New Love

I've become enamored of late by the Tibetan Spaniel. It's a small breed that looks like a slightly taller and much less furry Pekingese (indeed, it's believed to be one of the breeds used to create the Pekingese). As its name suggests, it's a native of Tibet, where it was used as a companion/watchdog in the monasteries. These pictures of Tibetan Spaniel puppies should give you an idea of why I've become so fond of the breed.

BTW, it's really strange how many breeds are from Tibet: the Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu, Tibetan Spaniel, Tibetan Terrier, and Tibetan Mastiff, just to name the ones that are common in the West. I got to thinking about why the monks bother to breed so many different types. I think it might partially be geography: the isolation of the monasteries, and the country in general, lends itself to a relatively closed gene pool that makes it easy for discrete breeds to come into existence. Plus, the monks needed guard and watchdogs to help protect them. And, in the end, they probably just appreciated the company.