Country/Date of Origin: Tibet/1700s
On the roof of the world in the Himalayan Mountains the lamas or holy men of Tibet, cherished a shaggy little dog which they believed brought good luck. These dogs were never sold because no one would tempt fate by selling part of their "luck." The dogs were given occasionally as a mark of esteem or in gratitude for a service rendered. The first example of the breed to reach the outside world was a gift to an English doctor. She began breeding the Tibetan Terriers in India in the 1920s and later returned to England with them and from there the breed became popular the world over. They were accepted into the American Kennel Club Stud Book in 1973.