Interesting information about the Tibetan dog
As more and more people become interested in some of the rarer dog breeds, they are looking to other countries to fill this need. Some of the Tibetan dogs are becoming more popular these days and are even found in some of the major dog shows such as Crufts and Westminster dog shows. Basically, there are two types of Tibetan dogs: companion dogs and working dogs. Companion dogs were specifically bred to be the pampered pets of monks and aristocrats. Because of this, these breeds have been kept small on purpose. Working dogs were used by aristocrats and nomads alike, as they proved to be excellent watchdogs.
The working dogs were in charge of watching over the flocks of sheep and guarding the caravans. Because of this, these dogs are often very independent in nature. They slept mainly during the day and kept watch at night. One of the main ways these dogs kept wild animals away from sheep and caravans was by barking. These dogs have a terrifying bark and are actually capable of barking literally all night long. This is still a feature of all these dogs that can cause some problems in modern society.
All Tibetan dogs are known to be very courageous, excellent watchdogs, and very affectionate and gentle with their own families. Even working dogs are known to be especially gentle with children and highly protective. In the companion dog category there are five main breeds: Goh-khi, Lhasa Apso, Jemtse Apso, Ursu Apso, and Gyakhi. The Goh-khi is one of the smaller dogs and was bred to stay within the long sleeves popular with aristocrats in earlier centuries. “Goh” means eagle, and at one point in history people believed that these dogs could be found in eagles’ nests.
The Lhasa Apso is one of the best known Tibetan dogs. Their long heavy coat is very soft and fluffy. These were originally bred specifically to be companions to monks in remote areas of Tibet. They are incredibly robust and long-lived for such small animals and make excellent watchdogs. The Jemtse Apso is known as the Tibetan Spaniel and shares many of the characteristics of other spaniels, with similar facial features and coat. The Ursu Apso is the wire-haired cousin of the Jemtse Apso and is marked with a fairly long beard. The Gyakhi is the Tibetan Pekingese.
Working dogs have two categories that are very similar: Dhokhi and Shakhi (also known as Congkhi). Dhokhi means outdoor dog because these dogs were bred to live their entire lives outdoors in extreme weather conditions. These dogs are characterized by barking for long hours at night to keep other animals at bay, but also for being very loyal and affectionate towards their own families.
In the Dhokhi category there are three basic breeds. The Tibetan Mastiff resembles a Newfoundland in size, coat, and temperament. The Dhokhi Apso, also known as the Tibetan Terrier, has a very soft and fluffy coat. The Jemtse Apso Dhokhi has a short coat that is similar in texture to the rope-like coat of the Hungarian Puli.
The Shakhi or Congkhi are very similar to the Dhokhi breed of Tibetan dogs in usage and temperament. The difference is that the Shakhi has a lighter and longer body with long legs and rather curled tails. The difference between Shakhi and Congkhi is in the ears. Shakhi’s ears are perked up while Congkhi’s are drooping. The good thing about all Tibetan dogs is that they are well known for being excellent watchdogs and very loving and affectionate with their own families. Without a doubt, any of these breeds would make a wonderful addition to any family.