Tibetan spaniel Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Tibetan Spaniel

Other names

Simkhyi

Common nicknames

Tibbie

Origin

Traits
Weight	9 to 15 lb (4.1 to 6.8 kg)
Height	10 in (25 cm)
Color	All dog colours

Classification / standards
FCI	Group 9, Section 5 Tibetan breeds #231	standard
AKC	Non-sporting	standard
ANKC	Group 1 (Toys)	standard
CKC	Group 6 - Non-Sporting Dogs	standard
KC (UK)	Utility	standard
NZKC	Non-sporting	standard
UKC	Companion Breeds	standard

Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Tibetan Spaniel is a small, smart type of dog. These dogs first appeared over 2,500 years ago in the Himalayan mountains of Tibet. They share a family history with many other small dog breeds from Asia. Some of these related breeds include the Pekingese, Japanese Chin, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, Tibetan Terrier, and Pug.

Even though they are called a Tibetan Spaniel, this dog is not a "true" spaniel. Real spaniels are hunting dogs, also known as gun dogs. Tibetan Spaniels are companion dogs, meaning they are kept for friendship, not for hunting. It's a bit of a mystery how they got the name "spaniel." It might be because they look a lot like the smaller, "lapdog" versions of hunting spaniels, such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

About the Tibetan Spaniel
- What they look like
- Their personality
Health and lifespan
Related pages
Images for kids
See also

About the Tibetan Spaniel

What they look like

A parti-colored Tibetan Spaniel

The Tibetan Spaniel has a round head that is small for its body size. It has a short, smooth nose area, called a muzzle, without wrinkles. The nose is always black. Their eyes are medium-sized and oval, set far apart from each other.

Tibetan Spaniels do not have extra skin around their eyes. This helps tell them apart from their close relative, the Pekingese. Their ears hang down on either side of their head, reaching cheek level. The ends of their ears are furry, which is called "feathered."

The neck of a Tibetan Spaniel is covered in a lot of hair, like a mane. Male Tibetan Spaniels usually have bigger manes than females. Their tails are also covered with long, feathery fur. Their hair is "double coated," meaning they have long, silky hair over a short, soft layer of hair underneath.

Tibetan Spaniels come in all sorts of colors. They can be solid, shaded, or have many colors. Often, they have white markings on their feet. These dogs usually weigh between 9 and 15 pounds (4 to 7 kg), but some can be a bit bigger.

A close-up view of a Tibetan Spaniel

Their personality

Tibetan Spaniels are very smart dogs. They are often compared to cats because they like to climb up high. You might find them on a sofa, table, or dresser, just to get a good view of what's happening outside.

These dogs are very social and love to be with people. They do not like being left alone for a long time. Tibetan Spaniels are also very protective of their families. Even if they have met many people, they are usually not very friendly with strangers. If they are surprised or scared, a Tibetan Spaniel will bark loudly to warn their family. This is called alarm barking.

While they love their families, Tibetan Spaniels are also quite independent. Even though they are smart and can learn tricks and commands easily, they sometimes don't like to follow instructions.