Judging the Tibetan Mastiff

First impressions are extremely important when judging the Tibetan Mastiff. A judge's first impression of a Tibetan Mastiff should be of a noble and impressive dog, with substance and a beautiful shining coat.

Priorities

The Tibetan Mastiff is an ancient and primitive breed and a true guardian of its home and family. The following attributes are priorities that the parent breed club would like each judge to address:

1. Head and Expression - Look for an impressive and massive head with an expression of intelligent watchfulness. Tibetan Mastiffs tend to be reserved and aloof and will rarely look a judge directly in the eye or express any happiness to be approached or to be in the ring. However, a Tibetan Mastiff should never appear shy. The breed is highly confident and calm.


2. Soundness - Movement is best judged on a loose lead at a moderate speed, as the Tibetan Mastiff is light on its feet. They should not be cow hocked or weak in the rear. They tend to move closer in the rear than in the front and have a tendency to single track in the rear before the front. The faster a dog is moved, the more it will lose the typical light-footed movement of the breed.


3. Coat - Should be coarse, straight, water resistant double coat with length varying from quite short to extremely long. Do not reward a dog with a soft silky outer coat and no undercoat (except when the dog is in summer coat).

Judging Tips

Because of the heavy coat, the parent breed club strongly suggests that the judges feel the following:

• Stop - because of heavy brow ridges, coat and markings, the actual depth of the stop can be deceiving.

• Length of muzzle (the same or shorter than the distance from the stop to the occiput) - heavy mane and markings can be deceiving.
• Coat - texture.
• Bone - grooming and leg hair can be deceiving.

• Size and proportions- Length of coat and grooming can add inches in height to the appearance, so push down the coat over the withers. Heavy mane, britches and tail feathering can make a dog appear square rather than slightly longer than tall.

When in motion you should look for the following with regards to movement:

• Angulation - moderate.
• Typical Light footed movement.
• Topline - firm and straight.
• Tail - carried up and over the back, ideally in a single curl.

When examining the head it should be massive, particularly in dogs, with substantial back skull. The muzzle should be heavy and well padded with moderate flues and should appear square from all angles. The eyes must be brown, almond shaped, deep set and slightly slanting. Check ear leather for desired thickness.

The topline should be absolutely straight and strong. The croup should be virtually imperceptible and the tail should go up and over the back. While the dog is being examined and is standing in a relaxed manner, the tail may be down.

On the down and back, do not expect the Tibetan Mastiff to look at you or to give any particular expression. The majority of Tibetan Mastiffs are not food motivated nor will they be interested in funny sounds or toys.

Important Points to Remember

A Tibetan Mastiff:

• Must be sound of body and temperament
• Must have a firm and straight topline
• Must have a heavy double coat with thick straight course guard hair and a soft, dense undercoat. In
  • summer,dogs may be shown with little or no undercoat and with shorter guard hairs
• Must have tight cat feet with well cushioned pads
• Is to be shown naturally, with scissoring only on the feet. Any other trimming is not acceptable
• Should have a well feathered tail that must be carried over the back when in motion or when alert
• Is a large, not a giant, breed
• Should have a broad, impressive head with a square, heavily padded muzzle, and a scissor bite
• Must have brown eyes
• Should have a watchful and intelligent expression
• Should be moderately angulated