If you are considering including a Tibetan Mastiff in your family, it is essential that you are fully informed about the character, characteristics and care that this breed requires. In this PlanetAnimal sheet, we will try to explain all the details you need to take into account before considering adopting this animal or useful information for any enthusiast of this breed.
Read on and find out all about the Tibetan Mastiff:
Origin
- Asia
- China
FCI Nomenclature
- Group II
Physical Characteristics
- Rustic
- Muscular
- Lying
Size
- Giant
Height
- 70-80
Adult Weight
- 45-100
Life expectancy
- 12-14
Recommended physical activity
- Average
Character
- Balanced
- Society
- Very loyal
- Smart
- Quiet
Ideal for
- House
- The guard
Recommendations
- Muzzle
- Harness
Recommended climate
- Temperate
Hair type
- Medium
- Smooth
- Hard
- Big
- Dry
Origin of the Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff, also known as the Tibetan Mastiff or Do-Khyi, is one of the oldest eastern breeds in existence. It is known to be a working breed of ancient Himalayan nomadic herders as well as a dog guarding the gates of Tibetan monasteries. When Tibet was invaded by China in the 1950s, these mastiffs virtually disappeared from their native lands.Luckily for the breed, many of these huge dogs ended up in India and Nepal, where the breed was repopulated. With the export of the Tibetan Mastiff to England and the United States, the breed gained popularity among dog lovers in the West.
The Tibetan Mastiff is believed to be the ancestral breed of all hunting dog and high mountain dog breeds, although there is no evidence to confirm this. His bark is undoubtedly unique and is considered a valuable trait.
This amazing ancient dog is first mentioned in history thanks to Aristotle (384 - 322 BC) , but the origin of breeding this breed at that time is unknown. It is also mentioned by Marco Polo, who during his travels in Asia (1271 AD) praised a dog of great strength and size. Later, in the 19th century and more precisely in 1847, Queen Victoria of England received one of the first Tibetan Mastiffs.The impact was such that several years later, in 1898, the first European Tibetan Mastiff birth group was registered in Berlin.
Physical characteristics of the Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff stands out for being a strong and powerful dog, giant in size, very robust and imposing. The breed standard describes him as a dog of solemn, serious appearance and majestic strength.
The head of this mastiff is large, heavy and strong and has a slightly rounded skull. The occipital protuberance is very pronounced and the naso-frontal depression (stop) is well defined. The color of the nose depends on the color of the coat, but it should be as dark as possible. Its muzzle is wide. His eyes are medium sized, brown and oval. Its ears, of medium insertion, are triangular, medium and hanging.
His body is sturdy, strong and a little longer than he is tall. His back is straight and muscular, while his chest is very deep and of moderate amplitude. Its tail is of medium length and high insertion. When the dog is active, he wears it rolled up on his back.
The Tibetan Mastiff's coat is made up of two layers. The outer layer is rough, the hairs are thick and rather short. The inner coat is dense and woolly in the cold season, but becomes sparse fur for the warm season. His hair can be black with or without tan markings, blue with or without tan, sable or golden. A white star on the chest and minimal white markings on the feet are acceptable.
The minimum height for females is 61 centimeters at the withers, while males are a minimum of 66 centimeters at the withers. There is no height limit.
Tibet Mastiff character
The Tibetan Mastiff is a dog with an independent character, very loyal and protective of his guardians. Although he is not a glue pot dog, he knows very well how to take advantage of the presence of his loved ones, whom he will not hesitate to protect. On the contrary, he is generally wary of strangers.He generally gets along well with other dogs and animals, especially dogs of the same size. Whether or not he gets along with other dogs and animals will greatly depend on the socialization he has received.
" He is generally docile and friendly with the children in the house, however, and although he is a quiet dog in the house, it is recommended that you always supervise play sessions between him and your children because his great size and strength can be dangerous. We recommend that you buy him a toy that will act as an intermediary between your relationship and the moments of pleasure."
At home, the dog is calm. However, outside the home, moderate activity sessions are necessary to keep his muscles in shape and allow him to burn off the stress he accumulates. With the long walks, we will make him perform the physical activity he needs. You should know that these dogs tend to be barkers because of their past as guard dogs, just as they can be destructive when they are alone, when they suffer from anxiety or behavioral problems.
The Tibetan Mastiff is not an appropriate breed for inexperienced owners, people with advanced knowledge of dog training, animal welfare and large dogs are recommended for adoption .
Tibetan Mastiff Care
The Tibetan Mastiff's coat requires regular care, in fact, to keep it in good condition it must be brushed three times a week. In case of shedding, it is recommended to brush it every day in order to ensure that its coat is in good condition. As for the bath, we recommend that you wash it once every 2-4 months.
Although they can live in apartments, it is strongly recommended that this breed can live in a large house with a garden, which they can access whenever they wish. However, whether you live in an apartment or a large house, it is highly recommended that you take him on long, quality walks.This breed adapts perfectly to different climates, although it is not really comfortable in particularly humid and hot places.
We must bear in mind that this breed, mainly due to its large size, will also require large objects: a bed, food or toys, which usually have a much higher economic cost. In addition, the dog's daily food supposes a supplement to be taken into account.
Tibet Mastiff Education
As we said before, this dog needs a responsible owner who is very experienced in handling large dogs and advanced training. Therefore, an inexperienced owner should resort, even before the adoption, to a canine educator and trainer.
Working early on puppy socialization, biting inhibition and basic obedience exercises will be essential.Also remember that the puppy quickly grows to considerable size, so special care will have to be taken not to reinforce behaviors that we don't want as adults, such as climbing and jumping on people.
Once the dog has learned the basic commands, we recommend that you teach him tricks and techniques that will stimulate him mentally, but it is essential to review obedience daily or weekly because this are the basic orders that ensure his safety and that of his environment. In case of abnormal behavior or problem behavior, it is essential to consult a specialist as soon as possible and never try to correct unwanted behavior on our own.
He alth of the Tibetan Mastiff
Unlike other ancient breeds, the Tibetan Mastiff is not particularly prone to he alth problems, in fact, it is rather a breed that enjoys good he alth in general. The most common diseases of the Tibetan Mastiff are:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Entropion
- Neurological issues
In this section, we must also point out a characteristic that suggests that this breed is very primitive and ancient: females only have their heat once a year like wolves and unlike most canine breeds.
To ensure the Tibetan Mastiff's good he alth, the dog's vaccination schedule, deworming routine, and vet visits (every 6-12 months) should be followed. By following these tips, the life expectancy of the Tibetan Mastiff is between 11 and 14 years.
Tibetan Mastiff pictures
