Comparison of AKC, CKC and British Breed Standards for the Tibetan Terrier

NOTE:
This document compares the American, Canadian and British breed standards for the Tibetan Terrier. Each standard is organized in a different manner, so for the purposes of clarity and comparison - descriptive headings have been shown, preceeded by a number. The BLOCK letters in the British Breed Standard are 'proposed' ammendments to the British Standard current as of August 1998.

American breed standard headings are shown in RED, Canadian in BLUE (probably should switch those 2 colours!) and British in GREEN (British racing green?).

1. General Appearance

AKC Introduction
The Tibetan Terrier evolved over many centuries, surviving in Tibet's extreme climate and difficult terrain. The breed developed a protective double coat, compact size, unique foot construction, and great agility. The Tibetan Terrier served as a steadfast, devoted companion in all of his owner's endeavors.

AKC General Appearance:
The Tibetan Terrier is a medium-sized dog, profusely coated, of powerful build, and square in proportion. A fall of hair covers the eyes and foreface. The well-feathered tail curls up and falls forward over the back. The feet are large, flat, and round in shape producing a snowshoe effect that provides traction. The Tibetan Terrier is well balanced and capable of both strong and efficient movement. The Tibetan Terrier is shown as naturally as possible.

CKC Origin and Purpose
The Tibetan Terrier was bred for centuries in the monasteries in the high Himalayas where they were loved and used by the monks and lamas as mascots, good luck charms and watchdogs. The dense coat allowed survival in the extreme climatic conditions. The compact size and unique foot structure permitted movement over snow and terrain inaccessible to man.

CKC General Appearance:
A profusely coated dog of sturdy build, square in proportion, with the tail curled over the back. The facial hair covers the eyes and muzzle, providing protection from the elements. The large round feet, with no discernible arch, produce a snowshoe effect while providing traction for traversing and climbing in extreme terrain.

BRITISH General Appearance:
Sturdy, medium sized, long haired, generally square outline. BALANCED (WITHOUT EXAGGERATION)

Characteristics: Lively, good natured. Loyal companion dog with many engaging ways.

2. Temperament

AKC Temperament:
The Tibetan Terrier is highly intelligent, sensitive, loyal, devoted and affectionate. The breed may be cautious or reserved. Fault-Extreme shyness.

CKC Temperament:
The Tibetan Terrier is intelligent, sensitive, loyal, devoted and affectionate. The breed may be reserved but extreme shyness is a fault.

British Temperament:
Outgoing, alert, intelligent and game; neither fierce nor pugnacious. Sparing of affection to strangers.

3. Head and Skull

AKC Head: Skull
Medium length neither broad nor coarse. The length from the eye to the tip of the nose is equal to the length from eye to the occiput. The skull narrows slightly from ear to eye. It is not domed but not absolutely flat between the ears. The head is well furnished with long hair, falling forward over the eyes and foreface. The cheekbones are curved but not so overdeveloped as to bulge.
AKC Head: Stop
There is marked stop but not exaggerated.
AKC Head: Muzzle
The lower jaw has a small amount of beard.
AKC Head: Nose
Black.

CKC Head: Skull
Skull of medium length and width, not coarse, slightly domed, narrowing slightly from ear to eye, there shall be a distinct but not exaggerated stop. The cheek bones curved but not overdeveloped so as to bulge. The length from the eye to tip of the nose should be equal to that from the eye to the occiput.
CKC Head: Stop
There shall be a distinct but not exaggerated stop
CKC Head: Muzzle
The jaws between the canines should form a distinct curve. The lower jaw should carry a small but not over-exaggerated amount of beard. The head should be well furnished with long hair falling forward over the eyes.
CKC Head: Nose
Black.

BRITISH Head and Skull:
Skull of medium length, neither broad nor coarse, narrowing slightly from ear to eye, neither domed nor absolutely flat between the ears. Zygomatic arch curved, but not overdeveloped so as to bulge. Marked stop in front of eyes but not exaggerated. Muzzle strong; well developed lower jaw. Length from eye to tip of nose equal in length from eye to OCCIPUT. Nose black. Head well furnished with long hair, falling forward over eyes. Lower jaw carrying small but not exaggerated amount of beard. IN ALL GIVING A RESOLUTE EXPRESSION.

4. Eyes

AKC Head: Eyes
Large, set fairly wide apart, dark brown and may appear black in color, neither prominent nor sunken. Eye rims are dark in color.

CKC Head: Eyes
Large, dark, neither prominent nor sunken; should be set fairly wide apart. Eyelids dark.

BRITISH Eyes:
Large, round, DARK BROWN, neither prominent nor sunken; set fairly wide apart. Eye rims black.

5. Ears

AKC Neck And Body: Ears
Pendant, falling not too close to the head, heavily feathered with a "V" shaped leather proportionate to the head.

CKC Head: Ears
Pendant, not too close to the head. V-shaped, not too large; heavily feathered.

British Ears:
Pendent, carried not too close to the head, V shaped, not too large, SET FAIRLY HIGH ON THE SIDE OF THE SKULL, heavily feathered.

6. Mouth

AKC Head: Teeth
White, strong and evenly placed. There is a distinct curve in the jaws between the canines. A tight scissors bite, a tight reverse scissors bite or a level bite are equally acceptable. A slightly undershot bite is acceptable.

CKC Head: Mouth
A tight scissors bite, a tight reverse scissors bite or a level bite are equally acceptable. A slight undershot bite is acceptable.

BRITISH Mouth:
Scissor or reverse scissor bite. Incisors set in a slight curve, evenly spaced and set perpendicular to jaw. FULL DENTITION DESIRABLE.

7. Neck

AKC Neck And Body: Neck
Length proportionate to the body and head.

CKC Neck: Neck
The neck is well set on the shoulders, slightly arched, and carried erect.

BRITISH NECK:
STRONG, MUSCULAR, MEDIUM LENGTH, ALLOWING HEAD TO BE CARRIED ABOVE LEVEL OF BACK AND GIVING OVERALL BALANCED APPEARANCE. FLOWING INTO WELL PLACED SHOULDERS.

8. Forequarters

AKC Forequarters: Shoulders
Sloping, well muscled and well laid back.

AKC Forequarters: Legs
Straight and strong when viewed from the front. Heavily furnished. The vertical distance from the withers to the elbow equals the distance from the elbows to the ground.

AKC Neck And Body: Chest
Heavily furnished. The brisket extends downward to the top of the elbow in the mature Tibetan Terrier.

CKC Forequarters: Shoulders
Shoulders sloping, strongly muscled, flat and well laid back.

CKC Forequarters: Legs
The forelegs should be straight when viewed from front or side. In motion the elbows should move close to the body and parallel to the line of travel. Pasterns are short and slightly sloping.

BRITISH Forequarters:
Heavily furnished. Shoulders well laid, WITH GOOD LENGTH AND RETURN OF UPPER ARM. Legs straight and parallel; pasterns slightly sloping.

9. Body

AKC Neck And Body: Topline
The back is level in motion.

AKC Neck And Body: Body
Compact, square and strong, capable of both speed and endurance.

ACK Neck And Body: Ribs
The body is well ribbed up and never cloddy or coarse. The rib cage is not too wide across the chest and narrows slightly to permit the forelegs to work free at the sides.

AKC Neck And Body: Loin
Slightly arched.

CKC Body: Body
Compact and powerful. Length from point of shoulder to root of tail equal to height at withers.

CKC Body: Ribs
Well ribbed up.

CKC Body: Loin
Loin slightly arched.

BRITISH Body:
Well muscled, compact and powerful. Length from point of shoulder to root of tail equal to height at withers. FAIR SPRING OF RIB WITH DEPTH OF BRISKET TO ELBOW. WELL RIBBED UP. Topline level, loin short and slightly arched; croup level.

10. Hindquarters

AKC Hindquarters: Thighs
Relatively broad and well muscled.

AKC Hindquarters: Legs
Well furnished, with well bent stifles and the hind legs are slightly longer than the forelegs.

AKC Hindquarters:
Hocks - Low set and turn neither in nor out.
Feet-Same as forefeet.
Dewclaws-May be removed.

CKC Hindquarters: Thighs
Thighs broad with well-bent stifles.

CKC Hindquarters: Legs
Strongly muscled, in balance with the fore quarters.

CKC Hindquarters:
Hocks - well let down, turning neither in nor out.
Feet - Both front and hind feet are structurally the same.

BRITISH Hindquarters:
Heavily furnished, WELL MUSCLED. HIND LEGS SLIGHTLY LONGER THAN FORELEGS WITH WELL BENT STIFLES AND LOW SET HOCKS GIVING CORRECT TOPLINE AND DRIVE.

11. Feet

AKC Forequarters: Feet
The feet of the Tibetan Terrier are unique in form among dogs. They are large, flat, and round in shape producing a snowshoe effect that provides traction. The pads are thick and strong. They are heavily furnished with hair between the toes and pads. Hair between the toes and pads may be trimmed level with the underside of the pads for health reasons. The dog should stand well down on its pads. Dewclaws-May be removed.

CKC Forequarters: Feet
Feet should turn neither in nor out and must be large, round, and heavily furnished with hair between the toes and pads. The dog should stand well down on his pads, the foot has no arch.

BRITISH Feet:
Large, round, heavily furnished with hair between toes and pads. Standing well down on pads; no arch in feet.

12. Tail

AKC Neck And Body: Tail
Medium length, heavily furnished, set on fairly high and falls forward over the back, may curl to either side. There may be a kink near the tip.

CKC: Tail
Medium in length, set on fairly high and carried in a gay curl over the back. Very well feathered. There is often a kink near the tip.

BRITISH 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.

13. Gait/Movement

AKC Gait:
The Tibetan Terrier has a free, effortless stride with good reach in front and flexibility in the rear allowing full extension. When gaiting the hind legs should go neither inside nor outside the front legs but should move on the same track approaching single tracking when the dog is moved at a fast trot. The dog with the correct foot and leg construction moves with elasticity and drive indicating that the dog is capable of great agility as well as endurance.

CKC Gait:
When in motion the legs and feet should move parallel to the line of travel with the hind legs tracking the fore. A dog with the correct foot moves with elasticity and drive indicating great agility and endurance.

BRITISH Gait/Movement:
Smooth, EFFORTLESS STRIDE WITH good reach AND powerful drive. When walking or trotting hind legs should track neither inside nor outside front legs.

14. Coat

AKC Coat:
Double coat. Undercoat is soft and woolly. Outer coat is profuse and fine but never silky or woolly. May be wavy or straight. Coat is long but should not hang to the ground. When standing on a hard surface an area of light should be seen under the dog. The coat of puppies is shorter, single and often has a softer texture than that of adults. A natural part is often present over the neck and back. Fault-Lack of double coat in adults. Sculpturing, scissoring, stripping or shaving are totally contrary to breed type and are serious faults.

CKC Coat:
Double coat. The undercoat, fine wool. The topcoat profuse, fine, but not silky or woolly, either straight or wavy. The coat is long but should not hang to the ground.

BRITISH Coat:
Double coat. Undercoat fine and woolly; top coat profuse, fine but neither silky nor woolly; long; either straight or WAVY but not CURLY.

15. Colour

AKC Color:
Any color or combination of colors including white are acceptable to the breed. There are no preferred colors or combinations of colors.

CKC Colour:
Any colour or combination of colours including white.

BRITISH Colour:
White, golden. cream, grey or smoke, black, parti-colour and tri-colours; in fact any colour except chocolate or liver permissable.

16. Size

AKC Size:
Average weight is 20 to 24 pounds, but the weight range may be 18 to 30 pounds. Proportion of weight to height is far more important than specific weight and should reflect a well-balanced square dog. The average height in dogs is 15 to 16 inches, bitches slightly smaller. The length, measured from the point of shoulder to the root of tail, is equal to the height measured from the highest point of the withers to the ground. Faults-Any height above 17 inches or below 14 inches.

CKC Size:
Height 14-16 in. (35-41 cm). Weight 18-30 lb. (8-14 kg). The weight must be proportionate to the height, maintaining a sturdy, compact build.

BRITISH Size:
Height at shoulders: dogs: 35.6 - 40.6 cm (14 - 16 ins.); bitches slightly smaller.

17. Faults

AKC Faults:
Weak pointed muzzle. Any color other than a black nose. Overshot bite or a very undershot bite or a wry mouth. Long narrow head. Lack of fall over the eyes and foreface.

CKC Faults:
Extreme shyness; weak, snipey foreface; overshot or very undershot bite or wry mouth; lack of double coat in adults.

BRITISH 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.

18. Miscellaneous

BRITISH Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.