A Small, Cat-like Dog with a Sweet Temperament and a Love of High Places

Affectionately known as the "Tibbie," the Tibetan Spaniel looks much like the Pekingese, but the coat is less abundant, the face is slightly longer, and there is no extra skin around the eyes. This cheerful dog actually behaves very much like a cat. Since it is small, just 9 to 15 pounds in adulthood, it has a habit of climbing up on tables, countertops, or other high surfaces just to be able to see what's going on.

History

The Tibetan Spaniel got its start in Tibet, as obvious by its name. There, ancestors of this breed were small monastery dogs that were faithful companions to Lama masters; they became known as "little lions," because they looked very much like the statues of the Chinese guardian lions that stood guard in front of Chinese palaces and other places of official, revered, or wealthy influence. Highly revered in their homeland, Tibetan Spaniels were given to the royal palaces of China as treasured gifts. The breed likely shares ancestry with other Oriental breeds like the Pekingese and Japanese Chin.

Tibetan monks often used Tibetan Spaniels as watchdogs. This little dog is very alert and will bark at anyone’s approach – but especially that of strangers. Thus, even in modern life, this little dog makes a very good watchdog, although because of its small size, not a particularly good guard dog, as you might imagine.

This "height-loving" pet often sat high on the walls of monasteries, a tendency it continues to manifest today.

By the late 1800s, the United Kingdom had begun to breed Tibetan Spaniels, but it wasn't until 1965 that the breed made its way to the United States. Then, the first authenticated reference to the Tibetan Spaniel was noted. At that time, a litter was born to two imported dogs that had come from a Tibetan monastery. Trinity Lutheran Church sexton Leo Kearns made the dogs popular when his parishioners in New Haven, Connecticut snatched up his puppies very quickly. He imported more of the breed from Britain, and sparked interest among others.

In January of 1971, the Tibetan Spaniel Club of America came into existence with 14 charter members. The Tibetan Spaniel was first assigned to the Miscellaneous class, but was subsequently accepted for full registration by American Kennel Club in 1983. It now competes within the Non-Sporting Group and ranks 116th among some 200 breeds registered by the AKC.

Appearance

The Tibetan Spaniel looks very much like the Pekingese, but with a more abbreviated coat, a more elongated face, and without excessive skin around its eyes. The head is slightly domed, small as compared to the body, with a medium length blunt muzzle and no wrinkles. It also has a black nose and medium-sized, dark brown, oval-shaped eyes. The feet are much like rabbits' feet, and dewclaws are often removed.

The tail is feathered, set high, and carried over the back, while the double coat, equally silky, is flat, short and smooth on the face, and of medium length on the body. The neck has a mane of hair that is more prominent in males. There's feathering between the toes that can hang over the feet, and the coat is of any color, can be shaded, multicolored, or solid, and can include red gold, fawn, white, cream, black, and black and tan; sometimes, there are white markings on the feet.

In adulthood, Tibetan Spaniels stand 10 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 9 and 15 pounds.

Temperament

This exceedingly cheerful little dog is clever, trusting, charming, and very happy. This dog serves as an excellent companion and family dog, and good watchdog. Although not prone to incessant barking, it doesn't hesitate to alert you about intruders and strange noises. The Tibetan Spaniel is quick-moving and catlike, so it is often found up on tables, sitting in windowsills, or just about anywhere that will give it a good perspective on the world.

This dog also gets along well with other animals including dogs, but because of an independent streak, it may be somewhat difficult to train. Make sure you provide firm, gentle guidance and maintain control over your pet as the "alpha" dog, and watch it around small children until it is familiar with them.

Proper Environment

The Tibetan Spaniel is a perfect dog for an apartment setting, because this is one breed that doesn't require a lot of exercise. Relatively quiet indoors, this breed does not need its own yard, but should take one or two daily walks, including one long one. A good romp in a dog park will also keep your pet happy and well exercised.

Health

Tibetan Spaniels are very healthy dogs, with average life expectancies of 13 to 16 years. This dog can be prone to progressive retinal atrophy, which is a genetic disease; responsible breeders are working to minimize this trait and eventually eliminate it. The International Tibetan Spaniel Working Party collects health data on the breed, including progressive retinal atrophy history.

The breed can also be prone to portosystemic shunt, which is an abnormal vessel that allows blood to bypass the liver. Because the liver is a filter, the blood is not cleansed, and can cause symptoms by the time the dog is a young adult. Symptoms include poor weight gain, depression, weakness, seizures, poor appetite, excessive drinking and urination, and balance problems. Many dogs with this disease can be medically managed, although surgery is sometimes recommended.

Finally, Tibetan Spaniels are also susceptible to allergies, and to something called cherry eye, which is a prolapsed third eyelid. A condition called "weeping eye" is also common to the Tibetan Spaniel because of the shape of the face.

Grooming

The coat should be brushed and combed on a regular basis; the Tibetan Spaniel is an average shedder all year round, although it will "blow" its coat twice a year, when hair comes out in clumps during a period of “molting.” Brush more frequently when shedding is more severe.

References

Adopt a Tibetan Spaniel.

https://www.petfinder.com/dog-breeds/Tibetan-Spaniel.

Retrieved September 6, 2015.

Chinese guardian lions.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_guardian_lions.

Retrieved September 6, 2015.

Portosystemic Shunts.

http://www.vet.utk.edu/clinical/sacs/shunt/management.php.

Retrieved September 6, 2015.

Tibetan Spaniel.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_Spaniel.

Retrieved September 6, 2015.

Tibetan Spaniel.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/tibetanspaniel.htm.

Retrieved September 6, 2015.

Tibetan Spaniel.

http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/tibetan-spaniel.

Retrieved September 6, 2015.

Tibetan Spaniel Dogs.

http://www.dogster.com/dog-breeds/Tibetan_Spaniel.

Retrieved September 6, 2015.