mita

A full grown Tibetan Terrier's height is 14-18 inches, weight can be between 8-14 kgs (ideal 9.5 to 11 kgs). I believe their overall proportions are supposed to give the impression of a square shape. Their tail is set high & carried in a curl over the back. They're also not really a 'Terrier', that name was given when they came to the West (just like Tibetan Spaniels are not really 'Spaniels'). Its so strange how Lhasa Apso got onto his microchip....maybe he's a mix with something bigger. Lhasas are not a common breed, so whoever put that on his microchip knew something we don't. :) There's an experienced French Tibbie breeder on our Tibbie list. She's got a very sharp eye for characteristics of breeds. I'll ask her for an opinion.

I just googled that Winn Dixie dog. No, it has more the look of a shepherd. I tried to track down what Disney movie that family might have been talking about. My guess is the Tim Allen movie 'Shaggy Dog'. I found that the dog was a Bearded Collie. Which fits why a Tibetan Terrier looked close to them. http://beardie.net/hobo/media/media.htm

Funny you should say that, Alyosha, about the Benji mutt. Couple years ago, someone put a family on to me. This family were trying to find (their own words!), a 'Disney Dog'. They'd seen a dog in a Disney pic & wanted one like it. But didn't know a breed label. It wasn't Benji, but a similar bigger dog. Someone had told them that they thought the 'Disney Dog' was a breed from the Himalayas. Which was why they'd been passed on to me, as I own Tibetan Spaniels. I showed them pics of Tibbies.....no, that wasn't the DD. Then a pic of a clipped Lhasa Apso....no. Then a clipped Tibetan Terrier....yes, they said. That's the closest to the Disney Dog! So off they went to find TT breeders. But I honestly don't think the dog in the Disney movie was a p/b Tibetan Terrier. If we can have 'Disney Dogs', maybe we can have 'Benji Dogs', too. And this rescue fellow is a Benji Dog.

You won't be surprised, chez. Got a reply from the tib club pres who ran the pic & your description past a Lhasa breeder. No way a Lhasa. Her comment was looks 'Terrier' type. Which is why he looks like someone shrunk a Tibetan Terrier, to me....except there's no such thing! :)

Thanks Mita. It will be interesting. And I included 'Mixed'!

Chez, how about I run the pics past the pres. of the tibbie club in Victoria. She used to be pres. of the oriental breeds association, so came to know breeders of lhasa, tibetan terriers etc? I'll get back to you if I get any comments.

He does look a little bit like the dog in the centre of the main photo. This breeder says she's breeding the 'old' type of Lhasa Apso, however that differs. Maybe his hair has been previously cut. http://www.lhasadogs.com/INTRO.html Also looks a bit like a small version of a Tibetan Terrier. http://www.google.com.au/imgres?q=clipped+Tibetan+Terrier&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=N&rls=en&biw=1024&bih=603&tbm=isch&tbnid=31sZUng20L9vgM:&imgrefurl=http://www.dogbreedsaz.com/tibetan-terrier.html&docid=LtfjcmdLsgIZ7M&imgurl=http://www.dogbreedsaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/3_20Tibetan_20Terriers_2DCarol_20T_small.jpg&w=525&h=371&ei=Mk9LT-isFqmKmQXRvMmuDg&zoom=1 Maybe ask the registered breeders. When we're in doubt about Tibbie or not, we run the pics past the breeders.

MEH, that's exactly what a vet once told me.

Very pretty girl, with a pretty name.

They look like great mates! They're even colour-coordinated....the dogs, not the underwear. Maybe that's a sign.

Our lad & his wife have been using pet sitters for a long time now. I'm not sure which website they've worked through, but they've been very pleased with the people they've had stay caring for the pets & house. Only couple weeks ago, there was an emergency requiring that family to go to the city for medical treatment, covering several days. They contacted the last couple who'd been their pet-sitters....& they were in a position to come stay.

Worth a try, Bianca. And your girl's already used to playing with the Lhasa! Lily is generally an anxious little dog, but she seems to lose that anxiety when she's part of a dog 'pack' with our 2 tibbie girls...& in their 'territory'.

Could be. I've found tibbies to be a very 'tribal' breed. I wonder if anyone else has found that a change of context works? It's so dramatic with Lily, who is an only dog. She's the same with possums. Goes ballistic at her home at the the sight or sound of a possum. Here next door, she couldn't give a damn. I wish Lily's 'remedy' could work so easily for other dogs like Molly.

Dogs seem to be individual with what works. I knew of one dog that was less stressed when put in a crate with loads of coverings making it into a cave.....& with a radio playing loudly next to it. Lily, the tibbie girl next door is a real puzzle. She's terrified of storms & follows her 'mum' around from the first rumble, panting & terribly upset. They even make a 'cave' for her on the sofa, but she still trembles & is absolutely terrified. BUT when she's dropped over the fence (yes, with a storm coming on), she changes instantly. She just runs around happily sniffing the grass.....then runs up onto our verandah deck where out tibbies have their day beds. She happily bounces around there (yes, with the storm on). No trembling, no worries as the storm rages. She'll even snooze. We can't understand this. It's as if her attitude is.....'When I'm at home, I'm the resident dog & have to worry about storms. But when I'm next door, it's their dogs' problem. Nothing to do with me!' Or is she just following the lead of our dogs who are not affected by storms? Maybe it's only weird little Lily. But I wonder if context counts for any other dogs, too? Best wishes finding something that works for Molly.

A basenji is not for someone with limited dog experience and especially for someone who's kids are not used to having a dog in the house. There are exceptions, but generally I would never suggest a basenji for someone like this. Kids who have never had a dog before more than likely will want a dog that will be playful with them, and obedient. Which proves, Curly, that I sure know less about the Basenji! Thanks for that.

Sydney friends adopted an 11 yr Tibbie, too, from a similar situation. Dogs like this are rehomeable, with a good match. If you have a flyer made up, with her pic and details and contact details, leave them with any vets you know, too. Our vet has remarked that she's often had mature age clients who've lost an elderly dog & who may be happy to adopt a mature aged dog. Good to see there's Rescue contacts at the Cocker Club. Also good Varicool's on the case, too.

I'd agree with you....& it's related to the context. Not to being anti-terrier. Little dogs like Aussie Terriers are a delight, after all. And it's why I suggested a Cardigan Corgi (or similar). Laid back, friendly, loyal little family dogs, that are also adaptable. Also on the bigger end of small breeds so they've got some robustness, too. I know less about them but maybe Cheeky's suggestion of a Basenji might also fit that same bill.

Just my own opinion. But if a dog is going to be alone during the working/school day, we've always had 2. Dogs are social animals & like company. However, lots of people have had 1 dog in those circumstances and all's been fine. I think the Cardigan Corgi makes a great family dog. Bit more laid back & very adaptable. We had one growing up as kids.

Don't get a Tibetan Spaniel if you don't want to finish up like this lady. Tibbies are just too easy to own. Click to enlarge. And you have to get used to a Tibbie's Buddhist 'cool'. 'Yeah, I know the 'gator's back. So what?' Click.

Double post.

Christina, I think I read that there's evidence pet dog owners tend to stay healthier. I'll see if I can find a reference. Found it. BBC reports on the research: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6279701.stm Dog owners should print it out & wave it in the face of people who tell them it's unhealthy to have a dog (s) in the house or on the bed.

There's a Tibbie boy who's very happy that you took his photo. It led to a wonderful new home. I'm sure there'd be lots of other dogs who'd join him in saying Thank You.

Marty is as pretty as he's tiny. Another dog that should be in the movies!

Tammy was truly Queen of the Grandma Dogs who challenged every rule of being elderly. She was amazing how she brought joy, laughter and admiration to her family. And managed to win everyone's hearts. I can just see Tammy getting to the other end of the Rainbow Bridge.....& making it clear she's arrived. And, by golly, God had better have every comfort ready for her! My deepest sympathy on your loss, Caz.....but what a wonderful life you gave this great (I can't use the word 'old'!) girl.

I'm glad the OP asked the question. I often wonder about it myself. So I've found the replies useful.