Breed History
The Tibetan Spaniel hails from high in the Himalayas, where it has been bred by Lamaist monks for centuries....
Buddhists believe that Buddha tamed lions and taught them to follow him, and the Tibetan Spaniel, with its habit of following monks here and there, became known as the Little Lion Dog. Ancient Tibetans treasured these animals, which were often given as gifts to the palaces of China and elsewhere. Though primarily kept as a companion, the Tibetan Spaniel was also a great watch dog; perched atop the monastery walls, this eagle eyed dog would peer far into the night and alert the monks of approaching strangers and wild animals. The monks also put the little dogs to work in treadmills which would spin their prayer wheels.An Indian by the name of Dr. Grieg, who also played an integral part in spreading the Tibetan Terrier beyond Tibet, is credited with beginning the first effort to breed the Tibetan Spaniel in England during the 1920s. Most of these dogs were lost during World War II, however, and renewed importation from Tibet was necessary to repopulate the breed. The Tibetan Spaniel first arrived in the United States in 1965, and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1984.