Unlike Beardies, Tibbies fit almost everyone. They are definitely a big dog in a
small package. They are hardy and healthy. They have a nice coat that is easy to care for.
That doesn't mean they don't have to be groomed, only that it is not a demanding coat that needs constant brushing.
They love to go for walks but do not require extensive exercise like many big dogs. They can be apartment dogs or live
in the country.
Tibbies are known to be disobedient.
This was quite an experience for me since I'm used to Beardies who have an inherent wish to cooperate and please. Tibbies
have an inherent wish to please themselves. That doesn't mean they love you less, on the contrary they are very loyal
to their family. They just like to make up their own minds!
If you have read about my background in Beardies
you know that it goes back a long way. That is not the case with Tibetan Spaniels. On the contrary, this is
a new breed for me. I've admired them for a long time and remember watching them back in the 70's and 80's and finding
them fascinating. So when my daughter Emily absolutely wanted a little dog for herself, it wasn't too difficult to
convince me that this was a good idea! Our first Tibbie came into our lives in 2004. Charlie became Emily's
dog and as we would soon find out, she was perfect. She would happily play along with any game Emily, then 9 years old, came
up with. If Emily placed her on her sled and pulled around the yard she would sit there, knowing that was the most
important job in the world. If Emily was sick she would lay next to her all day. I don't think I have ever watched
such a strong bond between a dog and a child. When Charlie was three years old she got very sick. She had a herniated
disc and became paralyzed. I knew we had to fix it because the alternative was unthinkable. Thanks to a brilliant
surgeon in Wisconsin, Charlie was successfully operated on. It seemed her pain was gone immediately after the surgery.
Walking, however, took months and a full recovery close to a year.
Charlie
made us fall in love with Tibbies. But she would never be a brood bitch so once we moved to Sweden I was ready for another
puppy. I had been in touch with Monica Herjeskog of Strömkarlens Tibetan Spaniels on and off for a couple of years.
She offered me a very nice little puppy. Ronja came home in the fall of 2009. In March of 2010 Monica needed someone
to take care of a veteran male that needed a new home. I said I would take him temporarily since she was expecting a
litter of puppies. Well... Jesse came and moved in. He just decided to stay. He is now my little boy and
will go to a few shows as a veteran in the summer.
