Fun Tibetan Spaniel Facts For Kids

The Tibetan Spaniel, also known as Canis lupus familiaris, is a breed of small-sized dogs. Unlike other Spaniel dogs, the Tibetan Spaniel is primarily a companion dog and is not involved in hunting or other activities. This dog breed is quite playful with humans and also shares a playful bond with other animals.

Originated in Tibet, these dogs served as a companion to the Buddhist monks and were also known as the 'Little Lions.' A few centuries ago, the Tibetan Spaniel also used to serve as watchdogs. The dogs are small compared to other Spaniel dogs and the average weight of a Tibetan Spaniel is 9–15 lb (4.1–6.8 kg) and can grow up to 10 in (25 cm). The Tibetan Spaniel dogs can be found in a variety of colors such as black, white, tan, cream, sable. Some dogs are also spotted in the golden color which is quite fascinating. Also, the dog breed is an omnivore and generally eats vegetables, grains, meat, and dog food. The average life span of a Tibetan Spaniel dog is 14-15 years. The Tibetan Spaniel dogs can be spotted in numerous countries such as China, the United States, England, and several regions of Europe.

Keep on reading to learn more interesting facts about the Tibetan Spaniel. If you want to know more exciting information about different animals, check out the silky terrier and Japanese spitz. 
 

What type of animal is a Tibetan Spaniel?

The Tibetan Spaniel is primarily a companion and caring dog. These are quite small dogs but are also very watchful and intelligent who maintain a distance from strangers. The Tibetan Spaniel dog breed is an omnivore who loves to eat meat, vegetables, and grains.

What class of animal does a Tibetan Spaniel belong to?

A Tibetan Spaniel dog belongs to the mammal class of the Canidae family. The Tibetan Spaniel breed is different from other Spaniel dogs as they are companion dogs whereas other breeds are gun dogs.

How many Tibetan Spaniels are there in the world?

The exact population of the Tibetan Spaniels is not known. The Tibetan Spaniels is a rare breed but with the coming of the 20th century, the population of the breed is rising. Several dogs were bred to the United Kindom even before the 20th century, and many were imported to the United States after the mid 20th century. Several committees such as the Tibetan Spaniel Club of America and Fédération Cynologique Internationale were made in the United States and Germany respectively to keep a check on the numbers of the Tibetan Spaniels.

Where does a Tibetan Spaniel live?

The Tibetan Spaniels are quite different from other Spaniel dogs, also the characteristic of being a companion and alert dog makes them more rare and unique. The Tibetan Spaniel dog originated in Tibet but after several decades, the breed can also be found in several other neighboring countries such as China. Also, the Tibetan Spaniel dog breed was bred in the United Kingdom and was also imported to the United States and several European countries. The Tibetan Spaniel breed can easily be spotted throughout the world, especially in western countries.

What is a Tibetan Spaniel's habitat?

It is said that the ancestors of Tibetan Spaniels used to live on mountains who also guarded the monasteries and palaces. Later, the breed developed into companion dogs who generally live as pets in households, shelters, and farms. These are quite intelligent and playful dogs, thus you can easily find a Tibetan Spaniel at any reputable breeder.

Who do Tibetan Spaniels live with?

The Tibetan Spaniels are companion pets with humans in homes and shelters. These small dogs are quite energetic and playful but you need to take care of the dogs when kids are around. Also, these dogs are socially interactive but usually maintain distance from strangers. These little dogs are very compatible with other animals and pets and love being around them. When left alone, these dogs do not feel good.

How long does a Tibetan Spaniel live?

While most dog breeds generally live around 10-13 years, the average Tibetan Spaniel lifespan is 14-15 years which is relatively higher than other dog breeds. Their lifespan generally depends upon the amount of care humans do. Several studies reveal that the life span of some Tibetan Spaniels crosses over 15 years.

How do they reproduce?

Like other dog breeds, the process of reproduction in Tibetan spaniels is the same. The dogs generally get mature after 14-16 months. After attaining maturity, the adult Tibetan Spaniel dogs go through the heat or the estrous cycle in which the female dogs are willing to mate with male dogs. The estrous cycle generally lasts for around two to four weeks and it depends on the individual dog. The process of mating primarily starts with the courtship behavior in which the dogs attract each other. The gestation period of female Tibetan Spaniels usually lasts for around 60-65 days. When the gestation period ends, the female dogs give birth to the cute puppies. The average litter size of the female Tibetan dog is three to six puppies. The female dog spends the entire time with its puppies until they become self-reliant.

What is their conservation status?

As we know the Tibetan Spaniels are one of the rarest dog breeds, but organizations such as the International Union for the Conservation of Nature have not evaluated the conservation status of the Tibetan. For the last few decades, the numbers are going in the right direction. In the last decade of the 19th century, this small dog was bred in the United Kingdom, also it was imported to the United States and Germany from Tibet. In these countries, several clubs and bodies were constituted for the protection of Tibetan Spaniels as they were prone to several health complications. As of now, this cute small pet is found throughout the world.

What do Tibetan Spaniels look like?

Just look at the cute little Tibetan Spaniel pup and you will fall in love. The puppies of the Tibetan Spaniel love playing with humans and other animals. Apart from the white colors, these little lovable puppies can also be found in other colors such as brown, black, sable, golden, and tan. They have a soft coat of fur and small faces, with ears flopping downward alongside their face. They also have small oval eyes and a feathery plumed tail. These lap puppies are so quiet and calm that look so adorable and lovely.

How cute are they?

The Tibetan Spaniel is a very friendly and adoring pet dog. Unlike other Spaniel dogs, the Tibetan Spaniel is a companion dog who loves being around humans. The Tibetan Spaniels are also quite energetic and by looking at their small size, the energy level is unmatchable. Their height is about 10 in (25 cm) which makes them more adorable. This cute lap dog also loves to play with kids and other animals.

How do they communicate?

When we study the Tibetan Spaniel history, we get to know that the dog used to live with the Buddhist monks and they guarded several monasteries and palaces. When they saw something unusual, the dog would start to bark continuously. Over a period of time, the Tibetan Spaniel dog came to be known as the companion dog. The Tibetan Spaniel breed is very alert and watchful when compared to other breeds, when they spot a stranger or some unusual activity in the house they start to bark loudly. The pet also comes closer and snuggles you when the dog wants attention.

A pet dog would generally make different sounds such as growling, barking, and howling when they want to say something to humans or a fellow pet. When the Tibetan Spaniels turn adult, they try to attract their partners through courtship behavior. It is also said that this small breed uses the sense of smell to communicate with each other.

How big is a Tibetan Spaniel?

The Tibetan Spaniel breed is generally small compared to other breeds of dogs. An average Tibetan Spaniel weighs around 9-15 lb (4.1-6.8 kg) and the average height is 9-10 in (22-25 cm). Although a small breed, the dogs are bigger than several breeds and are three times bigger than the Chihuahua dogs. A few of the Tibetan Spaniels are also bigger than a famous breed, the Pug. If these dogs are involved in proper training and exercise, they can grow more than their average size.

How fast can a Tibetan Spaniel run?

The Tibetan Spaniels are non-sporting but are quite energetic, but their exact speed is not known. Unlike other Spaniel breeds, the Tibetan Spaniel breed has no hunting abilities and is not fast when compared to the Welsh Springer Spaniel breed and the English Cocker Spaniel breed. Therefore, it doesn't mean that the breed is slow. These dogs are very easy to train and if you properly train the pet, the dog can learn to run at a quicker speed. Proper exercise and training schedules should be followed to see the changes.

How much does a Tibetan Spaniel weigh?

The weight of the Tibetan Spaniel breed is comparatively less compared to other dogs and the average weight of these dogs is 9-15 lb (4.1-6.8 kg). A few of the Tibetan Spaniel dogs weigh more than 16-17 lb. This breed generally grows only till 10-11 months while most of the breeds grow until they are two years old.

What are their male and female names of the species?

There are no species names given to the male and female Tibetan Spaniel breed. Generally, people call a male Tibetan Spaniel a dog and a female Tibetan Spaniel a bitch. Also, when a male becomes an adult and matured enough to mate, the male dog is called a sire while the adult female is known as a dam.

What would you call a baby Tibetan Spaniel?

The babies of Tibetan Spaniel, just like other babies of different breeds are known as puppies. These puppies are very small in height, also you would hardly feel their weight while holding them.

What do they eat?

We know that the Tibetan Spaniels are companion dogs and are domesticated. It is said that the ancestors of these dogs were carnivores and primarily prey on smaller animals but once they developed into domesticated animals, these dogs eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, and different types of meat. Also, they live with humans, and people also feed them dog food. We also need to understand that we should not only rely on the dog products that are available in the market to supplement the protein requirement. Any dog should be fed only a healthy diet as overeating could make them obese. To prevent such situations, humans need to make proper training and exercise schedules for their pets.

Are they slobbery?

The Tibetan Spaniel is a non-sporting dog and primarily lives like a cat. When compared to other breeds, the dog doesn't slobber or drool. Unlike other dogs, they do not even slobber during playing and cuddling with you. To prevent drool, you need to take proper care of the oral hygiene of your cute loving Tibetan spaniel.

Would they make a good pet?

The companion nature of the Tibetan Spaniels makes them more special. These dogs are very small in height compared to other breeds but are far more alert and intelligent than most of the breeds. The Tibetan Spaniels are quite interactive and love being around humans and especially kids. Unlike most of the breeds, the dogs are non-sporting but are quite active and energetic while playing at home. Also, if you are a gym freak who loves exercise and training, then this dog is for you. A special characteristic about the dog is their friendly behavior with other animals.

The Tibetan Spaniel is a calm lap dog who primarily lives like a cat. These dogs generally do not bark but they are quite alert and watchful and if something unusual happens, they would bark a lot. Also, these dogs are socially interactive but maintain a distance from strangers.

These dogs have a double-coat that might need proper care. The Tibetan Spaniel grooming could be a joyful task for you and your pet. When left alone, these dogs do not feel happy. If you have made your decision, then definitely go for it as finding a cute companion like the Tibetan Spaniel puppies is next to impossible.

Did you know...

These dogs are quite friendly and loyal but they need proper training and guidance, and you cannot leave them alone with kids. Also, sometimes they are not very cordial with a few members of the family. So, we need to train our pets and these dogs are the easiest to train. For a Tibetan Spaniel pup, training from the scratch should be given, like how to behave in front of strangers, other family members and for that, a proper schedule should be maintained.

Also, we need to teach them the right words so that the communication gap would reduce. We need to keep constantly check our pets if they are following certain habits such as stealing food, chewing shoes, or other objects. The most important thing is to socialize them, once they meet new animals and people, the chances of unusual behaviors would lessen. Also, you must teach every pet, be it Tibetan Spaniel or any other breed, the proper toilet training to avoid spotting poops all over your home.

Generally, the Tibetan Spaniel does not need regular grooming. It is suggested to groom your pets twice a week when they are young. When your dogs become adult, you should brush the coat after the bath only once or twice. People usually brush the dry coat which is actually bad for the health of the coat, we should first hydrate it with the spray and then brush it.

Characteristics and health issues

There are tons of characteristics that make the Tibetan Spaniel more unique. As we know the breed belongs to the Spaniel family and unlike other breeds, the Tibetan Spaniels are companion dogs. They are quite calm, and peaceful like cats. The Tibetan Spaniel size is also small compared to other breeds but they are very intelligent, alert, and watchful dogs. While talking about the Tibetan Spaniel temperament, these dogs share a friendly and loving bond with other animals and humans. They are also very socially interactive.

The Tibetan Spaniels are prone to several diseases such as Progressive retinal atrophy in which the dogs get blind, Portosystemic Shunt, also known as the liver shunt, and allergies. To prevent such complications and diseases, we need to find these breeding dogs free of any hereditary diseases. Regular checkups at the vet are also important.

Getting your own Tibetan Spaniel

If you have decided to get your own Tibetan Spaniel then you must be ready for your cute little companion. These dogs are available in several variants such as brown, black, tan, silver, and white. A few of the dogs with the golden variants are quite rare and special. The breed has a double coat that could cost you a bit more. The puppies are a bit expensive and could be priced around $800-$1000, depending on the breeder and the puppies could cost more if you buy from a reputable breeder. These cute, intelligent, and loving puppies make every cent worth it.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including Drever, or Boston Terrier Pug mix.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Tibetan Spaniel coloring pages.