How to Groom a Tibetan Terrier

The Tibetan Terrier is a medium-sized dog which belongs to the non-sporting group. They are loyal to those they know and unsure about strangers. Tibetan Terriers have a thick, wavy double coat which covers the entire body. They require full grooming every 4 to 6 weeks.

Things You'll Need

• Slicker brush
• Pin brush
• Metal comb
• Scissors
• #10 blade

Instructions

1. Use slicker brushes, pin brushes and metal combs to get rid of tangles and mats in the dog's coat. Spray a little bit of water on the coat before brushing, as brushing it while dry can tangle it further. The outer coat is long and fine, while the undercoat is dense and soft. There is no harsh or wiry protection as there is with many double-coated dogs, so matting may be very hard to get out if you don't regularly groom your Tibetan Terrier well.

2. Bathe your dog once every week or so. Don't scrub the dog very much in the bath as this can cause the coat to lose its texture. Let the shampoo slowly dissolve into the hair and naturally remove dirt and grime. Rinse it out thoroughly when done.

3. Fluff dry the coat using a slicker brush.

4. Shave the stomach with a #10 blade.

5. Trim excess hair on the pads of the feet with scissors. The entire coat can be clipped short if the dog is not a show dog.

Tips & Warnings

• This breed has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.

• Tibetan Terriers were originally bred by monks, who considered them good fortune and gave them away as gifts. At least in the hands of the monks, they weren't sold for profit. Tibetan Terriers have been used in the creation of all subsequent Tibetan breeds.

• Tibetan Terriers are very sensitive to fleas.