This standard was established on the 9th of April 1935 at Lady Freda Valentine's house Piccadilly Street, London in the presence of Colonel and Mrs. Bailey and many other connoisseurs after long discussions.

In judging these dogs, breed characteristics are of paramount importance.

CHARACTER
Gay and assertive, but chary of strangers.

SIZE
Variable but about 10 inches or 11 inches at shoulder for dogs, bitches slightly smaller.

HEAD
Heavy head furnishings with good fall over eyes, good whiskers and beard; skull narrow, falling away behind the eyes in a marked degree, not quite flat, but not domed or apple-shaped; straight foreface of fair length. Nose black, about 1 1/2 inches long, or the length from tip of nose to eye to be roughly about one-third of the total length from nose to back of skull.

MOUTH AND MUZZLE
Mouth level, otherwise slightly undershot preferable. Muzzle of medium length; a square muzzle is objectionable.

EARS
Pendant, heavily feathered.

EYES
Dark brown, neither very large and full, nor very small and sunk.

LEGS
Forelegs straight; both forelegs and hind legs heavily furnished with hair. Feet - well feathered, should be round and catlike, with good pads.

BODY SHAPE
The length from point of shoulders to point of buttocks longer than height at withers, well ribbed up, strong loin, well developed quarters and thighs.

COAT
Heavy, straight, hard, not woolly nor silky, of good length, and very dense.

COLOR
Golden, sandy, honey, dark grizzle, slate, smoke, particolour, black, white or brown. This being the true Tibetan Liondog, golden or lionlike colours are preferred. Other colours in order as above, Dark tips to ears and beard are an asset.

TAIL AND CARRIAGE
Well feathered, should be carried will over back in a screw; there may be a kink at the end. A low carriage of stern is a serious fault.