Tibetaanse Spaniël

Origin : Tibet.
Patronage : Great Britain.
Date of publication of the offical valid standard: 24.06.1987.
Utilization : Companion Dog.
FCI-Classification : 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).

Limbs :
Forequarters
General appearance : Moderate bone; forelegs slightly bowed but firm at shoulder.
Shoulders : Well laid.
Hindquarters :
General appearance : 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.
Coat
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 and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Disqualifying faults:

• Aggressive or overly shy dogs.
• Any dog clearly showing physical of behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

N.B.:

• 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.