...Tibetian spaniel history

Tibetan spaniel history factoids

As with other oriental dogs mystery, which only recently has been lifted, surrounds this old but little breed of dogs.

Way back when

It´s well known fact that Tibet had a similar type of dog as the tibetan spaniel already in the year 200 B.C Description of such dogs has been found from as early as the 1100-century. The breeds origin is closely entwined with the breeds from China as the chinese dog called the pekingese was often bred with the tibetan spaniel.
As Tibet has always (in the past at least) lived a secluded life separated from the western world, searching and researching for the breeds origin has not been the simplest of tasks.

In its native country the tibetan spaniel is a highly appreciated dog in the monastries and amongst the nobility. Because the dogs were sacred they were never sold but were be given as prized gifts to the chinese and tibetan nobility.
It most likely was an indoor dog because of it`s fur which is softer and shorter than that of its cousins the tibetanterriers and the lhasa apsos which can better stand the cold winds and snowstorms of the tibetan mountains.
The tibetan spaniel is an alert breed and as such it was also used as a watch dog; they used to lie upon the monastry walls and keep an eye on the surroundings. When a stranger or a wolf etc appeared the dogs would give out an alarm to the monks as also to the bigger guard dogs inside the monastry by barking. This alertnes is to this day a typical trait in the tibetan spaniel. The dog still seeks to higher ground or window sills where it can keep and eye on its surroundings.
These small dogs had their small but important part in the monastries spiritual life also. It is told that the tibetan spaniel was used to spin the prayerwheels with its front paws but many doubt this part of the stories. True or not the dogs still have the ability to stand on their hind legs for long periods of time waving their front paws infront of them. They are also well ecquipted to opening doors and gates with their paws, so you aught to be aware especially outdoors that the dog isn`t able to run away.
I read somewhere that the dogs used to run on tread mills which were connected to the prayerwheels and thus the dogs spun them.
The Buddhist believe that by spinning the wheel the prayer is multipied by 10-100 depending on the size of the wheel and by the times that it is spun around.
The monks also used to carry these little dogs under their robes and keep the dogs as bed warmers to fend of the cold.

1900 century

The first known tibetan spaniel which was brought to Europe England was most likely called Lhasa. Frank Wormald brought it from Tibet in 1905. Doctor Greig, who is better known for his breeding work with the tibetan terrier, also brought several tibetan spaniels to England in the 1920`s. Viccard and missis Abbots Fanthorpe kennels dogs are his dogs descendants.
The first tibetan breed club was founded in 1934 but World War II stopped dog breeding and all club activity. The only tibetan spaniel found in England after the war was a dog named Skyid whos lineage lead back to the Fanthrope kennel.

Lord and lady Wakwfield who lived in Silkkim recieved a bitch called Mughiwuli as a gift. When time for reproduction came Mughiwuli drove in a fancy way in Silkkim maharadzas Rolls Royce to Simla to meet her match Tashi. The first litter was born in 1941. Two of the pups, Garpon and Potala were brought to England in 1946 and these syblings came to have many litters together.
Upon their arrival the Wakwfield couple also brought along Mughiwulis and Tashis son Lama and a bitch named Dolma which they had accuared straight from a tibetan monastry. These dogs and a few other imports later were the foundation for the whole western tibetan spaniel breeding program. And the WWII survival Skyid connected the Fanthorpe kennel to the new pedigree.

Tid bits

Some tibbies have a special spot on their forehead where when the dog is exceptionally happy and content a scent will reviele its self. But not all tibbies have this gift or ability.
I first noticed this with Pepe when after I had for 30mins rubbed his forehead my fingers and his head had suddenly started to give out a suprising scent. It reminded me of the mysk aftershave guys sometimes wear. I was really suprised and made some research to find out more about it. It only happened once -never again and the dog then was then under 1years old :(

Tibetan spaniels need company and love to be near and pampered. Some dogs are prone to separation anxiety and don`t want to be left alone for long periods of time.
Tibetan spaniels are an independent breed with a side of stubbornes in them. They reflect their owners emotions and as such are very sensitive dogs.
Tibbie has a double coat which is very thick and lush. It`s a year-round shedder.
Many say that the tibetan spaniel have catlike qualities about them, their movements and such. And with Pepe it comes out as him nuzzling against me and rubbing his head against my chest and a in a funny way of `washing` his face.
It is now known that, just as the Tibetan Terrier isn't a terrier, the Tibetan Spaniel is not a spaniel.

I`ve read several differing oppinions and articles about how and if the tibetan spaniel is a good family dog especially in families with small children.
In my very limited experience which includes only my own tibbie and my families and friends kids as also kids I`ve met on walks with the dogs (age 0-12), it`s in my opinion that the tibbie is a most excellent family dog for all ages!
Although you must remember that no dog will be comfortable with kids pulling and tugging on it for long and it then might try to escape the situation by running away or growling or doing even worse depending on how it`s been brought up.
It seems that with us the balance is quite good because Pepe absolutely adores kids. The worst thing he might and has done is to lick the childs face as wet as can be! It is in general a very kind natured little dog.

Fu Dog = Buddhas lion.

The tibetan spaniel is often lovingly referred to as the `little lion`. In my own opinion the tibbie resembles in appearance the lion statues of the tibetan/chinese monastries.
The lion is highly appreciated in the buddhist culture. First off it is obviously very feared because of it fierce nature and raw power
but as a symbol it also reflects all human passions and desires as also all the evil forces which Buddha conqured. The tame beast became Buddhas servant and companion and it is often pictured standing by him.

Another story tells of a lion who one day while walking through the forest saw a monkey sitting in the trees and fell inlove with him. The lion was saddened to realize that their love could never be because of the huge difference in their sizes. The lion prayed Buddha to transform hims into a smaller size. As Buddha granted the lions wish the lion and monkey finally were able to wed...

The tale of the `Mark of Buddha´ is still strongly alive. The tale tells the story of Buddha who blessed the tibetan spaniel by placing his thumb on the dogs forehead. Hence the white dot that some tibbies carry on their heads.
The dot on the forehead is believed to picture ones chakra which is believed to be the main energy center in a person or a so called third eye which is believed to picture enlightment, nirvana or the eye of knowledge.

The tibetan spaniel breed standards:
Canada`s guide to dogs http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/spanieltibetan.htm#other
Australian National Kennel Council http://www.ankc.aust.com/tibspan.html
Tibetan spaniel network http://www.tibbies.net/facts/illustrated.html

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