Standard
HEAD AND SKULL:
Skull of medium length, neither broad nor coarse, narrowing slightly from ear to eye, neither domed nor absolutely flat between ears. Zygomatic arch curved, but not overdeveloped so as to bulge. Marked stop in front of eyes but not exaggerated.
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 to large, heavily featherend.
MOUTH:
Scissors or reverse scissor bite. Incisors set in slight curve, evenly spaced and set perpendicular to jaw.
MUZZLE:
Strong; well developed lower jaw. Length from to tip of nose equal to length from eye to base of skull. Nose black. Head well furnished with long hair, falling forward over eyes. Lower jaw carrying small, but not exaggerated amount of beard.
FOREQUARTERS:
Heavily furnished. Shoulders well laid; legs straight and parallel; pasterns slightly sloping
HINDQUARTERS:
Heavely furnished. Stifles well bent, hocks low-set.
FEET:
Large, round, heavily furnished with hair between toes and pads. Standing well down on pads; no arch in feet.
BODY:
Well muscled, compact and powerful. Length from point of shoulder to root of tail equal to height at withers.
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
SIZE:
Height at shoulder: 35,5-40,5 cm ( 14-16 inch ); bitches: slightly smaller.
COAT:
Double coat. Undercoat profuse, fine but not silky nor woolly; long; either straight or waved but not curled.
COLOUR:
White, golden, cream, grey or smoke, parti-colour and tricolours; in fact any colour except chocolate or liver permissible.
The Tibetan Terrier has several interesting characteristics that are unique to the breed.
The bite of the Tibetan Terrier can be tight scissors, tight reverse scissors or level. All are equally correct. The standard states a slight undershot bite is acceptable. Many breeders look to keep a tight reverse scissors bite in their breeding program, as this is instrumental in retaining that strong underjaw, while preventing a ‘snipey’ muzzle from appearing in their lines.
Another characteristic most particularly unique to the Tibetan Terrier is their flat feet. The CKC Standard describes the foot as large and round, producing a snowshoe effect. This is an important part of the Tibetan Terrier, as historically, their flat feet enabled them to travel the rugged terrain of their homeland Tibet, and traverse easily in the snow-covered mountains.
Examining the feet for flatness can be a challenge. The Tibetan Terrier can be ‘chary’ of strangers, and in fact, this is another breed characteristic. As such, they may pull away when the foot is lifted for examination. Providing the reluctance is minor and does not prevent or hinder examination, this should not be penalized. The underside of the pad should be looked at, as one wants to see hair between the pads. The leathers of the pad will be strong, and well formed, evidence of the sturdiness and capability of this breed to travel in rugged conditions.
It is important at this time to examine the foot for evidence of flatness.
Another efficient method would be to examine the foot while the dog is in a standing position. By running a hand down the leg to the top of the paw, and then out along the top of the paw, one should clearly feel a ‘flatness’ to the paw. There should be no arch, or ‘cat-like’ arch to the paw. This is not to say there will not be a slight rise of knuckle. But there should not be a discernible arch to the paw.
Examining the foot this way gives the full impression of the flatness, and round structure of the foot.
~Kevin Grew
Colledge Tibetan Terriers
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