Pekingese vs Tibetan Spaniel
Side by side
Pekingese
Tibetan Spaniel
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes4
Shedding
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
Daily brushing
Brushing a few times a week
Exercise
A modest amount
Class
Lap dog
Companion
Which suits you
Size
The Tibetan Spaniel is larger on average: about 5.5 kg (12 lb) as an adult, against 4.1 kg (9 lb) for the Pekingese.
Lifespan
In UK vet records the Tibetan Spaniel lives longer: a median of 15.2 years, against 13.3 for the Pekingese.
Grooming
The Pekingese needs more grooming, daily brushing, where the Tibetan Spaniel needs brushing a few times a week.
Temperament
They differ most on intelligence (Pekingese: easy-going, simple routines; Tibetan Spaniel: learns readily, likes games) and on handler demand (Pekingese: needs steady training; Tibetan Spaniel: suits a first-time owner).
Alike
Both are rated the same on independence: decides for itself.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
What they're like
Pekingese
Companion & toy · Toy
The Pekingese is affectionate and loyal with its own people but dignified and aloof with strangers. It is independent and can be stubborn, yet shows real courage for its size.
Tibetan Spaniel
Companion & toy · Small
In temperament it is alert, quick-witted and devoted to its household, but reserved with strangers and independent in outlook.
Breed traits
Day to day
Pekingese
Tibetan Spaniel
Activity
Happy with modest walks
Happy with modest walks
Intelligence
Differs
Easy-going, simple routines
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Differs
Needs steady training
Suits a first-time owner
With people
Pekingese
Tibetan Spaniel
Affection
Affectionate on its own terms
Affectionate on its own terms
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Decides for itself
Decides for itself
Around the home
Pekingese
Tibetan Spaniel
Sensitivity
Average
Average
Voice
Barks to alert, then settles
Barks to alert, then settles
Prey drive
Usually fine with small pets
Usually fine with small pets
Puppy growth
Reference curves · both sexes
Summary
Detail
The Tibetan Spaniel grows to the heavier adult, about 5.5 kg against the Pekingese's 4.2 kg.
Pekingese
Tibetan Spaniel
More comparisons
Compare the Pekingese with
Sources
- 1
- 2The Kennel Club. Tibetan Spaniel breed standard. ↑
- 3
- 4Hawthorne et al., 2004. Body-weight changes during growth in puppies of different breeds. Journal of Nutrition 134(8 Suppl): 2027S–2030S (WALTHAM). ↑
- 5
- 6
- 7Morrill et al., 2022. Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes. Science 376: eabk0639 (Darwin's Ark). ↑
- 8Dogs Trust. Finding a good, responsible breeder. ↑
- 9American Kennel Club. Screening puppy buyers: how top breeders find the best homes. ↑
- 10
Parts of this page were written by AI ·