Tibetan Spaniel: breed description and content

Tibetan Spaniel is a small cute dog that is considered decorative. In our article, a description of this breed, as well as features of the content, training of such dogs and much more are considered.

Tibby became famous for a very long time. These dogs were previously kept by Tibetan monks. They were used for religious services and for protection. As a guard dog, the Tibetan spaniel was planted on the wall of the monastery, and when unexpected guests appeared, he began to bark loudly. Such dogs could not provide protection from strangers, and here they were helped by more serious watchmen: Tibetan mastiffs.

Spaniels also rotated prayer drums (they usually contained texts necessary for religious services). Such dogs were allowed to live with the monks: four-legged companions were with them even during trips. These dogs were not allowed to sell, they were only given. So Tibby ended up in China. Then many other breeds arose from them, however, scientists still have a lot of debate on these topics.

Europeans learned about Tibetan spaniels only at the end of the 19th century. Miss McLaren, a British breeder, brought such dogs to England. Since the mid-20th century, tibbies have already spread throughout the world. Every year more and more attention is paid to these dogs, and they are rapidly gaining popularity.

It may seem to an inexperienced breeder that the Pekingese and the Tibetan spaniel are the same, however, there are still differences.As for the description of Tibby, it is immediately noticeable that this dog is larger than the Pekingese. Tibby weight can reach 6.8 kg, and height - 26 cm. The proportions of the Tibetan spaniel are quite harmonious, his body is strong, slightly stretched. Dog movements are confident, light.

Tibby's skull is convex, its head is rather small. The muzzle is slightly flattened, short, however, there are no folds. The transition from the muzzle to the forehead is mild.

The eyes are oval, set quite wide, medium in size. The look is directed straight. Eye color - dark, brownish.

The color of the nose is usually black. Ears set high, long, hanging on cartilage. The lower jaw extends slightly (the bite may be straight, but more often there is a snack). Lips are thin, tightly pressed to the jaw, teeth are ideally not visible.

The Tibetan Spaniel has almost no neck. At first glance, it may seem that his head is attached directly to the body. The loin is slightly convex, the back is straight.

Tibby's limbs are not heavy, but strong, rather short. The front legs of the Tibetan spaniel are curved, neat. The hind limbs are more straight, muscular, strong.

The coat of tibby is silky, thick, very beautiful. The length of the coat is medium. The coat is two-layer, it is very well developed. Males usually have a rather large collar around their neck. On the chest, in the riding breeches, on the tail and ears of the Tibetan spaniels there are scratches.

The color of Tibby can be almost anything, there is no strict characteristic in this regard. On the extremities of such dogs there are often white spots. The most valuable are dark Tibetan spaniels with white spots on the forehead, tail and chest. Golden dogs are also valuable.

Tibby puppies are born small, blind. They open their eyes approximately 2 weeks after birth. At this age, puppies are already quite confident on their feet, they begin to move much more. Kids become heavier, stop sleeping a lot.

The coat of Tibetan spaniel puppies usually begins to darken or lighten with age: it all depends on the color. It resembles light fluff for quite some time. When the dog reaches the age of 1 year, the coat becomes tougher, coarser, spots increase or decrease. A tooth change usually starts at 4 months.

Tibby is cheerful, agile and playful. These dogs are pretty wayward. They feel great in the apartment, usually friendly with all family members. To better take root, Tibby is better to take him as a puppy. An adult dog nevertheless already has some certain traits that the new owner does not always like.

The therapeutic abilities of Tibetan spaniels are often compared with representatives of the cat family. These animals very well help fight stress. In many western countries, tibbies are specially trained in order to be used later in canister therapy. This is zoototherapy, which is aimed at restoring patients with impaired brain functions.

Since Tibetan spaniels were kept in monasteries for quite some time, a certain imprint was left on their character. They are rather distrustful and wary of strangers. Tibby is a small dog, therefore, she will not be able to cause serious harm to humans, however, this dog can easily scare away an attacker and warn her master about the danger in time. To prevent the dog from accidentally scaring passers-by walking peacefully, it is better to keep it on a leash during a walk.

Tibby is friendly, but at the same time they strive for independence. Sometimes such a dog can show character and becomes quite stubborn. For this reason, enough time should be devoted to her education.

Tibetan Spaniels are wonderful guards. They immediately respond to extraneous movements, rustling and other sounds. Such dogs are characterized by significant self-confidence, as well as some alienation, so you should not pester a pet when he wants privacy. It should be borne in mind that tibbys usually do not bark without serious reason. If the pet nevertheless barks, this most often means that a stranger has appeared on the territory.

Special care for tibby is not needed. The main thing is how to properly care for the coat of this beautiful dog. Comb the Tibetan Spaniel several times a week with a brush and comb. Twice a year during molting, comb the Tibetan spaniel with a furminator or a little puncher.

Particular attention should be paid to the coat on the tail and ears: in these places, warlocks often appear. To make it easier to comb the animal’s hair, you can use a special spray during this procedure.

It is recommended to wash the Tibetan spaniel no more than four times a year. Some owners of such dogs prefer dry shampoo: it very well removes stains and dirt from the coat. Be sure to use suitable conditioners and shampoos that provide effective care for the skin and coat of the dog. After washing the dog, gently wipe it with a bath towel.

A tibby haircut is not needed. If you often cut such a dog, the quality of its coat is significantly impaired.

Taking a walk with the Tibetan spaniel, be sure to inspect its ears: there may be ticks. Treat your pet’s ears weekly with cotton swabs and cotton pads to remove sulfur and other contaminants. They will need to first be moistened with hydrogen peroxide. Wipe your eyes a few times a week with a soft cotton pad or cloth soaked in a weak chamomile broth or plain boiled water. Cut the claws on the feet of the pet as it grows.

Brush your dog’s teeth weekly using a special toothpaste and a soft brush. Especially careful should be when the permanent teeth begin to grow in place of milk. In Tibetan spaniels, baby teeth may not fall out for too long. In such cases, it is better to go to an experienced doctor.

Once or twice a few months, apply a parasite and flea remedy to the withers of the dog. In the summer and spring seasons, when ticks become active, it is recommended to use special collars and sprays.

Tibby is an animal that is quite energetic, and this energy must be given a way out. Otherwise, the character of the dog can be very bad. Walking with tibby must be done every day, they should be quite long. Such animals love jogging, active pursuits, nature.

The Tibetan spaniel usually adapts to different living conditions quite easily, but keep in mind that he cannot live on a leash or in an aviary. A separate corner should be allocated in the dog house: it should be cozy and secluded. This place should be away from heating appliances and drafts. In some cases, such pets sleep with their owners.

The thick coat of Tibetan spaniels reliably protects them from the cold, but in severe frosts or high humidity it is recommended to wear blankets, sweaters or overalls on such dogs.

Tibetan spaniels need a large number of useful elements. One of the main rules is to give such dogs as little fatty food as possible. Tibby eat both natural food and special mixes.Many Tibetan spaniel owners give them Nutro Choice, Merrick. Tibby can be fed with such natural products:

• fermented baked milk, kefir, cottage cheese;
• buckwheat cereals, rice;
• goat, veal, beef;
• sea ​​fish (cod, notothenia, hake);
• boiled vegetables (tomatoes, zucchini, carrots, beets);
• offal (heart, liver, kidneys, stomach, lungs).

As for corn and chicken meat, it should be borne in mind that because of them, Tibetan spaniels often have allergic reactions. If you encounter such a problem, you will need to stop giving these products to the dog. It is strictly forbidden to feed tibby the following products:

• tubular bones;
• potatoes;
• bakery and confectionery products;
• spicy, salty, smoked food;
• pork, lamb.

It is better to cook fish for tibby, because after eating fresh meat the dog can become infected with worms. An adult dog, whose age has reached 7 months, it is better to feed twice a day, Tibby, whose age is 3-6 months - 3 times, a small puppy - 4 times a day.

Tibby needs early socialization. It is recommended to walk with a Tibetan spaniel for a long time immediately after its appearance in the house: in this way you will teach the dog to other animals and people. If this is not done, the dog may become aggressive towards strangers.

The relationship of the Tibetan spaniel with its owner must be partnering. If you often scold the dog, use physical punishment, he will cease to trust the owner and harbor resentment. If you respect Tibby and demonstrate it in every way, the pet will respond with gratitude, devotion and love.

It’s quite possible to train such dogs. The thing is that they seek to please their masters and in every way to please them. However, qualities such as love of freedom and stubbornness can awaken in the Tibetan spaniel. Some Tibetans begin to ignore commands and act based on their instincts.

Tibetan spaniels live up to 15 years. The health of such pets is usually quite good, but they are still prone to some diseases. Most often, these or other diseases in tibby arise due to a genetic predisposition. For this reason, it is better to buy Tibetan spaniel puppies in reliable nurseries, where they provide information about the pedigree of the animal. Most often, the following diseases occur in tibby.

• Allergies. Symptoms - swelling, itchy skin, and so on. To avoid allergic reactions, you need to be as serious as possible in choosing the right foods for the Tibetan spaniel.
• Otitis. It develops due to the peculiar shape of the tibby ears. To prevent the development of such a disease, it is necessary to monitor hygiene. After walking in wet weather and water procedures, thoroughly wipe the pet’s wool near ears. This can be done using cotton discs.
• Retinal atrophy. Regularly drive your animal to an ophthalmologist. If you ignore the problem and start the disease, the dog can become completely blind.
• Problems with the musculoskeletal system. Such diseases arise due to the physique of the Tibetan spaniels. They most often develop in older animals.

Attention should be paid not only to the physical, but also to the psychological state of the dog. Dose the dog’s stay in noisy and crowded places, make sure that he is not nervous.

The Tibetan Spaniel becomes sexually mature at about 9 months old. The male is ready for the first mating at 12 months, the female - 2 weeks after the onset of estrus. After a day, a repeat of the knitting is necessary.

Puppies in a female appear after 2 months. During pregnancy, you should limit the activity of the dog, and you need to feed it more often: about 4 times a day. Before giving birth, Tibby usually refuses to eat, is anxious. Dense discharge occurs, body temperature decreases. At one time, the female usually gives birth to from 2 to 4 cubs.

Read more about the breed in the video below.