Tibetan Spaniel

The Tibetan Spaniel is intelligent and loving. He's not a lap dog, even though he's small. He's a brave watchdog and likes to take walks and play. Tibetan Spaniels get along well with other animals, especially other dogs.

Tibetan Spaniel breed facts

Tibetan Spaniels were used as watched dogs as well as companion dogs.

Tibetan Spaniels are family-oriented and very trusting of other dogs and people.

Information you should know before owning a Tibetan Spaniel

The Tibetan Spaniel is known for his remarkable intelligence and affectionate nature.

The Tibetan Spaniel enjoys the company of his family and does not like to be left alone for long periods of time. He does enjoy the company of other dogs.

The Tibetan Spaniel is gay and assertive. Although he may be somewhat aloof towards strangers, he is devoted to his family

Small monastery dogs, thought to be early representatives of the Tibetan Spaniel, loyally trailed behind their Lama masters and came to be regarded as "little Lions", thus giving them great value and prestige. The practice of sending the dogs as gifts to the palaces of China and other Buddhist countries grew significantly, and in reciprocity more "lion dogs" were presented back to Tibet, continuing until as late as 1908. Through exchange of Tibetan Spaniels between palaces and monasteries, the breed is likely to have common ancestors with a number of the Oriental breeds, including the Havanese Chin and the Pekingese.

Village-bred Tibetan Spaniels varied greatly in size and type, and the smaller puppies were usually given as gifts to the monasteries. In turn, these smaller dogs used in the monastery breeding programs were probably combined with the more elegant Tibetan Spaniel-type dogs brought from China. Those bred closer to the Chinese borders were characterized by shorter muzzles,

Not only was the Tibetan Spaniel prized as a pet and companion, it was considered a very useful animal by all classes of Tibetans. During the day, the dogs would sit on top of the monastery walls keeping a steady watch over the countryside below. Their keen eye and ability to see great distances, as well as their persistent barking, made them exceptionally good watchdogs.

The first authenticated reference we find to Tibetan Spaniels in this country is a litter born out of two imported dogs from a Tibetan monastery in 1965. In January 1971, the Tibetan Spaniel Club of America was formed with 14 charter members. After a period in the Miscellaneous classes, the Tibetan Spaniel was accepted for AKC registration and became eligible to compete as a Non-Sporting breed effective January 1, 1984.

Is this a vulnerable breed? Yes, No	No
What size is this dog? Small, Medium, Large	Small
How much excercise is required? 30 mins a day, 1 hour a day, Over 2 hours a day	1 hour a day
How long is this dog's coat? Short, Medium, Long	Medium
How much grooming is required? Once a week, More than once a week, Every day	More than once a week
Does this dog shed? Does shed, Does not shed	Does shed
What area is this dog best suited to? Town, Country, Either	Either
What size house is required for this breed? Flat/Apartment, Small House, Large House	Flat
What size of garden is required? Small Garden, Large Garden, No Garden	Small garden

	General Appearance Small, active and alert. Well balanced in general outline, slightly longer in body than height at withers.
	Characteristics Gay and assertive, highly intelligent, aloof with strangers.
	Temperament Alert, loyal but independent.
	Eyes Dark brown, oval, bright and expressive, medium size, set fairly well apart but forward looking. Rims black.
	Mouth Slightly undershot. Teeth evenly placed and the lower jaw wide between the canine teeth. Full dentition desirable. Teeth and tongue not showing when mouth closed.
	Neck Moderately short, strong and well set on. Covered with a mane or ‘shawl’ of longer hair, more pronounced in dogs than bitches.
	Forequarters Moderate bone. Forelegs slightly bowed but firm at shoulder. Shoulder well laid.
	Body Slightly longer from withers to root of tail than the height at withers, good spring of rib, level back.
	Hindquarters Well made and strong, hocks well let down, straight when viewed from behind. Moderate turn of stifle.
	Feet Harefoot. Small and neat with feathering between toes often extending beyond the feet. Round cat-feet undesirable.
	Tail Set high, richly plumed and carried in gay curl over back when moving. (Not to be penalised for dropping tail when standing.)
	Gait / Movement Small, active and alert. Well balanced in general outline, slightly longer in body than height at withers.
	Coat Top coat silky in texture, smooth on face and front of legs, of moderate length on body, but lying rather flat. Undercoat fine and dense. Ears and back of forelegs nicely feathered, tail and buttocks well furnished with longer hair. Not overcoated, bitches tend to carry less coat and mane than dogs.
	Colour All colours and mixture of colours permissible.
	Size Height about 25 cms (10 ins). Ideal weight: 4-7 kgs (9-15 lbs).