Did You Know?
- Date entered into Regular Classes: January
1, 1984
- The Tibetan Spaniel was accepted for registration
by the American Kennel Club on January 1, 1984.
- Tibetan Spaniels
were used as watched dogs as well as companion dogs.
- Tibetan
Spaniels are family-oriented and very trusting of other dogs
and people,
So you want to own a Tibetan Spaniel?
The Tibetan Spaniel is known for his remarkable intelligence
and affectionate nature.
The Tibetan Spaniel enjoys the company of his family
and does not like to be left alone for long periods of time. He does
enjoy the
company of other dogs.
The Tibetan Spaniel is gay and assertive. Although
he may be somewhat aloof towards strangers, he is devoted to his
family.
Breed
Standard 
[Top
of page]
General Appearance
Should be small, active and alert.
The outline should give a well balanced appearance, slightly
longer in body than the height at withers. Fault Coarseness
of type.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size -
Height about 10 inches. Body slightly longer from the point
of shoulder to root of tail than the height at withers.
Weight 9-15 pounds being ideal.
Head[Top
of page]
Small
in proportion to body and proudly carried, giving an
impression of quality. Masculine in dogs but free
from coarseness. Eyes dark brown in color, oval in shape,
bright and expressive, of medium size set fairly well
apart but forward looking, giving an apelike expression.
Eye rims black. Faults--Large full eyes; light eyes;
mean expression. Ears medium size, pendant, well feathered
in the adult and set fairly high. They may have a slight
lift from the skull, but should not fly. Large, heavy,
low set ears are not typical. Skull slightly domed, moderate
width and length. Faults--Very domed or flat wide skull.
Stop slight, but defined. Medium length of muzzle, blunt
with cushioning, free from wrinkle. The chin should show
some depth and width. Faults--Accentuated stop; long,
plain down face, without stop; broad flat muzzle; pointed,
weak or wrinkled muzzle. Black nose preferred. Faults Liver or putty-colored pigmentationition.
Mouth ideally slightly undershot, the
upper incisors fitting neatly inside and touching the
lower incisors. Teeth should be evenly placed and the
lower jaw wide between the canine tusks. Full dentition
desired. A level mouth is permissible, providing there
is sufficient width and depth of chin to preserve the
blunt appearance of the muzzle. Teeth must not show when
mouth is closed. Faults--Overshot mouth; protruding tongue
Neck, Topline, Body[Top
of page]
Neck -
moderately short, strong and well set on. Level
back. Well ribbed with good depth. Tail set high, richly
plumed and carried in a gay curl over the back when moving.
Should not be penalized for dropping tail when standing.
Forequarters
Shoulder
well placed. The bones of the forelegs slightly bowed but firm
at shoulder. Moderate bone. Faults--Very bowed or
loose front. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet hare-footed,
small and neat.
Fault--Cat feet.
Hindquarters
Well
made and strong. Stifle well developed, showing moderate
angulation. Hocks well let down and straight when viewed
from behind. Faults--Straight stifle; cow hocks. Dewclaws
may be removed. Feet as in front.
Coat[Top of page]
Double
coat, silky in texture, smooth on face and front of legs,
of moderate length on body, but lying rather flat. Ears
and back of forelegs nicely feathered, tail and buttocks
well furnished with longer hair. Neck covered with a mane
or "shawl" of longer hair which is more pronounced
in dogs than bitches. Feathering between toes often extending
beyond the feet. Should not be over-coated and bitches
tend to carry less coat and mane than dogs.
Presentation--In
the show ring it is essential the Tibetan Spaniel be
presented in an unaltered condition with the
coat lying naturally with no teasing, parting or stylizing
of the hair. Specimens where the coat has been altered
by trimming, clipping, or by artificial means shall be
so severely penalized as to be effectively eliminated
from competition. Dogs with such a long coat that there
is no
rectangle of daylight showing beneath, or so profuse
that it obstructs the natural outline, are to be severely
penalized.
Whiskers are not to be removed. Hair growing between
the pads on the underside of the feet may be trimmed for
safety
and cleanliness.
Color[Top
of page]
All
colors, and mixtures of colors allowed. Feet--White markings
allowed.
Gait
Quick
moving, straight, free, positive.
Temperament[top of page]
Gay
and assertive, highly intelligent, aloof with strangers.
Fault--Nervousnes.
American Kennel Club (http://www.akc.org)
