The words Dog Breed Info with the letter D inside of a black paw print

The Purebred Tibetan Spaniel

Information and Pictures

The front left side of a red with white Tibetan Spaniel that is laying across a bed and it is looking forward. The dog has a medium-length coat with longer hair on its ears and the back of its legs, big black eyes and a black nose with black lips.

Tara the Tibetan Spaniel at 12 months old

Other Names
  • Simkhyi
  • Tibbie
Pronunciation

tih-BEH-tuhn SPAN-yuhl speaker

Description

The Tibetan Spaniel is often mistaken for the Pekingese, the differences being that the Tibetan Spaniel has a less profuse coat, slightly longer face and does not have the extra skin around the eyes. The body is somewhat longer than tall. The slightly domed head is small in proportion to the body. The blunt muzzle is medium length without any wrinkles, and with a slight, but defined stop. The nose is black. The dark brown eyes are set well apart, oval in shape and medium in size. Teeth should meet in an undershot or level bite. The front legs are slightly bowed and the feet are hare-like. Dewclaws are sometimes removed. The well-feathered tail is set high and carried over the back. The Silky double-coat lies flat, is short and smooth on the face and front of the legs and medium length on the body. The neck is covered in a mane of hair which is more prominent in males. There is feathering between the toes that often hangs out over the feet. The coat comes in all colors, solid, multi-colored or shaded, including fawn, red, gold, cream, white, black and black and tan, often with white markings on the feet.

Temperament

The Tibetan Spaniel is cheerful, happy, charming, very clever and trusting. This breed is a fine family companion, very independent and a good watchdog. It is not yappy, yet will bark at intruders and odd noises. It can move fairly quickly. This breed gets along with dogs and other animals. Tibetan Spaniels can be slightly difficult to train. If you allow this dog to be pack leader over humans, he can become overprotective, may not be trustworthy with children and reserved with strangers. He may become stubborn and sometimes dog aggressive. These are not Tibetan Spaniel traits, but what is known as Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behaviors, where the dog believes it is the boss of the home. As soon as the humans take the control away from the dog, the behaviors will subside.

Height, Weight

Height: 10 inches (51cm)
Weight: 9-15 pounds (4.1-6.8 kg)

Health Problems

Prone to respiratory problems and heatstroke.

Living Conditions

The Tibetan Spaniel is good for apartment life. It is relatively inactive indoors and will do okay without a yard.

Exercise

The Tibetan Spaniel requires moderate exercise, which includes a daily, nice long walk. It will also enjoy a romp in the yard.

Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years

Litter Size

Average of 3 to 6 puppies. Unlike most other breeds, the Tibetan Spaniel dam tends to only go into heat once a year.

Grooming

Comb and brush the coat regularly. While this breed is an average shedder all year round, the coat comes out in clumps once a year.

Origin

This breed originated in Tibet. It is descended from dogs from China and other Buddhist countries. The Tibetan Spaniel is considered an ancient breed, being that there is evidence of its existence over 2000 years ago. Most small Asian dogs are believed to be descended from the Tibbie. Highly esteemed in ancient Tibet, they were often given as gifts to royal houses and the dogs were spread throughout Asia. Depictions of the dogs were found on early Eastern art dating back as far as 1100 BC. The dogs worked turning the prayer wheel for their masters and also as watchdogs in Tibetan monasteries. They would sit up on the high walls and bark at anything they believed didn't belong. The breed was first introduced to England in the late 1800s. It was recognized by the AKC in 1983.

Group

Herding, AKC Non-Sporting

Recognition
  • ACA = American Canine Association Inc.
  • ACR = American Canine Registry
  • AKC = American Kennel Club
  • APRI = American Pet Registry, Inc.
  • CKC = Canadian Kennel Club
  • CKC = Continental Kennel Club
  • DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
  • FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
  • KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
  • NAPR = North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
  • NKC = National Kennel Club
  • NZKC = New Zealand Kennel Club
The left side of a brown with white and black Tibetan Spaniel that is standing across brown grass and it is looking to the left. It has long hair on its light colored tail and a short black muzzle.

Teddy the Tibetan Spaniel, photo courtesy of Tibbies-R-Us

Top down view of a brown with white and black Tibetan Spaniel that is sitting on a rug and it is looking up. The dog has wide round eyes and a black muzzle.

Teddy as a puppy, photo courtesy of Tibbies-R-Us

The right side of a red with white Tibetan Spaniel that is standing across a brown grass surface and it is looking forward.

Starlite's Ted-E-Bear aka Teddy the Tibetan Spaniel, photo courtesy of Tibbies-R-Us

The front left side of a white with black and tan Tibetan Spaniel dog standing across a grass surface, its head is up and it is looking to the left.

Xena the Tibetan Spaniel, photo courtesy of Tibbies-R-Us

Front side view. A white with black and brown Tibetan Spaniel is standing on a carpeted surface, it is looking up and forward.

Xena the Tibetan Spaniel, photo courtesy of Tibbies-R-Us

A brown with white and black Tibetan Spaniel dog laying next to a white with black and brown Tibetan Spaniel dog with one blue eye and they both are looking up.

Teddy and Xena the Tibetan Spaniels, photo courtesy of Tibbies-R-Us

A tan with white Tibetan Spaniel is laying in grass and it is looking forward. It has long hair on its ears and chest.

"This is my Tibetan Spaniel. His name is Jeff and he just celebrated his 12th birthday on December 18. He loves attention and cuddling, but does not like to be picked up or held too close, probably because he has Small Dog Syndrome. He loves playing with other dogs and finds himself getting out of the fenced yard to walk down the street and visit all of the neighbors, who absolutely adore him. He's very intelligent. He knows how to sit, stay, jump, sing (and try to match the pitch of the piano), and he also knows how to get away with everything by giving you those big puppy dog eyes that he has with his head down. He is very confident around large breeds of dogs and tries to start fights with neighbor dogs by sticking his head through the fence to get a reaction out of them. He is, however, afraid of any type of beeping noise, fireworks and lightning. He is not aggressive toward humans (he loves babies) or other dogs, but he likes to chase wild rabbits and birds and kill them…sometimes in front of people. All in all, I wouldn't trade my Jeff for any other dog out there!!!"

A tan Tibetan Spaniel dog laying across an arm chair and it is looking forward. Its coat is shaved short on its face.

"Zoe is a healthy and active 15 year old Tibetan. She walks two miles a day. Keeps watch out on our windowsill for two hours a day. Eats well, sleeps well. A wonderful pet at our home in Cork, Ireland, since 1995. A gift from my daughters Niamh and Eimear when I had a heart attack in 1995. Thanks, Zoe.

The front right side of a tan with black and white Tibetan Spaniel is standing across a tiled floor and it is looking forward. Its tail is being held low.

"Zoe is now 17 years old. Her hearing is now very poor but otherwise she is in good health. Walks about one mile every day, eats well and sleeps a lot. Her coat is as good as ever, she is feisty and has good eyesight. Hopefully we will enjoy her company for a while yet. If only I will age as well!!"

A little toy dog with short legs, a pushed back face, round brown eyes, a shaved black, tan and white coat with longer hair on its ears and tail.

"This is our little Cosmo. He is our pride and joy. Stubborn and demanding but we cannot help but smile and laugh. Wouldn't want any other dog. He's King of the House, Terrorizer of the neighborhood."

See more examples of the Tibetan Spaniel