May be you already have or are about to get a Tibetan Spaniel, one of the worlds
most endearing and easiest dogs to live with. It is recognised by it being small in stature
but huge in personality and intelligence. It rests self-assured, it is kind, warm,
extremely tolerant and, it is a beauty!!!
The Tibetan
Spaniel, also known by quaint names as Temple Dog, Lap Dog or Lion Dog, has been
bred for thousands of years in the Tibetan temples and palaces, serving a
multitude of purposes. During the day it could rest comfortably in the roomy arm
of a monks robe, being a good source of warmth in the cold climate. At other
times it could rest on the temple walls, having found a lofty place to keep a
close watch on anything moving down below. And if anyone not known to them
should approach the walls, a sharp and distinctive bark ensued, informing the
owners and the large, heavy Tibetan Mastiffs to take the necessary precautions. Some stories tells that the Tibetan Spaniel could have been
used to run inside Tibetan prayer wheels, although this tale is not
substantiated by any evidence. But, as may be many members of the breed today,
they were used as a warming element in bed at night!
The close contact with people both day and night, made it important that the dog
had a kind, loving and gentle
attitude, a trait just as important and evident in the breed today. A
“Tibbie” will want to be close to its people both day and night. She or he
is the ideal bosom friend, bright and attentive, learns easily, is warm and
affectionate and is always in a good mood.
Its very striking tolerance level makes it an ideal family dog, being
easy to pair with both man and beast, as long as they recognise that it is
small, and of royal blood…well at least almost!
As said before, it is confident and therefore it does not mind being alone at
home if it must. In return it demands total acceptance as a family member, it is
after all of almost royal descendants, and as such it is important that it is
allowed to retain its noble, slightly aloof, overbearing posture. Only then will
it be a real Tibetan Spaniel! It has always been a valuable asset to its owners.
It is an old race, but luckily it has not been bred hard, and has as a result
has changed little over the years. This means that you will get a strong dog for
its size, healthy and robust both physically and mentally.
A Tibbie should be
a well coated dog, and it is (oddly enough), very easy to maintain it. A few
minutes a week with a good brush is all it takes, a bit more during moulting
periods if you want to avoid wandering hair tots!. As for obedience and other disciplinary
training, the dog is easy to work with. It doesn’t require a lot of training
and really needs very little at all in order for it to be easy to live with, in
main due to its tolerant nature and ability to adjust and settle. If you want to
use if for agility or other activities the dog may regard as silly work, you may
have handful and should arm yourself with a good sense of humour! It doesn’t
like repetitive chores very much, and will quickly feel that it is below its
dignity. If you persist, it will gladly look at you in dismay, clearly stating
that; “if you want to keep on doing this silly thing, go right ahead. It is
certainly below my dignity!” But, if you gently persists and it finally
understands why and what you want it to do,
it will do it, but only for as long as you direct it politely, as is
befit a royal pedigree!
Some say the Tibetan Spaniels are more addictive than cigarettes! They’re definitely
catching! We’ve put our cigarettes on the shelf for good but the Tibbies stays! We
simply adore them. All ten.
03/00
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Tibbies love to go high places
Sommerlyst's No-Ma Car-Ras
Jomo, Vesta and Zaza
A-Tilda's Danella
Sommerlyst's Cham-Pa
INTCH Sommerlyst's Mi-Sna To K'Dai
INTCH Avigdor Jarrod
INTCH Sommerlyst's
Them-Pa
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