Tibetan Spaniel: breed description and photo

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

An intelligent companion who loves to socialize, takes part in long walks with pleasure or just sits next to him, friendly and cheerful, although with character - this is how the owners of the Tibetan Spaniel characterize.

This is a decorative breed of small dogs that looks like an English Toy Spaniel. Cynologists call her briefly - tibby. For centuries, these animals have been used by Tibetan monks for religious rituals. Cute tibbies rotated special prayer wheels with special texts placed on them. The monks were sure that the participation of four-legged helpers in the ritual helps to attract positive energy and establish a connection with the spirits.

In addition, it was believed that the souls of the dead moved into these dogs. It is for this reason that animals were treated with condescension, but without sentimentality.

History of the breed

Researchers involved in the study of various breeds of dogs find it difficult to name the exact date of the appearance of the Tibetan Spaniel breed. Descriptions of animals preserved in chronicles date back to the 8th century. However, during someresearchers have a version that the history of the breed is much more than two thousand years.

Cynologists believe that these dogs participated in the formation of some breeds - Shih Tzu, Japanese Chin, Pekingese. However, there is still heated debate about this: for example, researchers cannot come to a common opinion as to who the Pekingese is for the Tibetan Spaniel - a descendant or an ancestor.

Representatives of this breed were brought to Europe in the 19th century, but were not widely used at that time. Tibetan spaniels appeared in Great Britain in 1905. The development of the breed began after 1945. In 1961, the first standard was published and published. In 1988, a slightly modified version of the standard was released, which is still valid today.

General information

The Tibetan Spaniel, whose photo is posted in this article, is a miniature dog. The growth of males at the withers does not exceed 27 cm, females are slightly lower - 24 cm, weight ranges from 4 to 7 kg. Life expectancy is about 15 years. Compared to the size of the body, the head is small. The muzzle is flattened, like a Pekingese, without folds. The nose is painted black. The lower jaw covers the upper teeth. The standard allows the location at the same level of the jaws, but only under the condition of a deep chin so that the flattened shape of the muzzle is preserved.

The eyes are medium in size, oval in shape, dark brown in color. The ears are set high, hanging, covered with fluffy, silky hair. Tail with dense undercoat, highplanted. When the animal moves, it takes the form of a ringlet. The forelegs are strong and may be slightly curved. The rear ones seem somewhat dry.

Wool

Reading the description of the Tibetan Spaniel in various sources, we can conclude that the current two-layer coat was formed as a result of long-term residence in the climate of Tibet. Such a fur coat protected animals from low temperatures and piercing wind. The top coat is silky, the undercoat is thick and dense. The longest hair is on the thighs of the animal. On the muzzle and front paws it is smooth and short, on the body it is of medium length. The back side of the front paws, ears, tail are well pubescent. Any color is allowed: gray, bright red, white, gold, cream, black.

Character

The Tibetan Spaniel is an active, cheerful and playful animal. She is equally friendly towards all family members, feels great even in a very modest apartment. It is quite loyal to other pets, but only on condition that the tibby got into the house as a puppy.

The Tibetan Spaniel breed has one interesting feature, thanks to which these dogs are compared with cats - they relieve stress. Abroad, these animals are often trained and used in canistherapy programs (a kind of zootherapy designed to rehabilitate patients with brain disorders).

Prolonged seclusion in the monastery on the nature of the animal imposedimprint. They are wary of strangers. Naturally, the miniature size of the Tibetan spaniel will not allow him to harm a person, and he will be able to warn the owner about the visit of unexpected guests.

Despite their quite friendly disposition, these animals tend to be independent. The Tibetan Spaniel is characterized by self-confidence and a certain aloofness. Tibby won't bark for no reason. Such a pet is hard to endure loneliness. For this reason, it should not be left unattended for a long time. In protest, he can gnaw on the owner's things. The dog needs long and active daily walks. Otherwise, he will become irritable.

Content Features

The Tibetan Spaniel feels comfortable in a city apartment, thanks to its small size and easy care, as well as in a country house. True, as we have already said, a passive lifestyle is not suitable for this dog. A spaniel must have a place to rest. To organize it, place a bedding in a draft-protected area of \u200b\u200bthe room. Tibby will not refuse to rest on the sofa, where he climbs on his own.

Spaniel care

The maintenance of the animal does not cause serious problems, but such a pet needs regular grooming. It should be combed out every two days with a special brush. But water procedures for representatives of this breed are undesirable - they can provoke dermatitis.

You can bathe such a pet only inif it gets very dirty, but using dog shampoos and conditioners (Conditioning Rinse, One Step Herbal Shampoo Conditioner). After bathing, pat your pet's coat dry with a towel and blow dry.

Hygiene procedures

They provide regular care for the ears, eyes, teeth and claws. In spring and summer, care should be taken to protect your four-legged friend from ticks, fleas and mosquitoes, which are carriers of dangerous diseases. The products of the company "Hartz", specializing in the manufacture of special sprays, shampoos, collars and drops, will help you with this.

Check your pet's eyes regularly. When souring, clean them with antibacterial wipes or a damp cotton swab. Once a week, remove dirt and wax from the ears using a cotton pad that can be kept dry.

You should brush your pet's teeth at least twice a week, although veterinarians recommend doing this daily to prevent tartar build-up. In specialized stores today you can buy pastes and brushes for dogs. For example, Trixie, Canine Tooth Paste 8 in 1.

Tibby claws are trimmed twice a month using a nail cutter. But if the dog leads an active lifestyle, they wear down even during walks.

Feeding

Experienced dog breeders know, and we will inform beginners that the dog's diet should be balanced. The animal must receive the necessary vitamins and minerals for full development. There is a basic rule in tibby nutrition -do not overload the animal's diet with fatty foods. You can provide your pet with useful substances with the help of natural products, and using special dry and canned food. Tibetan spaniels require super-premium formulations for small breed dogs. It could be Nutro Choice or Merrick.

If you prefer to feed your friend with natural products, you should understand that this does not mean that the dog can be fed the food that you eat yourself. This cannot be done. The animal's diet should include:

• veal, beef, goat;
• offal (lungs, kidneys, stomach, liver, heart);
• boiled vegetables (carrots, beets, tomatoes, zucchini);
• porridge (buckwheat, rice);
• sea fish (notothenia, cod, hake);
• dairy products (kefir, fermented baked milk, cottage cheese).

Owners should be aware that tibbies often cause allergic reactions to corn and chicken. If you find signs of such reactions in your pet, these foods should be eliminated from the pet's diet immediately.

What should not be given to tibbies?

A number of products are prohibited for feeding representatives of this breed. These include:

• bakery and confectionery;
• pork, lamb;
• starchy foods like potatoes;
• s alty, smoked, spicy food;
• tubular bones.

Fish should only be given boiled, as fresh fish may contain helminths. Tibetan Spaniels up to three months are fed 5-6 times a day,from 3 to 7 months - three times, after 7 months the animal is transferred to two meals a day.

Walks

As already mentioned, the Tibetan Spaniel is an active animal that needs physical activity. Walk him twice a day. Walks should be at least one hour long. Since the dog is very mobile, it should be taken outside on a leash. Otherwise, it will be very problematic to keep the pet under control.

In order for the animal to be able to throw out the accumulated energy, it should be taught to run or play with the ball from puppyhood.

Education and training

To raise a puppy of the Tibetan Spaniel, you must start as early as possible. Tibbies can show character, and therefore it is not easy to accustom them to discipline. Education in the first months of life is primarily aimed at establishing contact with the owner.

First, the puppy must learn to respond to his nickname, learn where his place is, get used to walking on a leash. Spaniels quite quickly learn the commands “Sit!”, “Next!”, “Place!”, “Come!”, “No!” thanks to a fairly high level of intelligence. However, the owners should be aware that the animals are quite stubborn: do not be surprised that at first the commands will have to be repeated 25-30 times each. To motivate your pet to complete the exercise, do not skimp on praise, treat him with a treat.

Choosing a puppy

If you, after reading this article, decided urgentlygo to the bird market for a charming puppy, we want to warn you. This breed is quite rare in Russia, so there can be no talk of acquiring a baby on the market. It is necessary to find a specialized Tibetan spaniel kennel. We want to warn you right away that there are not many of them in Russia, mainly in large cities.

As a rule, puppies are transferred to new owners at the age of two or three months. By this time, the responsible breeder should give the baby the first vaccinations. You should pay attention to the appearance of the animal. The puppy should have an elongated torso, a dome-shaped head, a flattened muzzle, expressive eyes, rather widely set, a flat back, and a clean coat. The best indicator of the well-being of a tibby is the behavior of the baby: a he althy puppy is playful, agile, inquisitive.