Tibetan Spaniel Breed Guide and Pet Insurance

Introduction to Tibetan Spaniels

Tibetan spaniels are playful and smart little dogs that make excellent additions to many families. These dogs are confident, have long lifespans, and come in various color combinations.

This breed of dog has a long history that dates back to ancient monasteries as Buddhist monk companions. Today, they are adaptable dogs that fit nicely into a variety of households and become sensitive and affectionate family members when they get plenty of love and attention.

Is a Tibetan spaniel the right dog for your household?

Check out this Healthy Paws breed guide to learn more about the Tibetan spaniel’s characteristics, care, health concerns, feeding, training, and insurance needs.

Size of Tibetan Spaniels

When fully grown, a Tibetan spaniel will stand about 10 inches tall and weigh nine to 15 pounds. There are only slight differences between the size of males and females of this breed. The dogs are typically done growing by two years of age.

Here’s how big you can expect your Tibetan spaniel to get as the dog grows from puppyhood to adulthood:

Weight Chart	6 months	9 months	12 months
Average male and female Tibetan spaniels	8 lbs.	10.5 lbs.	12 lbs.

Characteristics of Tibetan Spaniels

The Tibetan spaniel is a non-sporting group dog that’s easy to train and has moderate exercise needs. They love keeping watch over their beloved family members from high spots in the house. They do well with kids, though their small size means they may be accidentally during rough play.

You can comfortably live in an apartment with a Tibetan spaniel. However, you’ll need to spend plenty of time with your pup because dogs of this sensitive breed don’t like being left alone for long periods of time.

As you get to know a Tibetan spaniel’s personality, here’s what you can expect based on the breed characteristics:

Breed Characteristic	Level (High, Medium, Low)
Affectionate with People	High
Good with Kids	High
Good with Pets	Medium
Need for Exercise	Medium
Energy Level	Medium
Intelligence Level	Medium
Able to Be Trained	Medium
Amount of Barking	Medium
Amount of Shedding	Medium

History of Tibetan Spaniels

Buddhist monks played an important role in developing and preserving the Tibetan spaniel breed. This is a dog breed native to Tibet, where monks kept the small dogs as companions alongside the much larger Tibetan mastiffs.

Tibetan spaniels were known for sitting high on top of monastery walls as they kept watch and alerted the monks of anyone coming their way. Although the dog is called a “spaniel,” it is not related to other traditional spaniel breeds.

Along with the Lhasa apso and the Tibetan terrier, the Tibetan spaniel is one of the three native Tibetan breeds in the non-sporting kennel club group. Tibetan terriers were known as “little lions” and were considered sacred in ancient times.

These elegant dogs made their way to China and Japan as gifts and then to England around the 1920s. The first known dogs of this breed were born in the U.S. in 1965. The American Kennel Club first recognized the breed in 1983.

Tibetan Spaniel Standard Information

When Tibetan spaniels enter dog shows and competitions, judges evaluate them based on a particular set of criteria that defines the ideal characteristics of the dog. For example, the general appearance of the Tibetan spaniel is small, active, alert, well-balanced, and with a longer body than height at the withers.

Here is an overview of the breed standard information for Tibetan Spaniels:

Head:

Small head in proportion to the body
Dark brown eyes that are oval in shape
Apelike expression with black eye rims
Medium-size pendant ears that are well-feathered
Skull is slightly domed and of moderate length and width
Muzzle is moderate length and free from wrinkles
Teeth do not show when mouth is closed

Neck, Topline, Body:

Moderately short neck that is strong and well-set on
Level back
Tail is set on high and richly plumed
Not penalized for tail-dropping when standing

Forequarters:

Shoulders are firm and well-placed
Bones of the forearms and slightly bowed
Dewclaws may be removed
Small, hare-like feet

Hindquarters:

Strong hindquarters with a well-developed stifle
Hocks are well let down and straight viewed from behind
Dewclaws may be removed
Feet are the same as in front

Coat:

Double coat that has a silky texture
Ears and back of the forelegs are feathered
Tail and buttocks have longer hair
Neck has a mane of longer hair
Feathering on toes extends beyond the feet

Color:

All colors and mixtures of colors are judged equally

Gait:

Free, positive, straight, and quick-moving

head shot of black and tan tibetan spaniel

Caring for Tibetan Spaniels

Tibetan spaniels love keeping watch over their families and alerting them to anything suspicious. Although this breed has an independent nature, it also thrives on attention from people. Their small size makes them excellent apartment and small house companions.

Here are some general tips for taking the best care of a Tibetan spaniel:

Best Living Environments:

Sensitive dogs that benefit from frequent human interaction
Apartments and small homes are suitable for this breed
Homes where a bit of barking isn’t a significant problem
Best with kids at least six years old who know better than to tease or roughhouse with dogs

Type of Exercise:

About 30 minutes of exercise are needed per day
Playtime in the house or small yard
Short walks around the neighborhood
Can walk about six miles per week

Mental Enrichment:

Scent work
Agility training
Games of fetch
Rally
Snuggling with family members

Training Strategies:

Practice extra patience with dogs during independent streaks
Eager-to-please dogs that enjoy learning new things
Use positive reinforcement with treats and praise
Start training during puppyhood
Known for barking frequently without proper training

Grooming Tips:

Brush the coat at least weekly to remove loose hair
May need to brush daily to prevent mats
Sheds in small amounts throughout the year
Bathe about every two months
Brush teeth daily
Trim nails once or twice per month

Common Health Problems of Tibetan Spaniels

Tibetan spaniels are dogs with good longevity and typically live for 12 to 15 years.

With the rising costs of veterinary care, an increasing number of pet parents are enrolling their pups in pet health insurance plans. If you get your Tibetan spaniel from a breeder, ensure that the breeder is reputable and can provide health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and the Canine Eye Registry Foundation.

These are some of the most common health issues that arise with Tibetan spaniels:

Patellar luxation (slipped stifles, misalignment of the legs that causes lameness or movement difficulty)
Progressive retinal atrophy (degenerative eye disorder)
Cherry eye (protruding 3^rd eyelid)
Portosystemic shunt (liver shunt)

Diet and Nutrition for Tibetan Spaniels

An adult Tibetan spaniel needs about 0.7 cups of dry dog food daily. You should split this daily amount into two morning and evening meals for your dog.

The average daily cost to feed a Tibetan spaniel is just under $1 per day.

Where to Adopt or Purchase Tibetan Spaniels

The Tibetan Spaniel Club of America is the national parent club for this breed and a membership organization that provides information about the breed and resources for adoption and breeders.

The club offers a breeder referral and a rescue program to connect people with homeless Tibetan spaniels. You can also search for adoptable pets on Petfinder and Adopt a Pet in your area.

Related Breeds

The Tibetan spaniel shares physical and temperament characteristics with various other dog breeds, which you might be interested in learning more about if the Tibetan spaniel appeals to you. For example, you might also search for another dog of Eastern origin that is small, affectionate, and has a profuse coat.

Here are some additional breeds to consider for your next pet:

Pet Insurance for Tibetan Spaniels

Once you bring a Tibetan spaniel into your home, pet health insurance is one of the next crucial things to look into. Healthy Paws offers Tibetan spaniel dog insurance that covers new accidents, illnesses, hereditary and congenital conditions, cancer care, emergency and specialty hospitals, chronic conditions, breed-specific conditions, and alternative care.

We are here for you on your pet’s worst days and offer a speedy claims process to reimburse you hassle-free and quickly for vet bills you pay. Put your mind at ease that you can always afford your Tibetan spaniel’s necessary medical care with Healthy Paws by your side.

To see your Tibetan spaniel health insurance quote today, please share a few details about your dog with us on our website. We look forward to helping you protect your furry friend.