TIBETAN SPANIEL INFORMATION
I had been breeding & showing Cockers since 1976. Had wanted another breed - a breed that was smaller, requiring much less grooming, but a coated breed. After much research & seriously considering several breeds, was thrilled to discover Tibbies. Standard size of 10" at the shoulder, 9 to 15 lbs., a beautiful silky double coat that requires no clipping & minimal grooming to keep up - though does shed - & very profusely at times! Very active & inquisitive, they get along well with other dogs & have the reputation to get along with cats equally as well. They love to be spoiled & have an attitude of "I'll allow you to adore me". They seem to know that they have a long & ancient History - they expect the best & they deserve it! They are cat-like in the manner that they groom themselves & each other. It is said they are part dog, part cat & part monkey - I must add part elephant - as they never forget.
 
Tibbies are a "different" breed & are not for everybody - but no breed is. That is why there are so many breeds - something for everybody. They are intelligent - sometimes TOO smart! They are a very thinking breed. While they are quick to learn, if you teach them a trick & they do it, but if you ask them again right away - they may not. Ask them a 3rd time & you will get “THE LOOK" - head cocked to the side as if to say " Weren't you watching? I just did that. I know how to do that. If you don't pay attention to me - what is the point of doing it again?"   They can be independent. They will do whatever you want - as long as they think it is their idea! They are not a breed who usually is trustworthy obedience-wise. If you want a dog to heel alongside you, off-leash & pay attention to nothing but you - that is NOT a Tibbie! They are little busy-bodies & need to know what is going on. There is always a flower to smell or a rock to examine. They are not a noisy breed. They do bark to alert you to a knock on the door or a car in the driveway, but seem to know what belongs - mine don't bark at the rabbits in the yard, or birds - they live in the yard also & the Tibbies seem to know & accept it. While they are good with children, Tibbies & other small breeds are fragile as pups & not a good choice for a family with toddlers as the child may accidentally drop the pup or trip over him, injuring him or breaking his small bones. While all puppies are playful, the male pups are more rough & tumble. For example - if there is a puddle, the little boys go                                                                                                    right through it or stop to pounce in it. The little girls tend to walk around it. The little girls also tend to be prissy when they  grow up. All Tibbies love being fussed over. Their antics will delight & amuse you - but don't laugh at them if it is a behavior you don't want repeated - it only encourages them! They are manipulative, endearing & absolutely enchanting!
 
I breed as my hobby, with the intention of keeping & showing in conformation. I like to have 2 litters per year, but some years                                  
have had more, 1, or none. My goal in this breed is to breed happy, healthy Tibbies that are winners both at home & in the show ring & to strive for freedom of hereditary defects & health problems. My 2 oldest Tibbies currently were whelped in 1991 & are still very active & playful at 15 1/2 years
 
Tibbies used for breeding have their eyes examined by a board certified veterinarian ophthalmologist to be certified clear of hereditary cataracts & progressive retinal atrophy.  These exams are not done once on young dogs - they are done at regular intervals throughout the dog's lifetime & until the dogs are at an age when any cataracts are "senile" & due to old age & are not hereditary in nature.
 
Hips are OFA certified free of hip dysplasia after age 2 years.
 
Patellas are examined by a veterinarian, using OFA standards for examination & paperwork done for OFA Patellar Luxation Database Certification.
                                                                                                          
      Am the breeder owner handler of many AKC & International Champions, including Best of Breed & Group winners.
 
      My "Ziggy" - Int. & AKC Ch. Dud-Lee's Zen Tao Twee was the #4 Tibbie in the USA in 1995, owner handled by myself  
  & the late Steven D. Peterson. Ziggy finished his International Championship in 3 straight shows with 3 Best of
Breed wins, a Group I & a Group III. In 2000, he went to his first 2 AKC shows in 5 years, as a Veteran. He was Best of
Breed & won Group I at both shows, defeating a Best in Show winner, among others. Ziggy  sired 1 litter, out of
Peanut, & all 4 pups are AKC Champions. He is the grandsire of 5 Champions & great grandsire of 2 Champions as of
Feb. 5, 2007. Ziggy is now 14 years old.
 
"Peanut" is Ch. Dud-Lee's Timbles Ta-Ti-Ana. She is tied for 2nd top producing bitch in Breed History. ALL 11 of her
offspring, by 3 different sires, are AKC Champions. 2 of those are also International Champions. Peanut currently has
10 Champion grandpuppies, with others pointed. She also has 4 Champion great grandpups, with others
pointed. Every Tibbie litter, except for 2 thus far, bred by Zen Tao, go back to Peanut. Peanut lived to be 15 years
old.
 
Ziggy & Peanut's daughter, Ch. Zen Tao Ta-Ti-Ffany, finished her Championship at 9 months old, with a Best of
Breed over 2 Specials & a Group III & was in the top 10 ranked Tibetan Spaniels through April 1995. She was never
specialed as I was showing her sire. She had 1 litter of 1 pup who is a Champion.
 
"Teddy" is Ch. Zen Tao Bluecream Teddy Bear, a Peanut grandson, also pictured here. He won a Group IV at 7
months old & finished his AKC Championship at 10 months old with multiple Best of Breed wins. Now at age 2 1/2
years, he will be beginning his Specials career. His first litters of pups, at Parti-Time in Canada & here at Zen Tao
are exceptional! And so the next generation continues.............
 
Many of my Tibbies have finished their Championships from the puppy class. These include Best of Breed wins
over dogs that are already Champions & Group placements. Yet they make wonderful pets & are always ready for a
romp & a cuddle.
 
Tibbies are a long lived breed & while active & playful, are not hyper. While they do not require a large amount of
exercise, they do require a fenced yard or a secured area as they cannot be allowed to run loose. They have a
tendency to be more interested in exploring than coming when called. They can be aloof with strangers, but are
also very curious & cat-like. You may find them in your cupboards, shredding toilet paper or laying on the back of
your couch or in a windowsill. They are very special & they know it!
 
                                                                                                                         
CH. ZEN TAO BLUECREAM TEDDY BEAR
Teddy is pictured at 7 months old
 
AKC & INT. CH. DUD-LEE’S ZEN TAO TWEE
Ziggy is pictured at 3 years old.
Puppies, young adults & retired adults are occasionally available to approved homes. I do not sell litter lots, to brokers, pet shops, puppy mills or to those people that do. I require references from prospective owners, who must have a fenced yard or play area. Either to tie a dog out or to use the invisible fencing with the shock collar is totally unacceptable. My sales contract is designed to protect the buyer, myself as the seller, & most importantly - the precious Tibetan Spaniel. I try to match the pup to the prospective owner as to that person's preferences as to sex, color, personality traits & physical characteristics. Since I don't have pups available all the time, do have a waiting list. Do accept reservations with deposit. Usually a wait for l of my pups is necessary, however that helps to insure that pup is going to the right home, where to owner will be especially pleased with the quality, personality & health they desire.  Have shipped with the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia & Central America. Costs of shipping, the crate used for shipping & any extra costs for special importation permits or paperwork is not included in the sale price. These items will be charged at their actual cost, as will the cost of gas for me to drive the 200 miles each way to ship from the Minneapolis Int. Airport. However, on occasion, shipment is only possible out of Chicago for International shipping & the best possible routing. I am happy to make the over 300 mile drive each way to insure the best shipping possible, but need reimbursement for my expenses to do so. Dogs must be paid in full prior to shipping & I regret that I must accept only Post Office money orders, bank certified checks, or bank wire transfers - no personal checks. Retired show dogs are occasionally available as pets to approved retirement homes. They are neutered & current on all vaccinations & are on heartworm preventative. Stud services are by private treaty, available to approved bitches, who must be at least 2 years old at the time of service & whose eyes have been certified clear by a board certified veterinarian ophthalmologist within l year prior to the service. Their hips must also be OFA certified free of hip dysplasia prior to breeding. Current brucellosis is also required. Please make an informed decision BEFORE you purchase a dog of any breed from any breeder. Research for yourself about hereditary defects that are known in that breed. Decide what is important to you. There are different head types, physical characteristics & personality traits. Get what you like & want. More breed information, photographs & articles written by Marianne Minks can be found in the book Tibetan Spaniel Champions 1987 - 2000. Published by Camino E.E. & Book Co., P.O. Box 6400, Incline Village, NV 89450. (775) 831-5553. info@camino-books.com. This book is also available through amazon.com If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. minkszentao@yahoo.com Bear (Ch. Zen Tao Prints of Darkness)   Mayday (Ch. Zen Tao Mayday Mayday) celebrate Halloween with Bear in his pumpkin hat. The Princess & "Prints" proudly wear their crowns to show what royalty they are. Thanks so much to Jeanie Kerins for the pics & the fabulous retirement home for these 2 special kids!    mailto:info@camino-books.commailto:minkszentao@yahoo.com?subject=Tibetan%20Spanielsgenetic%20testing.htmlhttp://showcase.netins.net/web/minks-zentao/menu.htmlhttp://showcase.netins.net/web/minks-zentao/index.htmlgenetic%20testing.htmlhealth%20products.htmlshapeimage_1_link_0shapeimage_1_link_1shapeimage_1_link_2shapeimage_1_link_3shapeimage_1_link_4