Small Tibetan dog breeds are the perfect companion for someone who is looking for an energetic, playful, and easily-trained pup. On top of being good with kids and other pets, these breeds are also very well suited for living in apartments or condos as they don’t require a lot of space to run around. All small Tibetan dogs live up to 14 years on average so will be with you as a faithful companion for a long time. Below you’ll find a list of the top 5 small Tibetan dog breeds.
1. The Hairy Lhasa Apso:
The Lhasa Apso is one of the oldest herding dogs in existence. The breed was developed by crossing a Tibetan Terrier and Pekingese to create this well-loved miniature-sized dog. They range from 13 – 18 inches tall, but weight can vary depending on their living conditions and their food. This is a dog that can be either active or very calm but still needs to be active at least twice a day as they are prone to becoming bored after long periods of inactivity.
The Lhasa Apso is super easy to train and will not require a lot of time to train. They are very good with children and other pets, however, they will try to herd them. This means that if you own the dog, you might want to keep it away from your pet bunny as they have been known to try and herd them into their homes, or even kill them.
2. The Tibetan Kyi Apso:
The Tibetan Kyi Apso has almost the same personality as the Lhasa Apso. They are very easy to train and will never require a lot of time or effort. On top of that, they are also very good with children and other pets. However, like the Hairy Lhasa Apso, you will want to keep them away from your pet rabbit as they can try and herd them into their homes or even kill them.
These dogs are very playful and love to play with small toys. They can get very moody and aggressive if they don’t get enough exercise, so make sure you keep them busy and active if you don’t like a hyper dog. The Tibetan Kyi Apso can live between 12 – 15 years. If you keep your Kyi Apso in a small home, you will have to be careful as they have been known to suffer from anxiety as they need more space than what an apartment would allow.
3. The Glorious Tibetan Spaniel
The Tibetan Spaniel is a very popular miniature-sized dog in Europe and the US, but unfortunately, they are not as common in Asia. These small dogs weigh between 12 – 18 pounds and range from 17 – 20 inches tall. They are very good with children, but they are also prone to getting bored after a long period of inactivity. This dog is known to be stubborn at times, but it is easily trainable as it loves praise and treats.
The Tibetan Spaniel is a very active and energetic dog that needs to run at least twice per day. You will want to be sure to give them lots of exercises to prevent health problems later in life. The Tibetan Spaniel can live between 13 – 15 years on average. They are very good with small dogs as they enjoy playing together, but you will have to be careful when letting other breeds play with them as they can get aggressive towards other dogs if they feel threatened.
4. The Tibetan Terrier:
Small Tibetan Terriers are a popular choice for first-time dog owners. They are very easy to train and love playing with kids and other pets. These dogs are a good choice if you want a dog that won’t require a lot of maintenance but still wants to be active more often than not. The Tibetan Terrier can live for about 9 – 11 years on average.
The Tibetan Terrier is a dog that caters to highly energetic and playful people. They love to spend time around people, but they can get anxious if they are not getting enough attention. If you are looking for a small dog breed that will be happy and energetic even if you don’t have time to spend with them, the Tibetan Terrier is a great choice.
5. The Shih Tzu:
The Shih Tzu is a very powerful small dog that originated in Tibet. These dogs love playing games and will also enjoy being active and playing with other dogs. The Shih Tzu can live for between 12 – 18 years and weighs anywhere from 8 – 16 pounds. This is a dog that has a lot of energy and needs to be kept busy to prevent health problems later in life. They are very affectionate towards their owners but can stay calm during high anxiety times.
The Shih Tzu is known to be highly intelligent, trainable, and clever. They are very good with other people and pets, but if you have a cat at home, you might want to keep an eye on them as they sometimes play too rough. Shih Tzu’s love to play with their owners, so it is recommended to stay active at least once per day if they don’t have a yard to run around in.
See Also: Are Small Dog Breeds Good Pets?
And: Small Dog Breeds with Short Legs
Conclusion
If you liked all of these breeds and are looking for a dog that will be a great companion for many years to come, you should go ahead and get yourself one of these small Tibetan dogs. They are very easy to train and are good with kids, as well as other pets. However, you will want to keep them away from your pet bunny as they might try to herd them.
If you want a dog that will be able to sit home alone for hours without getting bored, the Lhasa Apso or the Tibetan Spaniel is a good choice. On the other hand, if you want to avoid a dog that might get anxious from being alone for too long, the Tibetan Kyi Apso suits the bill. All of these dog breeds are very easy to take care of and will be a great fit for most people.
Featured image: Lhasa Apso Dog
