Furry Diary

Tibetan Kyi Apso

Also called Bearded Tibetan Mastiff, Apso Do Khyi, Tibetan Collie, Baan Gaddi

Rare breedShort profile

From The Tibetan Plateau and Himalayan region, notably around Mount Kailash.1

A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.

At a glance the quick version

Weight32 to 41 kg1
Height63 to 71 cm1
Sizelarge

Single range given for the breed, not split by sex.

highly intelligent
alert, dedicated guardian
hardy mountain dog built for cold, high country
1

Coat and looks how to spot one

heavy double coat, rough to wiry

A thick, weatherproof double coat with a coarse top layer, shaggiest over the eyes and face, which gives the dog its bearded look. The soft undercoat has traditionally been combed out and used as wool.1

Coloursblack with paler pointsgreybrownredtan1

Personality what they are like

An independent, clever and watchful guardian with plenty of energy. It is naturally reserved with people it does not know and takes its protective role seriously, so it suits experienced owners. It moves with a distinctive rolling gait and has a deep voice.1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The dense coat benefits from regular brushing, especially when the undercoat is being shed.1

Home where they are happiest

A working livestock and property guardian adapted to cold, high-altitude country; it needs space and a securely fenced area.1

The story where it all began

A traditional guardian of herds and camps on the Tibetan Plateau, largely unknown in the West until a photograph with a dog of the 13th Dalai Lama appeared in 1937. Western visitors met the type in Nepal in the 1970s, and a handful of dogs reached the United States in the 1990s, which led to a breed club.1

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    Its soft undercoat has been used as wool for weaving carpets.1

  2. 2

    The breed first came to Western attention through a 1937 photograph with the 13th Dalai Lama's dog.1

  3. 3

    It is known for a rolling, bear-like gait.1

Recognised by the official bits

Major kennel clubs
Not recognised by any major kennel club; a breed club was formed in the United States after dogs were imported in the 1990s.1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Tibetan Kyi Apso. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

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Treats they will love homemade and simple

Simple Carrot Crunchies

Carrots are low in calories and high in fibre, making them a crunchy, satisfying treat that won't pile on the pounds.

You need

  • 1 large carrot, washed and peeled

How

  1. Cut the carrot into thin, bite-sized sticks or rounds.
  2. Steam or boil the carrot pieces for 5–7 minutes until just tender, or serve raw for extra crunch.
  3. Allow to cool completely before offering to your dog.

How much: Give 2–3 small pieces per day for a medium-sized dog, adjusting for your dog's size and daily calorie allowance.

Recipe from The Kennel Club

Pumpkin & Yoghurt Pup-Cup

Pumpkin is packed with fibre and vitamins, helping dogs feel full without extra calories, and low-fat yoghurt keeps it light.

You need

  • 1 cooking pumpkin
  • ½ cup lactose-free, low-fat yoghurt
  • ½ cup lactose-free, low-fat whipping cream
  • Cinnamon, to sprinkle

How

  1. Peel the pumpkin and remove all seeds.
  2. Cut the flesh into small pieces and steam for 15 minutes until soft.
  3. Mash the cooked pumpkin until smooth and let it cool completely.
  4. Mix 1 tablespoon of the mashed pumpkin with the yoghurt.
  5. Spoon the mixture into a small paper cup.
  6. Whip the cream until soft peaks form and spoon it on top of the yoghurt mixture.
  7. Sprinkle a tiny pinch of cinnamon over the cream.

How much: One pup-cup is plenty for a medium-sized dog as an occasional treat. Adjust portion size for smaller or larger dogs.

Recipe from Dogs Trust

Homemade Dog Biscuits (Chicken & Rice)

A simple, tasty treat made from gentle ingredients that are easy on sensitive stomachs, perfect for rewarding without upset.

You need

  • 1 egg
  • 170g boiled chicken breast
  • 100g cooked plain rice
  • 60ml chicken stock (homemade or no added salt)
  • 680g plain flour (adjust as needed for consistency)

How

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
  2. Blitz the boiled chicken, cooked rice, and chicken stock in a blender until smooth.
  3. Transfer to a bowl, add the egg and flour, and mix well.
  4. Dust a clean surface with flour, turn out the dough, and knead until no longer sticky.
  5. Roll dough to about 1cm thickness and cut into shapes with a cookie cutter.
  6. Place on the tray and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden.
  7. Cool completely before serving.

How much: 1–2 biscuits as an occasional treat for a medium-sized healthy dog. Adjust for your dog's size, age, and activity level.

Recipe from Blue Cross

Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise.

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

  1. Wikipedia: Tibetan Kyi Apso en.wikipedia.orgused for all fields

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.