Bred by Tibetan Buddhist monks as watchdogs for the monasteries, Tibetan Spaniels are alert, intelligent canines who create unbreakable bonds with their owners and possess a natural desire to protect their homes. Interestingly enough, these pups are only spaniels by name and not by breed or heritage—they are closely linked to Asian breeds like the Pekingese.
Tibetan Spaniels, or Tibbies as fondly called by fans of the breed, pack a lot of energy and personality into their tiny bodies. Often called little lions because of their thick manes Tibbies are majestic in appearance yet warm, sweet, and affectionate by nature. This makes them beloved canine companions to many individuals and families.
While Tibetan Spaniels are particularly suited to indoor life, they still need a healthy amount of playtime to thrive and stay active. If you’re looking for the perfect toy for your Tibbie, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve put together a quick rundown of the 5 best dog toys for Tibetan Spaniels to help you make the best purchase for your beloved pup.
1. Benebone Wishbone Chew Toy: Provides Fun & Long-Lasting Chewing Sessions
Tibbies may be small, but don’t be fooled: they can be power chewers, too! This is why it’s important to have an ultra-durable chew toy like the Benebone Wishbone Chew Toy. Designed to be tougher than real bones, this toy withstands aggressive chewing and lasts for weeks.
It’s infused with the meaty flavor of real chicken to entice your pup to chew on it and keep him from munching on your valuable items. Plus, its curved design makes it easy for dogs to hold—giving them hours of chewing fun. This toy can also help keep your Tibbie occupied and fend off excessive barking, which this breed is prone to when bored.
- Ultra-durable chew toy for long-lasting chewing fun
- Packed with real chicken to encourage healthy, non-destructive chewing
- Keeps your pup occupied and prevents bad behaviors
2. goDog Dragon Plush Dog Toy: Perfect for Playing, Chewing, & Cuddling
Most Tibetan Spaniels like having plush toys to chew on and carry around, and the goDog Dragon Plush Toy is sure to be your Tibbie’s new favorite plushie! This adorable dragon toy features bubble-textured fabric for extra warmth and softness, along with a built-in squeaker that excites your pup and gets him to play fetch with you.
It also comes with a chew-resistant lining that holds up well to heavy chewing, making it ideal for independent play. Plus, you can give it to your pup as a bedtime cuddle buddy or a comfort toy to ease his anxiety in stressful situations.
- Perfect for cuddling at bedtime and playing during the day
- Squeaks to entice play and withstands powerful chewing
- Helps provide comfort and warmth when your pup is stressed or anxious
3. KONG Air Squeaker Tennis Balls: Takes Fetch Games to the Next Level
Want to make fetch games with your Tibbie more exciting? Ditch those boring old fetch toys and go for the KONG Air Squeaker Tennis Balls! Not only does each ball fly high and stay in the air longer, but it also squeaks—grabbing your pup’s attention with every throw.
These balls encourage your pup to jump and chase after them with energy and enthusiasm, helping increase their physical activity and keep them from losing interest in the game. They’re also made with non-abrasive fabric that’s gentler on your dog’s teeth.
- Highly durable tennis balls with squeakers that make playtime more engaging
- Balls bounce and float high with every throw
- Constructed with gentle fabric for safety
As highly intelligent canines, Tibetan Spaniels need a lot of mental stimulation to keep them from becoming bored. The Nina Ottoson Interactive Puzzle is designed to exercise your pup’s brain by giving him a reward-based game, allowing him to hone his problem-solving skills in a fun and healthy way.
All you have to do is hide the treats in the 9 compartments and seal them with the removable dog bone pieces. Watch as your pup tries to get to all the goodies using his nose and paws! This food puzzle will help keep your Tibbie entertained and occupied and also slow down his eating to prevent choking or overeating.
- Provides mental stimulation with treats to encourage interactive play
- Helps your pup slow down his eating and develop healthy eating habits
- Made with BPA- and phthalate-free material that’s easy to clean
5. KONG Wubba Dog Toy: Makes Interactive Games More Fun & Engaging
Another high-quality toy from KONG, the KONG Wubba Dog Toy is perfect for games of fetch and tug-of-war with your Tibbie! It features long tails and two balls: a tennis ball and a squeaker ball, both covered in durable nylon fabric.
Its material is tough enough to withstand powerful tugging, while its design makes it easy to toss and throw with less effort from you. Plus, it flaps and makes loud squeaky noises—encouraging your pup to play with gusto. Take note, though, that this toy is not meant to be a chew toy.
- Functions as a tug toy and fetch toy for exciting games with your pup
- Squeaks and flaps to entice play
- Made with durable, long-lasting fabric
How to Keep Your Tibetan Spaniel Active
Happiest when they spend time with their families, Tibetan Spaniels make excellent house dogs who are adaptable to apartment living and indoor life. In fact, they only need a moderate amount of physical activity every day. However, it’s still important to make sure your Tibetan Spaniel gets the exercise he needs every day to keep his mind and body in tip top shape.
Here are a few of the best ways to keep your Tibetan Spaniel active:
Exercise your Tibetan Spaniel for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour every day
Tibbies need only around 30 minutes to 1 hour of walking every day, and it’s best to keep his walks short and sweet. You can split an hour’s worth of exercise into 2 to 3 walks per day.
If you’re an active individual, take note that Tibbies don’t make suitable companions for vigorous physical activities like jogging or running.
Play with your Tibetan Spaniel and give him interactive toys
Your Tibetan Spaniel will be happy and content to play indoors as long as he gets to spend time with you. Make sure to set aside time to play games with your pup to help stave off boredom and strengthen your relationship with him.
On days when you’re too busy to play with him, see to it that he has plenty of interactive toys that will entertain him and prevent anxiety. Remember to get toys that are ideal for his size; products that are too large for him may harm his teeth.
Train your Tibetan Spaniel and involve him in dog sports
Tibbies can be quite headstrong, so it’s best to start training your pup as early as possible. Training should be kept fun and engaging with positive reinforcement and a lot of physical activity. Historically, Tibbies respond well to clicker training.
Fun fact: Tibbies also excel at dog sports! Your pup may enjoy activities like agility, rally, and obedience trials.
In Closing
Keeping your Tibetan Spaniel fit and active even when he spends most of his days indoors is a must. This will help him maintain his ideal weight and prevent boredom that can lead to unwanted behaviors.
Giving him toys to make playtime more exciting is the perfect way to get him to engage in physical activity at home! Feel free to consult the list above to help you purchase the right toy for your Tibbie. Those toys will not only hone his physical and mental skills but also allow you to spend memorable moments playing with your beloved Tibbie!