Tibetan Spaniel
The monastery's little lion — a lap-sized lookout with a cat's soul.
On these lists: Dogs for seniors
Vital stats
| Size | Small · ~25 cm |
| Weight | 4–7 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15 years |
| Energy | Moderate — short walks + play |
| Shedding | Moderate, seasonal |
| Coat | Silky double coat · all colours, gold common |
| Group | Non-Sporting · FCI №231 / AKC |
| Origin | Tibet |
| FCI group | 9 — Companion and Toy Dogs · FCI 231 |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
The Tibetan Spaniel by the numbers
The Tibetan Spaniel facts owners search for most — price, lifespan, weight, shedding and colours, in one place.
Widely bred, so you can usually find a litter from a registered breeder without a long wait. Ongoing costs stay modest — it eats little and routine vet care sits at the lower end.
We don't quote a single figure: the real price swings with breeder, region, bloodline and health testing — and a rescue costs a fraction of a breeder's litter. Adopting is almost always the cheapest route.
Temperament
Bred as a watchful companion in Himalayan monasteries — sounding the alert from the walls while the mastiffs handled enforcement — the Tibbie is observant, self-possessed and devoted without being needy. Expect a dog that chooses the highest cushion in the room, keeps an eye on the street, and dispenses affection on its own generous schedule.
Habits & quirks
Seeks high ground
Sofa backs and windowsills are official observation posts; altitude is comfort.
Cat mode
Washes its paws, ignores commands it finds beneath it, and naps in sunbeams.
The announcement
Visitors are declared from the perch — then personally vetted at the door.
Velcro, but dignified
Follows you room to room, then settles nearby rather than on you — mostly.
Care
| Exercise | A couple of short walks plus indoor play covers it — this is a companion, not an athlete. |
| Grooming | Brush the silky coat weekly, a little more when the seasonal shed arrives. |
| Company | Bred to live among monks, it does poorly left alone for long days. |
| Training | Keep sessions short, warm and rewarding — Tibbies cooperate, they don't obey. |
Life expectancy
This breed has a typical life expectancy of 12–15 years.
Similar breeds
Breeds with a similar build and background — worth a look if this one isn't quite the fit.
Breeds that look like this
Common questions
Is the Tibetan Spaniel actually a spaniel?
No — it has no hunting-spaniel ancestry; European visitors simply named it after the toy spaniels it resembled. It's an ancient companion and watchdog breed.
Are Tibetan Spaniels good apartment dogs?
Excellent, provided they get company and a daily outing. A window perch to supervise the street from is the main requirement.
Do Tibetan Spaniels bark a lot?
They're alert barkers — announcing arrivals is their ancestral job — but not mindlessly noisy. They quieten once the household has been informed.
Does the Tibetan Spaniel shed a lot?
Moderately. The Tibetan Spaniel sheds a fair amount, steadily through the year with heavier seasonal patches. A weekly brush keeps most of the loose hair off your floors and clothes.
Is the Tibetan Spaniel hypoallergenic?
Not really. No dog is truly hypoallergenic, and the Tibetan Spaniel's shedding coat releases plenty of the dander that sets off allergies. If someone at home is allergic, this isn't the easiest breed to live with — spend time around one first.
Is the Tibetan Spaniel good with children?
They can be. The Tibetan Spaniel is reasonably sociable and can be good with children in the right home, especially when socialised early. Supervise around young kids and teach dog and child to respect each other.
Is the Tibetan Spaniel easy to train?
Reasonably. The Tibetan Spaniel is trainable with consistency and rewards, though it isn't the quickest study. Keep sessions short and positive, and be patient with the basics like recall.