Longevity
Life expectancy
With a life expectancy that generally lies between 12 and 15 years, the Tibetan Spaniel is one of the small dogs that can accompany their family for a long time. This longevity depends on the quality of the breeding, the diet, daily activity and the preventive follow-up put in place throughout its life.
Build
A robust breed?
This dog shows adequate robustness and copes well with family life when it benefits from a stable lifestyle and regular care. Its small size nevertheless requires staying attentive to its joints, its eyes and its day-to-day comfort. Its hardiness does not exempt it from serious prevention.
Watch points
What to watch for
Vigilance must focus primarily on the eyes, the knees and the urinary system, with particular attention in case of locomotor discomfort, abnormal tearing, decreased vision or urinary disorders. Screening in breeding dogs and routine check-ups help to limit unpleasant surprises.
Patellar luxation : This orthopedic condition can cause intermittent lameness or locomotor discomfort and deserves prompt veterinary monitoring.
Generalized retinal atrophy : This degenerative eye disease leads to a progressive decrease in vision that can progress to blindness.
Urinary stones : The breed may present urinary disorders linked to the formation of stones, with pain, difficulty urinating, or recurrences.
Persistent pupillary membrane : This congenital eye abnormality may be benign or require follow-up depending on its severity and its visual consequences.
Climate
Cold and heat tolerance
The Tibetan Spaniel is not comfortable in extreme climatic conditions. It tolerates intense cold and marked heat poorly, even if it enjoys daily outings. In case of difficult temperatures, it must always be able to rely on a sheltered, temperate and comfortable environment.
Weight
Tendency to gain weight
The breed is not known for a strong tendency to become overweight, but its small size makes any excess quickly visible. Measured portions, few extras and daily walks are generally enough to maintain a harmonious physical condition. Regular weight monitoring remains useful after spaying/neutering or with age.
Daily life
Good habits to keep it healthy
- Monitor any limping or hopping that could suggest a patellar luxation.
- Have any ocular sign such as unusual tearing or a decrease in vision checked promptly.
- Consult without delay in case of difficulties urinating or abnormal urine.
- Maintain regular veterinary follow-up to support its good longevity.
Vaccination
Tibetan Spaniel vaccines: vaccination schedule
Which vaccines for a Tibetan Spaniel? Like all cats, the Tibetan Spaniel receives essential vaccines from 8 weeks old: Typhus (panleukopenia) and Coryza. The kitten primary vaccination for Tibetan Spaniel is given in several injections 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year, even if it lives in an apartment. Depending on its lifestyle (outdoor access, multi-cat household, shows, travel), your veterinarian may complete the protocol with vaccines against Feline leukemia (FeLV), Rabies and Chlamydiosis.
| Vaccine | Primary series | First booster | Then | Who for? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Typhus (panleukopenia)Core Feline panleukopenia (cat parvovirus) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All pets |
CoryzaCore Feline herpesvirus and calicivirus | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All pets |
Feline leukemia (FeLV)Lifestyle-based Feline leukemia virus | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Outdoor cats, cats living in a group or in a cattery |
RabiesLifestyle-based Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, cat shows and most boarding kennels |
ChlamydiosisLifestyle-based Chlamydia felis (contagious conjunctivitis) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Cats living in groups, catteries, show cats |
Adult Tibetan Spaniel vaccine boosters are annual for cat flu and leukemia if it goes outdoors; for panleukopenia, a booster every three years is often sufficient after the first booster. Your veterinarian will adjust the schedule to your cat’s lifestyle.
Which boosters for your Tibetan Spaniel?
Enter your companion’s age: we list the vaccines to do now and the next boosters.
Adopting well
Adopting a healthy Tibetan Spaniel
An ophthalmological examination, an evaluation of the patellas and attention paid to the urinary tract are relevant in the monitoring of the breed. In an adoption project, it is preferable to turn to a breeder capable of documenting the health history of his breeding dogs and the seriousness of his selection.
This information is provided for guidance only and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, consult a professional.
