high, richly plumed and carried in a gay curl over the back when moving. Please check for the tail set when evaluating the breed on the table. The dog should not be penalized for dropping its tail when standing. The forequarters of this breed should be nicely laid back to allow for the brisk movement of the breed. For this reason the neck must not be too short. The moderately short appear- ance of the neck is really brought about by the shawl or mane of hair. The mod- erate bones of the forelegs are slightly bowed but firm at the shoulder. The dog should not be out at the elbow and the legs must not be too bowed or too heavily boned. Remember moderate is the key word here as well and all pieces must fit the package. The feet should not turn neither in nor out but point straight ahead. With that said, young specimens may be a bit eastie/westie when standing due to the lack of matu- rity; i.e. rib spring and depth of chest. The legs must have a rectangle of day- light beneath the dog but should not appear leggy, but younger specimens (not fully developed) may appear leggy due to lack of coat and substance. The feet are small and hare-footed. The hindquarters are well made and strong with the stifle well devel- oped, showing moderate angulation.
The hocks are to be well let down and straight when viewed from behind. The dew claws may be removed, hare-foot as in front. The coat of the Tibbie is a double coat but silky in texture. Due to the silky texture, the coat lies rather flat on the body. The coat should never be a stand off coat, but the forelegs, but- tocks and tail should be well furnished with longer hair. The ears are also nicely covered and the neck is covered with a shawl or mane. Bitches tend to carry less coat than dogs. The feather- ing on the toes can extend beyond the feet however; younger animals may not carry the toe hair called slippers. Slip- pers may not appear until age four and some never grow much toe fringe due to the surface they may be housed on. It is essential that Tibbies are shown natu- rally. Many breeders come to Tibbies from other breeds and along with them they bring their old, familiar ring habits from those other breeds. If the coat of the Tibbie is correct, all the brushing in the ring will be of no use. A correct coat will not stand once the dog shakes or moves. The coat will then fit the body once again. Ring presentation is of the utmost importance to the preservation of this natural breed. As stated in our standard; presentation in the show ring calls for
the Tibetan Spaniel to be shown 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 effective- ly 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 nat- ural outline, are to be severely penal- ized. Whiskers are not to be removed. Hair growing between the pads, on the underside of the feet, may be trimmed for safety and cleanliness. Feathering on the toes must not be trimmed. Exhibi- tors have been told by judges, from time to time, to trim those feet. That is a ‘no, no’! All colors and mixtures of colors are allowed and that is what adds to the beauty of this breed. When you get breeders together and they relive the shows they have attended, one some- times hears, “There are judges out there that are color blind.” I don’t believe they are color blind but would rather prefer to see it as judging for breed qualities rather than isolating by color. A quality dog is a quality dog regardless of its col- or and I truly believe a judge is looking for the dog that fills their mind’s eye as the most correct specimen when they judge on that given day. I have been told by some attending the breed seminar that it is hard for them to see expression on the black dogs. Please don’t look for that while the dog is on the ground. Do that particular judging while the dog is on the table and at eye level. If you ques- tion that and want to take another look, as in anything, please put the specimen back on the table for another look. Whether you are learning about the breed, judging it or evaluating your own breeding stock, make sure that this about-10-inch alert, active and moder- ate breed called Tibetan Spaniels gives a well-balanced appearance, ranges from 9-15 pounds and is slightly longer than tall when measured from the point of shoulder to the root of tail. In look- ing for the ape-like expression; with its dark brown eyes and blunt cushioned muzzle, be sure to also include that aloof, quick moving and positive animal with the level top-line, double silky coat and richly plumed tail shown naturally. When you see it all: you will know you have found “The Tibetan Spaniel!”
“IF THE COAT OF THE TIBBIE IS CORRECT, ALL THE BRUSHING IN THE RING WILL BE OF NO USE. A CORRECT COAT WILL NOT STAND ONCE THE DOG SHAKES OR MOVES.”
252 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , J UNE 2017
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