Tibetan Spaniel

The Tibetan Spaniel has existed for thousands of years in Tibet and China, and holds an important position in Tibetan culture. In the Tibetan form of Buddhism, the dog is the symbol of obedience to the peaceful, loving power of Buddha. Chinese Buddhists were often buried with small statues of dogs so that they would have company in the afterlife. Animals are believed to have souls that are no different from human souls.

This dog is beloved all over the world, too. He is intelligent and loving. He's not a lap dog, even though he's small. He's a brave watchdog and likes to take walks and play. Tibetan Spaniels get along well with other animals, especially other dogs.

The Tibetan Spaniel has a glossy, silky coat with feathery hair on ears, toes, and front legs. He has a cape of longer hair over his neck and longer hair on his back legs. The double coat needs only weekly brushing except during shedding season, when five minutes a day helps keep it under control. He can be any color.

Excerpts from the Standard

General Appearance: Small, active, alert, longer in body than high.

Size, Proportion, and Substance: Height--About 10 inches at the withers. Weight--9 to 15 pounds.

Fun Facts

One of the Tibetan Spaniel's favorite activities is sitting in a high spot and watching what everyone is doing. That hobby may have begun long ago, when the dog was a guard for isolated Buddhist monasteries in Tibet as well as a companion for the monks.

Excerpted from The Complete Dog Book For Kids © 1996, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.