Tibetan Terrier is originated from China but Hovawart is originated from Germany. Tibetan Terrier may grow 29 cm / 11 inches shorter than Hovawart. Tibetan Terrier may weigh 37 kg / 81 pounds lesser than Hovawart. Both Tibetan Terrier and Hovawart has almost same life span. Both Tibetan Terrier and Hovawart has same litter size. Tibetan Terrier requires Moderate maintenance. But Hovawart requires Low maintenance
The Tibetan Terrier is a medium-size breed of dog that originated in Tibet. He has always been kept as a pet and companion for Tibetan monks.
He is still a popular companion dog, more so because he is thought to be hypoallergenic, so that even allergy sufferers can enjoy a canine friend.
This isn't a new dog breed, and if you have to go according to records, they have been around for more than 2000 years as herding dogs.
The first Tibetan Terrier was brought to Europe in 1922. The first Tibetan Terriers in the US were imported in 1956 and in 1973 the American Kennel Club recognized the breed. They're classified as a non-sporting breed.
The Hovawart, is a German Black Forest breed developed as a guard dog for large estates in the medieval era. They first appeared in history in the early 13th century as heroes who saved the German son of a castle lord, despite being injured themselves. The boy they saved grew up to be a German legend. He wrote the oldest German code of law that remained from medieval times. In it he names the Hovawarts as a dog that if you are responsible for hurting, stealing or killing it, you must pay for it or replace it. No other dog had this protection.
In the late fifteenth century Hovawarts were featured in Heinrich Mynsinger’s “The Five Noble Breeds”. This guard dog breed was esteemed on a level with the hunting dogs – their health a question of life or death for their owner. In the 1500’s the popularity of the breed began to fade. The GSD or German Shepard Dog began to replace the Hovawarts as the preferred guard dog.
By the early 20th century the breed had almost disappeared but were saved by breed enthusiasts in the early 1900’s. Zoologist Kurt Konig was prominent in this effort and went looking in the Black Forest area for dogs working on farms. Using the dogs, he found on these farms, Konig began a breeding program crossing the them with Newfoundland’s, Kuvazoks, Leonbergers, GSD, an African hunting dogs and Bernese Mountain Dogs.
By 1922 the first litter of these pups was entered officially into the German Breeding Registry. In 1937 the Hovawart was recognized by the German Kennel Club. However, many members of the breed died in World War II as they were used widely by the military and not many were left by 1945. Once again breed enthusiasts came to the rescue forming a Coburg Hovawart club. This club still exists and in 1964, for the second time, the breed was recognized by the German Kennel Club. Other countries also began to take notice of this working breed.
The Hovawart has many skills in addition hunting and guarding. The Hovawart does not work for people, he works with them as he is a very independent thinker. He is also good at search and rescue and tracking. An owner of this breed must be stronger, smarter, more alert, intentional and consistent than his Hovawart. These are not dogs for the faint of heart or first-timers.
The Tibetan Terrier is a medium-sized dog weighing about 8 – 14kg and standing at about 35 – 41cm in height.
People liken him to the Bearded Collie in looks. The long, shaggy, double coat of the dog is available in a number of colors such as white, grey, golden, black or tri-colored.
The dog is powerful and squarely built with floppy ears and a tail that is well feathered, long and carried curled over the back.
He has always been a dog kept by Tibetan monks. There is nothing aggressive about this dog at all and he is sweet, reserved, gentle and sensitive while also being playful and social with his human family.
These dogs thrive on human companionship and are often used as therapy dogs. He is energetic and active and will require regular exercise. He is able to adjust to life in the city or the countryside, but wherever he is, his exercise needs can never be neglected.
The Hovawart is a proud and majestic dog and his looks match his character. He looks a bit like the Golden Retriever with a powerful and broad forehead. His skull and muzzle are the same length and his nose is black. His oval eyes are a medium to dark brown and his ears are high set and triangular.
Their chests are strong, broad and deep. The breed has strong legs straight in front with round, strong and compact feet. They are heavy boned with dense, long coats that lie flat and have a slight wave to them. The coat can be black and gold, blond or black.
Tibetan Terriers are loyal ad devoted to their human family. They’re social dogs and won’t do well stuck in the back yard.
They are sensitive dogs, being able to sense the mood of those whom they love. They also make good watchdogs. They’re ideally suited to people who can give them the attention they crave, making splendid pets and companions.
They have a great sense of smell and a well-balanced personality.
They are not indoor dogs and should have a yard to run in. They do not tolerate hot weather well. They do great out in the country.
They are intelligent independent thinkers. They lengths well with positive reinforcement.
Your Tibetan Terrier can live to be between 10 and 14 years of age but even so it is susceptible to a host of health problems. Some of the problems you may have to contend with are hip dysplasia, eye problems and heart murmurs.
This is a serious condition where the femur doesn't fit snugly into the pelvic socket of the hip joint. It can be painful and cause lameness even. Dogs that have hip dysplasia most certainly shouldn't be bred.
Heart murmurs are extra heart vibrations. This is because of a disturbance in the blood flow so as to produce an audible noise.
Sometimes the sound is barely audible but it can also be louder and your pet can show signs of congestive heart failure such as coughing, not being able to tolerate exercise, and being lethargic and weak.
Though their isolation protected them from genetic health issues for centuries, once they were being rejuvenated and mixed with other breeds some common issues began to show up. These include:
The Tibetan will require good food and exercise to stay healthy. The commercially manufactured dog foods are always a convenient choice, but make sure to give your pet one of the better brand foods, otherwise you feed him a lot of useless ingredients such as fillers, preservatives and colorants from the cheap, inferior brands.
Feed him some home-made food too just to add a little bit of variety to his diet. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a healthy choice for your pet.
Avoid people foods such as chocolates, onions, spices, chips etc as these can just upset his stomach and push your vet fees up. Always ensure he has a constant supply of fresh, cool water.
Brush your Tibetan Terrier. He has a long shaggy coat so will require brushing at least twice a week.
Brushing your dog regularly will help to reduce shedding. Many people opt to take the dog to professional groomers and have the coat professionally clipped. The groomers will also trim your dog’s nails and clean the inside of your dog’s ears.
Before you get a dog, make sure you have a reliable veterinarian. It’s no good if your pet becomes ill, maybe even some kind of an emergency, such as bloat, and you don’t know where to take your pet.
You need to be aware of a vet that is open 24/7. Your Tibetan will need to have your vet vaccinate him against some of the deadly diseases there are.
Feed breed specific high quality dry food for puppies. Feed 1-2 cups in 3-4 meals per day
Again Feed breed specific high quality dry food for adults. Feed 2-3 cups per day in 1-2 meals per day.
Points for Good Health – Stamina
The Hovawart needs plenty of exercise. Remember this is a mountain farm dog used to working all the time. Walk or jog with them daily. They can excel at field trials, obedience, search and rescue, agility, flyball, therapy dog, and service dog.