The Tibetan spaniel is, as the name suggests, a breed from Tibet. It was used by the Tibetan monks to guard the temples, and of course to keep them company. The tibbies would sit up on the temple walls to keep guard, which is a reason why tibbies up to this day like to sit on a chair or a couch to look out the window. 

It is one of three temple dogs from Tibet - the other two being Lhasa apso and Shih tzu. They also share ancestry with the Pekingese, Japanese chin, Tibetan terrier and Pug. The breed is estimated to be about 2500 years old and was considered very valuable. It was therefore never actually sold - they would be given away as a special gift instead.

Tibbies first came to England during the late 19th century and became popular after WW2. The Tibetan spaniel was considered a regconized breed in the 1930s and spread through out Europe and the rest of the world.

The Tibetan spaniel is a small breed that is around 25 cm in height and should weigh between 4-7 kg. They come in many different colors and have a thick double coat that is very easy to maintain. Tibbies are known to be very healthy and living up to 15 years or more is not unheard of. Tibbies are usually very active even at an old age. Most Tibetan spaniels are a bit reserved around strangers, but become extremely attatched to their owners.