While utterly devoted to their family members, Tibetan Spaniels are fiercely independent[3] and stubborn,[4] with a tendency to wander off and explore rather than come when called.

to be early representatives of the Tibetan Spaniel, loyally trailed behind their Lama masters and came to be regarded as "Little Lions" owing to their resemblance to the Snow Lions—a variation of the Chinese guardian lions—that gave them great value and prestige.

In addition to functioning as lookouts, the Tibetan Spaniels were trained to spin the monk's prayer wheels.

[6] Village-bred Tibetan Spaniels varied greatly in size and type, and the smaller puppies were usually given as gifts to the monasteries.

After a period in the Miscellaneous classes, the Tibetan Spaniel was accepted for AKC registration and became eligible to compete as a Non-Sporting breed, effective January 1, 1984.

[7] A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 15.2 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.

Generalized PRA is primarily a photoreceptor disease and is the form found in Tibetan Spaniels.

The British institution Animal Health Trust (AHT) devoted intensive research for PRA in Tibetan Spaniels, isolating the responsible gene.

Currently, the International Tibetan Spaniel Working Party[10] collects health data including PRA history.

A portosystemic shunt is an abnormal vessel that allows blood to bypass the liver, one of the body's filters, so that it is not cleansed.

Most shunts cause recognizable symptoms by the time a dog is a young adult but are occasionally diagnosed only later in life.

Since the severity of the condition can vary widely depending on how much blood flow is diverted past the liver it is possible for a lot of variation in clinical signs and time of onset.

Signs of portosystemic shunts include poor weight gain, sensitivity to sedatives (especially diazepam), depression, pushing the head against a solid object, seizures, weakness, salivation, vomiting, poor appetite, increased drinking and urinating, balance problems and frequent urinary tract disease or early onset of bladder stones.

Additionally, the shape of a Tibetan Spaniel's face makes it prone to a common cosmetic condition called weeping eye.