Appearance of the Tibetan Spaltese
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| The Tibetan Spaltese is a small dog, measuring less than 30.5 centimeters at its tallest and generally weighing around 13 kilos. Due to their lineage, they can have a wide range of coat colors, from black or white to cream or even red, all of which are generally long and fluffy. They have a small, rounded head and a comparatively short muzzle, with extra hair around the eyes, whiskers and ears. They have small, round, almost protruding eyes, and furry, folded ears. Their chest is deep in proportion to their size, their posture is square and their back is straight, ending in a medium to long, excessively hairy tail. |
Temperament of the Tibetan Spaltese
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| Compared with a number of other dogs of the same size, the Tibetan Spaltese has an excellent temperament overall. They are extremely sociable, love attention, enjoy spending lots of time with their family and are surprisingly attuned to their owners' needs and feelings. They are known to be lively companion dogs, frequently jumping into their owners' laps to shower them with affection and licks, and often climbing to considerable heights to be close to their family or to get a better vantage point. Because of this social nature, they are often quite good with children and other dogs, even without training, but they accept them particularly well when they receive them at the same time as their socialization. They tend to be wary of strangers, but this usually only makes them good watchdogs, as they'll bark happily in the presence of strangers or if they sense something is wrong. This type of behavior can also be eliminated by training, which is not particularly difficult, as they are relatively easy to train and handle. If there's a downside, it's that they can sometimes be a bit too whiny or develop small dog syndrome. But given the right attention and guidance, they usually have very few problems. |
Needs and activities of the Tibetan Spaltese
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| The Tibetan Spaltese is considered a low-energy dog, partly because it lacks the stamina of hunting dogs, and partly because it doesn't take much for humans, who have much longer legs, to tire it out. That's not to say they don't like exercise or attention. Because of their high intelligence, they need to be stimulated both mentally and physically, so games of fetch or puzzles and treat toys are a good way to round off a walk around the neighborhood or let them roam free in a fenced yard or dog park. Their low energy levels can be a problem, however, as many non-active owners take the easy way out and forget or ignore their need for exercise, increasing the risk of obesity, which can occur quickly in these little pets. If they don't need to go for miles of walks a week, they still need about a kilometer of walking or jogging a day, at least 30 minutes of total exercise and extra stimulation when they're at home. If given the right amount, this will go a long way to maintaining good behavior, health, happiness and longevity. |
Maintenance of the Tibetan Spaltese
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| There's no doubt that this is a high-maintenance breed. The combination of their long, dense coat and small size means that they often get dirty, even if they are kept at home most of the time. Their coats require considerable care, as whether it's the hypoallergenic Maltese or the regular-haired Tibetan Spaniel, they'll need daily brushing, combing and possibly detangling, as well as frequent bathing when they get dirty, and any trimming or cutting they may need. As if that weren't enough, they're also prone to tear stains that need cleaning, not to mention the extra cleaning due to the combination of inaccurate toileting and excess hair. Their coats can be kept short, but if they live in a cold climate, they'll need extra warmth when they go outside to relieve themselves. And of course, as with all other breeds, they need their nails trimmed to prevent breaking or cracking, their teeth brushed at least once a week, and their ears checked and cleaned to prevent moisture build-up and ear infections. |
English (United Kingdom)