The Tibetan Spaniel is still somewhat of a novelty in the United States. There are about 500 Tibetan Spaniels that are registered every year. Breeders can charge upwards of a $1000 for each puppy. The dog breed itself wasn't accepting into the AKC until 1984. Even if you manage to locate a breeder, they may not have puppies for sale. Then, you will probably be put on a waiting list and you will have to hope that you eventually make it to the top of the pile.
If you are trying to locate a breeder, you might think of trying the Internet. Unfortunately, you probably won't find a whole lot since the dogs are in high demand. Your best bet is to go directly to the Tibetan Spaniel Club of America" website, if you are looking for one in the United States. On this website, they will have an area to contact them for a list of breeders. This will give you a good idea how many breeders are near you, what they are charging, and how long the wait is likely to be.
This dog is not for everyone as it is a very stubborn dog that requires some sort of emotional connection with its owner. The willfulness can sometimes land it in a rescue or shelter as the bad behavior caused by separation anxiety may be perceived to be a dog that cannot be trained. The dog is eager to please; it just has to be in the proper environment. Many people do work outside their homes and this is not a dog that can tolerate that environment. So, sometimes they end up being given to shelters or rescue organizations.
If you can provide an environment where it has constant companionship, don't let the fact that it landed in a shelter dissuade you from getting it. It may have been acting up for its previous owner because the owner was abusing it or not providing the type of attention the dog needed. These dogs are very sensitive and respond to loving attention very well, even after they've been mishandled. They can simply blossom when they are in an environment that suits their temperament, but do very poorly in noisy, isolated areas.
You may be asked to fill out an application to get a Tibetan Spaniel. The wait may be long or short, depending on if one gets sent to a shelter. In the meantime, do your research on this breed and try to figure out how to best provide an environment that will help the dog to adapt to your home. It will never be a very active dog or a good dog for small children, but if you know you want a loyal and affectionate watch dog, this dog can be uniquely endearing.
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