Health Issues

Tibetan Terriers tend to be long-lived, usually beyond 12 years, and are not prone to health problems. Some problems that are found in the Tibetan Terrier are: hip dysplasia (HD), patella luxation (PL), progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), primary lens luxation (PLL), hypo-thyroidism, cataracts and canine neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (CCL/NCL). Some of these problems have been proven to be hereditary.

As conscientious breeders we have screened our dogs for hereditary problems before breeding. At 2 years of age their hips are X-rayed and certified by OFA. They must be rated as good or excellent or we will not breed them. Their eyes are examined annually by a veterinary opthamologist and are registered with CERF. We never breed or provide stud service to any dog that has not passed these tests.

DNA tests for PLL and NCL have recently been developed and we are now using these tests as well.