
were John and Connie Downey's Luneville Kennels and Emmie Manual's
Skellfield Kennels.
In 1956 Dr. Henry and Mrs. Alice Murphy of Great Falls Virginia
im****ted Gremlin Cortina ("Girlie") from Dr. Greig. They im****ted a
mate for her in 1957 and established their Kalai Kennels. Alice Murphy
had been involved with purebred dogs since childhood and devoted the
last 20 years of her life to the establishment of her beloved breed in
the US. and Canada.
The Murphys set up the Tibetan Terrier Club of America in 1957 to act
as the official registry for the breed as well as to encourage
owner****p, promote careful breeding and to protect the interests of
the breed in the US and Canada. In 1963 the American Kennel Club
admitted the breed to the Miscellaneous Class permitting owners to
exhibit their dogs. After ten more years of hard work promoting the
breed by the Murphys and a growing core group of fanciers, the breed
was admitted to registration by the American Kennel Club effective
May, 1973 and to regular (champion****p) show classification in the
Non-S****ting group effective Oct. 3, 1973.
_________________________________________________________________
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are they called terriers?
When the English first started to classify dogs all small dogs were
called terriers. Now the Terrier (from terre meaning ground) Group
is composed only of dogs bred to hunt vermin from the ground. The
TT never rooted game (though some show very creative gardening
instincts as they satisfy their curiosity!) nor does it have the
peppery disposition associated with the true terrier.
Are they easy to train?
Tibetans are very quick learners and can learn to avoid doing
things just as quickly as they learn how to do them - causing some
owners to think their dog is slow. When training TT's one must
remember they are very self-reliant and can have a very independent
turn of mind. However, they are extremely eager to please; the key
to successful training is earning both their love and their respect
for you as leader.
Are they healthy?
The Tibetan is a very hardy breed and is considered long-lived with
most living well beyond 12 years and many to 15 or 16 years. There
are some defects found in the general dog population found in the
Tibetan Terrier. Conscientious breeders screen their stock and can
explain these problems and their incidence: hip dysplasia, patella
luxation, hernias, progressive retinal atrophy, lens luxation and
cataracts.
As with all dogs, Tibetans should have regular check-ups and yearly
boosters for rabies, distemper, parvo and other contagious
diseases.
Are they easy to take care of?
The TT is not a particularly high energy dog; he normally adapts to
the lifestyle and pace of his owners, particularly upon maturity.
The TT must be groomed on a regular basis and, to keep in good
shape, this means a good weekly bru****ng. Combed, their coat
protects them just as our clothes protect us; uncombed the coat
becomes an unremovable wool jacket. Puppies shed their soft "puppy
coat" while growing their adult double coat. During this "blow,"
which may last for several days or several weeks, they need more
frequent grooming and may appear to mat up overnight. A skilled
groomer can comb out the undercoat or trim a TT in a variety of
cute styles but he will look very different.
Are they good with children? Strangers?
Most Tibetans are more playful and outgoing with their families
than with strangers. However, a puppy's personality depends partly
on how it is raised - one who has met many people and faced lots of
new situations in his first few months of life will be more
outgoing than one who did not. A TT who does not wish to socialize
will normally turn his back and go off by himself.
How do I get one?
Try, if you can, to visit a breeder so you can meet at least one of
the parents, litter mates and possibly other TT's. If you cannot
visit, then get to know the breeder as well as you can by phone and
mail. Most breeders want to know the people who buy their pups and
are glad to talk about their puppies and older dogs. Remember,
however, they may be busy people with things to do; try to keep
conversations to the point and keep any appointments you make to
visit.
How do I find a breeder?
Most breeders find homes by word of mouth. Many have waiting lists
and do not need to advertise.
Breeders lists are maintained by several local Tibetan Terrier
Clubs, by the Tibetan Terrier Club of America and many all-breed
clubs. The American Kennel Club (AKC) will furnish names and
addresses of breeders. Dog show catalogs list the names and
addresses of all the exhibitors, some of whom may have or know of
available pups or adults. In some areas of the country TT's are
occasionally advertised in the newspaper. Several national dog
magazines carry ads for all breeds.
What do I want? Show? Pet? Male? Female?
If you hope to show or breed, you want a dog of excellent quality.
Study the most recent (1987) STANDARD, a description of the ideal
Tibetan approved by both the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the
Tibetan Terrier Club of America. Try to see several Tibetans and
compare them to the Standard and to each other before you purchase
one. Do be fair to the breed and the breeder and tell him what you
expect of your dog. It is in the best interest of the Tibetan
Terrier - and costs no more in time or money - to breed only the
top quality. Some breeders insist their best pups should be shown;
others are willing to place them in pet homes. A pet quality TT
(one who deviates from the Standard) can be just as good a
companion as a show dog.
There is no reason to prefer males or females. TT boys are
unusually loving and many even enjoy watching and caring for
puppies. Neutering either gender results in better health in the
long term and eliminates medical and behavioral problems associated
with the reproductive cycle.
What should I expect from the breeder?
You should receive an up-to-date veterinarian's health certificate
and medical record listing all inoculations, worming and other
treatment the dog has received. You should receive clear, written
instructions on feeding and care.
You should receive AKC registration papers which may be the "blue
form" initially issued for each puppy in a litter or an "individual
white form" with the dog's registered name. Pets are often soled
with a "limited registration" - a special form for dogs who are not
to be bred or shown in competition. You should insist on a bill of
sale listing the breed, breeder, ***, color, birth date and
registered names and numbers of the parents, particularly if AKC
papers are not available for any reason.
Conscientious breeders can show you proof that both parents have
had their hips X-rayed upon maturity and their eyes have been
cleared by a canine ophthalmologist within the past year.
Most breeders give you a pedigree or "family tree". A contract
which guarantees your new friend's basic health for an extended
period of time indicates the breeder's willingness to help you, if
necessary, down the road. Many breeders also give you some of the
food the pup has been eating and a leash and/or collar.
Is there a rescue organization for Tibetan Terriers?
The Tibetan Terrier Club of America has a rescue committee the
chair of which is Anette Ohman (rescue@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
), and the
position of National Coordinator is currently unfilled. Like other
breed rescue organizations, they try to find good homes for Tibetan
Terriers whose owners can no longer care for them. For a discussion
of what you might expect from a breed rescue organization, see
http://www.tezcat.com/~rescue/expect.shtml.
The TTCA breed rescue
coordinators can be reached toll-free in the USA at (877) 790-0006.
_________________________________________________________________
Other Information Sources
Publications
How to Raise and Train a Tibetan Terrier by Alice Murphy, 1964. T.F.H
Publications, Inc., Jersey City, NJ. This book is no longer in print,
but may be available at some libraries. Its part of a series covering
different breeds. It has some breed-specific information, and other
gernerally useful guidelines for dog care.
THE TIBETAN TERRIER by Anne Keleman. (1994) TFH Publications (KWIK
Series); Jersey City, N.J. ISBN 0-86622-758-X. 192 pp, many photos and
illustrations. (The author has shown and bred Tibetans since the late
1960's)
The Tibetan Terrier Book / Second Edition by Jane Reif, 1996. This
book can be ordered from the author at 6 Yellow Pine Circle,
Middletown, CT 06457. Price as of this writing is $40. (US Dollars,
includes ****pping and handling, for ****pment in the US. Contact Mrs.
Reif for prices to other countries.) This is the second printing of
the second edition of Mrs. Reif's book, the first of which was
published in 1984, and had four printings. Mrs. Reif has been an
active sup****ter of the Tibetan Terrier breed since the early 1970's.
Reflections on the Tibetan Terrier - Second Edition by Jane Reif,
1995. A collection of writings for those new to the breed or who
missed the original writings. This book can be ordered from the author
at 6 Yellow Pine Circle, Middletown, CT 06457. (Cost as of 2/99 is $24
US Dollars including postage and handling to US destinations. Contact
Mrs. Reif for prices for other countries.)
TIBETAN TERRIER CHAMPIONS 1973-86 Camino Publications. (919 Incline
Way #20, Call Box #17, Incline Village, NV 89450 - $29.95 + $1.50
Postage in US.)
The Tibetan Terrier by Angela Mulliner, 1977. Oxford Press, England.
The ultimate history of the TT, Vol 1 is on the TT in general, Vol 2
has pedigrees of most of the Lamleh dogs (very well done) and also
most other older British lines. Useful as it shows most of the dogs
ex****ted from the UK in the early years, good for tracing pedigrees to
origin. Also articles on obedience and agility. Vol 1 ISBN
0-9506021-0-8; Vol 2 ISBN 0-9506021-1-6. The books are currently
available through the Tibetan Terrier Association (UK) at
http://www.the-tta.org.uk/.
Visit their website for more information.
YOUR GUIDE TO THE TIBETAN TERRIER by Emmier Manuel ( 1984). Ballinger
Rawlings; Watford, Hertford****re, England. ISBN 0-9509840-0-0. A book
on the development of the British Lines from Dr Greig.
DOGS OF THE LOST VALLEY: THE TIBETAN TERRIER by T.L. Johnson (1984).
Goldthorn Press, Ltd.; Bilston, England
Tibetan-Breeds Mailing List
There is a mailing list devoted to dog breeds with their origins in
Tibet. The list is administered by Liz Bartlett
(khyri@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
), and is dedicated specifically to
Kyi-Apso, Lhasa Apso, Sha-Kyi, ****h-tzu, Tibetan Mastiff, Tibetan
Spaniel, and Tibetan Terrier. For more information, go to the mailing
list homepage at http://www.tibetanmastiffs.com/tibreeds/.
You can subscribe by sending email to majordomo@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
with a body
of
subscribe tibetan-breeds
Tibetan Terrier Mailing List
Unlike the list above, the focus of which is on multiple breeds of
dogs having origins in Tibet, this mailing list is focused entirely on
the Tibetan Terrier. To subscribe, send a message to
tibetanterrier-subscribe@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
You can also subscribe by going
directly to http://www.topica.com/lists/tibetanterrier
and following
directions there.
Tibetan Terrier Club of America
The TTCA is a national group of owners and fanciers. They sponsor a
National Specialty Show, encourage responsible owner****p and breeding,
promote the breed and try to educate owners, fanciers and the public
about the breed. They have a number of publications including a
newsletter, an annual YEARBOOK and information on TT owner****p and
care. The current secretary is:
Carol VanPelt
15247 S. Michael Drive
Plainfield, IL 60544
CandDVP@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
The breeder-referral contact person for the TTCA is:
Diane Revak
3936 NW 89th Ave.
Coral Springs FL 33065
954-340-9356
email: TTCARefer@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cuyahoga Valley Tibetan Terrier Club
The CVTTC is composed of TT owners and friends in the
Cleveland-Akron-Western Pennsylvania area. In addition to 4 yearly
business meetings (at moderate priced restaurants or members' homes)
we have several activities with our dogs including a spring hike along
a local nature trail, a summer Fun Day and picnic and a late summer
match or show.
Please contact the CVTTC president for further information on the
breed or club activities. The current president is:
Lorraine Mangine
Broadview Heights, OH 44147
internet: llmangine@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
_________________________________________________________________
Tibetan Terrier FAQ
Steve Layten, ttfaq@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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