How long does a Tibetan Spaniel live?

The listed lifespan for a Tibetan Spaniel is 12–15 years.

How tall is a Tibetan Spaniel?

The listed height for a Tibetan Spaniel is 10 in.

Is a Tibetan Spaniel good with children?

The AKC good-with-children score for a Tibetan Spaniel is 5 out of 5.

When is a Tibetan Spaniel full grown?

The growth size band for a Tibetan Spaniel is 8–12 months.

Non-Sporting Group

Tibetan Spaniel

Tibetan Spaniel is a small dog in the Non-Sporting Group. Adult weight is 9–15 lb, height is 10 in, and the listed lifespan is 12–15 years. AKC describes the temperament as Playful, Bright, Self-confident.

Last reviewed November 1, 2026.

Tibetan Spaniel dog — Photo: J. Sidney Turner · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Lifespan12–15 years

Weight9–15 lb

SizeSmall GroupNon-Sporting Group

Height

10 in

Energy

3 / 5

Shedding

3 / 5

Grooming

2 / 5

Trainability

3 / 5

Good with kids

5 / 5

The breed record

Across 45 single-size small breeds, a lifespan midpoint of 13.5 years is about the same as the 13.6-year average. A midpoint adult weight of 12 lb is about 4 lb lighter than the 16 lb average for those small breeds.

The listed origin is Tibet. The coat is described as double, medium. The AKC energy score is 3 out of 5, 0.5 points below the group average of 3.5 for the Non-Sporting Group. Shedding scores 3 out of 5. Grooming scores 2 out of 5, so home brushing covers most weeks. Trainability scores 3 out of 5. Good with children scores 5 out of 5. Good with other dogs scores 3 out of 5. AKC ranked this breed number 122 in 2025.

Adult size is usually reached in 8–12 months (size-band statement (Salt et al. 2017): very small dogs reach maturity at 8-12 months). AKC parent-club recommended health screenings: Patella Evaluation and Ophthalmologist Evaluation. These are screening tests, not a list of diseases the breed is guaranteed to develop.

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