Does anyone have a Tibetan Terrier?

[FrancisdeSales]

Just discovered this breed and love everything with see online and read about the breed. Also the AKC has a link recommending similar breeds and the first on the list was the Coton de Tulare which is the other breed we were considering. We like that the TT is a medium sized dog while the Coton is smaller.

I would love to hear your experiences.

[ChubbyPolecat]

We've got 2 of them. They both have separation anxiety which is a breed trait. Our female was a rescue and she's a very quiet little thing, hardly know she's there sometimes. Our male is the naughtiest, funniest clownish dog I've ever met but he is incredibly stubborn and strong willed. You have to give both of them a reason to do something. The boy dog will be sitting in the garden with his back to you with you shouting to come in and he won't so much as flicker an ear in your direction it's like he's deaf. Whisper the word biscuit and he will come in.

They are very intelligent and easy to train but they'll make a decision at the time whether they'll do what you want. I love our dogs dearly and TT are a brilliant breed but if you're a first time dog owner I might be tempted to tell you to steer clear. Their coats take a lot of looking after as well unless you have them cut off.

If you've got the dosh for a coton have you looked at havanese? They look very similar to a TT but they are smaller and have a slightly different outlook on life it seems!

[Veterinari]

TT are great little dogs but can be very stubborn and require a lot of grooming so a fairly high maintenance breed

[sweetkitty]

Great breed quite stubborn at times. They are complete mud magnets though love jumping in every puddle and getting very dirty. Need a lot of grooming and frequent trips to the groomers. Lovely laid back personalities though.

[FrancisdeSales]

I had a smooth haired fox terrier as a family dog as a child and I feel quietly confident that I could handle "selective deafness" etc. as I am laid back myself but also a stickler for good behaviour. I am able to handle my three kids with barely any shouting etc. but they know I mean business.

The whole family is desperate for a dog. My middle dd (age 12.5) wants to be a vet and is insane about animals. Although I would expect to be pack leader (for want of a better term) dd would be much more than willing to groom and train any dog. She would like a breed she could do competitive training with. But both other kids would love to do the same.

Are they good at warning you if anyone is prowling around at night?

[ChubbyPolecat]

They don't respond well to "pack leader" type training it just sets them against you. They need positive methods like clicker training but they are highly intelligent, I did agility with both of mine. Nobody really prowls round at night round here but they are pretty quick to bark at the door (or anyone they don't like the look of on a walk!)

[Veterinari]

No dogs respond well to 'pack leader' training because the concept is an artificial human construct that bears no resemblance to dog social interactions and thus makes no sense to a dog

[ChubbyPolecat]

Oh yeah that's what I was trying to say

[FrancisdeSales]

OK sorry what I meant was I will be spending the most time with the dog.

[neonrainbow]

Reward based training definitely works best. Theyre very laid back and funny. Great family dogs but stubborn and serioysly you cant underestimate the grooming required. Full bath every week for a fully coated dog, if you have it cut off a good brush every few days should do. As with all floppy eared dogs, can be susceptible to ear infections. But very loving and loyal and quite robust. Nice solid dogs.

[ChubbyPolecat]

My mum shows her male dog and he gets really matted really quickly. She gets lots of compliments on his coat but a bath takes 4 or 5 hours at least once a week. If you do get one get the recall training sorted asap we can only let him off lead in enclosed spaces otherwise he just goes deaf especially if he sees another dog!

They really do have good points, they are brilliant little dogs and love being part of a family but they shouldn't be undertaken lightly. You could go to crufts in march (assuming you're in the uk) and meet some of the breeders at discover dogs to chat about them and meet some of the dogs

[ChubbyPolecat]

Whoops she shows him so he's in full coat

[Qwebec]

I know someone who has one. Incredible dog. Their dog loves being around people but also has his own life. They don't have the time for a second dog, but feel that he would fare better with an other dog around, very social.
But he is strong minded. You need to be firm over what is ok and what is not bc he is always testing boundaries if they give in once.

[mckenzie]

We have a TT, now 16 months old and our first dog.
He is Fab-u-Lous in every way .
Yes his coat can get matted if not brushed regularly but we both enjoy our bedtime brush routine so not a problem. I've done classes right from the start and although I'm not doing anywhere near a much, we still do a weekly class or some sort and every couple of days I do something with him to engage his brain.
He get rather teenager-ish at about 11 months and had to go back on the long tine but he is fine again now with recall.
We do Rally and agility classes and he seems to enjoy both.
He will bark sometimes at weird things in the garden that we can't see but he doesn't bark every time the door bell goes etc.
I adore him; he is perfect for us. Just perfect.
Good luck whatever you choose.