Description: Despite their name, Spaniel, the Tibetan Spaniel is not related to spaniels and is not known to have been used as a hunting companion or gundog. They are a breed that love comforts and companionship and display a charming, good nature. The Tibetan Spaniel lives to play and are heartier than their size may suggest.

Height: 10 inches
Weight: 9 - 15 lbs.

Colors: All solid colors and mixtures permissible.
Coat: Moderately long and silky in texture; shorter on face and fronts of legs; feathering on ears, backs of legs and tail.

Temperament: The Tibetan Spaniel is intelligent, assertive
With Children: Yes, good with children, they make a splendid house pet.
With Pets: Yes, good with cats, other dogs and can learn to accept exotic birds. There could be some female-to-female aggression in groups.
Special Skills: Family pet.

Watch-dog: High, aloof with strangers and will bark long enough to attract attention.
Guard-dog: Low

Care and Training: Regular brushing of the Tibetan Spaniel silky coat will keep it clean and free of mats. Extra care needs to be taken during seasonal shedding. Trim hair between pads of feet, trim nails, clean ears and teeth. Bathe only when necessary. Needs routine walks and runs as they love to romp outdoors and does their best when they have received a lot of exercise. Sometimes stubborn the Tibetan Spaniel may be hard to housebreak. They will benefit from obedience training. Puppies need to be handled when young.
Learning Rate: High, as they are a smart independent thinker and will requires a creative trainer.

Activity: High, but not hyperactive.
Living Environment: Does not make a good kennel dog. The Tibetan Spaniel is an indoor dog who will enjoy a fenced backyard. Care must be taken to have adequate fencing as they has been known to scale chain-link fences.

Health Issues: Progressive retinal atrophy, juvenile kidney disease, patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, liver shunt.

Life Span: 15 - 16
Litter Size: 2 - 4

Country of Origin: Tibet
History: The Tibetan Spaniel was bred by Buddhist monks who they served as companions, watchdogs and prized possessions. Known as the "prayer dog" they date back to at least 1100 B.C. They first appeared in England in the 1890s but did not become popular until the 1950s. The Tibetan Spaniel may be an ancestor to the Pekingese, but their origins are very vague.

First Registered by the AKC: 1983
AKC Group: Non-Sporting
Class: Non-Sporting
Registries: AKC, ANKC, CKC, FCI (Group 9), KC (GB), UKC

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