Tibetan Terriers are fun-loving dogs that love to play! They do not have the typical “small dog” temperament despite the fact that they are small, and are instead referred to as “large dogs in a small dog’s body”. Part of the reason for this is because they are very athletic and much more willing to go out and participate in activities than some of their same-sized counterparts.
That said, Tibetan Terriers are not neurotic or obsessive about exercise and can still be quite calm in the house. Many Tibetan Terriers adapt to how their own family lives, whether it be slightly more on the sedentary side, or on the active side. This means that they can be a great lap dog just as much as they can be a fun hiking buddy! Many also do well in obedience competitions as well as agility, conformation, flyball, rally, tracking, and therapy work. However, do not expect to just throw your dog into the backyard and not pay attention to him. While they are very adaptible, they are not adaptive to being outside-only dogs. 
They make fantastic family dogs and are loving and loyal to those they consider part of their pack. They can be good with children, but are not recommended for very young kids without good “dog manners”. Many stay in sync with the emotions of their owners, offering extra support when you’re having a bad day. They can show some shyness to strangers when first introduced, with a few being protective of their owner.
This breed is not for the novice dog owner.Tibetan Terriers can be difficult to housebreak, sometimes mouthy, and tend to bark freely. Some Tibetan Terriers suffer from separation anxiety, so should be taught from a young age that being alone isn’t a bad thing. Some can be destructive if bored. Their adaptable feet, developed from life in the mountains of Tibet, are talented at opening doors, pulling items off the counter, opening containers, climbing onto furniture, and unlatching gates! Many are escape artists.
Tibetan Terriers are very intelligent dogs… sometimes almost too intelligent. They can learn to manipulate their owners so it’s good to always be one step ahead! It is for this reason that obedience training is recommended, as well as a healthy sense of humor since the breed can be independent and stubborn at times. They learn well with plenty of praise.