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Grooming
is easy. A weekly brushing, bath when needed and regular nail clipping. They have no doggie odor whatsoever. They do shed
a couple of times a year when they blow most of their undercoat. Tibbies get along well with children and other animals. They
are sturdy little dogs for their size, but should be supervised for their You shouldn't own a Tibbie if you are looking for
a dog whose very existence depends upon pleasing you, and they should never be kept as outside dogs. Tibbies will love you
faithfully, but you MUST understand their terms.
originally bred in Tibet, the Tibetan Spaniel is not really a Spaniel. They were bred to be companion dogs, not hunting dogs.
Because Tibet is a mountainous region and various parts are isolated from each other, various versions of this small body
developed over the past thousand years. The breed was only standardized in recent times. In Tibet Tibbies became the favorite
of Buddhist monks and was a valued watchdog. They would sit high atop the monastery walls announcing the arrival of strangers
and predators to the monks and Tibetan Mastiffs who were guarding the monastery herds. Outside of the monastery, he served
as watchdog and companion for Tibetan villagers.
The
breed was introduced into England in 1938. It was recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club in 1979 and by the American Kennel
Club in 1983. The Tibetan Spaniel gives a well-balanced appearance with his body being slightly longer than tall at the withers.
The head is small in proportion to the body and carried proudly. The skull is slightly domed and moderate in length and width.
The muzzle is of medium length. There is a slight stop between the skull and muzzle. The teeth should ideally be slightly
undershot or level. The neck is moderately short and strong. The top line is level. The tail is set high and richly plumed.
It is carried gaily over the back when the dog is in motion. the bones of the forelegs are slightly bowed with small hare
feet. The tibbie has a double coat, silky in texture and smooth on the face and front of the legs. It is of moderate length,
lying flat on the body. The ears, back of the forelegs, tail and buttocks have slightly longer hair. the neck has a mane of
longer hair which is more pronounced in males. All colors and mixtures of colors are allowed. ideal Height is approximately
ten inches with weight ranging from nine to fifteen pounds. Due to the better nutrition this breed is getting larger and less
are seen at the lower end of the ideal weight and more at 15 pounds and over. many judges would like to see the size brought
down closer to the 9-10 pounds for females and under the 15 for males.
many say the tibbie is the *best kept little secret in the dog world* and they are right. to know a tibbie is to love them.
General Appearance Should be small, active and alert. The outline should give a well balanced appearance, slightly longer
in body than the height at withers. Fault Coarseness of type. Size, Proportion, Substance Size Height about 10 inches. Body
slightly longer from the point of shoulder to root of tail than the height at withers. Weight 9-15 pounds being ideal. Head
Small in proportion to body and proudly carried, giving an impression of quality. Masculine in dogs but free from coarseness.
Eyes:
dark brown in color, oval in shape, bright and expressive, of medium size set fairly well apart but forward looking, giving
an apelike expression. Eye rims black. Faults--Large full eyes; light eyes; mean expression.
Ears
medium size, pendant, well feathered in the adult and set fairly high. They may have a slight lift from the skull, but should
not fly. Large, heavy, low set ears are not typical. Skull slightly domed, moderate width and length. Faults--Very domed or
flat wide skull. Stop slight, but defined. Medium length of muzzle, blunt with cushioning, free from wrinkle. The chin should
show some depth and width. Faults--Accentuated stop; long, plain down face, without stop; broad flat muzzle; pointed, weak
or wrinkled muzzle. Black nose preferred. Faults Liver or putty-colored pigmentation.
Mouth
ideally slightly undershot, the upper incisors fitting neatly inside and touching the lower incisors. Teeth should be evenly
placed and the lower jaw wide between the canine tusks. Full dentition desired. A level mouth is permissible, providing there
is sufficient width and depth of chin to preserve the blunt appearance of the muzzle. Teeth must not show when mouth is closed.
Faults--Overshot mouth; protruding tongue.
Neck,
Topline, Body Neck moderately short, strong and well set on. Level back. Well ribbed with good depth. Tail set high, richly
plumed and carried in a gay curl over the back when moving. Should not be penalized for dropping tail when standing. Forequarters
Shoulder well placed. The bones of the forelegs slightly bowed but firm at shoulder. Moderate bone. Faults--Very bowed or
loose front. Dewclaws may be removed.
Feet
hare-footed, small and neat. Fault--Cat feet. Hindquarters Well made and strong. Stifle well developed, showing moderate angulation.
Hocks well let down and straight when viewed from behind. Faults--Straight stifle; cow hocks. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet
as in front.
Coat
Double coat, silky in texture, smooth on face and front of legs, of moderate length on body, but lying rather flat. Ears and
back of forelegs nicely feathered, tail and buttocks well furnished with longer hair. Neck covered with a mane or "shawl"
of longer hair which is more pronounced in dogs than bitches. Feathering between toes often extending beyond the feet. Should
not be over-coated and bitches tend to carry less coat and mane than dogs. Presentation--In the show ring it is essential
the Tibetan Spaniel be presented in an unaltered condition with the coat lying naturally with no teasing, parting or stylizing
of the hair. Specimens where the coat has been altered by trimming, clipping, or by artificial means shall be so severely
penalized as to be effectively eliminated from competition. Dogs with such a long coat that there is no rectangle of daylight
showing beneath, or so profuse that it obstructs the natural outline, are to be severely penalized. Whiskers are not to be
removed. Hair growing between the pads on the underside of the feet may be trimmed for safety and cleanliness.
Color
All colors, and mixtures of colors allowed. Feet--White markings allowed. Gait Quick moving, straight, free, positive. Temperament
Gay and assertive, highly intelligent, aloof with strangers. Fault--Nervousness.
The
Tibetan Spaniel originated in Tibet and along with the Lhasa Apso and the Tibetan Terrier, is one of three native Tibetan
breeds in the AKC non sporting group. The ancestors of the Tibetan Spaniel lived in the monstaries with Buddhist monks and
were called "little lions", giving them great value and prestige sincelions were considered sacred.
As the Tibetan Spaniel breed became more highly regarded, the practice of sending the dogs as gifts to the palaces of China
and other Buddhist countries grew significantly, and in reciprocity, more "lion dogs" were presented back to Tibet. The Tibetan
Spaniel can be found in early Eastern art, dating as early as 1100 BC and on some carved Jade pieces from 1644 AD.
They were highly valued not only as pets and companions, but as a useful by acting as guard and alert dogs.
Small monastery dogs, thought to be early representatives of the Tibetan Spaniel, loyally trailed behind their Lama masters
and came to be regarded as "little Lions", thus giving them great value and prestige. The practice of sending the dogs as
gifts to the palaces of China and other Buddhist countries grew significantly, and in reciprocity more "lion dogs" were presented
back to Tibet, continuing until as late as 1908.
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