Native History

According to legend, the Tibetan Terrier originated in the Lost Valley of Tibet over 2000 years ago. They were raised in the monasteries and were never sold but might be given to someone who had done the lamas a favor or to a visiting dignitary; this association with the monasteries gave them the name Holy Dog of Tibet. They also became known as the Good Luck Dog or Luck Bringer as they were also given to those about to embark on dangerous journeys or caravans; the traveler's safety was ensured as no one would harm anyone fortunate enough to have been given a Tibetan Terrier. The present Dalai Lama took his Tibetan Terrier, "Senge," with him when he was forced to leave Tibet.

There is also evidence that TT's were used to herd as well as to retrieve articles that tumbled down the steep rocky mountains into crevices. The breed is very sure-footed and they are powerful jumpers; they would be well suited for such tasks.

In the Western World

Dr. Agnes R. H. Greig, an English Doctor, is the person who established the breed in both India and England. While in India, she was given a Tibetan Terrier puppy by a nobleman on whose wife the doctor had performed surgery. Dr. Greig was charmed by "Bunty" and fortunately was able to procure a mate for her; she subsequently persuaded the Indian Kennel Club to recognize the breed in the 1920's. In the 1930's Dr. Greig began her Lamleh Kennels, establishing the breed in England where it was accepted by the Kennel Club of England in 1937. Dr. Greig continued her tireless efforts breeding and promoting Tibetan Terriers until her death in 1972. She kept a tight rein on her breeding stock and it was not until the mid-1950's that a few other breeders began to emerge using Dr. Greig's stock and a few other imports certified by the English Kennel Club. Among the first were John and Connie Downey's Luneville Kennels and Emmie Manual's Skellfield Kennels.

In 1956 Dr. Henry and Mrs. Alice Murphy of Great Falls Virginia imported Gremlin Cortina ("Girlie") from Dr. Greig. They imported a mate for her in 1957 and established their Kalai Kennels. Alice Murphy had been involved with purebred dogs since childhood and devoted the last 20 years of her life to the establishment of her beloved breed in the US. and Canada.

The Murphys set up the Tibetan Terrier Club of America in 1957 to act as the official registry for the breed as well as to encourage ownership, promote careful breeding and to protect the interests of the breed in the US and Canada. In 1963 the American Kennel Club admitted the breed to the Miscellaneous Class permitting owners to exhibit their dogs. After ten more years of hard work promoting the breed by the Murphys and a growing core group of fanciers, the breed was admitted to registration by the American Kennel Club effective May, 1973 and to regular (championship) show classification in the Non-Sporting group effective Oct. 3, 1973.