If you are toying with the idea of acquiring a four-legged friend and companion from distant and exotic Tibet, you will find a first overview in this article.
But be warned. There are only six official Tibetan dog breeds, but each of them can hardly be more different.
And the smaller the selection, the harder it is to make a decision.
Maybe you will find «love at first sight» here.
How about our number 6, for example?
1.Lhasa Apso
The Lhasa Apso is one of the smaller of the six Tibetan dog breeds.
Already more than 2000 years ago these small dogs were bred by Tibetan monks for the purpose of guarding the treasures of Buddha.
That is why it is also often referred to as the Tibetan temple dog.
The llamas had a special relationship with their dogs. They were considered “ambassadors of peace”.
The monks also saw in the dogs a reincarnation of deceased fellow believers who were denied access to «Paradise of Bliss».
Today, the Lhasa Apso is a popular breed worldwide lap and companion dog.
He is playful, lively and clingybut also independent, alert and sometimes something stubborn.
2. Tibetan Spaniel
The Tibetan spaniels is another small Tibetan dog. On the roof of the world, this small breed also has a long tradition, albeit with a less religious background than the Lhasa Apso.
In Europe, on the other hand, that of his followers is also “Tibbie” so-called four-legged friends are still rarely found.
He is an ideal one apartment doghe is very easily trainable and very child friendly.
The lion puppy is also very independent and can also be left alone once for a few hours.
3. Tibetan Terriers
The Tibet terrier will also be respectful in his home country”snow lion» called. The small to medium-sized dog can have different colors.
With white fur and a full head of hair, he can certainly look like a white lion.
Until a few years ago, the Tibetan Terrier was little known in this country. In the meantime, however, its popularity has increased significantly.
The Tibetans like to call the terrier colloquially “little people”.
And he is. A small and individual personality with lots of charm and charisma.
4. Do Khyi
Unlike the first three Tibetan dog breeds, the Do Khyi one powerful, imposing and awe-inspiring appearance.
The Tibetan Shepherd Dog, also known as tibetan mastiff known, more like a good uncle.
His motto is probably «In calm lies strength». Hence he is a very balanced dogwho initially observe rather than act immediately.
Despite his inner calm, this one is faithful and loyal Four-legged friend ready to defend his family to the utmost.
Good to know:
The Do Khyi is very well suited as a family dog, mainly because it gets along very well with children.
However, only if you live in the country and can provide him with sufficient space and exercise. For the city apartment, this great dog is definitely the wrong choice.
5. Kyi Apso
The medium to large Kyi Apso is at home in Tibet and the Himalayan region.
Originally he was called livestock guardian dog used and is in appearance and stature dem Do Khyi very similar.
He has a slightly longer and denser fur than his canine colleague. This means that it is well-armed for long periods of outdoor use, temperature drops and changes in the weather at an altitude of 4,000 to 6,000 meters and what is sometimes the harshest climate in the world.
Today, who was completely unknown to us until a few years ago, enjoys it herding dog an excellent reputation as family and companion dog.
The four-legged friend has very good protective qualities. and is therefore also good as guard dog usable.
In a family, he behaves as one would wish for a family dog. He is good trainablegets along well with children and other pets and is his family loyal.
However, it requires a lot of space and exercise and is therefore no apartment dog.
6. Shih Tzu
With the little one Shih Tzu we conclude our interesting journey to the roof of the world.
In the breeds from Tibet presented so far, he is the most well-known representative in this country and as companion and lap dog extremely popular.
The cute dog with the thick fur doesn’t accidentally have his hair. Like the great shepherd dog, it comes from the high plateaus of the Himalayas with their extreme weather changes.
His job was not to look after the livestock of the nomads. In fact, he too was like him Lhasa Apso a guard who, as a Tibetan temple dog, guarded the treasures of Buddha in the remote monasteries.
Danger!
Precisely because the small dog is very popular with us, this breed is often over-bred and tortured in terms of the size of the four-legged friend and its fur density.
The smaller the dog and the denser the fur, the more cuddly it is. What may be beautiful for you means a lot of pain and suffering for the dog.
Therefore, pay attention to a natural size and fur density so that you and your future dog can enjoy cuddling equally.
Good to know at the end:
The territorial affiliation of Tibet is disputed. That is why China claims the origin of the six races presented for itself.
actually is Tibet as country of origin at the FCI recognized and undisputed.