Tibetan Spaniel
Updated January 7, 2025
Tibetan Spaniel
Updated January 7, 2025
Tibetan Spaniels are loyal, lively companions. They come with relatively easy upkeep—that silky coat isn't as hard to care for as it looks—and make great watchdogs. They may look like mini lions, but they'll only devour you in kisses.
Cuddly, Fun-Loving, Self-Assured
Male: 9-15 pounds
Female: 9-15 pounds
Male: 10 inches
Female: 10 inches
12 to 15 years
Black, Black and Tan, Cream, Gold, Red, Sable, Silver Sable, White
A petite pup who loves attention, the Tibetan Spaniel is happy to be your lapdog. But there’s so much more to this spunky breed than looking cute. Tibbies earned the nickname “little lion” while serving as watchdogs for Buddhist monks, and it’s not only an accurate description of how they look (with their thick manes around their neck and chest), but also how they act. Despite their small stature, they’re not afraid to raise the alarm when they sense a threat to their kingdom—even if it’s just the UPS driver dropping off the latest haul from your midnight retail therapy sesh. And like the king of the jungle, they tend to make their own rules, deciding what they want, when they want it. (No pushovers here!) When not on watchdog duty, these little leos dutifully play the role of loyal companion. Your lap will be their favorite place to nap—with one eye open, of course.
Tibetan Spaniel Characteristics
Tibetan Spaniel Appearance
Tibetan Spaniel dogs are proud, and they show it: Their walk is more of an elegant prance, with their heads held high, and their curious, expressive eyes are always on alert. With their distinctive flat faces (they’re what’s known as a brachycephalic breed), silky double coat and a “lion’s mane” around their necks, Tibbies demand attention (which they love), despite their petite stature. They come in several colors, although sable (lighter at the base and darker at the tip) is the most common.

- Ears
Tibetan Spaniel ears are medium-sized and hang down like feathery pendants. They are set slightly high with a gently rounded point at the top.
- Eyes
Their eyes are dark brown, set far apart and striking. Tibbies always seem to be taking in their surroundings with intense interest.
- Nose
Their nose is generally black with rounded edges but slightly squarish in its overall shape and flat against the face.
- Coat Length
Tibbies have a medium-length and flowing double coat that is silky on top and thicker underneath with feathering on the ears and back of legs.
- Coat Color
Tibetan Spaniels come in a variety of colors, including black, black and tan, cream, gold, red, sable (lighter at the base, darker at the tip), silver sable and white.
- Tail
The Tibetan Spaniel tail is "richly plumed," gently curves upward and carried gracefully over their backs when in motion.
Tibetan Spaniel Temperament
Tibetan Spaniels may be small in size, but they lack for nothing regarding their personality. Their temperament is often described as “a big dog trapped in a small dog’s body.” It’s easy to see why. Tibbies are not wallflowers. They are smart, assertive and affectionate, and they love attention, so you better be prepared to give it freely. (With a cute face like theirs, how could you not?) But in return, Tibbies are your most loyal “little lion,” as the monks in Tibet called them.
What Tibbies don’t need is a lot of exercise. Their short height, stubby legs and flat faces don’t set them up to be extreme athletes of any sort. That said, they do love to play and zip around the yard or go for walks and even short jogs if that’s what you’re into (they can be speedier than you’d think). Because most of all, Tibbies are social, chummy creatures who want to please their people and are happy to flex to your needs. And, of course, all dogs need some exercise to stay healthy and keep their weight in check. Tibbies, in particular, are prone to becoming overweight, which comes as no surprise since they find food and treats highly enticing.
Tibbies’ calm and gentle nature makes them great therapy dogs, and they get along well with just about anyone in the home—from children to other dogs or cats. In fact, they’re sometimes even compared to cats (but, please, don’t tell them, they are sensitive). It’s not just that they resemble miniature lions; they also love a good window view—especially from on top of your furniture—and they even groom themselves with the same fastidious attention to detail.
How to Care for a Tibetan Spaniel
Part of what makes the Tibetan Spaniel breed such a wonderful pet is that these dogs are, for all their princely appearance, pretty low maintenance. They are easily adaptable to many kinds of homes, and don’t require a ton of exercise. Shedding can be an issue, but regular brushing will keep it in check. Their quick wit can make training tricky, so it’s important to start early.
Grooming
Training
Diet
Exercise
Environment
Tibetan Spaniel Health
The Tibetan Spaniel lifespan is 12 to 15 years, and they are a relatively healthy breed. Still, they may be susceptible to a few genetic problems, some of which, especially the orthopedic conditions, are not uncommon in small breeds. But well-informed pup parents can ensure their pup lives the healthiest life possible.
- Patellar Luxation: Simply put, this is when the kneecap slides in and out of its groove. If it’s mild, it may not create much trouble for your pup and can be treated with pain medication and weight management. But more severe cases can cause limping or serious pain. In that case, surgery can correct the problem.
- Ocular Disorders: These can include:
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy: A degenerative disease that leads to blindness. There is no treatment, but responsible breeders will screen their dogs to prevent passing this inherited condition on to future generations of puppies.
- Entropion: When the eyelids roll inwards, and the eyelashes and other hair scratches the cornea leading to irritation and damage. Topical antibiotic ointment or surgery may be used to treat the condition.
- Retinal Dysplasia: Abnormal formation of the retinal tissue that can also lead to blindness. There is no treatment, but responsible breeders will screen their dogs to prevent passing this inherited condition on to future generations of puppies.
- Cherry Eye: Inflammation of tissue adjacent to the eye. Surgery is needed to correct it.
- Portosystemic Shunt (Liver Shunt): This is an abnormal connection between the large vein that brings blood into the liver and other veins, thereby allowing blood to bypass the liver. Treatment options include special diets, medications and, in severe cases, surgery.
- Brachycephalic Syndrome: Flat-faced or smooshed-faced brachycephalic dogs have anatomical changes to their nose and throat that make them more prone to overheating and breathing issues. It is best to keep Tibetan Spaniels out of the heat, especially on humid days, and take them to the vet immediately if they are having trouble breathing or you are concerned they may have overheated.
Tibetan Spaniel History
The origin of Tibetan Spaniels is—surprise!—in Tibet, where Buddhist monks bred them as sentinels. There, Tibbies settled high on monastery walls to keep a keen eye out for approaching allies or enemies. When they caught sight of someone, their distinctive, throaty bark would alert their (much larger) buddies, the Tibetan Mastiffs, down below, who would then pounce, if needed, chasing intruders away. To this day, their unique history endures as one of the stand-out traits of Tibetan Spaniels, as they still make fine watchdogs. But let’s be clear: they’re never going to be your bouncer, but they’ll sure as heck let you know when someone’s at the door.
When they were off duty, these dogs served their monks as companions and, smartly, bed warmers—a clutch move in the Himalayas where winter temps regularly dip below zero. The monks referred to their dogs as “little lions” not only because of their appearance but also because lions were sacred symbols of Buddha. These mini leos were so prized that they were never sold, only gifted to noble or prestigious rulers and leaders in China and other Buddhist nations. If they moved, it was from a monastery to a palace.
Tibetan Spaniels, as it turns out, are not actually spaniels. That part of their breed name came from the French word epagnuel, which referred to a companion and comfort dog in the Middle Ages. Tibbies came to England in the late 19th century, but not many were bred until after World War II. They arrived in the United States in the late 1960s, and the American Kennel Club recognized them in 1983 as part of the Non-Sporting group (the category of dogs who don’t neatly fit into another group).
You can find Tibbies to purchase by checking out a list of reputable breeders on the American Kennel Club’s website. The average price for a Tibetan Spaniel puppy is about $2,000. Good breeders should provide two to three sets of vaccinations before releasing their puppies, so they should be at least 12 weeks old and include a health guarantee. The Tibetan Spaniel Club of America operates a rescue operation, although available dogs are rare. You can also search Chewy’s database of adoptable dogs for Tibbies in your area.
FAQs
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Expert input provided by veterinarian Dr. Christine Klippen, DVM, an emergency physician at the Friendship Hospital For Animals, Washington, DC; Mark Forrest Patrick, a certified dog trainer, owner of Tuxedo’s K9 Training Camp in Rochester, NY, and the 2021 chairman of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers; and Mallory Cosby Driskill, vice president of the Tibetan Spanial Club of America.
Breed characteristic ratings provided by veterinarian Dr. Sarah J. Wooten, DVM, CVJ, a veterinarian at Sheep Draw Veterinary Hospital in Greeley, Colorado; dog trainer and behavior consultant Irith Bloom, CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, CDBC, owner of The Sophisticated Dog, LLC, in Los Angeles; and certified animal behavior consultant Amy Shojai, CABC, in Sherman, Texas.
The health content was medically reviewed by Chewy vets.