By many accounts, the Tibetan Mastiff is said to be among the oldest known breeds of dog. This breed has been around at least three thousand years ago and has been used for hunting as well as herding. They are large in size, strong, and muscular. They are known for their gentle nature and calm temperaments.
The breed is large, weighing in at around 100 pounds on average, with a woolly coat that comes in many colors and patterns. The feet are padded with thick fur to protect them from the snow and rocks they might encounter while roaming the mountainside regions of Tibet where they originated.
Today, these dogs are loved all around the world as they make excellent pets and also have traits that can make them great family dogs.
Read on to find out all about the Tibetan Mastiff.
Overview Of The Breed
| Breed Type | Height | Weight | Lifespan | Price |
| Working Dogs | minimum 26 inches (male)
minimum 24 inches (female) |
90-150 pounds (male)
70-120 pounds (female) |
10-12 years | $1000-$4000 (puppy)
$5,000 – over $8,000 (adult) |
History
An ancient breed that has been living and working in Tibet for thousands of years, the Tibetan Mastiff does not have an exact history of origin. Though we may never come to know how they originated, it is still believed that Tibetan Mastiff dogs go as far back as three thousand years and are the ancestors of several modern-day Mastiff-type dogs. As the story goes- Tibet was quite secluded and isolated which is why not many westerners traveled so far. And those that did sometimes received these giants as gifts.
Once these dogs were taken back to Europe, they began blending in with domestic breeds. The genes of Tibetan Mastiffs can be found in breeds from all around the Middle East and as far as Britain. The first known specimen of this breed arrived in England in 1847 while the American specimen arrived there in the 1950s. The AKC listed them in 2006 as the Club’s 155th breed.
Appearance
The Tibetan Mastiff is a large, robust dog that is known for their distinctive thick, fluffy coat and lion-like appearance.
The Tibetan Mastiff has a body that is long and low to the ground. They have a broad, flat skull with a muzzle that tapers to a point. Their eyes are dark brown or black in color and the ears are triangular in shape. They have a strong neck and an average length tail that can be carried over their back or curled over their back. Their strong jaws with teeth meet in an undershot bite.
The Tibetan Mastiff coat is long, thick, coarse, and abundant with an undercoat that provides insulation from cold weather conditions. It can come in many different colors, with the most common being black, brown, and fawn, with shades of brown or tan markings on the head and legs. The hair on the face and muzzle is lighter than the rest of their body and often grayish in color.
This is a truly large dog breed. They can grow to be over 100 pounds and over 27 inches tall.
Personality/Temperament
Tibetan Mastiffs are, without a doubt, the perfect family companions. These dogs are loyal, protective, and very gentle. Also, they can be easily trained as they are super intelligent.
Many people think that Tibetan Mastiffs are aggressive dogs because they have a large heads with drooping ears which gives them the appearance of being angry all the time. But in reality, this is just their natural facial expression that has been misinterpreted by humans. The Tibetan Mastiff is actually a gentle giant that can be trained to be good with the family. Tibetan Mastiffs are very protective though. They are generally not aggressive to strangers, but they will be aggressive if they think the stranger is trying to hurt their family.
Tibetan Mastiffs can be great companions for children and seniors alike. These dogs are gentle and kind. And they also have a playful side that many kids love to imitate with these dogs. However, Tibetan Mastiffs are BIG dogs. Their size and strength could potentially cause serious injury to children, and they may be too rough with elderly people who have mobility problems. So, make sure you always supervise them with your Tibetan Mastiff.
Tibetan Mastiffs are large, powerful dogs that do best in homes with another dog to play with. But they can be territorial and aggressive towards other pets, so it is best to keep them in a home without cats or small pets. You should introduce your Tibetan Mastiff to the new dog in a neutral environment where neither is dominant nor scared and then slowly introduce them to each other in less stressful environments.
Trainability
Training a Tibetan mastiff is not an easy task. The breed is stubborn and so it takes patience and lots of time.
Due to their instinctual guarding tendencies, these dogs need a great deal of socialization. They need to be introduced and get familiar with many people, places, and different situations right from early puppy-hood and pretty much into the first two years of their life. Proper socialization leads to confident, well-adjusted, and dependable dogs.
Tibetan Mastiffs also exhibit an extremely independent, stubborn nature. Compared to other breeds that are more domesticated and people-pleasing who may enjoy fetching games, the primitive Tibetan Mastiffs focus on their working abilities, including guarding, alerting through barking, patrolling, and key territorial behavior that might seem dominant. This breed has been bred for centuries to be curious and exploratory, so, you might have to take your dog to an obedience training class in order to change that. Leash training is also a must for the breed.
Training your Tibetan Mastiff can take up to six months, which is something that takes a lot of time and effort if you are willing to put it in. So, if you wish, you can also take the help of a professional trainer.
The best way to train a Tibetan Mastiff puppy is to start them off young. This will make training easier as they grow older because they know what to expect and have been conditioned by their parents.
Grooming
A Tibetan Mastiff is a large dog breed that has a long, thick coat that needs to be groomed on a regular basis. Grooming a Tibetan Mastiff is fairly easy, but even so, it is best to start early with the process so you can get used to it.
Some people believe that Tibetan Mastiffs are hypoallergenic because they have a thick coat of hair. However, this is not the case. Tibetan Mastiffs do shed but their fur is so thick that it’s hard to see the hair on the ground.
Tibetan Mastiffs shed moderately twice a year. They will shed in the spring and fall, but their shedding patterns depend on the climate.
Since many people believe that these dogs don’t shed, they think it will be easier to care for them and less expensive to groom them. This is not true because they still need to be bathed and groomed regularly and their fur needs to be brushed every day.
Here are some of the most common grooming tips for your Tibetan Mastiff:
1. Brush your dog regularly with a brush or comb to remove loose hair from shedding and prevent mats from forming.
2. Bathe your dog using a shampoo designed for dogs, twice a year at most.
3. Cut your dog’s nails every month or so to avoid them getting too long and causing pain or injury.
4. Trim your dog’s hair around their ears every few months so it doesn’t get matted up in this area.
5. Brush your dog’s teeth regularly with toothpaste made for dogs.
6. Check ears for signs of infection, redness, or irritation daily and clean them at least once a week with a cotton ball dampened with ear cleaner or a veterinarian-recommended solution.
Adaptability
You might be considering getting a Tibetan Mastiff because you’ve heard that they are good family dogs and they shed a minimum amount. They also have a very calm demeanor. But before you make the decision to bring one into your home, you should know whether or not a Tibetan Mastiff can adapt to your home environment.
Ideal Living Condition:
Tibetan Mastiffs need a lot of space in order to live happily and healthily. So, the best living condition for the breed would be a home with a large yard. They are fairly active dogs so they need to have enough space to run around. The amount of space required depends on the dog’s size, but the general rule is that mastiffs should be given at least an acre of land to run on.
Also, make sure you have enough room for them inside your house. These dogs need space so that they can run around and be able to rest next to you on the couch or at the foot of your bed.
While some mastiffs can live in an apartment if they’re given enough time outside each day, it’s best for them to live in a house with a yard or on a farm where there is enough open space for them to explore.
Also, Tibetan Mastiffs are not known for being tolerant when left alone. These are very social and loyal dogs. They thrive on human contact and don’t do well when left alone for long periods of time.
Ideal Climate:
The Tibetan Mastiff comes from a region where the temperature stays below -4 degrees Celsius. In order to help these dogs live comfortably, it is important to note that they cannot live outside during the summer months.
This breed needs to live in a climate where temperatures should be between 40°F and 80°F. So, when it’s too hot outside, they need an indoor place where they can go such as an air-conditioned room with lots of space for them to move around freely inside.
Ideal Owner:
While Tibetan Mastiffs are not exactly the best dog for new owners, they can still be a good choice if you have the time and money to spend on them.
The dog can be very friendly and docile, but the breed may also be aggressive and territorial. They can also be difficult to train and housebreak, but their temperament is usually gentle if trained properly.
Tibetan Mastiffs need to be socialized from an early age. They also need to be walked for at least one hour per day and they will require a lot of exercises. Training them is not easy; they can become stubborn if you don’t have the patience to train them correctly.
This is why if you are a novice owner and think you have the time and money to take care of Tibetan Mastiff from the day you bring one home, go for it. But if you’re not ready to make that big of a commitment yet, Tibetan Mastiff may not be suitable for you.
Health
Some people think that Tibetan Mastiff is a healthy breed because they don’t have any major health problems. That is not completely true. These dogs do have some health issues that need to be addressed. These issues are related to their size, which can cause problems with their bones, joints, and other parts of their body.
The most common health problems for Tibetan Mastiffs are:
1. Hip dysplasia:
Hip dysplasia is a genetic disorder that causes the ball-and-socket joint to become loose or unstable.
2. Luxating patella:
Luxating patella is an inherited condition where the kneecap moves out of its normal position. It can be caused by injury or obesity.
3. Elbow dysplasia:
Elbow dysplasia is also a genetic disorder where the growth plate of the upper arm bone becomes weak and enlarged, causing arthritis in the elbow joints and pain when walking or running.
4. Autoimmune Thyroiditis:
Autoimmune thyroiditis, also known as Hashimoto’s disease, is a condition of the immune system that suppresses the thyroid from working properly.
5. Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA):
PRA is an inherited disease that causes blindness in dogs over time. It is caused by the degeneration of cells at the back of the eye.
6. Obesity:
Tibetan Mastiffs are prone to obesity. They have a tendency to overeat and eat anything they can find. This is something that you need to be aware of and be proactive about.
The average weight for a Tibetan Mastiff is about 110 pounds. Male Tibetan Mastiffs often weigh more than females do because of their larger bone structure and muscle mass. The breed can grow to be up to 150 pounds in weight, but these dogs are not usually considered healthy at this size due to their increased susceptibility to health problems. Tibetan Mastiffs who are obese are more likely to develop health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.
The average lifespan of a Tibetan Mastiff is 10-12 years.
Where To Buy A Tibetan Mastiff
There are many different places you can find a Tibetan Mastiff. You can find them in animal shelters, pet stores, breeders, and rescue centers.
There are many breeders who sell Tibetan mastiffs online, but it is important to do your research first before buying one. This is because some breeders might not be reliable and may send you a dog that is not the right breed or age.
Getting the right breeder for your puppy is one of the most important decisions you will make. There are many breeders in different parts of the world and it can be difficult to find a reputable one, but it is worth the effort. If you’re not careful, you could end up with a poorly bred or sickly pup.
Also, know that it is not legal to import a Tibetan Mastiff into the USA, so if you want to buy one, you will need to buy it from a breeder in the USA.
If you buy from a reputable breeder with a good pedigree, a Tibetan Mastiff could cost as much as 5,000 to 8,000 USD. If you’re looking to adopt one from an animal shelter or rescue group, you can expect to pay around 500 to 1,500 USD for a dog that’s two years old or younger.
Tibetan Mastiff is an expensive dog breed. These are large dogs that need a lot of space, food, and medical care. They also need to be trained from a young age. The cost of this type of training can be high.
As an alternative, you can always adopt one of these dogs from an animal shelter. You are giving a home to an animal that may otherwise be euthanized. Animal shelters also provide low-cost or no-cost adoptions, which means that you won’t have to worry about breaking the bank when adopting your new pet.
Tibetan Mastiff And Pitbull Mix Breed
The Tibetan Mastiff and Pitbull Mix dog, known as Pitbull Mastiff, is a new breed of dog that was created by crossing Tibetan Mastiff and Pitbull dogs.
Pitbull Mastiffs have a number of similarities to the original breeds. They have a similar coat color and head shape as the Tibetan Mastiff as well as an athletic body type like the Pitbull. The mix also has an increased sense of smell that helps them in hunting.
Conclusion
Tibetan Mastiff’s personality is a unique one, with a lot of charm and charisma. They are also highly intelligent dogs, who love to play around with their family. They are loyal and so can be trained to serve as your family as a guard dog too.
Tibetan Mastiff Vs Other Breeds
Is Tibetan Mastiff the best breed of the canine world?
Here are some comparisons of the Tibetan Mastiff with similar other breeds.
Tibetan Mastiff Vs Caucasian Shepherd
Tibetan Mastiff Vs German Shepherd
Thank you for reading the article.
For more interesting facts about the Tibetan Mastiff, check out ‘10 Interesting Tibetan Mastiff Facts That You Probably Didn’t Know About
Do you have a Tibetan Mastiff? What do they look like? Are they good family dogs? Are they trained? We want to know it all! Share with us your experience with Tibetan Mastiff in the comments!