If you are thinking of including a Tibetan Mastiff, also known as a Tibetan Mastiff, in your family, it will be essential to get exhaustive information about the character, characteristics and care that this breed requires. In this tab of our site we will try to explain all the details that you must take into account before considering owning this animal or useful information for any lover of this breed.
Keep reading and find out all about the Tibetan Mastiff or Tibetan Mastiff:
Origin of the Tibetan mastiff
The Tibet Mastiff, also known as the Tibetan Mastiff or Do-Khyi, is one of the oldest oriental breeds in existence. It is known to be a working breed of ancient Himalayan nomadic herders as well as a protection dog of Tibetan monasteries. When Tibet was invaded by China in the 1950s, these Bulldogs virtually disappeared from their original lands. Fortunately for the breed, many of these huge dogs ended up in India and Nepal, from where the breed was repopulated. With the export of Tibetan Mastiffs to England and the United States, the breed gained popularity among dog fanciers in the West.
The Tibetan Mastiff is believed to be the ancestor breed of all mastiffs and tall mountain dogs, although there is no evidence to support this. Its bark is certainly unique and is considered a highly valued breed characteristic.
This incredible ancient dog is mentioned for the first time in history thanks to Aristotle (384 - 322 BC), however it is The origin of the breeding of the breed is unknown. It is also mentioned by Marco Polo, who in his travels to Asia (1271 AD) praises a dog of great strength and size. Later, in the 19th century, Queen Victoria of England received one of the first Tibetan mastiffs in Europe, specifically in 1847. Such was its impact, that years later, in 1898, the first litter of mastiffs was registered in Berlin European Tibetans, specifically in the Berlin Zoo.
Physical Characteristics of the Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff stands out for being a strong and powerful dog, of giant size, very robust and imposing. In the breed standard they describe him as a dog with a solemn and serious appearance, of majestic strength.
The head of this mastiff is wide, heavy and strong, with a slightly rounded skull. The occipital protuberance is very pronounced and the naso-frontal depression (stop) is well defined. The color of the nose depends on the color of the coat, but it should be as dark as possible. The muzzle is wide. The eyes are medium, brown and oval. The ears, of medium insertion, are triangular, medium and hanging.
The body is robust, strong and a little longer than it is tall. The back is straight and muscular, while the chest is very deep and of moderate breadth. The tail is of medium length and set high. When the dog is active he carries it loosely coiled on his back.
The Tibetan Mastiff's coat is made up of two layers. The outer coat is rough, thick and not very long hair. The undercoat is dense and woolly in cold weather, but becomes wispy in hot weather. The hair can be black with or without tan markings, blue with or without tan markings, sable or gold. A white star on the chest and minimal white markings on the feet are acceptable.
The minimum size of the females is 61 centimeters at the withers, while the males have a minimum of 66 centimeters at the withers. There is no height limit.
Tibetan Mastiff Character
The Tibetan mastiff is a dog of independent character, but very loyal and protective of the family to which it belongs. Although he is not an attached dog, he enjoys the presence of his relatives, who he will not hesitate to protect. On the contrary, he is usually suspicious of strangers. He tends to get along well with other dogs and animals, especially dogs his own size, although this behavior is closely related to the socialization he received as a puppy.
He is usually docile and friendly with the children at home, however, and although he is a quiet dog at home, for Their great size and strength can inadvertently hurt them, so it is recommended to always supervise play sessions between children and dogs, as well as offering a toy that is the "intermediary" in their relationship and moments of fun.
At home he is a calm dog, however outside the home he requires sessions of moderate activity to keep his muscles in shape and relieve the stress of everyday life. Through long walks we will carry out the necessary physical activity for our Tibetan Mastiff. An interesting fact to keep in mind is that these dogs tend to be barkers due to their past as guard dogs, as well as destructive when they are alone, if they suffer from problems of anxiety or even behavioral.
Regarding recommendations, it is not an appropriate breed for inexperienced owners, it is recommended for people with advanced knowledge canine education, animal welfare and ownership of large dogs.
Tibet Bulldog Care
The Tibetan Mastiff requires regular care of the coat, which should be brushed three times a weekIn times of shedding, daily brushing is recommended to avoid seeing the coat in poor condition. Bathing should be done approximately every 2-4 months.
Although they can live in an apartment, it is highly recommended that this breed could live in a big house, with a garden, to which they can access whenever you want. However, whether you live in an apartment or in a large house, it is highly recommended to take daily, long and quality walks with your Tibetan Mastiff. This breed adapts perfectly to different climates, whether cold or temperate, although it does not usually feel comfortable in especially humid and hot places.
We must bear in mind that this breed, mainly due to its large size, will also require large objects: a bed, feeder or toys, which usually have a much higher economic cost. Also the dog's daily food is an extra to take into account.
Tibetan Mastiff Education
As we discussed earlier, this dog needs a responsible and highly experienced owner in handling large dogs and in advanced training. Therefore, an inexperienced owner would need to resort, even before adoption, to a dog educator and trainer.
It will be essential to work promptly on puppy socialization and bite inhibition, as well as basic obedience exercises Let's also remember that the puppy will soon reach a considerable size, so we must avoid reinforcing behaviors that we do not want in its adult stage, such as climbing on people, for example.
Once the dog understands the basic commands, we can start with canine skills or other exercises that stimulate him, however it will be essential to review obedience daily or weekly, thus ensuring his safety and the of the environment. In the event of any abnormal behavior or behavioral problem, it is essential to go to the specialist as soon as possible and never try to carry out therapies on our own.
Tibet Bulldog He alth
Unlike other ancient breeds, the Tibetan Mastiff is not particularly prone to he alth problems, as it is generally a fairly he althy breed. Still the most common diseases of the Tibetan mastiff are:
- Hip dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Entropion
- Neurological problems
Also in this section we must highlight a characteristic that suggests that this breed is very primitive: females only have one heat a year, unlike most dog breeds and like wolves.
To ensure the good he alth of the Tibetan mastiff, you must follow the dog's vaccination schedule, the deworming routine and visit the veterinarian as regularly as your dog requires, although it is normally on the 6 and 12 months. Following these tips, the life expectancy of the Tibetan Mastiff is between 11 and 14 years
