Tibetan Spaniels are Asian dogs of small size and wonderful character. They are good companion dogs, they do not require much physical activity and care is not very different from that of other dogs. They are easy to train and special attention should be paid to their destructive and barking behavior when their handlers are not home.
Keep reading to learn more about the Tibetan Spaniel, its origin, physical characteristics, character, education, care, he alth and where it is you can adopt if you are interested.
Origin of the Tibetan Spaniel
It is believed that the Tibetan Spaniel dog comes from China, obtained from the mixture between the Japanese Spaniel, the Pekingese and the Lhasa apso. The breed has been found in bronzes as early as 1100 BC in China.
The Tibetan Spaniel is a dog that was chosen by the monks of Tibet as a companion dog in their monasteries and as a watchman at the highest points of these places with the help of Tibetan mastiffs. They were considered "dwarf lions" due to these skills and loy alty. They were also offered as diplomatic gifts to upper-class people from the nobility and roy alty.
At the end of the 19th century the breed was brought to England where the breeding program began. The FCI officially recognized it in 1961 and in 2010 the breed standard for the American Kennel Club was drawn up.
Tibetan Spaniel Characteristics
Tibetan Spaniels are small dogs, males measure up to 27.5 cm and weigh between 5 and 6, 8 kg. Females measure up to 24 cm and weigh between 4, 1 and 5, 2 kg.
The main characteristics of Tibetan Spaniels are:
- The body of these dogs is somewhat longer than it is tall, but it is still proportionate to the naked eye.
- The chest is deep and the back is straight.
- The head is small and somewhat oval.
- The snout is medium and blunt.
- The ears are high and somewhat droopy.
- The eyes are dark brown, oval, medium-sized and expressive.
- The neck is strong and short.
- The tail is hairy, set high and curved over the back.
- The legs are short but robust, the feet are small and with hair between the pads.
As for the hair, it is long, silky and fine with a double layer. Males tend to have thicker, denser fur than females. The colors of this breed can be very varied, although the most common is fawn. We can observe other colors:
- Beige.
- Black.
- Cinnamon.
- White.
- Red.
Tibetan Spaniel Character
Tibetan Spaniels are intelligent, calm, curious, loyal, alert, self-confident and alert dogs However, they are somewhat shy and reserved with strangers, but affectionate with their own. They are rarely aggressive or nervous and do not need much physical activity.
In addition, they are very sweet and cheerful with their caregivers and quickly notice changes in mood. However, what is most difficult for them is living with other dogs. They can adapt to all types of houses but they do not like to be left alone for long periods, being able to bark or develop compulsive destructive behaviors.
Tibetan Spaniel Care
The Tibetan Spaniel does not need intense exercise or high daily physical activity. But, if you need your care to include moderate games and walks to prevent overweight and inactivity, which, in turn, favor the development of diseases.
To prevent contagious diseases of an infectious or parasitic type, a correct schedule of vaccinations and deworming should be maintained, as well as regular check-ups at the veterinary center in order to find and solve problems earlier. possible he alth problems they may develop.
The hygiene habits of the teeth to prevent tartar, dental pathologies or periodontal disease and cleaning the ears for prevention of otitis.
As for this dog's coat, it is fine to medium, needing to be brushed two or three times a week in order to avoid tangles and remove particles and dead hair. Bathing will be necessary when the Tibetan Spaniel is dirty or a treatment shampoo needs to be used for a dermatological problem.
The feed must be complete and intended for the canine species, in its daily amount necessary to satisfy all its specific nutritional and caloric requirements.
Tibetan Spaniel Education
Tibetan Spaniels are very intelligent, docile and loyal dogs, which makes them easy to train In education Special attention should be paid to their fearful nature of the unknown and their destructive or barking behaviors in solitude. They should be well socialized during their first weeks of life and mental stimulation on a daily basis, through games and interactions.
The fastest and most effective education is positive reinforcement, in which expected behaviors are rewarded and not punished as in other types of conditioning.
Tibetan Spaniel He alth
Although they have a life expectancy of up to 14 years and are in good he alth, it is true that they are predisposed to some diseases, especially those related to the eyes.
The most frequent illnesses in Tibetan Spaniels are the following:
- Prolapse of the third eyelid: occurs when the membrane under the eyelid that protects, lubricates and provides defense cells to the eye, the membrane nictitating or third eyelid, protrudes behind the eyelid itself, appearing as a reddish mass. For this reason, this condition is also called "cherry eye" and its solution is through surgery.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Occurs when the photoreceptors in the retina begin to degenerate. At first it appears as a night blindness that becomes total over time.
- Portosystemic shunt: occurs when a vessel that passes from the intestine to the liver before entering the general circulation skips the passage to the liver, so the blood is not detoxified and the toxins pass into the general circulation, reaching the nervous system and causing neurological signs.
- Patella Luxation: Occurs when the patella moves out of its normal position in the knee joint, causing discomfort, pain, and even lameness depending on the degree of dislocation.
They also seem to have a greater predisposition to developing hernias or protrusion of tissues or organs out of their usual location, such as inguinal, umbilical and scrotal hernias. For this reason, veterinary check-ups are especially important in the prevention of these and other pathologies.
Where to adopt a Tibetan Spaniel
If you think you can offer the care and needs of this breed and you want to adopt a Tibetan Spaniel, the first thing you should do is ask at nearby shelters or shelters. Sometimes, even if they don't have the breed, they have information on how to get a Tibetan Spaniel for adoption. Another option is to search the web for Spaniel rescue associations.
