Tibetan Spaniel Developed in Tibet Legendary Shang Dynasty

The Tibetan Spaniel developed in Tibet before the Shang Dynasty in 1100 B. C.. The records show that they have been bred pure in this part of the world since that time. In the canine kingdom this breed can claim to be one of the oldest pure bred dogs in the world. It is one of the few breeds with the Spaniel nomenclature lacking any lineage to Spanish origins. In the Middle Ages French literature described a dog called an
Epagneul as comforter and companion to ladies of the Oriental courts.

Tibetan Spaniel Developed Somehow this Epagneul became the modern Spaniel part of this breed's name. An indoor dog, this is the only breed from Tibet that has a "hare foot" (the two center toes being long). All the other Tibetan breeds have the more compact "cat foot" shape, better suited for walking in the snow. Legend has it that Tibbies were trained to turn the monks' prayer wheels, but it is more likely that their keen sight made them excellent monastery watchdogs, barking to warn of intruders and alert the monks. Village-bred Tibetan Spaniels varied greatly in size and type, and the smaller puppies were usually given as gifts to the monasteries. In turn, these smaller dogs used in the monastery breeding programs were probably combined with the more elegant Tibetan Spaniel-type dogs brought from China. Those bred closer to the Chinese borders were characterized by shorter muzzles.

The Dog not only was the Tibetan Spaniel prized as a pet and companion, it was considered a useful animal by all classes of Tibetans. During the day, the dogs would sit on the monastery walls keeping watch over the countryside below. Their keen eye, ability to see great distances, and alarm barking, made them good watchdogs. Modern-day Tibbies retain their ancestors' love of heights. Native food supplies for this breed would have been from an environment with an average elevation of 16,000 feet above sea level. The domesticated meat animals are Yak, Llama, and Oxen

 Shang Dynasty

The grains and vegetables are those that can grow in a very short season in rocky soil, like barley or a tuber root that can be compared to our sweet potato. For the Tibetan Spaniel I recommend foods that contain horse meat, barley, white rice, and beet pulp. I also recommend you avoid feeding a Tibetan Spaniel any carbohydrates from white potatoes, any citrus products, avocado, or any ocean fish.

The Tibetan Spaniel has a domed head that is small,in comparison to the body. It has a short blunt muzzle. Teeth meet in an undershot or level bite. The nose is black. The eyes are medium but in keeping with the face and are set wide apart, these are oval in shape. The Tibetan Spaniel does not have extra skin around the eyes and this helps to tell the breed apart from the Pekingese. The ears hang down either side of the head to cheek level and are feathered. The neck is covered in a mane of hair, which is more noticeable in the dog of the breed. The Tibetan Spaniel front legs are a little bowed and the feet are hare-like. This dog has a great feathered tail that is set high and is carried over their back. The coat is a silky double coat lying flat and is short and smooth on the face and leg fronts, it is medium in length on the body and has feathering on the ears, toes and tail. The Tibetan Spaniel dog can come in all colours and be solid, shaded and multi- coloured.

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