Tibetan Spaniel

Quick Take

• Buddhist monks called them 'little lions,' and the reason this tiny dog earned that name reveals something unexpected about its original purpose. Explore the monastery origins →
• This breed was never sold at any point in its ancient history, and the reason why changes how you understand its rarity today. See the breed's ancient history →
• Training a Tibetan Spaniel the normal way can actually backfire, and most owners overlook one physical adjustment that makes all the difference. See the training approach →
• Their health problems are mostly invisible in puppyhood, and skipping one key screening window can leave owners with no good options later. Check the health screening details →

The Tibetan spaniel was originally bred in Asia to alert Buddhist monks to anyone who might approach their lamasery and eventually reached the US in the 1960s. This dog is sometimes called a “Tibby.” Friendly and vocal, the Tibetan Spaniel loves to spend time with its family, and it shouldn’t be left alone for long.

History of the Breed

The Tibetan spaniel is believed to date back over 2,000 years, originating in the Himalayan Mountains of Tibet. As there is artwork dating back to 1100 BCE that depicts Tibetan spaniels, it is believed that they are perhaps even older, at least 3,000 years old, but this has not been confirmed. These dogs were owned and bred by Buddhist monks and lamas and were referred to as “little lions”. They were intended as guard dogs, or lookout dogs, standing watch over the monasteries.

This breed was historically never bred for sale but rather was given as gifts to other Buddhist countries, Chinese leaders, and esteemed friends. They were first introduced to England in the late 1800s and eventually made their way to the United States in the mid-to-late 1960s.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Tibetan Spaniel

Before adding a Tibetan Spaniel to the home, consider a few pros and cons to decide if they are a good match for the household.

Size and Weight

The Tibetan Spaniel is a small, non-sporting dog, and there is little difference between females and males in their size. They often weigh 9 to 15 lbs. and stand 10 inches tall as adults.

Common Health Issues

The Tibetan Spaniel has the good fortune of having relatively few health issues, but that doesn’t mean that they are completely safe. Choosing puppies from reputable breeders will greatly reduce the risk of inherited disease, especially if the breeding dogs have been tested by a vet.

In the eyes, progressive retinal atrophy is relatively common, causing blindness as the condition progresses. Luckily, a vet can screen for this issue far earlier than when the eyes start to degenerate, giving owners a better chance of preserving the dog’s vision.

Patellar luxation – which is caused by the misalignment of the kneecap, calf, and thigh bone – is also common, eventually leading to surgery if it is not caught early enough. These dogs may also suffer from deafness (which can be detected from birth), epilepsy, and other eye diseases.

Unfortunately, the majority of health issues aren’t fully seen in the pup before they reach adulthood. That’s exactly why breeders should wait until their dogs are at least 2 or 3 years old to breed them.

Temperament

The sweet nature of the Tibetan spaniel makes it the perfect breed for almost any home environment. These animals love to spend a little extra time with their owners, doing anything to enjoy the affection and playtime that come with human attention. They are incredibly in tune with the emotions of their owners, so it is important to keep a relatively consistent home for good behavior.

These pups like to roam around the home, though they don’t need a lot of space. They are just as happy in a small apartment as they are in a large house, but they’ll need plenty of attention. They like to get up on the tops of couches and other areas with a little height to perch, giving them a full view of what’s going on around them.

With consistent training, their intelligence and perception of their owner’s mood help them to maintain relatively good behavior. Their quick learning is a great advantage, though they may not listen to commands when they are feeling more stubborn.

How to Take Care of Tibetan Spaniels

Introducing any new dog into a home – whether from breeders or a rescue – is a challenge. Your home is their home, and the Tibetan Spaniel needs to feel at home. Here are a few ways that you can make your home more welcoming as you take care of your furry friend.

Best Dog Food

Every dog deserves to have a mix of high-quality dog food, and this breed is no different. However, their body is relatively small, so they should only need a total of ¾ to 1 cup of food each day. Since their stomach can only take in so much food at once, this total amount should be divided into two meals each day.

The age and size of your particular dog will determine if it needs more or less of this food. When it’s done with a meal, put away its food dish. Buying high-quality food will ensure that it eats enough without becoming overweight.

Maintenance and Grooming

Keeping up with a Tibetan spaniel’s grooming is crucial, especially because shedding happens throughout the year for this small dog. It is best to brush their coat weekly to eliminate the dead hair that can get stuck in their coat. However, this dog has a double coat that is incredibly silky, so don’t let the texture fool you — brushing is necessary.

Baths come much less frequently. Unless the dog becomes incredibly dirty, it shouldn’t need to be bathed more than once every 6 to 8 weeks. Brushing their teeth should be done much more frequently, at no less than 2 to 3 times a week, though some owners prefer to brush them every day.

Nail trimming is another “as-needed” grooming task, but it is best to do it once or twice monthly. A good rule of thumb is to listen when your dog walks — if you hear their nails, it’s time for a trim. Regularly handling their paws will make your dog less anxious about grooming.

Training

The Tibetan Spaniel is easily intimidated by the large size of its owner, so any training should be done at its level. Get down on your knees to be less intimidating and use positive reinforcement during training, such as treats and play. They are sensitive to the mood of their owner, so keep a confident and hopeful demeanor during training to keep them in the same responsive mood.

Though the Tibetan spaniel can be trusted around the home, many owners prefer to housetrain or even crate-train when they are not home to prevent chewing. If you choose to keep your dog in a crate while away, do not keep them in it for long periods, or they may become anxious.

Exercise

As active as the Tibetan spaniel may be, they don’t actually require that much exercise. This pup is just as happy running around an open yard as they are climbing up yet another piece of furniture to sit up tall. They work well in an apartment setting, but they are also excited to jump around all of the space in a massive estate.

Usually, the Tibby is happy to go on a short walk up to twice a day to get all of the outdoor activity that they need. As long as they can hold the attention of their owner, they are perfectly happy.

Puppies

Caring for a small puppy is a lot of work. When they are 8 to 12 weeks old, they’ll need 4 meals a day, though this number drops down to 3 meals a day until they are 6 months old. When they are 6 months old, they can safely eat 2 meals a day, though they won’t need quite as much food as an adult dog.

Tibetan Spaniel and Children

These dogs are all too happy to spend time with their family. They are always ready to cuddle, but they prefer to have someone come down to their level. This might be exactly why young children are such good companions for them. These pups are incredibly attentive when given the attention they need, but their high sensitivity to emotions can be stressful during tantrums.

As much as this dog loves little ones, they should be supervised. The small physique of the Tibetan spaniel can be hurt unintentionally if they engage in rough play.

Dogs Similar to the Tibetan Spaniel

If a Tibetan spaniel isn’t for you, consider one of these breeds instead.

• Pekingese: This dog has similar genetic roots and may actually be related to the Tibetan spaniel.
• Pomeranian: With a similar build and a love for their owner, the personality of a Pomeranian is quite similar.
• Bichon Frise: This dog is meant to show off, but they have a friendly personality.

Famous Tibetan Spaniels

These dogs are most famous for their use in Tibetan monasteries. However, in pop culture, the Tibetan spaniel is featured in Disney’s Lady and the Tramp. This breed is featured in children’s books as well, though they are much easier to spot in animated films.