Tibetan Mastiff

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The Tibetan Mastiff dog is the world’s most expensive dog. The Tibetan Mastiff breed is also known for its behemoth size, loyalty, and affection.

The Tibetan Mastiff size is intimidating which also makes it less popular among other dogs. But it is as loving and caring as huge it is.

Originally bred to be guard dogs, they still have the protective instincts and are very possessive of their family.

They are now found in huge homes as they cannot adjust in small spaces due to their large size. They are also seen as show dogs now.

This is not the breed for first-time owners.

The Tibetan Mastiff temperament is calm and quiet. They love the company of humans and are very fond of children.

<>TIBETAN MASTIFF PICTURES

<>QUICK FACTS

Avg. Weight: 43-73 kgs (Male), 34-54 kgs (Female).

Avg. Height: 66-76 cm (Male), 61-71 cm (Female).

Life Expectancy: 12-15 years

Dog Group: Working Dogs

Colors: Black, Black, and Tan, Red Gold and Brown.

<>AT A GLANCE

  • Size (5/5)

This dog breed is very large and heavy.

Tibetan Mastiff size is intimidating and people generally do not go for a TM.
The average Tibetan Mastiff weight is 43-73 kgs for males and 34-53 kgs for females.

The normal Tibetan Mastiff height averages to 66-76 cm in males and 61-71 cm in females.

  • Affection Level (5/5)

Tibetan Mastiff dogs are extremely loving and caring.

Irrespective of their huge size, they love a good long cuddle.

They have a high guard dog instinct which also makes them protective of their family, especially children.

  • Apartment Friendly (1/5)

Tibetan Mastiff dogs are usually not okay with living in small places.

But they can adapt to this compact capacity, of which they are exercised vigorously.

They are not very active indoors and need a lot of movement to keep their weight in control.


They are huge dogs after all.

  • Cold Weather Tolerability (5/5)

These dogs were once isolated to the Himalayas, where the temperature is very cold.

Their intense double coat keeps them warm in an extremely cold climate as it acts as an insulator.

  • Hot Weather Tolerability (2/5)

Tibetan Mastiffs do well in dry and warm climates.

These dogs have a very huge undercoat due to which they become airless.

If the weather is humid and very hot, it might overheat and gasp for breath.

  • Barking Tendencies (2/5)

They have a very deep, impressive bark which they use freely.

They are not very chatty but will make noise if they sense some threat, especially at night.

  • Cat-Friendly (3/5)

Tibetan Mastiffs are very cat-like in behavior. They tend to get along well with cats if introduced properly.

  • Dog-Friendly (5/5)

This breed is friendly and not dog aggressive at all.

However, they can become a little antisocial if not exposed to other dogs since birth.

  • Exercise Needs (3/5)

Tibetan Mastiff dogs need enough exercise every day to keep them from becoming obese.

They shouldn’t be exercising because if they do it might lead to overstressing the joints and limbs.

  • Grooming Needs (4/5)

The Tibetan Mastiff dog breed has a thick coat and requires quite some care to avoid any matting or fleas from prevailing.

  • Playfulness (5/5)

This breed is as playful as a small child! They are best with children, especially small children.

They are filled with wanderlust so make sure you tie them on a leash as they might go astray.

  • Trainability (3/5)

Tibetan Mastiffs are smart and can pick up training easily.

However, they have a mind of their own so it can be difficult to train them if you’re not doing it right.

  • Intelligence (5/5)

Tibetan Mastiffs are highly intelligent, smart and sensitive to human moods.

This is because dogs that were bred to be protectors of livestock and guard dogs usually have to exercise their brains much more than others.

  • Mouthiness (2/5)

Tibetan Mastiffs do not tend to drool or slobber.

They are highly intelligent dogs and will resort to chewing or digging to keep themselves occupied.

  • Price Group (4/5)

Tibetan Mastiffs are known as the world’s most expensive dogs.

They have a higher price range of $1,500 to $5,000.

The average Tibetan Mastiff price is $1,800.

ABOUT TIBETAN MASTIFF

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Tibetan Mastiffs also called Tibetans’ best friends by TibetTravel.

This breed can be found on the Tibet Plateau and also all around the world. This breed of dogs has been popular in the West for its loyalty and companionship.

The Tibetan Mastiff dog is a guarding dog supreme.

Tibetan Mastiffs belong to the family of Mastiff dogs. They are humongous and powerful.

They are great family dogs; they love their family and are extremely protective of them. Hence, the are very alert and agile; they will understand when you are in trouble and come to your rescue.

They are aloof when it comes to strangers, they do not open up to them very soon.

The Tibetan Mastiff lifespan is 10-14 years.

This breed is not recommended for novice or timid owners. They need a disciplined and consistent trainer who is also affectionate. Tibetan Mastiffs are very stubborn dogs and need to be trained accordingly.

W>WHERE TIBETAN MASTIFFS CAME FROM?

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The Tibetan Mastiff history is, like many other breeds, is less documented starting in the late 19th century. But they are believed to be around for centuries.

DNA evidence claims that the predecessors of this breed originated about 5,000 years ago.  

The predecessors developed into two types namely

  • Do-Khyi, the ones who lived in the villages or voyaged with the nomads and were livestock or flock guardians
  • Tsang-Khyi, these were often given to monasteries or lamaseries where they guarded the Tibetan Buddhist monks who sheltered there.

There is very little to know about the Tibetan Mastiff prior to 1800.

A captain named Samuel Turner mentioned “huge dogs” in his travel memoir called “An account of an Embassy to the Court of the Teshoo Lama in Tibet” but there was no description of the huge dogs.

However, in 1847, Queen Victoria was gifted a dog from Tibet by the then viceroy of India, Lord Hardinge.

In 1873, the Tibetan Mastiff entered the Studbook of England’s Kennel Club. It was called the “large dog from Tibet” but it then was named the Tibetan Mastiff.

Two Tibetan Mastiffs were called from England by the Prince of Wales, who was later crowned King Edward VII, for the Alexandra Palace Show in 1875.

After that Tibetan Mastiffs were important occasionally in England and Europe.

The first Tibetan Mastiff club was formed in 1931. World War II put an end to breeding and it wasn’t until 1976 that the breeding resumed.

Along the same lines of what happened in Europe, two Tibetan Mastiffs came to the United States of America for the President in the late 1950s.

In the 1970s several Tibetan Mastiff dogs were imported and the became the foundation dogs of the breed in the USA. 

The Tibetan Mastiff Club of America was formed in 1974. In the same year, the American Tibetan Mastiff Association was founded.

The breed was recently recognized by the American Kennel Club in January 2007, as a member of the Working Group.

SIZE

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By now we know that the Tibetan Mastiff dog is massive with a sturdy bone structure.

It is longer than tall, with a giant coat. The head is wrinkled, broad, heavy and strong. The muzzle is broad and square from all sides. It has a large black nose.

It has deep-set, almond-shaped, brown colored eyes that are medium in size.

It has v-shaped pendant ears that hang forward close to the head. It has a muscular, arched neck. They have cat-like feet that are feathered in the front.

The double coat is thick with a heavy mane and short-haired around the neck. The Tibetan Mastiff colors are red gold, black, tan and black and gold.

Sometimes it has white markings dispersed in a few corners of the body.

Tibetan Mastiffs are also very heavy dogs weighing an average of 43-73 kgs in males and 35-54 kgs in females. The males stand 66-76 cm tall and females stand 61-71 cm tall.

TRAINABILITYTRAINABILITY

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Tibetan Mastiff dogs are independent dogs who will not give in so easily. So they are a little hard to train.

They are known to be stubborn and will not revert to training if they don’t feel like it.

However, you could try positive reinforcement for training. Training for a Tibetan Mastiff should begin as soon as you bring him home.

You could try to rewarding your TM but do not spoil him with treats. Treating your dog whilst training gives the dog the upper hand in the game, so you should be smart enough to understand what works for you.

Also, it often happens so that humans train their dogs according to their convenience but fail to communicate with the dog.

Here is an article on Dog Obedience Training for further reading.

GROOMINGGROOMING

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