The energetic and inquisitive Tibetan Spaniel was developed centuries ago to serve as a sentinel on the walls of Tibetan monasteries. The Tibbie develops a close, adoring attachment with their owners and is distinguished by a flat, silky coat and a “lion’s mane” around the neck. They are uniquely Tibetan, with blunt noses, large expressive eyes, a ‘lion’s mane’ around the neck, and a plumed tail gracefully flowing over the back. Are they, however, spaniels? Not in the Western sense of Cockers or Cavaliers, though. Tibbies, on the other hand, pay homage to the ancient customs that gave rise to Pekes, Pugs, Lhasas, and other distinctly Asian breeds. Tibbies have a shoulder height of roughly 10 inches and move rapidly and deliberately. They can be seen wearing a variety of colors and pattern coats.
Tibetan Spaniel
playful / bright / self-confident
Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.
Height
10 inches
Weight
9-15 pounds
Life Expectancy
12-15 years
Breed Traits & Characteristics
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Affectionate With Family
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Openness To Strangers
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!
Playfulness Level
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.
Watchdog/Protective Nature
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.
Adaptability Level
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.
Trainability Level
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!
Energy Level
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.
Barking Level
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.
Mental Stimulation Needs
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.
About the Breed
What To Expect When Caring For a Tibetan Spaniel
Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.
Health
As a generally healthy breed, Tibetan Spaniels have health issues such as patellar luxation, 'cherry eye,' an inflammation of the tissue surrounding the eye that is frequently treated surgically, and progressive retinal atrophy (a genetic eye disease). Puppies should be examined for portosystemic shunt (liver shunt), which affects the blood flow through and/or around the liver, before being placed in their new homes.
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
- Patella Evaluation
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Grooming
Whether show or pet, the Tibetan Spaniel is a natural breed that does not require trimming save for the fur on the bottom of their feet, for hygiene. The breed's coat does not often mat, save for the area behind the ears, which should be combed frequently. A daily brushing and bath will keep the coat in good shape, with care also paid to the back fringes, which can benefit a regular combing. Tibetan Spaniels do shed, and can do a good shed any time of the year. A bath and conditioning can aid at this time. If the Tibbie is taken to a groomer, they should be warned to not clip the hair on the belly or between the legs. Many groomers often do a 'sanitary cut' unless the owner asks them not to. Tibetan Spaniels will lick and itch terribly if a hygienic cut is done. Nails should be cut as puppies, training the Tibbie to get acclimated to regular nail trimming. They can be really nasty about their nails unless treated with early.
Exercise
A daily walk is always enjoyable to a Tibetan Spaniel. They are as happy lying around the house as they are taking a long run in the yard. A fenced yard is a must. They are a great breed for owners who would like a dog to accompany them on long walks or jogs, as they are able to keep up with their human partner.
Training
Tibetan Spaniels are smart and eager to please, and can thrive in canine activities such as agility, scent work, rally, and obedience. They have a very autonomous mind, though, and will decide if and when they will do what is required of them, so an early start to training is important, and it should be a happy and enjoyable time. Socialization in puppyhood is a necessity as well.
Nutrition
The Tibetan Spaniel should thrive on a premium dog food, whether it is produced commercially or is made at home under the guidance and consent of your veterinarian. If fed dry food, the breed tends to prefer small-bite kibble. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog's age (puppy, adult, or senior). Watch your dog's calorie intake and weight level because certain dogs are prone to obesity. Treats can be a valuable training tool, but offering them in excess might lead to obesity. Discover which foods fit the bill for canine consumption and which don't. If you have any worries about your dog's weight or diet, consult your veterinarian. Fresh water that is clean should always be accessible.
History
In Eastern mythology and belief, respect for animals has a unique position. In that vein, Tibetan local dog breeds were fostered and preserved by Buddhist monks. Tibbies were mostly maintained by the monks as friends, but they also served as watchdogs alongside their powerful cousins, the Tibetan Mastiffs. Tibbies were horizon-scanning sentinels who perched above the monastery walls and looked out for allies and enemies. Additionally, they probably made comfortable bed warmers on those chilly Himalayan nights.