A member of the AKC Non-Sporting group, The Tibetan Spaniel is known for his remarkable intelligence and affectionate nature. This dog breed was first discovered in the monasteries of Tibet.
These dogs are an ancient dog breed that was also used as mainly as a watchdog or companion dog in their native Tibet. Did you know that his closest relatives are the Tibetan Terrier and Lhasa Apso, both of which also originated in Tibet? To me they kind of resemble an oversized Pekingese.
This 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. "Tibbies" shed heavily at least once a year and a little bit the rest of the year. Be prepared to groom them, especially during shedding season.
They are happy and assertive overall. It is a good idea to never walk your Tibbie off leash as they do tend to run off. Although he may be somewhat aloof towards strangers, he is devoted to his family. This breed does mature slowly for a small dog breed. One interesting fact, considered a primitive breed, a Tibbie female will only have a single estrus cycle per year.
Enjoy a short Tibbie dog breed video
The Tibbie can be prone to wheezing and is also very susceptible to respiratory problems. Additionally, they need to be carefully guarded against getting heatstroke. The Tibetan Spaniel stands around 9 - 10 inches in height at their shoulder and typically weighs between 9 - 15 pounds.
Keep in mind that daily brushing is required for this dog breed. The Tibetan Spaniel has a long, silky coat with a long mane of hair surrounding their neck.
Housebreaking can be difficult with this breed so you should use patient and persistent training methods very early on. Additionally, socialization is very important and should start early to help reduce this dog breed's suspicious nature.
An apartment is completely adequate for this breed as long as he gets his daily exercise - a daily walk is sufficient for this dog breed. Keep in mind too, based on his watchdog heritage that this dog does bark a lot, which could cause a problem for anyone living in an apartment.
They should be small, active, and alert. The outline should give a well balanced appearance, slightly longer in body than the height at withers. Overall, if you want a super obedient dog, one that you can walk off leash, one that will come when called, then this breed is probably not the dog for you.
Country of origin: Tibet Lifespan: 12-15 years Colors: Gold, cream, black, black and tan, fawn, red, white Known health problems: Respiratory problems
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