Tibetan Terrier — breed standard (AKC & FCI: size, coat, temperament, type)

Tibetan Terrier — breed standard (AKC & FCI: size, coat, temperament, type)

Claims

• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* A Tibetan breed (origin Tibet/China; FCI patronage Great Britain); despite the name it is not a true terrier but a herding and guard dog, long regarded as the Holy Dog of Tibet. FCI standard 209 places it in Group 9 (Companion and Toy Dogs), Section 5 (Tibetan breeds), with no working trial.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Size: AKC average height 15–16 inches for dogs (bitches a little smaller), weight about 20–24 lb (range 18–30 lb); FCI gives males 36–41 cm at the withers (females slightly smaller).
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Build is medium, square and sturdy, with a profuse long coat forming a fall over the eyes and a feathered tail curling forward over the back; the flat, round feet act like snowshoes.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* The coat is a double one: a soft woolly undercoat beneath a plentiful fine topcoat that is neither silky nor woolly and may be straight or wavy but not curled; it should not reach the ground. Scissoring or shaving the coat is a serious fault.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Colour: every colour and any mix is permitted, including white; FCI adds that chocolate, liver and merle are the only excluded tones.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Temperament is lively, good-natured and loyal; the dog is clever, alert and game, devoted and affectionate with its family but often reserved toward strangers.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Faults include a weak pointed muzzle, a nose that is not black, overshot or very undershot/wry bite, a long narrow head, loss of the facial fall, a missing adult undercoat, extreme shyness, and height above 17 in or below 14 in.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Disqualifications: aggressive or extremely timid dogs, or any animal with clear physical or behavioural abnormalities.