What is large, round and flat, has no apparent arch, but isn’t splayed? Oh, and a dog stands on it.

No doubt you guessed feet (or paws), but you’re only halfway right. It isn’t just any dog that stands on such feet: it’s the Tibetan Terrier, a breed whose foot the AKC standard describes as “unique in form among dogs.”

Maybe now you’re asking: Aren’t “flat” and “splayed” feet the same thing?

No siree, Bob, they’re not.

In this breed, flat means the toes have no apparent arch; splayed means they spread apart. A correct Tibetan Terrier foot is broad and flat, yet tightly knit. The Tibetan Terrier Club of America’s Illustrated Guide specifically calls a splayed foot faulty.

In other breeds, a flat foot is often undesirable rather than a defining feature. For example, the Brittany standard says flat, splayed and “paper” feet are to be heavily penalized, while the Basenji parent club warns about flat feet with thin pads.  It’s important to know that what counts as a sound foot depends on the breed and the work its standard describes.

That makes the Tibetan Terrier an intriguing exception. Its flat foot must still have thick, strong pads and closely held toes. Profuse hair can hide its structure, which is why the TTCA guide says the foot must be examined by hand. The AKC standard permits hair between the toes and pads to be trimmed level with the underside of the pads for health reasons. Separately, its coat section lists sculpturing, scissoring, stripping and shaving as serious faults.

If we were to play a word-association game at a dog show and said “snowshoe,” the Tibetan Terrier would be a popular answer because the breed is known for it. Its large, flat, round feet produce what its standard calls a “snowshoe effect” that provides traction — but here comes our grand finale: two other AKC breed standards use “snowshoe” language for feet, too. Can you guess them?

From the Finnish Lapphund standard: “Feet are well arched, oval rather than round, with toes slightly spread, to act as a snowshoe.”

From the Alaskan Malamute standard: “The feet are of the snowshoe type, tight and deep, with well-cushioned pads, giving a firm, compact appearance.”

Same snowy image, three different feet. The Tibetan Terrier’s are flat and tightly knit; the Finnish Lapphund’s are arched with slightly spread toes; and the Malamute’s are tight, deep and well arched

Know your standard!

Photo of a Tibetan Terrier in the snow by Lorna Pauli on Pexels