Tibetan Terrier

FCI standard Nº 209

Origin
Tibet, patronage Great Britain
Group
Group 9 Companion and Toy Dogs
Section
Section 5 Tibetan breeds
Working
Without working trial
Acceptance on a definitive basis by the FCI
Wednesday 18 December 1957
Publication of the official valid standard
Tuesday 22 August 2017
Last update
Thursday 05 October 2017
En français, cette race se dit
Terrier tibétain
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar
Tibet Terrier
En español, esta raza se dice
Terrier tibetano
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd
Tibetaanse Terrier

Usage

Companion Dog.

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 / 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

Cranial region

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.
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.
Jaws and 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

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

Generality
Heavily furnished.
Shoulders
Well laid with good length.
Upper arm
Good length and slope.
Forearm
Legs straight and parallel.
Pastern
Slightly sloping.

Hindquarters

Generality
Heavily furnished, well muscled. Well bent stifles and low set hocks giving level topline and drive.
Stifle
Well bent.
Hock
Low set.

Feet

Large, round, heavily furnished with hair between toes and pads. Standing well down on pads; no arch in feet.

Gait and 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 and weight

Height at 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 and its ability to perform its traditional work.
• Faults listed should be in degree of seriousness.

Disqualifying faults

 Aggressive or overly shy.

NB :

• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• The above mentioned faults when occurring to a highly marked degree or frequently are disqualifying.
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

Bibliography

https://www.fci.be/

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