About

Breed information

 

Length range  : 48-51 cm

Height range  : 25-28cm

Weight range : 4-7kg

Coat : medium-long silky double coat with undercoat and lion-like mane

Life expectancy years : 12-16

Colors: all colors|mixed colors allowed|fawn|golden|cream|red|white|black|black-and-tan|patched|shaded.

Activitity Level : Moderate

Origin: Tibet

Similar Breeds : Pekingese|Japanese Chin|Lhasa Apso

 

History

This ancient breed developed in Tibetan monasteries where Buddhist monks kept it as a companion , lookout and alarm dog on walls and high perches. It reached England in the late nineteenth to early twentieth century and later the United States in the 1960s. The AKC recognized the breed in 1984.

 

 

characteristics

Temperament

lively|alert|even-tempered|friendly|assertive|intelligent|reserved|loyal|independent

Personality

affectionate|intelligent|independent|alert|loyal|curious|cheerful|self-assured

Needs

regular brushing|moderate exercise|shade and cooling in warm weather|socialization|gentle consistent training|weight control|routine eye and joint monitoring|dental care

Social Needs

bonds closely with family|often good with children and other pets when socialized|reserved with strangers|does not enjoy being left alone for long|likes to stay close to people

Grooming 

Brush about twice weekly or more during shedding seasons to remove loose hair and prevent matting especially behind the ears and on tail fringes. No body trimming is needed apart from hair on paw pads. Regular nail trimming and dental care are important.

Nutrition

Feed a balanced AAFCO-compliant diet matched to life stage. Puppies should eat at least three meals daily to help avoid low blood sugar and adults are commonly fed measured meals twice daily. Monitor portions carefully to prevent excess weight.

 

Breed Standard

The Tibetan Spaniel is a small, active, and alert dog with a body slightly longer than its height. An ideal height of about 10 inches and a weight of 9 to 15 pounds, featuring a silky double coat, a distinctive “lion’s mane” around the neck, and an expressive, ape-like facial look.

Did you know?

Despite the name , the Tibetan Spaniel is not a true spaniel. Monks used these little lions as high-perched watchdogs and treasured companions and they were sometimes described as cat-like because of their independence and climbing habits.

HEALTHCARE

Most Common / iconic illnesses 

Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Patellar Luxation, Cataracts, Atopic Dermatitis, Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome

 

Symptoms

1. Night blindness
2. Dilated pupils
3. Increased eye shine
4. Hesitation in dark areas
5. Clumsiness or bumping into objects may occur.

1. Sudden skipping gait
2. Holding up one hind leg
3. Intermittent limp
4. Stiff or awkward movement
5. Popping sounds or reluctance to jump may occur.

1. Cloudy or opaque lens appearance
2. White spot , streak or icy eye appearance
3. Blurry vision
4. Bumping into objects
5. Vision loss may progress to blindness.

1. Chronic itching
2. Redness around paws , face , axillae or groin
3. Ear rubbing or recurrent ear issues
4. Thickened or darkened skin may occur
5. Secondary skin infections may occur.

1. Snorting or noisy breathing
2. Exercise intolerance
3. Overheating easily
4. Gagging or coughing may occur
5. Blue-tinged gums may occur under stress or heat.

Onset of symptoms

 

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

It usually begins in adulthood and breed-matched external health notes place common onset between 3 and 6 years of age.

Probability Of Onset:

High breed-specific concern is supported because Tibetan Spaniels are listed among breeds with genetic variants that increase PRA risk.

Patellar Luxation

It is commonly observed between 4 and 12 months of age although mild cases may not be recognized until adulthood.

Probability Of Onset:

High breed-specific risk is supported because Tibetan Spaniels are specifically listed among predisposed breeds.

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome

Signs can appear by 6 to 12 months of age and may worsen with age , heat or weight gain.

Probability Of Onset:

Moderate to high risk is described in breed-matched external health notes because the breed has a shortened muzzle and heat intolerance is noted in breed information.

Atopic Dermatitis

It typically develops in young dogs under 3 years of age and external health notes place common onset between 1 and 3 years.

Probability Of Onset:

Moderate risk is described in external health notes and diagnosis can be challenging because no single biomarker confirms the disease.

Cataracts

Juvenile inherited forms may appear between 1 and 4 years of age while age-related cataracts can appear in senior dogs.

Probability Of Onset:

Moderate risk is supported because hereditary cataracts can occur in dogs of any age although a breed-specific prevalence figure is not provided in the supplied texts.

Reasons

Progressive Retinal Atrophy       

 Normal retinal cell integrity is lacking because inherited genetic variants drive degeneration of rods and cones. No single lacking nutrient or chemical is established as the direct cause in the provided texts. Rod loss usually affects night vision first and cone loss follows over time. The result is progressive blindness.

 

Cataracts

Normal lens transparency is lacking once the lens becomes opaque. No nutrient or chemical deficiency is identified as the direct cause in the provided texts. Genetic factors , diabetes , trauma or chronic eye disease may contribute depending on the case. Reduced light passage then impairs normal vision.

 

Progressive Retinal Atrophy       

 Normal retinal cell integrity is lacking because inherited genetic variants drive degeneration of rods and cones. No single lacking nutrient or chemical is established as the direct cause in the provided texts. Rod loss usually affects night vision first and cone loss follows over time. The result is progressive blindness.

Cataracts:

Normal lens transparency is lacking once the lens becomes opaque. No nutrient or chemical deficiency is identified as the direct cause in the provided texts. Genetic factors , diabetes , trauma or chronic eye disease may contribute depending on the case. Reduced light passage then impairs normal vision.

 

Patellar Luxation

 Normal alignment of the kneecap within the femoral groove is lacking because the joint develops with structural instability. No specific chemical deficiency is identified as the direct cause in the provided texts. This instability can alter joint mechanics and contribute to discomfort and arthritis over time. Excess body weight may worsen the overall stress on the joint.

Atopic Dermatitis

Normal skin barrier function is lacking and immunologic balance is disrupted in predisposed dogs. The provided texts describe allergen-specific IgE responses and skin barrier dysfunction without a single definitive biomarker. This impaired barrier can allow allergens to penetrate more easily and trigger inflammation and pruritus. No simple nutrient deficiency is identified as the sole cause.

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome

Normal airway space is lacking because shortened facial bones leave less room for soft tissues and can narrow airflow passages. No nutrient or chemical deficiency is identified as the direct cause in the provided texts. This reduced airway capacity can increase breathing effort and heat intolerance. The anatomic crowding may worsen functional obstruction during stress or exercise.

Normally Treament Methods

Progressive Retinal Atrophy:

  1. No cure is available and management may focus on safe home adaptation , consistent furniture placement , extra lighting , leash guidance in unfamiliar areas and verbal cue training before full vision loss. Dogs with PRA or known variants should not be used for breeding without careful genetic consideration.

 

Patellar Luxation:

  1. Mild cases may be managed with weight control , anti-inflammatory medication , temporary exercise restriction and physical therapy. Severe or painful cases may require surgical correction and recovery may take at least 8 weeks or longer.

 

Cataracts

  1. Early cases may only need monitoring but dogs may be referred to a veterinary ophthalmologist when vision worsens. Surgical lens removal with phacoemulsification and possible intraocular lens placement may restore vision in suitable candidates.

 

Atopic Dermatitis:

  1. Diagnosis may require ruling out other itchy skin diseases and management may include allergen avoidance , medicated bathing , topical care , anti-itch medication and allergen-specific immunotherapy. Saliva testing is not recommended as a diagnostic tool in the provided texts.

 

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome:

  1. Management may include avoiding extreme heat , using a chest harness , maintaining lean body weight and considering corrective airway surgery when breathing impairment is severe. Ask professional vets for detailed information.

 

Supplements

Progressive Retinal Atrophy :

  • 1. Antioxidant supplements can,might be helpful for retinal function support and might help delay cataract formation.
recommend product

Patellar Luxation

  • 1. Glucosamine can,might be helpful for joint support.
    2. Chondroitin can,might be helpful for cartilage support.
    3. MSM can,might be helpful for joint comfort.
    4. Omega-3 fatty acids can,might be helpful for inflammation balance.
recommend product

Cataracts

  • 1. Ocular antioxidant supplements can,might be helpful for lens and retinal support.
recommend product

Atopic Dermatitis

  • 1. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can,might be helpful for skin barrier support.
    2. Quercetin can,might be helpful for inflammation modulation.
    3. Skin-targeted probiotics can,might be helpful for immune balance.
recommend product

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome

  • 1. Omega-3 fatty acids can,might be helpful for inflammation support.
    2. Vitamin C can,might be helpful for antioxidant support.
    3. Vitamin E can,might be helpful for antioxidant support.
recommend product