(Left to Right) An ideal outline; Mature male in correct coat.; 3-year-old male with desired type and expression; Top-winning European TM “Harish” with myself handling him to BOB at Crufts 2011.; “Dom”; “Leo”.
slow look down the entire entry, giving priority and taking notice of the silhou- ette and breed-defining type. Leg to body ratio, the length and arch of the neck, the depth of the chest, the tail set, the angula- tion, the overall condition and quality of coat are all noted. I make a mental note of who I like, and then proceed on to the individual examinations. Will my favorites hold up when it comes to the hands-on examination and show me their best and “ask for it?” Or will the plain-Jane sleeper suddenly turn it on and dare me not to notice the breed-winning performance? While TMs are not to be judged with a premium placed on showiness, one can hope and pray for a glimmer of anima- tion and expression! Head type is every bit as equal in importance as the silhouette. When approaching the Tibetan Masti ff , I pause to take in the quality of the head and give the dog time to notice me and to anticipate the introduction. I always ask the handler if I may touch the dog and to show me the bite, and then to secure the head forward as I go over the head and front. It is not uncommon for some
TMs, especially those being owner-han- dled to extend their home-based guardian instincts to their perceived turf and charge in the show ring, and you are entering their space as far as they are concerned. Better to be safe and not expect this primitive breed to behave like its man-made counterparts. And don’t get me wrong, it is still your ring on your terms, but think of it more as striking a treaty rather than expecting the dog to stand for the compulsory examina- tion that other breeds accept with ease. Let your fingers and hands do the talking as you make your way down the sides, shoul- der assembly and topline to the tail. Dogs who are not thrilled with the judging pro- cess may not hold their tail up. Check for the length, type of curl and profuseness (is that a word?) of feathering, and look for the tail to be carried in the upright posi- tion at least once while moving. As for color, pick a color... any standard color. If color comes into your decision making process, you either have a great entry and your favorite color can be the tie-breaker, or you have a small or lack- luster entry with faulted or disqualified
colors. Th e shades of gold (pale gold to rich red-gold) correspond directly to the shades of tan on the tan pointed black/tan dogs. Personally, I give preference to an outstanding, typey example of the breed with faults over the generic, safe choice who is a solid working dog. It must be a proper looking Tibetan Masti ff before it can be a correctly moving, preferred- colored Tibetan Masti ff . “The shades of gold (pale gold to rich red-gold) CORRESP ON D DIRECT LY to the shades of tan on
the tan pointed black/tan dogs.”
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