The appearance of the Tibetan spaniel, appearance, characteristic behavior and health, how to care for the breed: walking, diet, training, interesting facts. Puppy price. The Tibetan spaniel originated in the area that is often compared to the "top of the world", that is, in Tibet. Although little is known about the early origins of the breed, it is believed that these canines were bred in the villages and monasteries of Tibet for many hundreds of years and may have existed in their present form as early as two hundred years BC.
The emergence of the Tibetan Spaniel breed
Representatives of the breed were bred mainly in villages, and the animals varied significantly in size from 1, 9 to 7, 5 kilograms of weight. The smallest ones were considered very valuable and were often given to monasteries as a special gift. The type of these spaniels, which were raised in monasteries closer to the Chinese border, had a shorter snout and looked more like Chinese dogs with which they share genes. The true ancient Tibetan type was found in monasteries west of Lhasa.
The Tibetan Spaniel appears to have been a very beloved domestic companion and watchdog. The Tibby's eyesight is exceptionally sharp. Dogs can see at a very great distance. To this day, they like to climb high hills, from where they could see everything that happens around, watching the approach of strangers.
This behavior was inherent in their ancestors. Ancient Tibetan spaniels sat on the walls of a monastery or some other high point. They were always ready to give an alarm signal with their persistent barking if something unusual happened. And, then the monks took out mastiff-like dogs to the scene. It is also believed that Tibetan spaniels were trained to spin the prayer wheels of Buddhists, sending the prayers of all people straight to heaven.
The breed is also bred in refugee camps in North India. Many Americans who became interested in this breed began breeding Tibbies from dogs of Nepalese origin brought to the United States by Tom and Flo Whitig. These dogs are taller at the withers and have narrower muzzles than the Tibetan Spaniels, which are bred in England, as they are of the "old type."
Tibbies came to England at the end of the 19th century. The first was a pet dog named "Jing", bought in 1895 by the Englishman Russell-Allan Dalhabbohha from a sailor returning from the Far East. This Tibetan spaniel lived until 1908. He was small, bright red in color and had a beautiful mane and a bushy tail. Mrs. Mayhew's book tells of several early breeders who bred the breed, but all individuals became extinct in England during the war years.
Only in 1946 did Tibetan spaniels come to England again. They were registered as Garpon and Potala. Another bitch, named "Dolma", was brought to England by the Maharajas in 1947 and was presented to Sir Edward Wakefield. The Maharajas were one of the few people who could get a tibbi bitch. Monks were always reluctant to part with their dogs. On rare occasions they could afford to present the Tibetan Spaniel as a special gift, but the bitches always stayed at the monasteries. Maharaj was able to obtain one dog from the Fari Dzong monastery in the Chumbi Valley, Eastern Tibet. This bitch gave wonderful offspring, which laid the foundation for the breed line in England.
The Tibetan Spaniel Association (TCA) was formed in 1957. At the time the TCA was formalized, a number of major steps were taken and new breeders were recruited. In 1959, the kenel club was registered. In 1960, the breed representatives received the status of champions at many dog shows held in the cities of Great Britain. This was a huge step forward in the formation of the breed.
Since that time, the breed has become popular not only in England, but also in the USA, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Slovenia and other parts of Europe and Australia. Of course, their numbers are not great. These dogs will obviously never be, very fashionable, but maybe this is good, since the demand has played a cruel joke with many breeds. But, for those who care about the well-being of the species, this is good news. Only time will tell what new chapters will be written in the history of the little dog from Tibet in the 21st century.
Description of the external characteristics of the Tibetan Spaniel
Representatives of the breed give the impression of majestic dogs of an elongated format with a small head relative to the body. The height at the withers in males is 24–26.9 cm and in bitches 22–23.8 cm. The weight of males is 5, 5–7 kg and bitches are 4–5 kg.
- Head slightly convex, medium in length and width. The skull is not very round or flat and wide.
- Muzzle - of medium length, its end is blunt and there are no wrinkles. The stop is clearly manifested. The bridge of the nose is wide and even. The lower jaw appears to be slightly wide and deep. A full dentition has a pincer bite or a slight undershot bite.
- Nose - flat, black pigmentation.
- Eyes dark brown, oval, bright and expressive, medium, widely spaced. The rim of the eyes is only dark.
- Ears are of medium size, their arrangement is rather high. Hanging on cartilage, the ears seem to be slightly higher than his head.
- Neck Tibetan Spaniel is slightly short, strong and well set.
- Frame - stretched. The chest is moderately developed. The back is horizontally flat. The croup is voluminous. The ribs are deep enough.
- Tail - laid on the back, twisted.
- Front limbs "Tibby" - medium bone. The hindquarters are well structured and strong.
- Paws - oval, large size.
- Coat has a silky texture. The undercoat is thinner and thicker. Beautiful, long guard hair on the ears, neck, tail, and thighs.
- Color - any colors. Dark dogs with a white mark on the chest and golden dogs are valuable.
Distinctive features of the behavior of the Tibetan spaniel
"Tibbies" are very similar in their manifestations to felines. The cat still retains its cunning and ability to survive. Some of them like to be petted, while others come to indulge in the owner when they want to. These dogs behave the same way.
Tibetan Spaniels are highly intelligent, probably due in part to the fact that they have survived as cherished pets for many hundreds of years. They are also very hardy, as their ancestors were in a climate of extreme winter cold and short, warm summers.
"Tibbies" are smart, independent and alienated from strangers, but very devoted to everyone in the family in which they live. Some pets enjoy cuddling and cuddling, while others are more independent. Dogs will jump on your lap only at will and jump off only when they see fit.
Tibetan Spaniel health
Like all pets, Tibbies have their share of health problems. With proper breeding and nutrition, many of these imperfections can be avoided. If you want to have a healthy dog, you should ask the breeder of the breed to provide all the information regarding the health of the puppy's parents. It is also important to find a good veterinarian for the pet.
Among less serious health problems, the Tibetan Spaniel is susceptible to allergies. This is not surprising since allergies are on the rise among all canines. The symptoms of the disease are similar to those of humans. These are puffy eyes and skin rashes. Probably the number one allergic reaction of all dogs that have been bitten by fleas. Dogs show a reaction not to a bite, but to a pest's saliva. In most cases, it can be easily treated with the correct diet and flea prevention.
Tibetan Spaniels are very sensitive to anesthesia. Overdose can be fatal. To minimize the risk of anesthesia, your veterinarian should conduct tests to identify potential problems prior to any surgery or procedure.
Hip and elbow dysplasia is more common in large breed dogs, but there have been a few rare incidents among Tibetan spaniels. Therefore, breeders test producers for these diseases. As Tibbies begin to age, they are affected by many of the same problems that their owners face as they age. Articular cartilage plays an important role in optimal joint function. As we age, sometimes cartilage loses its ability to withstand stress and regenerate. The most recommended supplement in the diet for maintaining cartilage tissue is taking drugs with glucosamine and chondroitin.
Pay attention to the plants in your home. They can be very toxic or even fatal to your pet. Oleander, azaleas, rhododendrons, poinsettia and Japanese yew are just a few common plants for you, but they can pose a threat to your dog's health. Keep questionable flowerpots out of your pet's reach.
How to care for a Tibetan Spaniel?
Tibby wool is double coated and sheds seasonally. During this time, it is important to brush them frequently to remove dead undercoat and stimulate new coat growth. The furminator will remove most of the dead layer. The outer protective guard hair of the Tibetan Spaniel should be silky and close to the body. After removing the dead undercoat, brush your pet with a soft bristled brush to add a shine to the coat.
The areas behind the ears can be treated with a comb. Do not use scissors to trim wool. Due to inexperience, you can seriously injure your pet by cutting the skin. Use a small hand-held dog clipper instead. She mainly trims the paws between the toes. Frequent bathing is usually not necessary - as a rule, Tibetan spaniels do not smell like dog. They need to be washed from time to time as they become dirty. Tibbies are small enough to bathe in the bathroom. Better to redeem them in a basin placed in the bathroom or shower. Brush your dog's hair and remove any tangles before bathing, as wet hair is more difficult to do. Choose a good quality shampoo and conditioner. Rinse the dog thoroughly after the "chemistry" - this will prevent skin irritation.
"Bath" is a great time to carefully examine your four-legged friend for skin lesions and other problems. If you decide to dry your dog, first dry it with a towel, then use a hair dryer that does not have a heating element, the hot air will dry out the coat unnecessarily and it will become brittle. Pull the hair gently along the body line to dry the underside of the coat. If your dog is not used to standing on the grooming table, try drying it in your lap. Get her used to the grooming table, as it is convenient. While the dog is standing on it, keep the sessions short and playful. Never leave your dog unattended even more than arm's length on the table.
Use the smallest possible hair dryer setting for your puppy until he gets used to it. A conditioner or finishing spray will help protect the coat from drying out and give it a nice shine. Avoid sprays that contain silicon as an ingredient if you live in sunny countries. While it is excellent at repelling dirt and water and giving it a beautiful shine, it can enhance the sun's rays. Pay special attention to the areas under the eyes and the beginning of the muzzle, they can accumulate dirt or moisture. These areas need to be wiped down regularly.
Tibby's teeth need to be brushed. You can choose a fingertip toothbrush or a more regular toothbrush and a flavoring paste that your dog likes best.
Check your ears for redness or irritation. Tibbies will suffer from bacterial and fungal ear infections if not properly cared for. Avoid getting excessive moisture into your ear canal, especially when bathing, and gently clean your ear with a pharmacy ear cleaner. You must make sure that your ears are always clean and dry.
Pet eyes can irritate hair. Therefore, extra hairs need to be cut off so that the eyes do not water. Common contamination is wiped with bactericidal agents. Injuries and wounds to the eyes should be treated by a veterinarian.
Claws can be a big problem in Tibetan Spaniel grooming. The secret is to start this manipulation at puppy age and do it gently until the dog realizes that the manipulation is not painful. Many breeders prefer to use a nail file instead of nail clippers.
Whichever instrument you prefer, be careful not to cut the blood vessels that are located in the living layer of the stratum corneum. If this happens, the dog will be hurt and the claw will begin to bleed. You need to have a pharmacy hemostatic powder on hand. It has antibiotic and anesthetic properties to stop bleeding pain and prevent infection.
Feeding Tibetan Spaniels should be dietary and balanced. It is better if you talk to the breeder or veterinarian about this. Experts will advise which food is most suitable for this dog. If you want to feed your Tibby a natural meal, they will explain how to best balance it.
Tibetan Spaniel walks are not so long. It will be enough to take them out twice a day, for half an hour. Tibbies love to run and play. Dogs are capable of doing a lot of exercise, but, on the other hand, they do not require it. Some individuals are climbers, while others are diggers. Breeders say that when they plant something in the garden, the pets can "help" them by pulling out whatever they just planted.
Tibetan Spaniel training
Dogs are good guards with keen hearing, very perceptive and have a good memory. Tibbies are very touchy. They can't stand being scolded, refusing to even look at you and literally coldly ignoring you. Therefore, educate your dog gently.
Interesting facts about the Tibetan spaniel
The remains of dogs similar to "Tibby" date back to about 150-950 million years BC. From this breed the Pekingese, Japanese Chins and Lhaso Apso originated. For example, this is confirmed by the fact that the purebred Lhasa Apso sometimes gives birth to a puppy in the litter that looks like a "Tibbi", and practically does not differ from the Tibetan spaniel. Whereas the Tibetan Spaniel never has puppies like Lhasa.
Price of Tibetan Spaniel puppies
Many people say they don't like small dogs. However, as soon as they encounter and communicate with Tibetan spaniels, they literally fall in love with this breed. Tibbies do not behave like small dogs, thus gaining the favor of lovers of large dogs.
Breeders do not recommend families with babies or very young children to have Tibetan Spaniels. Children must be at least five years old. The child and the dog must be supervised by their parents. In fact, the baby at some point, without malicious intent, can pull the dog, and she will automatically bite him in response.
Many Tibby owners point out that you can't have just one dog. Because once you fall in love with a breed, you will never be satisfied. In general, Tibetan Spaniels are intelligent, loving and lively companions with a sense of humor. The price of puppies is $ 500-700.
