Tibetan Spaniel.

Tibetan Spaniel. Tibetan Spaniel, breed of small, non-sporting dog from the Himalayan mountains of Tibet. The Tibetan spaniel is depicted in Shang Dynasty bronzes dating to 1100 BC, and was used as a prayer dog by Buddhist monks a thousand years ago. It was introduced in the United States in the 1960s. The Tibetan spaniel stands about 25 cm (about 10 in) high at the shoulders, and weighs about 4 to 7 kg (about 9 to 15 lb). The front legs are slightly bowed, and the neck is short and muscular. The head is small, with a blunt muzzle. Expressive, dark-brown eyes are medium-sized and oval shaped. High-set ears are medium in size and hang from the top of the head. The high-set, plumelike tail curls over the dog's back. The Tibetan spaniel may be any color or color combination. The silky coat is smooth on the face and the front of the legs, with featherlike fur on the ears, back of the front legs, and between the toes. A thick mane covers the neck. This dog moves with a straight, easy stride, has excellent eyesight, and makes an ideal watchdog. It requires daily exercise and frequent grooming. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized this breed in 1984. Its national breed club is the Tibetan Spaniel Club of America. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.