Tibetan Spaniel
A small Tibetan companion with a lion-like mane, independent mind and a habit of watching the world from high places.
At a glance
- Size
- Small
- Height at the withers
- Males 24–26 cm · Females 23–25 cm
- Weight
- Males 4–7 kg · Females 4–6.5 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
- Exercise
- 30–60 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Silky, Double coat, medium
- Colours
- Most colours
- Bred for
- Companionship, Guarding
- Country of origin
- China
- FCI
- Group 9, no. 231 · Companion & toy dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 4/5 – High |
| Good with cats | 4/5 – High |
| Open to strangers | 2/5 – Low |
| Energy | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 2/5 – Low |
| Watchful and protective | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Barking | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 2/5 – Low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 4/5 – High |
| Suits apartment living | 5/5 – Very high |
| Adaptability | 4/5 – High |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 3/5 – Moderate |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a small, easy-care companion
- like an independent, cat-like character
- live in a flat or small house
Think twice if you …
- want a highly obedient dog
- want a dog that greets everyone
- are away for very long hours
Care
Temperament
Affectionate, alert and independent, aloof with strangers but warm with family. Usually good with other pets.
Exercise
Daily walks and play are enough; enjoys exploring and short hikes.
Grooming
Weekly brushing keeps the silky coat in order; extra care during seasonal shedding.
Training
Intelligent but independent; use patience, rewards and short sessions.
Health
Progressive retinal atrophy, patellar luxation and liver shunts are among the conditions seen. Ask the breeder for eye and knee results and any DNA tests.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Eye examination
- Kneecaps (patella)
DNA tests
- PRA3
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Tibetan Spaniel is not a true spaniel. It was kept in Tibetan monasteries and homes as a companion and lookout, sitting on walls to watch for visitors. Dogs were exchanged as gifts with China and other neighbours, and the breed reached Britain in the early twentieth century.
Tibbies are bright, adaptable and affectionate with their family, but they keep a cat-like independence. They are reserved with strangers and will alert you to anything new without being constant barkers. Their modest size, easy coat and moderate exercise needs make them practical companions for many homes.
Did you know?
Tibetan Spaniels love to perch on the backs of sofas and windowsills, echoing the lookout role on monastery walls.