Description
The Tibetan Spaniel was one of the first Tibetan breeds to reach the UK, arriving here in around 1900. It was a breed favoured by Tibetan monks and was brought to England by returning medical missionaries. It had established a firm hold by 1920 and really came into its own after the end of the Second World War.
The great popularity of the Tibetan Spaniel over the past sixty years or so is no surprise: he has a delightful temperament, for while he obviously likes to stress his superiority of breeding by his somewhat haughty expression, he is only too ready to let his hair down in a mad rush round the garden with his friends.
He comes in a great variety of colours, but his coat never varies in its gleaming, silky texture, which, in spite of its length, is not hard to keep in good condition. He likes company and exercise, but he is quite happy to let life take its course, and is a healthy chap needing relatively little food and a minimum of fuss.
Breed Group
Utility
Vulnerable Native Breed
No
Size
Small
How much exercise?
Up to 1 hour per day
Length of coat
Medium
How much grooming?
More than once a week
Supposedly sheds?*
Yes
Town or Country
Either
Type of home
Flat, Small or Large House
Minimum Garden Size
Small/Medium
Lifespan
Over 12 Years
* If you are asthmatic or have an allergy, you should consult your medical advisor before considering obtaining a dog. More information can also be found on
the Kennel Club website.
The Utility Breed Group
This group consists of miscellaneous breeds of dog mainly of a non-sporting origin, including the Bulldog, Dalmatian, Akita and Poodle.
The name ‘Utility’ essentially means fitness for a purpose and this group consists of an extremely mixed and varied bunch, most breeds having been selectively bred to perform a specific function not included in the sporting and working categories. Some of the breeds listed in the group are the oldest documented breeds of dog in the world.