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MediumNon-Sporting Group

Tibetan Terrier

The Tibetan Terrier is not a true terrier but a Tibetan monastery-raised working and herding breed.

Calculate Tibetan Terrier age
Lifespan13.8 yrrange 13–15
SizeMediumNon-Sporting Group
Weight18–30 lb8.2–13.6 kg
Senior at7 yrgeriatric at 11

Gallery (3)

About

About the Tibetan Terrier

The Tibetan Terrier is not a true terrier but a Tibetan monastery-raised working and herding breed. Traditionally kept by monks and nomadic herders across the Himalayan plateau; the double coat and snowshoe-like feet evolved for high-altitude conditions.

Aging

How Tibetan Terriers age

RVC VetCompass gives a median 13.8 years (n=2,530). Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) is the defining breed-specific inherited neurological concern — DNA-testable with adult-onset — with progressive retinal atrophy and hip dysplasia secondary.

Lifespan deep-diveAvg 13.8 yr · range 13–15Senior careSenior at 7 · geriatric at 11Common health issues9 tracked conditions
Physical

Physical characteristics

Weight
18–30 lb(8.2–13.6 kg)
Height
14–17 in(35.6–43.2 cm)
Coat type
Long
Colors
BlackBlack & WhiteBlack White & GoldWhite & GoldGold & WhiteGolden BrindleWhiteWhite & BlackSableBrindleGoldBlack & Gold
Temperament

Temperament

How Tibetan Terriers tend to show up around their people, other dogs, and the world.

sensitivecleveramiableaffectionate
  • Energy
  • Trainability
  • Good with kids
  • Good with other dogs
  • Shedding
Health

Common health issues

Full health profile
  • Moderatetypical onset ~8 yr

    Degenerative Myelopathy

    Description and veterinary guidance for Degenerative Myelopathy land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Moderatetypical onset ~5 yr

    Hypothyroidism

    Description and veterinary guidance for Hypothyroidism land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

  • Low prevalencetypical onset ~7 yr

    Cataracts

    Description and veterinary guidance for Cataracts land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.

Exercise
60min
per day

About 60 minutes of activity per day keeps a Tibetan Terrier physically and mentally satisfied. Split it between a structured walk and free play.

Related

Related breeds

Breeds with a similar size and group profile, for readers comparing options.

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References

Sources

Lifespan and health figures on this page are drawn from the peer-reviewed and organizational sources below.

  1. AKC breed standardAmerican Kennel Club breed page

    Breed size, weight range, height, AKC group, origin, coat type, and temperament baseline.

  2. RVC VetCompassRoyal Veterinary College VetCompass life-table research (McMillan et al. 2024)

    UK primary-care records; source for the median-lifespan and mortality figures.