Tibetan Spaniel
About the Tibetan Spaniel
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Small (10-25 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 9-10" |
| Weight | 9-15 lbs |
| Coat Type | Double |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Low (under 30 min/day)
20 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Moderate mental stimulation needed
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,000-$2,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,100/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Tibetan Spaniels may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
Guides for your Tibetan Spaniel
The story behind the Tibetan Spaniel
The breed comes from Tibet, where small companion dogs were kept in monasteries and by lay households, valued as house pets and as alert watchdogs that would raise the alarm from windows and walls, alerting the larger guardian dogs outside. Tradition associates them with Buddhist monasteries, where the dogs are said to have turned prayer wheels, though this is a folk account rather than documented practice. Related small Asian breeds share broadly similar origins and some common ancestry. Dogs reached Britain with travellers and missionaries returning from the region in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, but the population was disrupted by the Second World War and rebuilt afterwards with fresh imports. A British breed club was established in the mid twentieth century, recognition followed in Britain and North America, and the breed is now kept internationally as a companion in modest numbers.
Originally bred for: Monastery watchdog, household companion, lookout and alert dog. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Tibetan Spaniel
A measured complete diet for a small dog, fed in two portions, works well. These are compact dogs that gain weight readily on little food, so treats need counting. Smaller kibble sizes suit the short muzzle, and dental care matters in a small-jawed breed.
Watch for: Nothing specific attaches to the breed. Apparent fussiness in small, short-faced dogs often traces to sore teeth rather than ingredients. Lasting changes in appetite, scratching or loose stools deserve professional assessment ahead of any restriction.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for small breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Tibetan Spaniel
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a comfortable no-pull harness.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.