An eager-to-please Tibetan spaniel
Photo: Ashbey Photography
Height: 9-11 inches
Weight: 9-15 lbs.
Life Span: 12-15 yrs.
Breed Group:
Companion Dogs Overview
Tibetan spaniels are friendly, low-maintenance dogs well suited to life in the city, suburbs, or country. Eager to please, they do well in obedience training. They love to play with gentle children and get along very well with other animals. They may be cautious with strangers and will sound the bark alarm when someone comes to the door.
Appearance
The outercoat is silky in texture; the undercoat is dense and soft. The neck is covered with a mane or "shawl" of longer hair. The coat color is fawn, cream, white, black, black and tan, or red. The tail is richly plumed and carried in a curl over the back.
Grooming & Exercise Needs
Tibetan spaniels need to be brushed every other day. They are content with a brisk daily walk around the block and some indoor playtime before curling up in their owners' laps.
Origins
The Tibetan spaniel is not a spaniel--it is probably related to the Pekingese, pug, and Japanese Chin--but seems to have originated, perhaps as early as 200 B.C., in Tibet, where it sat on the outer walls of Buddhist monasteries barking out warnings when strangers approached.
Special Alerts
Breed-related health concerns include progressive retinal atrophy.