Tibetan Spaniel

All colours and mixtures are possible.

A short silky undercoat with a medium length thin topcoat.

Dark brown.

The Tibetan Spaniel is a small, active dog with an alert expression and a springy gait. He has a small head, short legs, and a long body for a dog of his size. He has expressive oval eyes, medium-sized, pendulous and fringed ears. He has a high set tail and fluffy patches of fur around the legs and chest.

The Tibetan Spaniel was bred as a companion dog, meaning he’s extremely affectionate towards his owners. That being said, he is a resourceful dog, who can also show initiative and be quite independent.

This is an energetic little dog that loves to play, but it's not just about fun; smart dogs like the Tibetan Spaniel need lots of mental and physical stimulation.

Of a rather serene nature, this dog is not the type to go around in circles for hours and ask for any attention. The Tibetan Spaniel knows how to chill out. He tends to be active during the day before turning into a "lazy bones" later in the evening. As long as his needs are met, he knows how to distance himself and be small at home.

The Tibetan Spaniel is a very intelligent  and receptive dog. His education is easy because of his abilities and his enthusiasm.

In addition, his intelligence is also revealed by his great ability to observe, which allows him to adapt to the mood of the people around him.

This little dog does not have the extremely high prey drive of his spaniel cousins, but can chase birds and squirrels in the garden. 

The Tibetan Spaniel is wary of strangers and other new people at first sight, but is confident enough to befriend people once he understands they are no danger.

The Tibetan Spaniel can be very independently minded. The Tibetan likes what he likes and will rarely do anything he doesn’t want to. Start training as early as possible. If not, you'll find yourself trapped in a battle of wills with a rather stubborn dog.

The Tibetan Spaniel can handle being left alone, as long as he is accustomed to it positively from a young age.

The Tibetan Spaniel is docile, intelligent and alert. It is very easy to educate this dog as he wants to learn, and please those he loves. Of course, this still requires time, patience and a firm trainer to reach his full potential.

This dog can be quite “yappy”, especially if he wasn’t properly socialised. He will also bark a lot if he’s not getting enough exercise or mental stimulation.

The Tibetan Spaniel prefers to stay in his familiar environment. This homebody doesn’t easily get out of control, especially if all his spending needs are met.

Since he tolerates loneliness very well, this dog is not destructive and can remain quiet until the return of his masters. However, this is only valid if he has stimulating toys available to prevent him from being bored.

Good treats can be a nice motivator to get full cooperation from this already docile dog.

His mistrust of people he does not know (and therefore potential intruders) makes the Tibetan Spaniel a good warning dog, although his physique is not very intimidating or dissuasive.

At the time when he accompanied Buddhist monks in their temples, he "worked" as a team with the Mastiffs of Tibet to protect his masters. He would bark to warn when intruders approached.

Tibetan Spaniels are a good choice for first-time dog owners. He is a small dog that can be taken everywhere. He is easy to educate, pleasant to live with and not subject to the troubles (e.g. separation anxiety, excessive barking, etc.) often observed in other companion dogs. 

This small dog can live very comfortably in a flat or a small house, as well as rural settings. He doesn’t require much space and is fairly docile for much of the time. He is primarily an indoor dog, so shouldn’t sleep outside.

30 mins of stimulating daily exercise is enough for this dog. He does like time off the leash, so it’s best to walk him in large parks or big open spaces.

A Tibetan Spaniel makes a really good travel companion. He responds really well to crate training and is small enough to travel on planes.

A well-trained Spaniel can co-exist in relative peace with a cat, especially if both species have grown together.

Tibetan Spaniels are social creatures that tend to get on well with other dogs. 

This breed is best suited to families with slightly older children. He may be little too excitable for toddlers or small children. Tibetan Spaniels are delicate little dogs, so it’s important to teach your children how to handle household pets. 

A well trained Tibetan can make a loving and rewarding companion for isolated elderly people. Nevertheless, his needs must not be neglected. 

Shedding is moderate but intensifies during the seasonal moults, when brushing should be daily.

The Tibetan Spaniel is a healthy breed with an average life expectancy of around 13 years.

This small, fragile-looking dog is actually quite solid and enjoys longevity and good overall health.

During hot weather, care should be taken to offer this little dog fresh water at will and a spot in the shade to rest. 

The Tibetan Spaniel must not live outdoors because he can suffer in severe weather. He is above all an indoor dog that appreciates comfort.

It’s really important that you don’t overfeed the Tibetan Spaniel. Their slight frames were not designed to support heavy loads.

• Retinal Atrophy Disorder
• Weepy eye
• Liver disease
• Dislocation of the patella
• Kidney stones

The Tibetan Spaniel was a popular companion dog for the Buddhist monks of Nepal. As relations between China and Nepal began to develop, the two countries would send dogs as gifts. Once in China, the Tibetan Spaniel became a popular choice for leading feudal families. It wasn't until the late 19th century that the West started paying attention to the Tibetan, and the Tibetan Spaniel was brought to Britain by missionaries. By 1971, the Tibetan Spaniel Club of America had 14 separate charters, and its popularity has been growing ever since.