The Tibetan Terrier is a medium-size breed of dog that originated in Tibet. The breed was given its English name by European travelers due to its resemblance to known terrier breeds. The Tibetan name for the breed, Tsang Apso, roughly translates to 'shaggy or bearded ('apso') dog, from the province of Tsang'. Some old travelers' accounts refer to the dog as Dokhi Apso or 'outdoor' Apso, indicating a shaggy or bearded working dog which lives outdoors. The hair of the Tibetan Terrier has a long growth cycle. They do not shed like dogs with shorter hair growth cycles, but rather slough hair at a rate similar to that of most humans. The exception is at approximately nine months when puppies slough their entire coat in advance of acquiring their adult coat. The double coat is profuse, with a warm undercoat and a topcoat which has the texture of human hair. It should not be silky or curled, but wavy is acceptable.