GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: Approx. 25.4cm (l0”).
Colour: All colours, or any mixture of colours.
Coat: Outer coat is silky in texture with a fine dense undercoat. Smooth on face and front of legs.
Gait: Quick moving, straight, free and positive.
Being slightly longer in body than their shoulder height, these dogs do not display the usual spaniel type conformation. The skull is slightly rounded and the shorter, blunt muzzle must be well cushioned and free of wrinkle. The dark brown eyes are set fairly wide apart and are forward looking. The pendant ears are relatively high set. The mouth should be slightly undershot. The neck well covered with a good mane, runs into a longer body with well sprung ribs. Viewed from the front, the forelegs are slightly bowed but must be firm at elbows. Powerful hindquarters have only a moderate turn of stifle, and when moving the richly plumed tail curls over the back.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
Gay, assertive and intelligent but like many Asian breeds, aloof with strangers. They have a happy nature and make excellent domestic pets, but do not take kindly to being kenelled outside. Although slightly resembling the Pekingese, they are more active. As a breed, they are long lived often lasting to 15 years or more. Not requiring a lot of exercise, their health will benefit from regular walks. Grooming the 5cm (2”) long coat should be done periodically if knots are to be avoided.
HISTORY
Tibetan Spaniel type dogs can be found on bronzes dating back to the Shang Dynasty in 1100 BC and their survival down the centuries is said to be, due to the Buddhist belief that in a future life a person is reincarnated as a dog. In the monasteries, these little spaniels were trained for duties which included turning the prayer wheels, or, as watchdogs sitting on the - monastery walls to warn the monks of approaching strangers or wolves. Due to the habit of presenting these dogs as gifts to other Buddhist monasteries, these spaniels soon found their way into a number of Asian countries.