Tibet is said to be one of the most beautiful places in the world, so it’s no wonder that the Tibetan Mastiff is such a cutie. And while this dog basically looks like a living teddy bear i.e.: is one ball of fluff. We should remember that he didn’t earn the name Mastiff for nothing!
Because…
Not only is he massive, this is also a very hard-working dog that is very powerful to boot! Which is why if you are considering adopting a Tibetan Mastiff, there are a few things you should know about the breed before committing yourself to such a large type of dog.
This is why…
In this article, we wanted to take a look at what it might be like to own a Tibetan Mastiff and hopefully give you a better idea of whether or not this dog breed will be “right” for you.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Tibetan Mastiff Fast Facts
Country of Origin: Tibet (China)
Original Purpose: Guard Dog
Weight: 130 to 170 pounds
Height: 25 to 30 inches at shoulder
Dog Breed Classification: Working group
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years
Origin of the Tibetan Mastiff Dog Breed
The Tibetan Mastiff dog breed can trace its origin back nearly 1000 years when these dogs where first developed by nomadic herdsman living along the Himalayan mountains.
Then over time…
These dogs began to be used as guardian animals protecting local monasteries and villages within Tibet. A role that these dogs would literally hold for centuries essentially isolated from the rest of the world.
This isolation…
Would later threaten the breed to the point where they nearly became extinct as a result of the Chinese invasion of Tibet in the 1950’s. Fortunately, enough specimens were able to escape to nearby countries so the Tibetan Mastiff was able to survive.
Then starting in…
The early 1970’s, many of these dogs were brought to the United States allowing for the development of two organizations, the Tibetan Mastiff Club of America and the American Tibetan Mastiff Association which has pretty much made it their mission to ensure that this magnificent animal will never face extinction again.
To date…
One of their main achievements on this front was to ensure that the Tibetan Mastiff received the recognition that it deserved by the American Kennel Club which it accomplished in 2007.
Physical Characteristics of Tibetan Mastiff
Tibetan Mastiff Puppies will break the internet with their adorableness. Especially if you see a pile of them altogether. Cute to the next level. When these guys grow into adult dogs, they are still cute, but in an adult way.
Now at the…
Risk of stating the obvious, we should point out that this dog is rather large! He may weigh more than you and will almost definitely weigh more than your child.
Plus…
Because they have a double coat perfect for the winter weather of the Himalayas they’re actually going to look even larger than they actually are (which is definitely saying something). The topcoat is almost like wool whereas the undercoat is thinner and softer. They have a heavy mane that kind of resembles a lion (only black or brown).
You will find…
That most Tibetan Mastiffs are going to be either:
- Black,
- Brown,
- Gold
- or grey-blue.
A red Tibetan Mastiff is also possible to find but they are much less common than other colors.
Personality or Temperament of Tibetan Mastiff
This is a very strong and strong-willed dog. Many people complain that this dog is too stubborn and not easy to train. However, that’s a bit of a quick judgment.
Actually…
If you train this dog as a puppy, he’s much more likely to respond. Of course, if you miss the puppy stage, yep, it’s going to be hard (or maybe even impossible). This early socialization will make or break your dog’s behavior, so sign your dog up for obedience school when he’s still a puppy.
By getting your dog…
To continue to socialize with other animals and humans, including strangers, throughout his/her life, he’ll stay social and will have less of a chance of being overly territorial.
One thing to note is that like most big dogs, he’s not the ideal pup to be around young children. Although they can coexist with kids (especially if they’ve been around them since they were a puppy), they aren’t particularly fond of kids. Never leave a young child alone with a Tibetan Mastiff.
Tibetan Mastiff Basic Care
This dog has more grooming needs than other dogs. Because of the fur type, it’s recommended you bathe him/her once a month. Give special attention to the tail and mane for mats and tangles. Additionally, you should keep his/her ears free of debris. Ask your vet how to properly clean them to help you avoid inflammation of the ears or debris.
Tibetan Mastiff Health Problems
Just like all purebreds, a Tibetan Mastiff is genetically predisposed to some health conditions. If you get a Tibetan Mastiff from the right breeder, you should be able to avoid all of these. However, still any of these health concerns could happen, despite selective breeding:
- Hip Dysplasia – common among most purebred dogs
- Elbow Dysplasia – common for larger dogs
- Canine-Inherited Demyelinative Neuropathy (CIDN) – a very serious condition that affects nervous system. You will see this by six weeks old.
- Hypothyroid – this is an endocrine disorder common in dogs. Will likely occur later in life. Will need daily medication for the remainder of dog’s life to balance hormones.
Now if your dog…
Has any of these health issues, you will have to consider the costs associated. Hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia both could require surgery to correct the problem. CIDN has no real treatment options, but palliative care could be necessary. As mentioned, if your dog suffers from hypothyroidism, he’ll have to use medication for life.
Other health problems…
Not listed here could arise, all with their own costs. Like all dogs, Tibetan Mastiffs can also get non-genetic health problems as well.
And while…
Many of these conditions may not be life threatening, they can certainly become quite expensive to deal with particularly if they become recurring issues.
This is why…
We here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now will a pet insurance policy be right for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
Thank you i am thinking on getting one of these and your site will help me a lot
Awesome! We’re glad we could help.
Thanks,
IndulgeYourPet.