History of Tibetan Spaniels
 

 


ANKC Standard for Tibetan Spaniel

Group:

Group 1 (Toys)

General Appearance:

Should be small, active and alert. The outline should give a well balanced appearance, slightly longer in body than height at withers.


Characteristics:

Gay and assertive, highly intelligent, aloof with strangers.


Temperament:

See Characteristics and also under Faults.


Head And Skull:

Small in proportion to body and proudly carried giving an impression of quality. Masculine in dogs but free from coarseness. Skull slightly domed, moderate width and length. Stop slight but defined. Medium length of muzzle, blunt with cushioning, free from wrinkle. The chin should show some depth and width. Nose: black preferred.


Eyes:

Dark brown in colour, oval in shape, bright and expressive, of medium size, set fairly well apart but forward looking, giving an ape-like expression. Eye rims black.


Ears:

Medium size, pendant, well feathered in the adult and set fairly high. They may have a slight lift from the skull but should not fly. Large, heavy, low set ears are not typical.


Mouth:

Ideally slightly undershot, the upper incisors fitting neatly inside and touching the lower incisors. Teeth should be evenly placed and the lower jaw wide between the canine tusks. Full dentition desired. A level mouth is permissible providing there is sufficient width and depth of chin to preserve the blunt appearance of muzzle. Teeth must not show when mouth is closed.


Neck:

Moderately short, strong and well set on. Covered with a mane or 'shawl' of longer hair which is more pronounced in dogs than bitches.


Forequarters:

The bones of the forelegs slightly bowed but firm at shoulder. Moderate bone. Shoulder well placed.


Body:

Slightly longer from withers to root of tail than the height at withers, well ribbed with good depth, level back.



Hindquarters:

Well made and strong, hocks well let down and straight when viewed from behind. Stifle well developed, showing moderate angulation.


Feet:

Harefooted, small and neat with feathering between toes often extending beyond the feet. White markings allowed.


Tail:

Set high, richly plumed and carried in a gay curl over back when moving. Should not be penalised for dropping tail when standing.


Gait/Movement:

Quick moving, straight, free, positive.


Coat:

Double coat, silky in texture, smooth on face and front of legs, of moderate length on body, but lying rather flat. Ears and back of forelegs nicely feathered, tail and buttocks well furnished with longer hair. Should not be over coated and bitches tend to carry less coat and mane than dogs.


Colour:

All colours and mixture of colours allowed.


Sizes:

Ideal weight: 4.1 - 6.8 kg (9-15 lbs)

Height: about 25 cms (10 ins)


Faults:

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.


Coarseness of type, mean expression Nervousness Very domed or flat, wide skull. Accentuated stop Long, plain down face without stop. Broad, flat muzzle, pointed, weak or wrinkled muzzle. Large, full eyes. Light eye Overshot mouth. Protruding tongue. Very bowed or loose front.

Straight stifle, cow hocks. Cat feet. Liver or putty coloured pigmentation.


Notes:

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.



Tibetan Spaniel Temperament


A charming, sociable dog, the Tibetan Spaniel is a lover of creature comforts and makes a great family pet or companion. These dogs are well suited to both experienced and inexperienced dog owners, and have bags of energy, charm, and personality. This is an adaptable little dog, with a good natured disposition and a playful attitude. They can be stubborn and independent, which can make training something of a challenge, and a confident, assertive, yet positive owner is essential. Although some Tibetan Spaniels can be on the manipulative side, most are easy going, clam, and sensitive. Although the Tibetan Spaniel is not overly demanding in terms of exercise, regular walks are important, as is a safe and secure area in which to play when not on a leash.


The Tibetan Spaniel is very in tune with the emotions of his owner, and enjoys interaction. He is a real people dog, and does not like to be left alone or neglected. Very good at solving problems, smart, and quick to learn, the Tibetan Spaniel makes for a delightful companion. He enjoys climbing, and is very agile for his size. Early socialization is recommended with the Tibetan Spaniel to bring out confidence and stability in his temperament. He can be wary around strangers, and will bark to raise the alarm, making him an effective watchdog. He gets along well with children but does not like to be roughly handled, so is best around gentle, older children. He will usually get along well with other pets too, although some females can be aggressive with dogs of the same sex.

Tibetan Spaniel Appearance


The Tibetan Spaniel is a small dog with a very dainty appearance. He carried himself with a certain regal dignity, and has a pretty face. He has a beautiful, silky coat, which is medium in length, and feathering of the backs of the legs and the ears. His small, silky ears frame his face beautifully, and he is finished off with a luxuriously plumed and feathered tail. The coloring of the Tibetan Spaniel can vary and he comes in a myriad of colors, including red, black, cream, and gold. The weight of the Tibetan Spaniel is around 9-15 pounds, and the height is around 10 inches.


Tibetan Spaniel Grooming


The Tibetan Spaniel is a relatively low maintenance dog in terms of grooming, and you can brush his coat twice a week using a mist of water prior to brushing. He will need brushing more regularly during periods of heavy shedding. You should trim the hair around his bottom for hygiene reasons, and make sure that the ears and clean and dry to reduce the chances of infection. These dogs are medium shedder, and shed more heavily on a seasonal basis, so they are not ideal for allergy sufferers.


Tibetan Spaniel Health Problems and Life Expectancy


The life expectancy of the Tibetan Spaniel is around 12-18 years, so this is a fairly long lived breed. There are a number of health problems to look out for with these dogs, and this includes liver problems, Legg-Perthes, luxating patella, PRA, and allergies. Parents of the Tibetan Spaniel puppy should have OFA certificates.


Tibetan Spaniel History

 

The Tibetan Spaniel hails from high in the Himalayas, where it has been bred by Lamaist monks for centuries. Buddhists believe that Buddha tamed lions and taught them to follow him, and the Tibetan Spaniel, with its habit of following monks here and there, became known as the Little Lion Dog. Ancient Tibetans treasured these animals, which were often given as gifts to the palaces of China and elsewhere. Though primarily kept as a companion, the Tibetan Spaniel was also a great watch dog; perched atop the monastery walls, this eagle eyed dog would peer far into the night and alert the monks of approaching strangers and wild animals. The monks also put the little dogs to work in treadmills which would spin their prayer wheels.


An Indian by the name of Dr. Grieg, who also played an integral part in spreading the Tibetan Terrier beyond Tibet, is credited with beginning the first effort to breed the Tibetan Spaniel in England during the 1920s. Most of these dogs were lost during World War II, however, and renewed importation from Tibet was necessary to repopulate the breed. The Tibetan Spaniel first arrived in the United States in 1965, and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1984.





Despite being a gentle and affectionate breed, the Tibby does generally have the patience for young children, with any dog young children need to be supervised, particularly unruly children. Early socialization and obedience training of both puppy and child are important.