Tibetan Terrier vs Prazsky Krysarik - Breed Comparison

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 Pražský Krysařík is a small breed of dog from the Czech Republic.

You won’t find this dog outside the Czech Republic, which is a pity, because as one of the smallest breeds, it’s a great choice for people with small properties.

It’s not a new breed, and there are records of it having been around in the Middle Ages, being valuable for catching rats.

The breed went through a decline in the 1980s, but their breeding program was started, although it isn’t an FCI acknowledged breed.

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.

Temperament:

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 Pražský Krysařík is a small dog standing at between 20 and 23cm in height and weighing between 1.5 and 4kg.

The Prazsky Krysarik may be small, but he is robust with a broad chest and a lean body with a fragile, lizard like head, much like a Chihuahua. The legs are fragile and thin. The ears are fairly large and erect and he has a long tail. The coat is short, thin and glossy and is mostly black and tan.

Temperament:

The Prazsky is known for its playful, lively nature, and they’re spunky and intelligent dogs too and will be more than capable of being trained and socialized.

Even though he is such a tiny dog, it will be to his benefit to have him trained and socialized.It makes the dog well balanced and they become well behaved so you can take them anywhere.

They are such friendly, social little dogs too and they love being around their human family. They certainly don’t like being left in the backyard, cut off from their human companions.

They're small enough to be indoors a lot, being able to easily slot into life in the city or in the countryside. They get on well with children and other pets but kids will have to be taught how to treat him with kindness and respect, as those tiny little legs could snap.

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 want to be part of the family and what they’re doing.

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.

A Prazsky is a dog just like any other – he just wants to be a member of the family. He badly wants the love and attention of his human family but he wants to give love and attention in return too.

They make wonderful pets and he is more than willing to put aside playing outdoors to come inside and just be by your side.

These little dogs are a great choice for those looking for a small-sized dog. They’re such friendly, responsive little dogs and they don’t come with many health-related issues. The Prague Ratter adapts well to city or country living and he is prepared to be loyal and loving wherever you take him.

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.

Hip Dysplasia:

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:

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.

The Prazsky is a robust dog but there are some diseases that can affect a dog, and skin symptoms such as itchiness or an unusual lump will need to be seen to.

Other problems such as excessive drooling, cloudy eyes with discharge, distended abdomen and discolored gums are all reasons to seek the help of your vet. Small dogs like this tend to be prone to dental disease, so keep an eye on his teeth.

Some people look at buying health insurance because they know too well that veterinary costs can add up quickly, even for a tiny little dog like this.

Diet:

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.

Grooming:

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.

Vaccines:

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.

Diet:

It doesn’t matter what size dog you have, each one requires high quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared.

Portion sizes should be appropriate to your dog’s size and activity levels. Dogs thrive on simplicity when it comes to food as this prevents them having digestive problems. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and sweet potatoes, spinach and carrots all chopped up and added to your dog’ dry kibble as a treat every now and again will do wonders for your pet.

Fresh, cool water should always be available to your pet around the clock.

Grooming:

The short, smooth coat of the Pražský Krysařík makes him a truly low maintenance little dog. Just give him a brush twice a week and wipe him down with a damp cloth and he’ll always be gleaming like a new penny.

Have his nails trimmed and always check his teeth during these grooming sessions. Smalls dogs battle with dental disease, and this can cause havoc in the body of your small pet.

Exercise:

Walk your tiny pet at least once a day. It just gives him the chance to sniff around a bit and see the world in a new light. He doesn’t require a lot of physical activity, but they will still need regular exercise to stave off obesity.

Get your Pražský Krysařík spayed or neutered if you’re not intending to allow your pet to have puppies. These little dogs can have between 1 – 3 puppies. There are many pros to this procedure for dogs.

Make sure his vaccinations are up to date to avoid some of the deadly dog diseases you get such as parvo-virus, distemper and rabies.