The Tibetan Terrier

The Tibetan Terrier is not a Terrier at all, but a member of the Non-Sporting group and most closely related to the Lhasa Apso, it's slightly smaller cousin, also from Tibet. These dogs are said to have been monastery bred and raised by Lamas in the Lost Valley almost 2000 years ago. They were prized as guard dogs and believed to be holy.

Sometimes likened to an Old English Sheepdog in miniature in its make, shape, and coat the Tibetan Terrier carries a profuse coat which insulates him from both excessive heat and cold. The Tibetan Terrier does not shed, but the coat can become matted and requires regular combing. He is a lively spirited dog who moves with a bouncy gait. This breed is becoming increasingly popular in the United States where for a long time it was relatively unknown. Nevertheless, only about 700 puppies were registered in AKC last year.

A childhood friend of mine, Tom Caldwell, who currently resides in Paris, France adopted a Tibetan Terrier, thinking she was a Lhasa Apso, while on a visit to Nepal in 1975. For this reason his kennel name is Makalu - after the mountain shown in the photo above. He began breeding these dogs and has since become known as the owner and breeder of some of the most outstanding Tibetan Terriers in the world. One of his dogs won Best of Breed at the World Show in Israel in 1989. When I visited him in Paris about twenty years ago he shared his home with twenty-three Tibetan Terriers. He currently has a much smaller number of these wonderful dogs. He has recently converted a bergerie to house these wonderful animals at his country home about an hour outside of Paris.

Karamain Phari de Makalu m *2003 (Fin Ch Adofau Black Flash & Int & Multi Ch, Balt & Lv & Europe Winner 1999 Karamain Jashodhara) Owner: Tom Caldwell Breeder: Tuula Plathan, Finland

Tom just emailed to me that he has a litter of puppies, born July 21, 2008. There are two males and three females. More information will be posted soon, but it is never too early for inquiries.

These are from very well-known bloodlines - Tengrinor (Skellfield & Lhamoi), the Finnish line Karamain, a high concentration of the USA Kontans line (bred by Eileen and Ed Wilk of Maryland) and his own native bred Makalu line. I will post more information and photos as soon as I receive them. To contact Tom please email him at Thomas Caldwell (thlcaldwell@yahoo.fr.)

telephone: Tom Caldwell 03.23.54.06.17 in Lhuys, the country home where Tom resides in the summer

Puppy photos are shown below are from the previous litters last fall:

For more information about Tibetan Terriers please visit the Tibetan Terrier Club of America.