The Tibetan Mastiff is a fairly large dog and therefore has an impressive appearance. This dog breed is not suitable for beginners. This dog needs an owner who has experience in raising dogs. The Tibetan Mastiff is intelligent and watchful. He is protective and loyal to his family. This breed of dog gets along well with children and other pets if socialized early. Have you become curious and would you like to know more about the Tibetan Mastiff? Then read this article for more information!
The history: a powerful dog from ancient times
The Tibetan Mastiff probably dates back to ancient times. However, since it is one of the oldest breeds in the world, it is not certain exactly when this breed was created. What we do know is that the Tibetan Mastiff was known to Aristotle and Marco Polo and was often named by them.
The Tibetan Mastiff is originally from Tibet. It is an ancient working dog of the nomadic herders in the Himalayas. Also, this dog breed was the traditional guard dog of the Tibetan monasteries. It is thought that the Tibetan Mastiff is the ancestor of other mountain dogs and Mastiff breeds that emerged later. The Tibetan Mastiff is also known as Do-Khyi.
The Tibetan Mastiff first came to the Western world in 1847. A male dog came to England and was kept there by Queen Victoria. Nowadays, this impressive dog is also suitable as a pet.
The character: intelligent, stubborn and protective
The Tibetan Mastiff is an intelligent, but stubborn dog. Its stubbornness makes him difficult to train and teach things. How best to do this, you will read later in this article. This big teddy bear is loyal to its owner, but reserved and reserved towards strangers. It is a watchdog that likes to protect his boss. If there are unknown people in the neighborhood he will immediately let his owner know. It is a dog that watches over its territory and especially at night it can bark regularly.
The Tibetan Mastiff has a calm and independent nature. Although it is a loyal dog breed, it is important to socialize the puppy in the right way immediately. Through proper socialization you can prevent your Tibetan Mastiff from showing unwanted behavior. The Tibetan Mastiff can also be considered as a fairly aggressive dog breed. Therefore, it is not wise to live in a busy residential area with this dog.
With proper socialization, the Tibetan Mastiff gets along well with children and other pets. It is important to let him get used to this and never leave young children with him.
The appearance of a Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff has a powerful and strong body. He has an imposing appearance, which he owes mainly to his size. The height at the withers of a male is between 66 and 76 centimeters and weighs between 45 and 73 kilograms. A female has a height at the withers between 61 and 71 centimeters and weighs between 34 and 54 kilos.
The coat of a Tibetan Mastiff is thick and long. In cold weather the undercoat is very heavy. In the summer the undercoat is thinner. The hairs in the neck are rough and resemble the mane of a lion. The coat can have different colors. Colors that can occur are black, black and tan, black and yellow, black and white, gray, orange and reddish brown. Males have more coat than females.
The head of a Tibetan Mastiff is large and broad. The nose is broad and has large nostrils. The muzzle is broad and tapers square. The eyes are brown in color. The ears are medium sized, triangular and hang down. The neck is well muscled, as is the back and legs. The tail looks like a plume and is well furred.
The care
The Tibetan Mastiff has a thick, long coat that heavily sheds once a year. During this period it is wise to brush daily, so loose hairs do not get stuck in the coat. The rest of the year they do not shed, but it is important that the coat gets brushed at least once a week. Especially the longer hairs on the neck, tail and back of the legs need some extra attention. You need to brush them to remove surface dirt and to prevent the hair from tangling. Always check the coat of a Tibetan Mastiff well after a walk in nature.
In addition to coat care, basic care is also important. The nails should be checked regularly and trimmed. The ears and eyes of the Tibetan Mastiff should remain clean. You can do this by using a clean, damp cloth.
A Tibetan Mastiff is a large dog and needs quality food. You can ask the vet for advice on what food to give. Also, a Tibetan Mastiff benefits from enough exercise to stay happy.
Are there any diseases that occur in this breed?
A Tibetan Mastiff reaches an average age of 11 to 14 years. There are some diseases and hereditary disorders that can occur in this dog breed. The following hereditary diseases can occur in a Tibetan Mastiff:
- Elbow and hip dysplasia
- Eye problems
- Thyroid problems
The Tibetan Mastiff is a large dog and large dog breeds are more likely to develop elbow and hip dysplasia. This is a disorder of the joints that can lead to joint wear. The head of the joint no longer fits properly in the socket, which can cause the dog to have difficulty walking, running and standing up. Lameness is one of the symptoms.
Eye problems can also occur. Vision can diminish and this can be so bad that the Tibetan Mastiff eventually goes blind. There may also be several inflammations in the eye. It is therefore important to keep the eyes clean and when in doubt consult a veterinarian.
In addition, the Tibetan Mastiff is also susceptible to Thyroid problems. It may be that the thyroid is working too slowly. The vet can examine this and may have medication for this. Symptoms may include diarrhea, lameness, dry eyes and coat problems.
Did you know?
The Tibetan Mastiff is an independent dog and does not mind being left home alone for a while. This is in contrast to most dogs. However, you should keep in mind that a Tibetan Mastiff is not truly mature until he is two to three years old. Until then, it is not wise to leave him home alone.
Dog training for this breed
The Tibetan Mastiff is an intelligent dog, but can be difficult to train. This is because this dog breed is independent and stubborn. It is an independent dog that likes to think for himself and not just follow commands. To get the best results, it is important to start the socialization as early as possible.
The socialization period begins when a puppy is 3 weeks old. A consistent, but friendly approach works best. Positive reinforcement techniques such as praise and reward are recommended. Coercion and drills are not recommended. A Tibetan Mastiff does want to follow a command, but wants to do so at its own pace.
A basic training is important for every dog, but especially for a Tibetan Mastiff. A puppy training ensures that the dog gets to know other dogs and comes into contact with new situations. You build a bond with your dog and the dog learns that he must listen to his owner. It is also useful if a Tibetan Mastiff during a puppy training immediately learns the basic commands.
What does a Tibetan Mastiff cost?
You will quickly pay between $1200 and $1800 for a Tibetan Mastiff with a pedigree. The price of a Tibetan Mastiff is therefore quite high. It may happen that the asking price of a puppy is even higher. Nowadays there are also crosses with the Tibetan Mastiff. Often you pay a little less and the price is around $900. Make sure you always buy a puppy from a reputable breeder. A certified breeder breeds according to the rules and takes good care of the mother dog and puppies. He is also aware of any hereditary diseases that appear in the pedigree of the dog.
Besides the purchase cost, the Tibetan Mastiff also has quite a bit of maintenance costs. It is a large dog that needs a lot of nutrition. For the food you should count about $900 per year. The cost of training is about $350. These costs are necessary, because you want your Tibetan Mastiff to be properly socialized. In addition, you have to take into account other recurring costs such as the vet and dog tax. Also, the toys, basket and leash need to be purchased.
It is important that you are aware of the cost of a Tibetan Mastiff before you purchase one. Always check first if you are willing to pay these costs and if you can afford it.
How much exercise does this breed need?
The Tibetan Mastiff is a working dog and loves to exercise. They like to jump and run. This dog breed needs average exercise and often the daily walks and playtime are enough. However, the Tibetan Mastiff does love to go for a long walk in the woods. So be sure to take him with you when you go for a long walk. It is wise to keep the Tibetan Mastiff on a leash. Because this breed has a watchdog instinct you cannot trust them blindly. They could possibly show aggressive behavior or run away. It is especially important that you look at the character of your dog before making the trade-off.
If a Tibetan Mastiff is in a small space for an extended period of time, the dog may become frustrated. So make sure the dog has enough space to move around freely. A small house without a garden or an apartment is less suitable if you want to buy a Tibetan Mastiff. This dog breed prefers to live in a house with a fenced garden. Good fencing is important, because a Tibetan Mastiff will still be able to leave the garden if the electronic fence is low. He will not be frightened by a small shock.
Recognition in the US
The AKC officially recognized the Tibetan Mastiff in 2006. This means that it is a healthy dog breed that may be bred with and can participate in various sporting events. For this breed there are also breed associations recognized by the AKC, one of them is the American Tibetan Mastiff Association. This association is concerned with maintaining a healthy breed and can provide you about a lot of information about the Tibetan Mastiff.
Do you already have a Tibetan Mastiff or are you planning to buy one?
A Tibetan Mastiff is a stubborn dog with an outspoken character. He can be stubborn and independent. Yet the Tibetan Mastiff also has character traits that make him suitable as a family dog. It is a friendly dog towards acquaintances, but towards strangers it is reserved and watchful at first.
Early socialization and proper education ensure that the Tibetan Mastiff becomes a fine companion for your home. You will have a loyal and protective dog for about 11 to 14 years. Do you already own a Tibetan Mastiff or are you planning to purchase one? Leave a comment below this article and get in touch with other dog lovers!
