Before You Buy
Buying a dog is a long-term commitment; the average life span of a Tibetan Terrier is 14-16 years.
This means you are about to make a huge investment of time, money and love and you will not be able to recover any of that if things go wrong. Here are some more things to consider before you take the plunge.
Do You Have A Fenced Yard?
Tibetan Terriers are best suited as house dogs, although in the right situation they can live as apartment dwellers. They need a securely fenced area in which to run and play. Without a fence, you are risking the heartbreak of having your dog stolen, or perhaps wandering off, getting lost, or hit by a car.
Do You Really Have Time for a Tibetan Terrier?
Tibetan Terriers require a lot of time and input from their owners. It's okay if the adult members of the household work provided there is plenty of time for the dog in the evenings. With Tibetan Terriers, it just isn't fair or practical to leave the dog alone all day and then be gone every evening at other activities. They are very bonded to their families and need to spend time with them. Then there's the grooming...
Do You Have Young Children?
Small children require a great deal of time and so does the growing TT puppy. This is a combination that can be very stressful! Young children can be rough unintentionally. A Tibetan Terrier puppy is small and fragile and could be easily hurt. Also small children have a tendency to pull hair, which does not bode well for a cute fuzzy TT puppy.
Puppy or Adult?
It isn't really difficult to adopt an adult dog and they are usually easier to adjust to than a puppy. Most adults are through the more difficult puppy stages and make wonderful companions.
There are many reason why an older dog may be available. Sometimes a breeder has finished a championship on a dog and feels that the dog will benefit from living as the pampered pet of a special family. Sometimes a breeder has kept a promising dog to show and that potential does not develop to its fullest extent. It may be that a dog has come back to a breeder because of divorce, illness or death in the family. Those dogs will make great additions to the right family.
Supplies
It's important to be prepared before your puppy arrives. Here is our list of recommended supplies.
food and water bowls - either stainless steel or ceramic (not plastic!)
crate - a Vari-Kennel "medium" crate (27"l x 20"w x19"h) or a Furrari/Innovator 250 will be the right size for most adult TTs.
soft bedding
buckle collar - rolled leather or nylon. I prefer the "Mes Amis" collars (size extra small for puppies or size small for adults).
leashes - a 6' leather or nylon leash is best
exercise pen - a 36" high pen is ideal for confining your puppy when you are out or unable to watch them.
grooming table
nail clippers
pin brush - a good quality brush such as the ones made by Chris Christensen or Madan will last longer, be gentler on your puppy's skin and be better for the coat
greyhound type steel comb - my preference is the one made by #1 All Systems or Chris Christensen, although Andis also is very good
Simple Solution, Nature's Miracle or similar product to clean up after puppy accidents.
Bitter Apple or similar product to discourage chewing furniture and other items
stuffed toys, chew toys, big toys, small toys, toys, toys and more toys
Puppy-proofing your home
Puppies are busy and love to explore. Ensure your home will be a safe environment.
Check all electrical cords. To minimize the risk of the pup finding and chewing them, tack long cords against baseboards or run them under furniture and carpets.
While this isn't often an issue now, it is still important to check. If your home is older, beware of the possibility of lead base paint, putty, caulking compounds or linoleum base.
Are stair or balcony railing close enough together to prevent your pup from falling through? If not, tack something up to block the gaps, or keep him away from these areas.
Keep poisonous substances out of reach (bleach, detergents, liquid cleaners, mothballs, pesticides, antifreeze and medications are just some examples).
Check your yard to ensure there are no gaps in the fence that a small puppy might be able to escape through and repair as necessary.
Ensure poisonous plants are not accessible.