Manchester Dog Show Working Group Part 1

150th Manchester Dog Show Working Group

Tibetan Dogs - There Are Basically Two Types of Tibetan Dogs - Companions and Working Dogs

Interesting Information About The Tibetan Dog

As more and more people become interested in some of the rarer dog breeds they are looking to other countries to fulfill this need. Some of the Tibetan dogs are becoming more popular these days and are even found in some of the leading dog shows such as Crufts and the Westminster dog shows. There are basically two types of Tibetan dogs: companion dogs and working dogs. The companion dogs were bred specifically to be the pampered pets for monks and aristocrats. Because of this these breeds have been purposely kept small. The working dogs were used by both aristocrats and nomads as they proved to be excellent guard dogs.

The working dogs were responsible for watching the flocks of sheep and guarding the caravans. Because of this these dogs are often very independent in nature. They primarily slept during the day and kept watch during the night. One of the main ways these dogs kept the wild animals away from the sheep and caravans was through barking. These dogs have a terrifying bark and are actually able to bark, literally, all night long. This is still a characteristic of all of these dogs which can cause some problems in modern society.

All of the Tibetan dogs are known for being very brave, excellent watchdogs, and very loving and gentle with their own families. Even the working dogs are known to be especially gentle with children and are very protective. In the companion dog category there are five primary breeds: Goh-khi, Lhasa Apso, Jemtse Apso, Ursu Apso, and Gyakhi. The Goh-khi is one of the smallest dogs and was bred to be kept inside the long-sleeves popular with aristocrats in previous centuries. "Goh" means eagle, and at one point in history people believed these dogs could actually be found in eagles' nests.

The Lhasa Apso is one of the most well-known of the Tibetan dogs. Their long, heavy coat is very soft and fluffy. These were originally bred specifically to be companions for the monks in remote areas of Tibet. They are amazingly robust and long-lived for such small animals and make excellent watch dogs. The Jemtse Apso is known as the Tibetan spaniel and shares many of the same characteristics of other spaniels, with similar facial features and coats. The Ursu Apso is the wire-haired cousin of the Jemtse Apso and is marked with a rather lengthy beard. The Gyakhi is the Tibetan Pekinese.

The working dogs have two categories which are very similar: Dhokhi and Shakhi (also known as Congkhi). Dhokhi means outdoor dog because these dogs were bred to live their entire lives outdoors in extreme weather. These dogs are characterized by barking for long hours at night to keep other animals at bay, but also for being very loyal and loving with their own families.

In the Dhokhi category there are three basic breeds. The Tibetan mastiff resembles a Newfoundland in size, coat, and temperament. The Dhokhi Apso, which is also known as the Tibetan terrier has very soft, fluffy fur. The Jemtse Apso Dhokhi has a short coat which is similar in texture to the ropelike coat of the Hungarian Puli.

The Shakhi or Congkhi are very similar to the Dhokhi breed of Tibetan dogs in terms of use and temperament. The difference is that the Shakhi has a lighter, longer body with long legs and rather curly tails. The difference between the Shakhi and the Congkhi is in the ears. The Shakhi's ears stand up while the Congkhi's ears are floppy. The nice thing about all of the Tibetan dogs is that they are well-known for being outstanding watchdogs and very loving and caring with their own families. No doubt, any of these breeds would make a wonderful addition to any family.

Patricia McCallum is a certified yoga instructor, former Buddhist nun and creator of the Tibetan Life web site containing information about the fascinating Tibetan people; their customs, habits and traditions in Tibet and in the exile communities around the world.

If you are curious about Tibetan Life, Buddhism, The Dalai Lama, Tibetan Yoga, Tattoos, Tibetan Food, Meditation Beads or Tibetan Translation... visit: http://www.tibetanlife.com

Hong Kong Kennel Club - The 148th All Breed Championship Dog Show - Working BIG (part 1)

Just what I believe is part 1 of Working BIG (the Dobe won this section).

The Terriers in the Working Group

Dog shows have so many groupings, that it can be difficult to keep all of the dogs straight...

Contrary to popular belief, not all of the terriers are in the "Terrier Group". There are 27 breeds in the Terrier Group itself, according to the AKC.

Some are in the Toy Group (Australian Silky, English Toy or Black & Tan, Maltese, Manchester, Yorkshire, Toy Fox, sometimes Tibetan or Boston depending upon the kennel club), and some in the Non-Sporting Group (Boston, Tibetan depending on the kennel club).

There are 4 terriers in the Working Group.

Terriers in the Working Group:

1. Black Russian Terrier

2. Giant Schnauzer

3. Standard Schnauzer

4. Miniature Schnauzer (depending on the kennel club)

The fact that they are in the Working Group simply means that they are purebred dogs that were specifically bred to help assist humans with different types of work.

These types of Work may include:

• Eradicating vermin


• Pulling sleds


• Water rescues


• Guarding property

What talented terriers! It is said that these "Working" dogs are quick to learn, very capable, and very intelligent, making them fabulous companions as well.

From what I've seen, terriers are very eager to please and are extremely hard workers, if trained to do so. They focus on their task well, whether it be chasing a squirrel, trying to get their favorite kibble out of the bottom of the bowl, or practicing and competing in earth dog competitions.

Since many of the working dogs have such sheer size and strength, they need to be properly trained, and it is said that they are often not great "family" dogs.

It is in my opinion that these dogs are great family dogs, provided they are properly trained.

by Kimberly Edwards

Kimberly Edwards is the founder of Terrier Lover - Awesome Information and History on the Terrier Breed, Health, Dog Grooming, Dog Breeding, Tips & Tricks, Dog Training, Stories and More. Learn all you need to know about the Terrier dog @ http://www.TerrierLover.com

Manchester Dog Show Working Group Part 2

150th Manchester Dog Show Working Group Part 2

Manchester Dog Show Working Group Short-List and Placing's

150th Manchester Dog Show Short-List and Placing's

Working Group at the 132nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

The wonderful Working Group on Feb 12, 2008 at the 132nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, including a new breed to the AKC, the Tibetan Mastiff. You can buy the complete show on DVD from www.westminsterkennelclub.org The AKC Working Breeds are: Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Bernese Mountain Dog, Black Russian Terrier, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Doberman Pinscher, German Pinscher, Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Komondor, Kuvasz, Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland, Portuguese Water Dog, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Samoyed, Siberian Husky, Standard Schnauzer, and Tibetan Mastiff. Honors (Feb 14): #88 - Most Viewed (Today) - Pets & Animals #57 - Top Favorites (Today) - Pets & Animals Feb 15: #33 - Most Viewed (Today) - Pets & Animals #46 - Top Favorites (Today) - Pets & Animals