FCI-CLASSIFICATION: Group 9 Companion and Toy Dogs.
Section 5 Tibetan breeds.
Without working trial.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY: In spite of the name, the Tibetan Terrier is not
a terrier but a herding dog, doubling as a guard for traders as they journeyed
to and from China. It succeeded in his job not so much by size but through
the awe in which he was held. This is believed to be the original Holy Dog
of Tibet. It is said to be even livelier than the other Tibetan breeds in Group
9, his energy and enthusiasm balancing his ability as a miniature guard dog
along the lines of a small Old English Sheepdog.
GENERAL APPEARANCE: Sturdy, medium-sized, long-haired, generally square outline.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: Length from point of shoulder to root of tail equal
to height at withers.
BEHAVIOUR AND TEMPERAMENT: Lively, good-natured. Loyal companion dog with many
engaging ways. Outgoing, alert, intelligent and game; neither fierce nor pugnacious.
Sparing of affection to strangers.
HEAD: Head well furnished with long hair, falling forward, but not over eyes,
and not affecting the dog’s ability to see. Lower jaw carrying small, but not
exaggerated amount of beard. In all giving a resolute expression.
CRANIAL REGION:
Skull: Of medium length, neither broad nor coarse, narrowing slightly from
ear to eye, neither domed nor absolutely flat between ears.
Stop: Marked in front of eyes, but not exaggerated.
FACIAL REGION:
Nose: Black.
Muzzle: Strong. Length from eye to tip of nose equal to length from eye to
occiput.
Jaw / Teeth: Lower jaw well developed. Incisors set in slight curve, evenly
spaced and set perpendicular to jaw. Scissor or reversed scissor bite.
Cheeks: Zygomatic arch curved, but not overdeveloped so as to bulge.
Eyes: Large, round, neither prominent nor sunken; set fairly wide apart; dark
brown. Eye rims black.
Ears: Pendant, carried not too close to head, V-shaped, not too large, set
fairly high on the side of the skull, heavily feathered.
NECK: Strong, muscular, medium length, allowing head to be carried above level
of back and giving overall balanced appearance. Flowing into well placed shoulders.
BODY: Well muscled, compact and powerful.
Topline: Level.
Loin: Short, slightly arched.
Croup: Level.
Chest: Fair spring of rib with depth of brisket to elbow. Ribbed well back.
TAIL: Medium length set on fairly high and carried in a gay curl over back.
Very well feathered. Kink near tip often occurring and permissible.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS:
General appearance: Heavily furnished.
Shoulder: Well laid with good length.
Upper arm: Good length and slope.
Forearm: Legs straight and parallel.
Metacarpus (Pastern): Slightly sloping.
Forefeet: Large, round, heavily furnished with hair between toes and pads.
Standing well down on pads; no arch in feet.
HINDQUARTERS:
General appearance: Heavily furnished, well muscled. Well bent stifles and
low set hocks giving level topline and drive.
Stifle (Knee): Well bent.
Hock joint: Low set.
Hind feet: Large, round, heavily furnished with hair between toes and pads.
Standing well down on pads; no arch in feet.
GAIT / MOVEMENT: Smooth; effortless
drive with good reach; powerful drive.
When walking or trotting hind legs should track neither inside nor outside
the front legs.
COAT:
Hair: Double coat. Undercoat fine and woolly. Top coat profuse, fine but neither silky nor woolly; long; either straight or waved but not curled.
Colour: White, golden, cream, grey or smoke, black, parti-colour and tricolours;
in fact any colour except chocolate or liver permissible.
SIZE:
Height at the withers: Males: 36 - 41 cms; females slightly smaller.
FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault
and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact
proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the
dog.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
• Aggressive or overly shy.
• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
N.B.: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended
into the scrotum.
The latest amendments are in bold characters.