The Tibetan terrier is the true Holy Dog of Tibet. This does not mean that the Tibetans worshipped these dog, but it means that they were raised in the monasteries by the lamas and were never sold in Tibet. Only a few were permitted to leave that country. They were presenred to someone who was about to undertake a hazardous journey, or presented as a gift to a visiting dignitary; or given in return for what was a considered a great favour or act of kindness. They are considerred good luck in their native country.

This is because originally the Tibetan terriers came from The Lost Valley of Tibet. They are the only breed in the world that can claim this romantic origin.

Heads of the monasteries visiting the Valley, previous to the great eartquake wich took place about 6000 years ago, and wich closed the road to the Yalley, were given a Tibetan terrier as they left, to bring peace and prosperity to their monastery.

                                                                                                                               (by Alice Murphy)

FCI standard

ORIGIN : Tibet.

PATRONAGE : Great Britain.

CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 9 / Section 5

GENERAL APPEARANCE :

Sturdy, medium-sized, long-haired, generally square outline; resolute expression.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT :

Lively, good-natured. Loyal companion dog with many engaging ways. Outgoing, alert, intelligent and game; neither fierce nor pugnacious. Sparing of affection to strangers.

1. HEAD :

Head well furnished with long hair, falling forward over eyes. Lower jaw carrying small, but not exaggerated amount of beard.

CRANIAL REGION :

Skull : Of medium length, neither broad nor coarse, narrowing slightly from ear to eye, neither domed nor absolutely flat between ears.

Stop : Marked in front of eyes, but not exaggerated.

FACIAL REGION :

Nose : Black.

Muzzle : Strong. Length from eye to tip of nose equal to length from eye to base of skull.

Jaw/Teeth : Lower jaw well developed. Incisors set in slight curve, evenly spaced and set perpendicular to jaw. Scissor or reversed scissor bite.

Cheeks : Zygomatic arch curved, but not overdeveloped so as to bulge.

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 too large, heavily feathered.

2. BODY :

Well muscled, compact and powerful. Length from point of shoulder to root of tail equal to height at withers.

Back : Level over ribs.

Loin : Short, slightly arched.

Croup : Level.

Chest : Well ribbed up.

3. 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.

4. LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS : Heavily furnished. Legs straight and parallel.

Shoulders : Well laid.

Pasterns : Slightly sloping.

HINDQUARTERS : Heavily 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.

GAIT / MOVEMENT : Smooth; good reach; powerful drive. When walking or trotting hind legs should track neither inside nor outside the front legs.

5. COAT

HAIR : Double coat. Undercoat fine and woolly. Top coat profuse, fine but not silky nor woolly; long; either straight or waved but not curled.

COLOUR : White, golden, cream, grey or smoke, black, parti-colour and tricolours; in fact any colour except chocolate or liver permissible.

6.SIZE :

Height at shoulder : Dogs 35.6 - 40.6 cm (14 - 16 ins);

bitches slightly smaller.