At a glance the quick version
Wikipedia range; the FCI standard sets no weight.
Coat and looks how to spot one
long double coat
A plentiful, fine top coat that is straight or wavy but never curly, over a soft woolly undercoat. The long hair gives the breed a shaggy, rustic look.34
Personality what they are like
A happy, outgoing and alert companion full of charm, gentle rather than combative, and a little reserved with strangers. Despite the name it is not a terrier at all but a herding and guard dog at heart.3
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Up to about an hour of exercise a day.4
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Daily grooming is needed to keep the long coat free of tangles; it sheds very little.4
Home where they are happiest
Suits a small house with a small to medium garden, in town or country.4
The story where it all began
A herding and guard dog of Tibetan traders, sometimes called the holy dog of Tibet. Dr Agnes Greig brought a puppy named Bunti to England in 1922 after treating a patient in Tibet, and the first British litter followed in 1924. The Kennel Club of India gave it its current name in 1930, and the AKC recognised it in 1973.32
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It is not a real terrier: the name came from its size, while its original work was herding and guarding.3
- 2
Its broad, flat, hairy feet act like natural snowshoes.2
- 3
The breed's British line began with a puppy called Bunti, given to a doctor in 1922.2
- 4
It was first registered as the 'Lhasa Terrier' before being renamed in 1930.2
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 209, Group 9 (Companion and Toy Dogs), Section 5 Tibetan breeds; definitive recognition 18 December 1957, standard published 22 August 2017.1
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Utility group; not a vulnerable native breed.4
- AKC
- Recognised in 1973 in the Non-Sporting Group.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Tibetan Terrier. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery 2 days
- Bathevery month
- HaircutTrim feathering and feet, or keep a short cutevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- Face foldsWipe and dry the skin foldsevery 2 days
- Eye wipeGently wipe around the eyesevery day
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 8every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FCI nomenclature: Tibetan Terrier (209) fci.beused for recognition
- Wikipedia: Tibetan Terrier en.wikipedia.orgused for history dates, weight, fun facts
- FCI breed standard no. 209 fci.beused for coat, colours, height, temperament, history
- The Royal Kennel Club: Tibetan Terrier royalkennelclub.comused for lifespan, grooming, exercise, home
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.