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