Are Tibetan Terriers hypoallergenic?
If you’ve come across this gorgeous breed in your research for the perfect hypoallergenic dog, you might be wondering the same question.
Well, we’ve got the answer!
Plus, check out everything you need to know about the Tibetan Terrier!
So, read on and find out if this is the right dog breed for you.
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Are Tibetan Terriers Hypoallergenic?
Before we move onto the more fascinating facts about these beautiful dogs, let’s first answer the question are Tibetan Terriers hypoallergenic?
- Well, the first thing you need to understand is there’s no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog breed. It’s a myth that keeps getting rehashed over and over again because everybody wants the ability to have a dog.
- However, certain breeds don’t affect allergic people as much. See, the “real source of pet allergies is often a protein that’s in the saliva and urine of dogs and cats. This protein sticks to the dead, dried flakes (dander) from your pet’s skin.”
- And for breeds like the Tibetan Terrier that don’t shed their fur a lot, these breeds are less like to release these symptom caused protein into the air. In other words, the Tibetan Terrier may not be 100% hypoallergenic, but they don’t pose a significant risk to an allergic person.
Related: Are Goldendoodles Hypoallergenic?
Now, that we’ve debunked the hypoallergenic myth, we can move onto talking about the more exciting things such as their temperament, characters, and health issues.
These topics will help you figure out if getting one of these dogs is in your best interest. After all, you don’t want any dog before considering all factors and responsibilities that come with owning one.
But before we go over these topics, here are some relevant Tibetan Terrier statistics that’ll give you get a better idea about the type of dog we’re discussing.
Facts About Tibetan Terriers
As you can see, the Tibetan Terrier lifespan is about average for a medium-sized dog, and a bit longer than the average lifespan of a large-breed like a German Shepherd.
With this information, you should have a better understanding of a Tibetan Terriers physical profile. I think having this information before discussing the breed’s temperament makes imagining one running around your home easier.
Related: Are Old English Sheepdogs Hypoallergenic?
Temperament of a Tibetan Terrier
The first thing you should know about Tibetan Terriers is they’re extremely loyal, intelligent companions. Due to this, they’ll do anything that will ensure their owner’s safety. For this reason, these dogs make incredible watchdogs.
Ironically, “[t]he name “Tibetan Terrier” is actually misleading, as these dogs are not technically terriers and don’t exhibit common terrier traits.” It seems like, unlike other terriers, their watchdog duties will never become annoyingly excessive.
- See, Tibetan Terriers typically don’t have the high-strung personality of other terriers. As a Jack Russell Terrier owner, I can’t tell you the number of times my little ball of energy has given me a headache barking at a squirrel in the front lawn.
- In comparison, a Tibetan Terrier might bark once or twice then go right back to whatever they were doing before the squirrel or mailman interrupted. However, there’s one aspect this breed shares with other terriers: mischievousness.
- With this in mind, it’s no surprise these dogs love getting into stuff. So, it’s essential you keep harmful things out of their reach because they will find a way to get into or cause problems with it.
In the end, if you’re looking for a more laid-back, but still active enough to engage in a game of tug-o-war kind of dog, getting a Tibetan Terrier would be an excellent option for you.
Related: Are Pugs Hypoallergenic? The Furry Facts on This Snuffly Breed?
Characteristics of Tibetan Terriers
As you saw in the facts section, these dogs aren’t either the biggest or the smallest dog. In fact, they’re about right in the middle regarding size. But, they do have one feature that really makes them standout.
- See, they have this adorable “ double coat, comprising a dense, fine, slightly wavy or straight, and long outer coat and a wooly, soft undercoat.” Honestly, it’s the Tibetan Terrier’s signature characteristic and what makes people so enthralled with them.
- Besides their glorious coat, the only other thing worth knowing about their physique is their feet have excellent grip and have almost like “snowshoe effect”. This amazing grip allows them to move around demanding environments with relative ease.
- As far as training goes, these dogs are brilliant, but this doesn’t mean it’s an easy task to train them. In fact, it’s quite the opposite because with intelligence comes stubbornness.
- But once they accept the training process, “ they learn quickly and soak up new lessons. It helps to start training early, when your terrier is a puppy and more amenable to the training process.”
Overall, these dogs are very compact and covered in hair. But it’s essential you remember that this hair rarely ever sheds off. So, if you have allergies, these dogs ironically are great pets.
Health Issues
If you’re considering getting a Tibetan Terrier, there are specfic health issues that you need to be aware of; the following health issues are all commonly seen in Tibetan Terriers:
Major Health Issues
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): “refers to a group of degenerative eye disorders that cause blindness in both eyes.”
- Lens luxation: “the lensbecomes detached from its normal location. This can cause major problems for your pet and even lead to blindness. “
Minor Health Issues
- Patellar luxation: According to PetMD, Patellar luxation “occurs when the dog’s kneecap (patella) is dislocated from its normal anatomic position in the groove of the thigh bone (femur).”
- Canine hip dysplasia: “is a disease of the hip in which the ball and socket joint is malformed. This malformation means that the ball portion and its socket don’t properly meet one another, resulting in a joint that rubs and grinds instead of sliding smoothly”
- Hypothyroidism: “Hypothyroidism occurs when your dog is not secreting enough of the thyroid hormones, causing your dog’s metabolism to slow.”
Where to Get a Tibetan Terrier
If you’re all in on getting a Tibetan Terrier after reading all about their temperament, characteristics, and health issues, below I will provide a links to both a reputable breed and rescue.
- Recommended Tibetan Terrier Breeder: Kensington Tibetans
- Recommended Tibetan Terrier Rescue: Tibetan Terrier Rescue
Either one of these organzations will find you the perfect Tibetan Terrier for you family.
Related: 5 Steps to Find an Ethical Dog Breeder
After reading this article, you should be an expert on all things Tibetan Terriers. And the one thing you should realize above all else is how amazing these dogs are as companions.
Do you have one of these awesome dogs? Tell us your favorite things about Tibetan Terriers!