Tibetan Spaniel health: what owners should know

Tibbies tend to be robust and long-lived, but the breed is known to be prone to progressive retinal atrophy, slipping kneecaps, liver shunts and eye issues such as cherry eye. A DNA test is available for the PRA3 form of retinal atrophy seen in Tibbies, and responsible breeders use it along with regular eye examinations and knee checks.

Keep your dog trim, brush teeth several times a week, and protect it from overheating. See a vet if your dog starts hesitating on stairs or in dim light, if a red swelling appears in the corner of an eye, if it skips on a hind leg, or if it seems to struggle to breathe on warm days.