Tibetan Spaniel
Temperament:
The Tibetan Spaniel is a very lively and playful companion. At that time, he was considered a temple guardian and good luck charm in Tibetan monasteries. Especially the males wear a magnificent coat, reminiscent of a lion's mane. Therefore, they are also affectionately called lion dogs.
Characteristics
The average height at the withers of the Tibetan Spaniel is 25 centimeters. This makes him one of the small dog breeds. Its medium-length coat is characterized by silky topcoat and fine undercoat. It appears in all possible shades of color.
His ears are of medium size and the head is rather small in relation to the body. Its weight should be between 4 and 7 kg.
The nature of the Tibetan Spaniel is lively, friendly and self-confident. He feels a close bond with his caregiver, which is why he is considered a faithful and loyal companion. Nevertheless, he is independent and never behaves submissively. With strangers he is rather reserved and distant.
He likes to make himself comfortable on the lap and loves to be stroked. This could be due to the fact that Tibetan Spaniels often sat on the laps of monks while they meditated.
The Tibetan Spaniel is a very family-friendly dog. He likes children and needs a lot of activity. In general, the breed is very easy to care for and sociable. So it is very suitable for beginners.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
Due to its low energy requirements, the Tibetan Spaniel does not need large amounts of food. However, you should pay attention to a high-quality food with a high meat content.
The sensitive stomach of the four-legged friend is quickly overwhelmed by unfamiliar food. This can lead to diarrhea or vomiting. When changing food, it is therefore important that you accustom him slowly and bit by bit to the new food.
Dry chews, dental care snacks and freeze-dried meat snacks are particularly suitable as treats between meals. To prevent overweight or underweight, you should weigh the adult dog regularly.
Sufficient drinking water should be freely available to your little friend around the clock.
Health & Care
Contrary to what the magnificent coat of the Tibetan Spaniel suggests, intensive grooming is not necessary. Brush the coat once or twice a week to remove loose hair and prevent matting.
It makes sense to also take a look at your quadruped's hanging ears during grooming. These are often prone to dirt and inflammation. There are special ear cleaners for this purpose, and you can find plenty of tips on the Internet.
As with most dogs, claws should be checked regularly and trimmed if necessary. If you are dealing with a puppy, you can try to get him used to brushing his teeth. There are special dog toothbrushes for this purpose. This ensures that the teeth remain healthy and well-groomed until old age.
Suitable accessories
Food and water bowls are of course essential accessories for your four-legged friend. He also needs a leash with a collar for the walk together.
Since the Tibetan Spaniel is an intelligent and playful dog, he needs a lot of activity. So you should always have a toy or two ready for him. For the subsequent rest phases he needs a soft basket. He feels most comfortable with a sleeping place near his caregiver.
For the grooming of your four-legged friend you need a suitable comb or brush. You will need a special dog toothbrush and toothpaste for dental care.
Origin & History
As the name suggests, the Tibetan Spaniel comes from Tibet, where he is one of the so-called Buddha's lion dogs. However, he bears the second part of his name wrongly. Unlike the Spaniel, he has no hunting instinct and has no other similarities with him. Genetically, he is closely related to the Pekinese, which he actually looks very similar to.
Already over 2000 years ago, the Tibetan Spaniel lived together with the monks in Tibetan monasteries. He is still considered there as a lucky charm and is treated respectfully. For the monks he was always a faithful companion and guardian. Due to the close living together with the people, his faithful, loyal nature is also so strong.
Despite its history dating back several centuries, the Tibetan Spaniel was not officially recognized as a breed by the FCI until 1961.
