Consistent grooming is required when it comes to Tibetan Spaniel. It is sometimes useful to brush the coat the wrong way before brushing and combing it back the correct way. This ensures a good, thorough, tangle-free coat.The topcoat is silky in texture. It is smooth on the face and on the front legs, of moderate length on the body, but lying rather flat. This dog has an undercoat that is fine and dense. The ears and back of the forelegs are nicely feathered, and the tail and buttocks are well furnished with longer hair.

This is not a dog that is over coated, and bitches tend to carry less coat and mane than males. All colors and mixtures of colors are permissible.

The Grooming Process

Equipment needed: A good-quality bristle brush and a steel comb.

Lift the coat and groom in sections to be thorough and methodical.

• Brush through the body coat thoroughly, and follow this by combing through. Use the comb to groom the tail, skirts, feathering and ear fringes.
• A pet dog will need infrequent bathing as Tibetan Spaniels keep themselves very clean. A natural shampoo (such as tea tree and lavender oil) will help to bring the coat to a beautiful blossom. However, the dog’s coat condition is very much dependent on the correct diet and exercise. Dogs that are to be shown will normally be bathed the night before a show.
• Rinse the dog well.
• A conditioning cream can be used. However, use these products sparingly, as otherwise the soft, silky coat will become flyaway. Conditioning cream is not necessary if the correct diet and exercise routine are observed.
• Dry with a blower after toweling well (the blower should be introduced at the puppy stage; if the dog reacts badly, revert to thorough drying with towels).
• When dry, brush through the coat thoroughly, and then comb through for the finishing touch.
• Check underneath the feet and remove excessive hair, which may clog and become uncomfortable to walk on.
• Finally, remember to check the dog’s nails, ears and teeth.