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Priority One Soundness and Health I am committed to completing all tests as recommended by Canine Health Information Center *Only dogs who meet the following criteria will be bred: Favorable OFA/PennHip Hip evaluation Normal OFA Elbow evaluation OFA thyroid test results of normal within twelve months of breeding A standard American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) test with normal results within twelve months of breeding. All SnowSpirits dogs test results are included in the data base on the OFA website. Orthopedic Foundation for Animals *When using frozen semen from out of country, equivalent tests for that country will be required. Priority Two Balanced Temperaments and Intelligence To continue the original purpose of Tibetan Mastiffs as natural guardians of property, livestock and family, I will be evaluating breeding stock for identifiable traits required for a natural guardian: Bonding closely with their people, pack and territory. Patrolling their territory and alerting when it is encroached. A willingness to defend their property, pack and people. TMs are also family companions so I will also be breeding for balance in temperament as well. The ideal breeding canidate should possess the following traits: Confidence Fearlessness Gentleness Ability to determine when no threat exists Ability not to over react in situations requiring them to adopt a guardian reponse. To demonstrate these traits, SnowSpirits dogs will be, at minimum, required to attain their AKC Canine Good Citizen certification after reaching 24 months of age. I feel the ability to attain the AKC CGC certification after reaching adulthood,demonstrates intelligence as well as a balanced temperament. When available, the preferred temperament test is: American Temperament Testing Society (ATTS) Priority Three Function & Survivability Tibetan Mastiffs originated in the Himalaya Mountain Regions. They function as guardians of livestock, property and people. My goal is to preserve those traits that are functional and promote survival of the breed in the climate and terrain of their origin. TMs must be resiliant against bitter cold. TMs are still used to defend livestock against predators,such as Snow Leopards, Himalayan Wolves and Himalayan Black Bear. They are required to navigate terrain that can often be steep and rocky and on occasion, snowy. Agility and powerfulness are required physical characteristics to function in this capacity. I am also considering other physical characteristics that involve not only being able to survive, but to successfully raise young in a harsh climate. Photos of Himalaya Mountain Regions Priority Four Beauty Beauty should be a natural result of paying attention to the above priorities. SnowSpirits has recently changed what breed standard will be followed. We feel that in recent years the breeding stock being introduced from China via Europe is not reliable and is not in keeping with the future health, functioning and beauty of the Tibetan Mastiff. Overuse of sires and dams have limited the gene pool in the United States. Some of the mixed breed dogs from China that are being represented as Tibetan Mastiffs have made their way to the United States and are threatening the future of the breed. The American Kennel Club Tibetan Mastiff standard has disqualified coat colors and seeks to either severly shorten the muzzle or severly lengthen the back skull. This further limits the gene pool and disfigures the breed. The United Kennel Club Tibetan Mastiff breed standard is more conducive to the preservation of the breed. SnowSpirits agrees with and supports the United Kennel Club's tangible committment to the future of pure bred dogs as demonstrated by their statements/directions to breeders and to UKC conformation judges. The following is the preamble to every breed standard: "The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain the quality of their breed and to improve it; to advance this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world; and to act as a guide for judges. Breeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to the health, welfare, essence and soundness of this breed, and must take the responsibility to see that these are not perpetuated. Any departure from the following should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog's ability to perform its traditional work." UKC Tibetan Mastiff Breed Standard Marcha Garn SnowSpiritsTMs@Yahoo.com (269) 317-2382 © SnowSpirits Tibetan Mastiffs & OK! Get IT! |