The Tibetan Spaniel is a small, alert breed with a long history as a companion animal. They are good watchdogs and family pets that require average grooming time.

Physical Characteristics

• Coat: Medium-length, smooth hair on body; feathering on forelegs and ears; tail and buttocks have plumage
• Oval-shaped, dark brown eyes
• Black nose
• Fleecy ears that lay forward and flat
• Come in a variety of colors
• Height: 10 inches
• Weight: 9-15 pounds
• Average lifespan: 12-15 years

Temperament

• Kind, joyful, smart, devoted, independent, sometimes stubborn
• Interaction with people: Good family dog; good with small children
• Interaction with animals: Good with other dogs and animals
• Training: May be difficult to train
• Bark: Only vocal around strangers
• Protection: Good watchdog; protective of its human family

At Home

• OK for apartments
• Needs daily walks

Grooming

• Average shedder
• Needs regular brushing
• Coat sheds regularly

Brief History

• Originated in Tibet
• Were companions in Monasteries
• Historically nicknamed "little lions" and given as gifts to the nobility of the Buddhist countries
• They would sit on top of monastery walls and keep watch below using their sharp eyesight and siren-like bark
• First documented breeding took place in 1965 in the U.S.

Fido's Facts

• Seen in Easter art dating back to 1100 B.C. and on carved jade dating back to 1644 A.D.
• In spite of the name, this breed is not a spaniel
• Brought to the U.S. in 1965