Tibetan spaniel is one of historically hard to crack nut. Proffesionals have often very different meanings about parentage of these dogs. One hypothesis speaks about interbreeding Pekinese and Lhasa apso, other, more likely version supposes relationship with Do-Khyi - of course not in today´s form. Fact is, that Tibetan Spaniel belongs to the odest existing races - dogs reminding of them are alreayd on drawings from 7th century after Criste.
Ancestry of Tibetan Spaniels living in Tibetan cloisters fulfilled for years social, guardian and ritual functions. Monks could use their little dogs very well - appreciated their hairy presence as alive "stove" while long prayings, also the dogs moved so-callled prayer-mills. Little dog´s target in cloisters as well was guarding from a high point (like peripheral walls) and announcing anything strange by barking. Bark called big mollosses who discouraged invaders from entering the cloister zone.
We do not knoe the exact date of Tibetan Spaniel comming to Europe, it was somewhen at the end of nineteenth century. Real, historically proved root of this race is limited to only last hundred years. First standard was done in 1934 and from this year small Tibetan races were also in individual classes. To the Czech Republic the first Tibetan Spaniel was imported in 1987, first litter was bred here as late as in 1991.
Tibetan Spaniel is a small but robust, movable dog with well-developed senses. Even today it is a good guard thas notices everything but doesn´t bark in vain. It is a bit distant to strangers. Needs a stable contact with the family, welcomes presence of other dogs. It is clever, has a great memory, but it is also very independent, considering itself a personality. Tibetand Spaniel has a nice and non-agresive pattern and today it is being used for canisterapy a petterapy. It is and ideal social and family dog, assimilating life-style of his owner and his family, but loves movement because it is sporty and not kittle at all. For it extra-ordinary personality and easy care Tibetan Spaniel becomes a looked for companion of people who prefer natural dogs.
Tibetan Spaniel – it is a all-the-time friendly universal antistress medicine!
ORIGIN:
Tibet.
PATRONAGE:
Great Britain.
DATE
OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD:
24.06.1987.
UTILIZATION:
Companion Dog.
CLASSIFICATION
F.C.I.:
Group
9 - Companion and Toy Dogs.
Section
5 - Tibetan breeds.
Without
working trial.
GENERAL
APPEARANCE: Small,
active and alert. Well balanced in general outline, slightly longer in body than
height at withers.
BEHAVIOUR
/ TEMPERAMENT: Gay
and assertive, highly intelligent, aloof with strangers. Alert, loyal but
independant.
HEAD:
Small in proportion to body, carried proudly. Masculine in dogs but free from
coarseness.
CRANIAL
REGION:
Skull:
Slightly domed, moderate width and length.
Stop:
Slight but defined.
FACIAL
REGION:
Nose:
Black preferred.
Muzzle:
Medium in length. Blunt with cushioning, free from wrinkle. Chin showing some
depth and width.
Jaws/Teeth:
Slightly undershot. Teeth evenly placed and the lower jaw wide between the
canine teeth. Full dentition desirable. Teeth and tongue not showing when mouth
closed.
Eyes:
Dark brown, oval, bright and expressive, medium size, set fairly well apart but
forward looking. Rims black.
Ears:
Medium size, pendant, well feathered in adults, set fairly high. Slight lift
from the skull desirable but must not fly. Large, heavy, low set ears un-typical.
NECK:
Moderately short, strong and well set on. Covered with a mane or «shawl» of
longer hair, more pronounced in dogs than bitches.
BODY:
Slightly longer from withers to root of tail than the height at withers.
Back:
Level.
Ribs:
Good spring of rib.
TAIL:
Set high, richly plumed and carried in a gay curl or over back when moving. (Not
to be penalised for drooping tail when standing).
FOREQUARTERS:
Moderate bone; forelegs slightly bowed but firm at shoulder.
Shoulders:
Well laid.
HINDQUARTERS:
Well made and strong.
Stifle:
Moderate turn.
Hocks:
Well let down, straight when viewed from behind.
FEET:
Harefoot. Small and neat with feathering between toes often extending beyond the
feet. Round cat-feet undesirable.
GAIT
/ MOVEMENT: Quick-moving,
straight, free, positive.
HAIR:
Topcoat silky in texture, smooth on face and front of legs, of moderate length
on body, but lying rather flat. Undercoat fine and dense. Ears and back of
forelegs nicely feathered, tail and buttocks well furnished with longer hair.
Not overcoated, bitches tend to carry less coat and mane than dogs.
COLOUR:
All colours and mixture of colours permissible.
SIZE
AND WEIGHT:
Height
about 25.4 cm (10 ins).
Weight:
Ideal 4.1 to 6.8 kgs (9-15 lbs).
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.
N.B.: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
©
2006 Zlatı Klondike