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Tibetan Mastiff Mobile

Tibetan Mastiff

An extremely independent, intelligent breed, the Tibetan Mastiff is a large dog with a massive, wedge-shaped head originally bred to guard families and property. He is courageous, loyal and patient. The breed can be strong-willed, so leashes or fences should be used during exercise. The Tibetan Mastiff sheds his heavy, double coat once a year and requires frequent brushing at that time.

DID YOU KNOW? This territorial guard dog originated in China as early as 1100 B.C. After living in isolation in the Himalayan Mountains, the breed developed into the Tibetan Mastiff we know today. In Tibet, the breed is known as “do khyi,” meaning “home guard.”

The need-to-know
  • Dog suitable for experienced owners
  • Extra training required
  • Enjoys active walks
  • Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
  • Giant dog
  • Heavy drool
  • Requires grooming daily
  • Non hypoallergenic breed
  • Chatty and vocal dog
  • Guard dog. Barks, alerts and it's physically protective
  • May require training to live with other pets
  • May require training to live with kids

Pet Card

  • Living Considerations: Not suitable for apartment living, Not hypoallergenic, Good with children when properly trained
  • Size: Giant
  • Height: Males – at least 66 centimetres at the withers, Females – at least 61 centimetres at the withers
  • Weight: 63 to 81 kilograms
  • Coat: Medium
  • Energy: Medium
  • Colour: Black, black and tan, blue grey, blue grey and tan, brown, brown and tan, red gold, or red-gold-sable with white markings
  • Activities: Conformation, Guarding
  • Indoor/Outdoor: Both

Key Facts

Lifespan: 12–15 years
Weight: 36–72kg
Height: Adult male dogs stand at a minimum of 66cm and females at a minimum of 61cm
Colours: Black, golden, brown, blue
Size: Giant
Kennel Club group: Working

Ratings

Family-friendly: 5/5
Exercise needs: 2/5
Easy to train: 1/5
Tolerates being alone: 1/5
Likes other pets: 5/5
Energy level: 4/5
Grooming needs: 3/5
Shedding: 2/5

Personality

A guard dog through and through, the Tibetan Mastiff is not a breed to take on lightly. He is wary of strangers and naturally protective of his family and property. Experienced handling, socialisation and training are needed, as with all guarding breeds. In the right home, he is a calm, affectionate, loyal companion. This is a dog for an expert only.

History and Origins

Thought to date back 3,000 years, the Tibetan Mastiff is one of the world’s oldest breeds and was used as a guard dog in his native country, protecting properties (including monasteries) as well as entire villages and livestock. They are often chained up to act as early warning systems and as very effective deterrents to would-be intruders.

Marco Polo reported that the Tibetan Mastiff was as “tall as a donkey with a voice as powerful as that of a lion.” The breed is relatively new to the rest of the dog-loving world, only coming to the attention of breeders in the West a century ago.

Did You Know?

  • The Dalai Lama had eight Tibetan Mastiffs guarding his summer residence at Norblinka - two dogs at each entrance.
  • The earliest record of these dogs in England was in 1828 when one was presented to London Zoo - and then the Viceroy of India sent one to Queen Victoria in 1847.
  • In 1970, the breed found another role when Nepalese drug smugglers used them to ship illegal drugs into the US in the bottom of their dog crates. Strangely customs officials weren’t particularly keen to search them!

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