Tibetan Spaniel
Facts
Care & Exercise
Being an active breed, the Tibetan Spaniel needs regular exercise, but this can be achieved easily by play with children or a walk which does not need to be all that long. The Tibby coat is soft and silky, medium to short in length, with a fine and dense undercoat. Brushing a few times a week will usually see it kept in good order, with the occasional bath when the need arises.
Suitability
Its smallness suits the Tibetan Spaniel to just about any sized living situation. As with most toy breeds, the Tibby may enjoy a romp around a large garden, but is perfectly happy to spend most of its time indoors. Its gay, loving nature makes it an excellent family pet, but be prepared for it to treat visitors with some suspicion or aloofness. Its coat needs a moderate amount of maintenance without which it will quickly become grubby, matted and scruffy, so it is not a breed for those without either time or inclination for grooming.
This stunning breed has been a much-favoured companion in monasteries as a prayer dog. Its loving nature and delightful character make the Tibby a perfect addition to any loving home.
In spite of its name, the Tibetan Spaniel is classified as a toy, not a gundog and is known to its owners as the Tibby. It has its origins in the Himalayas and is known to have existed for at least 2000 years, being much favoured in the monasteries as a companion and prayer dog. A sturdy, sweet-natured, intelligent little dog, it can be stand-offish with strangers, but a delightful, loving, mischievous pet to its family. A characteristic of the Tibby is its slightly bowed front legs, correct for this breed but undesirable on most others. Like the other Asian breeds, it can be quiet at times, or quite assertive and fearless when it sees the need.
The Tibetan Spaniel has a relatively easycare medium length, silky coat which can come in any colour. The usual size is around 25cm at the shoulder, weighing between 4.5 and 7kg, and the Tibby should look slightly longer than high.
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