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KYI LEO |
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In the 1950s, around the San Francisco Bay area of California, a few people experimented with crosses of Maltese dogs and Lhasa Apsos. Why this was begun is not recorded, but the result was small adorable dogs with sparkling personalties, causing people to succumb to their charms. One lady from San Jose linebred these shaggy dogs for many years, developing a type to her liking. When Harriet Linn acquired one of these Maltese/Lhasa Shaggies in 1965, little did she know that she was beginning a Irfetime commitment. After breeding a litter from that first dog, she knew she was hooked. Mrs. Linn was the driving force behind the coalescing of this new breed. She acquired other specimens, including several from the San Jose kennel when it closed its doors in 1969. Three years later, sufficient interest in the breed brought owners and breeders together for a formal meeting. They decided on the name Kyi Leo for their new breed. Kyi is Tibetan for dog, giving credit to the Lhasa, and Leo is Latin for lion, acknowledging the Maltese's contribution. A club was formed and an interim standard adopted. The breed club keeps detailed registration information on all Kyi Leos since the breed is not yet recognized by any formal kennel authority. A quarterly newsletter is sent out to all owners and interested parties, and the group sponsors an annual picnic (the Kyi Leo Get Together) for Kyi Leo lovers to meet one another and talk about their favorite subject! The Kyi Leo
has many of the good points of both of his ancestors. Although a small
dog, he is not as tiny and fragile as the Maltese. His muzzle is longer
and lacks the underbite seen in most Lhasas. While his hair is long,
it never reaches the excessive floor length of the show specimens of
his forebears. Although other colors are seen and allowed, the black
and white pied dogs are the trademark of the breed.
Known for their agility and catlike quickness, they are playful and people-oriented. These dogs are outgoing, happy and intelligent with an abundance of willingness to please. Yet they have a tendency to be a bit reserved with strangers, making them ideal small alarm dogs. Although, occasionally, they show a hint of stubbornness, most owners tolerantly see this as merely asserting their own characters. They charm their way into hearts. The breed is known in a dozen states, as well as Canada, and is growing in numbers each year.
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