Tibetan Mastiff

01st January 2024 By Tennor

A Quick Overview Of Tibetan Mastiff:

Group: Working Dogs
Weight: 75 to 160 pounds
Height: 2 feet to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Expectancy: 10 – 14 years

Tibetan Mastiff is a precious giant dog breed surviving on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Here are the legends of Tibetan Mastiffs, the types of Tibetan Mastiffs, and their usefulness to the people in different periods in Tibet.

On your travel to Tibet, you will undoubtedly get many chances to see the real Tibetan mastiffs and even take pictures with them.

1. The Legends of Tibetan Mastiffs

Many years ago, when a time covered a cold winter everywhere with ice and snow in Tibet, the plague made people suffer. Then God was riding a Tibetan Mastiff from the sky and saving the people from suffering.

The ice and snow melted, and the earth was recovering as time passed. This story is a famous Tibetan Mastiff legend. Therefore, the Tibetan mastiff is a sacred and beautiful existence for the Tibetan people.

2. Different kinds of Tibetan Mastiffs

There are two types of Tibetan Mastiffs: Lion Mastiff and Tiger Mastiff.

The Lion Mastiff’s head has more than 5 cm long hair, ears, and neck hair. On the other hand, the Tiger Mastiff’s length of hair on the head is medium or short compared to the Lion Mastiff, but the head and neck are without mane or very short.

Tiger Mastiff’s general hair colour is pure black or brown-red, but the Tiger Mastiff’s head is more significant than the Lion Mastiff, with a wider mouth and a shorter nose.

3. Usefulness to people in different periods

Early nomads, people save themselves from any attacks by domesticating the Mastiffs. The Tibetan Mastiff is responsible for guarding tents, grazing cattle and becoming a loyal partner of herdsmen.

However, now pure breed mastiffs are less and less, the cost of domesticating a Tibetan mastiff is higher, and few families can afford it.

Of course, with the development of the times, few families are raising Mastiffs in the city. But it is undeniable that Tibetan Mastiff is the right partner for herders.

The Top 10 Interesting Facts About The Tibetan Mastiff

The Tibetan Mastiff dog breed was developed centuries ago in Tibet and was used initially to scar dogs for livestock and property. Tibetan mastiffs can perform the role, but they also enjoy life as family companions and show dogs despite their massive, intimidating size.

These dogs are big softies when it comes to their human families. However, they’re known to retain their guardian nature, so strangers must always beware while encountering this breed. 

Their history:

The Tibetan Mastiff is one of the oldest breeds and is considered the progenitor of the other mastiff breeds globally. They are guardian breeds from Tibet who either travel with herders, watching over their flocks or serving as the protect villages and monasteries.

Travellers often wrote of the dog’s ferocity which was encouraged by the inhabitant. Chinese documents dating back to 1121 BC note that Tibetan guard dogs may have been the ancestor of today’s Tibetan mastiffs.

The dogs were called ” Dog-Ki”, meaning tight dog because they were restrained during the day but allowed to roam at night. Tibetan mastiffs were first brought to the US in the 1970s, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 2006.

They have a protective personality:

The Tibetan mastiffs love their families with a fierce intensity. Though they may not show it with public displays of fun, they want nothing more than to be with and protect you.

These mastiffs have been guarding people and property for more than 2000 years. So it’s safe to say that they’re pretty good at it aloof but watchful. They will take care not to let anyone inside your home unless permitted. They could still be reluctant, though.

They are independent thinkers:

The Tibetan mastiffs are independent thinkers with their plans because of their heritage as a guardian breed. In their minds, these dogs know what’s for the best. Therefore, they can be strong-willed and stubborn when it comes to getting their way, especially if it’s for their owner’s safety.

The owner needs to establish themselves as leaders but without using force, harsh words or physical punishment. The Tibetan mastiff understands consistency and firmness but won’t take abuse. 

Their independent thinking can be troublesome:

The Tibetan mastiff is an intelligent dog who learns quickly, but again they make their own decisions about whether or not they want to obey you.

It’s not their goal to please their owner but to protect them. That’s just one of the reasons the Tibetan mastiffs never be walked off-leash.

Owners can never be sure if their mastiff will respond when they call for them. They may also be aggressive toward other dogs, especially those of the same sex. 

They have mild activity levels:

The Tibetan mastiff is quiet indoors but active outside. They are moderately active, and athletic dogs and a securely fenced yard is necessary for them to get the exercise they need, but I don’t think they can climb a chain-like fence if they want to go exploring.

These mastiffs also like to dig and may one day come home with a dirty coat. On the plus side, they’re generally easy to house train.

They can get along with children:

Tibetan mastiffs are often said to be good with children. That is certainly true if they’re raised with them from an early age.

A mastiff in this situation will love and protect them with all its heart, but it is also essential to teach children how to interact with a dog and supervise them when they are together.

Always make sure a child’s behaviour is not making your dog uncomfortable or unhappy; the same is true of other animals. For example, the Tibetan mastiff can get along with them if they are raised together. 

They need early training:

Even at eight weeks, the Tibetan mastiffs are capable of soaking up everything they learn. They’ve got to be trained before they are six months old.

If possible, they should be taken to proper kindergarten classes. By the time they are 10 to 12 weeks old, instead of formal training, owners can begin training at home and socialize with the dog among family and friends until puppy vaccines are completed. 

Their health issues:

The Tibetan mastiffs have some health conditions that could be of concern. They include hip and elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism and eye disorders.

Unfortunately, not all of these conditions are detectable in a growing puppy, and it can be hard to predict whether you will be free of these disorders. So owners must find a reputable breeder who is committed to breeding the healthiest pops possible.

In addition, they should be able to produce independent certification that the dog’s parent has been screened for these defects and deemed fit for breeding. For Tibetan mastiffs to achieve CSIC certification, they must have evaluations for hips and thyroid along with eye clearance. 

They make excellent watchdogs:

The Tibetan mastiff was made for only one sole purpose to protect their loved ones, so they would frantically try to defend their owner or territory from invaders.

But, thanks to their massive size and fierce voice, they could protect their family without breaking a sweat.

In ancient times, Tibetan mastiffs were used to protect people from tigers, wolves and foxes due to their reliability and practical protecting skills. 

Their growing:

The Tibetan mastiff has a long thick double coat, with males having a more lavish covering than females. The dense undercoat is soft and woolly, and the topcoat is straight with a hard texture with regular brushing. They wouldn’t need frequent baths.

The Tibetan mastiffs should brush several times a week to remove dead hair, and the skin and coat should be kept healthy.

During the setting season, owners should brush them daily to keep their loose hair under control. The rest is primary care trimming the nails as needed. Usually, every week or two, they brush their teeth frequently with a wet-approved pet toothpaste for good overall health and fresh breath.