Tibetan Spaniel

This was another breed favoured by Tibetan monks as companions and watchdogs and they were often found together with the Lhasas in the monasteries.

The title of spaniel was given to the breed by early European visitors in Tibet who likened it to a toy spaniel and the Kennel Club later adopted this name. The first Tibetan Spaniels arrived in the UK in late Victorian times but it was not until the end of World War II that the breed became more numerous. The breed became firmly established in the UK when Lord and Lady Wakefield returned with their dogs which they had acquired when living in western Tibet. Along with their friends, Colonel and Mrs Hawkins, who had also brought their dogs with them, they provided the nucleus for the breed’s development. The Tibetan Spaniel Association was formed in 1957.

Read the breed standard

Images for this breed

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.

Colour Watch

Category 0: Breeds with no NBS colour registration options.

Read more about Colour Watch.

Breed Standard colours

Breed standard colour means that the colour is accepted within the breed standard and is a traditional and well-known colour in this breed.

Breed standard colours in this breed include:

Black
Black & Fawn
Black & Silver
Black & Tan
Black Tan & White
Black With White Markings
Cream
Fawn
Fawn Sable
Fawn Sable Black Mask
Fawn With Black Mask
Fawn With White Markings
Gold
Gold Sable
Gold Sable & Black Mask
Gold Sable With White Markings
Gold With Black Mask
Gold With White Markings
Pale Gold
Pale Gold & Black Mask
Pale Gold & White Black Mask
Particolour
Red
Red & Gold
Red & White & Black Mask
Red Sable
Red Sable Black Mask
Red Sable White Black Mask
Red Sable White Markings
Red With Black Mask
Red With White Markings
Silver Sable
Silver Sable & White
Silver Sable With Black Mask
White

Other colour/s

'Other' means you consider your puppy to be a colour not currently known within the breed and one that does not appear on either the breed standard or non-breed standard list. In this instance you would be directed through our registrations process to contact a breed club and/or council to support you on identifying and correctly listing the new colour.

Non-breed-standard colours

Non-breed-standard colour means that the colour is not accepted within the breed standard and whilst some dogs within the breed may be this colour it is advised to only select a dog that fits within the breed standards for all points.

Colour is only one consideration when picking a breed or individual dog, health and temperament should always be a priority over colour.

'Other' means you consider your puppy to be a colour not currently known within the breed and one that does not appear on either the breed standard or non-breed standard list. In this instance you would be directed through our registrations process to contact a breed club and/or council to support you on identifying and correctly listing the new colour.

Non-breed-standard colours

Non-breed-standard colour means that the colour is not accepted within the breed standard and whilst some dogs within the breed may be this colour it is advised to only select a dog that fits within the breed standards for all points.

Colour is only one consideration when picking a breed or individual dog, health and temperament should always be a priority over colour.

Whether you’re thinking of buying a puppy, or breeding from your dog, it’s essential that you know what health issues may be found in your breed. To tackle these issues we advise that breeders use DNA tests, screening schemes and inbreeding coefficient calculators to help breed the healthiest dogs possible.

More about health

Priority health schemes and tests

The Kennel Club Assured Breeders must use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice. All other breeders are strongly advised to also use these.

Eye screening scheme (BVA/KC/ISDS)

Important health schemes and tests

We strongly recommend that all breeders, both assured breeders (ABs) and non ABs, use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice.

Bitches not to produce more than one litter in a 12-month period
Check inbreeding calculators

Other health schemes and tests available

DNA test - PRA3 - part of The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services. Find a list of tested dogs

*The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services - simple to use and easy to organise all-in-one DNA tests

The DNA tests listed above marked with an asterisk (*) are included in our DNA Testing Services. This includes:

PRA3 (Progressive retinal atrophy)

Kennel Club Assured breeders and Kennel Club Accredited Instructors receive a 10% discount.

Find out more about The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services.

Find out about a particular dog's results

Please visit our Health Test Results Finder to discover the DNA or screening scheme test results for any dog on The Kennel Club's Breed Register.

You can also view the inbreeding coefficient calculation for a puppy's parents, or for a dog you're thinking of breeding from.

Have any questions about health in your breed?

If you have any concerns about a particular health condition in your breed then you may wish to speak to your vet or you could contact your breed health co-ordinator.

Breed health co-ordinators are individuals working on behalf of breed clubs and councils who are advocates for the health and welfare of their chosen breed. They acts as a spokesperson on matters of health and will collaborate with The Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.

To contact your breed health co-ordinator please email

Sheila Thomson

Breed watch

Category 1

Currently no points of concern specific to this breed have been identified for special attention by judges, other than those covered routinely by The Kennel Club's breed standard.