Chocolate mastiff. Tibetan Mastiff: balanced and fearless

Height at withers : Male: not less than 66 cm, female: not less than 61 cm
Weight: Males: 65 kg; Bitches: 55 kg
Lifespan: 12-14 years old
Other names: do-khai (Do-Khyi), tsang-khai (Zang-Khyi), "bho-thia" (Bho-thia), "ke-khor" (ke-khor), Tibetan dog, Tibetan moloss

Advantages and disadvantages

Great guard for your family
Good companion for a child

A dog can be aggressive if you don't train it.
The dog only defends its territory

Description of the breed

The Tibetan Mastiff is a very calm character, balanced and reserved. That is why this breed of dog is great for those who have children in the family. But also the dog is characterized by self-will, and therefore, for its normal upbringing, a strong hand of the owner is needed. He is attached to the family, although he is rather cold-blooded and a little emotional.

The Tibetan Mastiff is more likely to be a faithful guardian of your family, guarding the family and home, than a pampered friend. But at the same time, you can safely leave it with children - the child will be completely safe with him. Along with this breed, respect for his personal space is required, so do not let the younger members of your family annoy the dog too much. He is wary of strangers and is always ready to defend his master.

They treat other animals quite friendly, do not express aggression and are not the first to attack, but they will protect themselves and the owner if they feel aggression. There are different varieties of these dogs, and each breed has its own characteristics, disadvantages and advantages. But there are a few things in common for all mastiffs - this is a friendly disposition, vigilance, poise, eternal readiness to protect their property.

Tibetan mastiff breed standard

The current breed standard was approved in 2004. A distinctive feature of the Tibetan Mastiff is the dog's barking - loud and deaf, which distinguishes this breed from other dogs.

But it is worth considering other characteristics of the dog.

Broad and heavy, massive skull, broad muzzle.

They are small in size and triangular in shape, covered with soft wool. In calm times, the dog's ears fit snugly to the head, when the dog is in an excited state, they rise slightly.

Widely spaced, oval in shape.

Strong, bite very tight.

muscular

Set on high, of medium length, covered with hair.

Thick and long. In the cold season, an undercoat appears. At the same time, females have less hair than males.

The nature and characteristics of the Tibetan Mastiff

Like any other, the Tibetan Mastiff has characteristics and its own characteristics. The dog looks very powerful, with a folded figure. They feel great in any weather, but in too hot summer they need to rest in the shade.

The length of the body is slightly longer than the height at the withers. The lips of the dog should cover the lower jaw, the color of the eyes most often corresponds to the color, but may differ slightly. The hair on the neck resembles a lion's mane. The tail is not very long and rises above the back. The paws are muscular and have a rounded shape.

The character is balanced and friendly both with members of his family and with other people. But since this breed is considered a watchdog, it will zealously protect its territory. Any encroachment on the property of the dog or on its owner will be met with aggression.

When choosing a Tibetan Mastiff, pay attention to her body parts - they must exactly meet the standards.

Many owners who have bought a puppy of this breed are surprised why puppies, unlike their smaller counterparts, sleep very often and play little. And all because dogs grow very quickly, and therefore spend a lot of energy on development, devoting minimal time to games. That's why puppies mostly sleep or just relax and don't run around with a ball. And this is completely normal. Do not try to wake and excite them, forcing them to move against the desire of a small puppy.

It is also important to take care of your pet's dog hair. These dogs are very clean, and therefore there will definitely not be problems with tufts of wool in the apartment. Tibetan mastiffs molt several times a year, it is during this period that the coat should be combed out as carefully as possible. If you forget about it, there is a high probability that the coat will roll up, which will bring pain to the dog.

Thus, keeping this big dog at home will not cause any inconvenience to the owner. However, this breed requires different conditions of detention. The Tibetan Mastiff prefers to live in a private house, since such a large dog needs as much free space as possible. If you do not have such an opportunity, you need to walk the dog at least 3-4 times a day for at least 20-30 minutes.

Baby care should be more thorough until the baby learns to take care of himself. Teach him to hygiene procedures, clean the baby's ears and eyes, check the skin for scratches or wounds, do not forget about brushing your teeth, two to three times a week is enough.

Knitting also has its own characteristics. The main feature of this breed is late formation. So, females reach maturity at the age of 3 years, males not earlier than 4 years. Early mating is unacceptable, since such breeding can harm both parents and their offspring. In order for pregnancy and childbirth to be successful, and the offspring to be healthy, you need to carefully approach the choice of a pair for mating.

Feeding the Tibetan Mastiff

Care should also include a normal diet. It should be warned right away that such dogs eat a lot, especially at the stage of growing up. Adult Tibetan Mastiffs, on the contrary, eat not so much less than a Labrador or Boxer. That is why feeding these dogs should be complete. So, the food should be natural (or consist of ready-made products designed specifically for dogs of this breed), and the diet should be balanced.

The main thing is not to mix ready-made dry food with natural food, which can adversely affect the health of the dog. Also observe the same intervals between feeding a puppy up to six months should eat at least six times a day, in the future complementary foods can be reduced to four times.

There are several important rules that the owner must follow:

in no case do not overfeed the dog;

do not soak dry food in milk or water;

do not change the food abruptly, which can lead to a violation of the development of the dog;

do not purchase food that is not suitable for the puppy by age;

try not to feed your dog too hot food, smoked foods, river fish.

Also, the diet should be complete; there should be cereals, and eggs, and vegetables with fruits, meat.

Tibetan mastiff puppies

You will not be able to buy a mastiff puppy on the market or in the transition, this breed is quite rare. Therefore, in any case, you will have to contact the nursery. And there are some important tips and recommendations that you should listen to. First of all, the dog must be mentally healthy so as not to rush at the owner. Therefore, there is no need to save money by choosing low-breed puppies that can behave aggressively and unbalanced.

If we talk about choosing the sex of a puppy, then experts advise getting males for those who already had experience in communicating and caring for such dogs. For those who decide to get a Tibetan mastiff for the first time, it is better to get a girl. Bitches are much more accommodating, not so stubborn, better attached to their master. If your family has children, then the Tibetan Mastiff girl will be an excellent nanny for them. If we talk about care, then keeping males is easier.

Having come to the breeders, you do not need to take the first puppy that caught your eye. First of all, pay attention to the conditions of keeping dogs. The room where the kids live should be warm and clean, odorless. Also ask the breeders to show you at least one parent so you can visually see how your puppy will grow up. Do not forget to ask about the pedigree, study all the documents, it is important that the puppy is not predisposed to hereditary diseases. After that, you can begin to inspect the litter. It is better to choose the most mobile baby, enthusiastic playing with his brothers. Pay attention to his appearance in a healthy baby, the eyes and nose should not flow, the ears should be clean, like the coat. The back is straight, the tail should not have creases.

Together with the puppy, you need to pick up all the documents for him, a veterinary passport and a card.

Tibetan mastiff training

The Tibetan Mastiff is a very obedient and intelligent dog that quickly memorizes all commands. Training will be easy if the dog always feels the firm hand of his master. That is why the upbringing of puppies should be based on respect, this will allow you to achieve better and faster results. Dogs also need socialization, they need to be introduced to other people and dogs so that the character of the dog does not deteriorate. If you deprive the dog of this opportunity, it can become very suspicious and aggressive.

It is important to remember that it is necessary to train Tibetan mastiffs from childhood. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to correct the behavior of the dog. In order for the puppies to quickly learn commands and obey the owner, you need to follow a few important rules - in no case do not hit the dog and do not yell at him. So you only embitter the dog and cause her aggression. When answering the question of how to raise a mastiff, it should be noted that it is better to entrust this question to professional trainers who are familiar with the features and characteristics of this breed.

History of the breed

Tibet is a country of snow, many high plateaus and valleys. The origin of the breed comes from this country, which is hidden from the rest of the world by mountains rising to it.

The Tibetan Mastiff is a large breed of dog that is kept in Tibet, Nepal, and India to protect livestock from attacks by predators. The term mastiff was used by Europeans for all large dogs, but the breed should really be called the Tibetan mountain or the Himalayan mountain, given its distribution area.

Tibetan mastiffs are not recommended for beginner dog breeders, people who are not self-confident. The owner must be consistent, loving, but strict. These are headstrong dogs that will check if your words and deeds diverge.

Remember that this small, graceful teddy bear will grow into a huge dog.

The size of the Tibetan Mastiff makes it unsuitable for apartment life.

They are usually active in the evening and at night. If your daily routine does not allow you to walk the dog at this time, it is better to consider another breed.

As a rule, during the day at home they are calm and relaxed.

You should not keep them on a chain, they are sociable dogs that love freedom and family.

Because of their watchdog instinct, Tibetan Mastiffs should only be walked on a leash. Change routes so that the dog does not consider it his territory.

They are smart, independent, well understand the mood of a person. Shouts and rudeness upset the Mastiff.

They are not suitable for sports disciplines such as agility and obedience.

Left out on the street at night, the Tibetan Mastiff will bark to let you know he is on duty. On the other hand, during the day they sleep off.

They shed moderately, with the exception of one season a year. At this time, they need to be combed more often than once a week.

Socialization should start early and last a lifetime. Without it, the dog may be aggressive towards those he does not know. It allows them to understand their place in the world, pack and home.

Without enough mental and physical stimulation, they can get bored. This leads to destructiveness, barking, negative behavior.

They get along well with children, but may mistake their running and screaming for aggression. May not like other children and are generally not recommended for families with small children.

History of the breed

It is believed that the Tibetan mastiffs are of different types. Born in the same litter, they differed in size and body type. The type called "Do-khyi" is smaller and more common, while "Tsang-khyi" (Tibetan for "dog from U-tsang") is larger and more heavily boned.

In addition, Tibetan mastiffs are called variously: "Bhote Kukur" in Nepal, "Zang'Ao" in China and "Bankhar" in Mongolia. This confusion does not add to the clarity and history of the breed, which begins in time immemorial.

A truly prehistoric breed, the history of which is difficult to trace, since it began long before the appearance of pedigree books and in places and writing. A genetic study conducted by China's Agricultural University Laboratory of Animal Reproductive Genetic and Molecular Evolution attempted to understand when dog and wolf genes began to differ by analyzing mitochondrial DNA.

It turned out that this happened about 42,000 years ago. But, the Tibetan Mastiff became distinct much earlier, around 58,000 years ago, making it one of the oldest dog breeds.

In 2011, further research found a connection between the Tibetan Mastiff and the St. Bernard, probably these large breeds are his descendants. In 2014, this list was added.

The remains of large bones and skulls found in burials dating back to the Stone and Bronze Ages indicate that the ancestors of the Tibetan mastiff lived with man at the dawn of his history.

The first written mention of the breed dates back to 1121, when hunting dogs were presented to the emperor of China.

Due to their geographical remoteness from the rest of the world, the Tibetan Mastiff developed in isolation from the rest of the world, and this isolation allowed them to maintain their originality and originality for centuries, if not millennia.

Some dogs came to other countries as gifts or trophies, they crossed with local dogs and gave rise to new types of mastiffs.

In addition, they were often part of the large armies of the ancient world, the Persians, Assyrians, Greeks and Romans fought with them.

The wild hordes of Atilla and Genghis Khan contributed to the advancement of the breed in Europe. There is a legend that each squad in the army of Genghis Khan was accompanied by two Tibetan mastiffs who were on guard duty.

As with other ancient breeds, the true origin will never be known. But, with a high degree of probability, Tibetan Mastiffs were the ancestors of a large group of dogs called Molossians or Mastiffs.

Apparently, they first came to the Romans, who knew and loved dogs, bred new breeds. Their fighting dogs became the ancestors of many breeds as the Roman armies marched across Europe.

Legends and historical documents say that Tibetan mastiffs (under the name Do-khyi) were used by the nomadic tribes of Tibet to protect family, livestock and property. Because of their ferocity, they were locked up during the day and released at night to patrol the village or camp.

They scared away unwanted guests, and any predator went away from such a place. The documents also say that the monks living in the mountain monasteries used them for protection.

These vicious watchmen usually worked in tandem with those who made a fuss when aliens invaded. Tibetan spaniels roamed the monastery walls and inspected the surroundings, barking at the sight of strangers, calling for heavy artillery in the form of Tibetan mastiffs.

This kind of teamwork is not unusual in the canine world, for example shepherds and larger ones work the same way.

In 1300, Marco Polo mentions a dog that was most likely a Tibetan Mastiff. However, most likely, he did not see her himself, but only heard from travelers who returned from Tibet.

There is also evidence from 1613, when the missionaries describe the dog as "infrequent and extraordinary, black in color with long hair, very large and strong, whose barking is deafening."

Until the 1800s, only a few travelers from the Western world could enter Tibet. Samuel Turner, in his book on Tibet, writes:

“The mansion stood on the right; to the left was a row of wooden cages containing a row of huge dogs, extremely ferocious, strong and noisy. They were from Tibet; and whether wild in nature, or clouded by confinement, they were so rampant in rage that it was not safe, unless the masters were close, even to approach their lair."

In 1880, W. Gill, in his memoirs of a trip to China, writes:

“The owner had a huge dog that was kept in a cage on the top of the wall at the entrance. It was a very heavy black and tan dog, tan very bright; his coat was rather long, but smooth; he had a fluffy tail, and an enormous head that seemed out of proportion to his body.
His bloodshot eyes were very deep set, and his ears were flat and drooping. He had reddish-brown spots above his eyes, and a spot on his chest. He was four feet from the tip of the nose to the beginning of the tail, and two feet ten inches at the withers…”

For a long time, nothing was known about the breed in the Western world, except for short stories of travelers. In 1847, Lord Harding sent a gift from India to Queen Victoria, it was a Tibetan mastiff named Siring. This was the Western world's introduction to the breed, after centuries of isolation.

From the moment of the creation of the English Kennel Club (1873) to this day, "big Tibetan dogs" were called mastiffs. The club's first studbook of all known breeds contained references to the Tibetan Mastiff.

The Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) bought two Mastiffs in 1874. They were presented at an exhibition in Alexandra Palace, in the winter of 1875. Over the next 50 years, a small number of Tibetan mastiffs made their way to Europe and England.

In 1906, they even participate in a dog show held at the Crystal Palace. In 1928, Frederick Marshman Bailey brought to England four dogs he had bought while working in Tibet and Nepal.

His wife founded the Tibetan Breeds Association in 1931 and wrote the first breed standard. Later this standard will be used in the Kennel Club and Federation Cynological International (FCI) standards.

There are no documents on the importation of mastiffs to England from the time of the Second World War until 1976, but nevertheless they ended up in America. The first documented mention of the arrival of dogs is in 1950, when the Dalai Lama presented a pair of dogs to President Eisenhower.

However, they did not become popular and truly Tibetan mastiffs appeared in the USA only after 1969, when they began to be imported from Tibet and Nepal.

In 1974, the American Tibetan Mastiff Association (ATMA) was created, which would become the main breed club in the United States. For the first time they will get to the exhibition only in 1979.

The nomadic peoples of the Changtang plateau in Tibet still breed mastiffs exclusively for official purposes, but purebreds are hard to find even in their homeland. Outside of Tibet, the breed is only gaining popularity. In 2006, she was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and assigned to the service group.

The modern Tibetan Mastiff is a rare breed, with approximately 300 purebred dogs living in England, and in the US they rank 124th in the number of registered dogs out of 167 breeds. However, their popularity is growing, as they used to be in 131st place.

In China, the Tibetan Mastiff is highly valued for its historicity and inaccessibility. Being an ancient breed, they are considered to be dogs that bring good luck to the house, since they have not died out for so many centuries. In 2009, a Tibetan Mastiff puppy was sold for 4 million yuan, which is approximately $600,000.

Thus, it was the most expensive puppy in the history of mankind. The fashion for the breed is only gaining popularity and in 2010 one dog was sold in China for 16 million yuan, and in 2011 another for 10 million yuan. Periodically, rumors are published about the sale of a dog for a large amount, but in most cases this is just an attempt by speculators to inflate the price.

In 2015, due to the emergence of a large number of breeders and the unsuitability of the breed for life in the city, prices in China fell to $ 2,000 per puppy and many mestizos ended up in shelters or on the street.

Description

Some breeders distinguish between two types of Tibetan mastiffs, Do-khyi and Tsang-khyi. The Tsang-khyi (Tibetan for "U-tsang dog") or monastic type is usually taller, heavier, with heavier bone and more facial wrinkles than the Do-khyi or nomadic type.

Both types of puppies are sometimes born in the same litter, then large puppies are sent to more passive, and small puppies to active work, for which they are better suited.

Tibetan mastiffs are strikingly large, heavy-boned, strongly built; males at the withers reach 83 cm, females a few centimeters less. The weight of dogs living in Western countries ranges from 45 to 72 kg.

Abnormally large dogs are raised in Western countries and some provinces in China. For the nomads of Tibet, they are too expensive to maintain, the addition makes them less useful in protecting herds and property.

The appearance of the mastiff is impressive, a mixture of strength and size, plus a serious expression on the muzzle. They have a huge head, wide and heavy. The stop is well defined. Eyes of medium size, almond-shaped, set deep, with a slight slope. They are very expressive, and the color of a different shade of brown.

The muzzle is broad, square, with a wide nose and deep nostrils. The thick lower lip droops somewhat. Scissor bite. The ears are hanging, but when the dog is excited, he raises them. They are thick, smooth, covered with short, glossy hair.

The back is straight, with a thick and muscular neck. The neck is covered with a thick mane, more extensive in males. Deep chest merges into a muscular shoulder.

The paws are straight, strong, the paw pads resemble those of a cat and may have dewclaws. There may be two dewclaws on the hind legs. The tail is of medium length, set high.

The coat of the Tibetan Mastiff is one of its ornaments. In males, it is thicker, but females are not far behind.

The coat is double, with a thick undercoat and a harsh top coat.

The dense undercoat protects the dog from the cold climate of his homeland, during the warm season it is somewhat less.

The coat should not be soft or silky, it should be straight, long, coarse. On the neck and chest forms a thick mane.

The Tibetan Mastiff is a primitive breed well adapted to life in the harsh conditions of Nepal, India and Bhutan. This is one of the primitive breeds that has one estrus a year instead of two, even in milder and warmer climates. This makes them akin to such a predator as a wolf. Since estrus usually occurs in late autumn, most Tibetan Mastiff puppies are born between December and January.

Wool does not retain the smell of dog, so characteristic of large breeds of dogs. Coat color can vary. They can be pure black, brown, gray, with tan on the sides, around the eyes, on the throat and paws. There may be white markings on the chest and legs.

In addition, they can be various shades of red. Some breeders offer white Tibetan mastiffs, but they are actually a very pale golden color, not pure white. The rest is faked with Photoshop.

Character

This is an ancient, unchanged breed, which is called primitive. This means that those instincts that ruled her a thousand years ago are still strong today. Tibetan mastiffs were kept as ferocious guards for people and their property and have remained so to this day.

Back then, ferocity was highly valued and puppies were raised in an aggressive manner, taught to be territorial and alert.

The training of modern dogs has changed little, since only a small number of them got outside the country. Those who live in Tibet to this day are brought up the way they were hundreds of years ago: fearless and aggressive.

Those that got to Europe and the USA are usually softer and calmer, the Western ones retain their watchdog instinct.

Tibetan mastiffs were and will be a primitive breed, so do not forget about their character and think that today they are no longer the same.

Socialization, training, and leadership in relationships are absolutely essential so that your dog does not become more aggressive and less controllable than it is necessary in a modern city.

These are intelligent dogs, but willful and can be difficult to train. Stanley Coren, in his book The Intelligence of Dogs, classifies all mastiffs as low obedience dogs.

This means that a Tibetan Mastiff will understand a new command after 80-100 repetitions, but will only execute it 25% of the time or even less.

This does not mean that the dog is stupid, it means that he is intelligent, but with a very independent mind, able to solve problems and find answers on his own without the participation of the owner.

No wonder, because they had to independently patrol the territory of the monastery or village and make decisions. They are not interested in pleasing the owner, only to do their job and remain the same to this day.

The service that the Tibetan mastiffs carried in ancient times taught them to a nocturnal lifestyle. They often slept during the day to conserve energy for long night vigils. Being quiet and calm during the day, they are loud and restless in the evening.

Active, enthusiastic and sensitive, as they are on duty, they investigate the slightest rustle or movement, if it seemed suspicious to them. At the same time, they accompany these investigations with barking, which in ancient times was necessary and acceptable.

These days, nocturnal barking is unlikely to make your neighbors happy, so owners need to foresee this moment in advance.

It is extremely important to keep your dog in a yard with a strong fence. They love to walk, but for the safety of your dog and others, this should not be allowed. This way you set territorial boundaries and show them to your dog.

Since she has an innate territorial and guard instinct, he makes the dog lead the situation, animals and even people. To prevent this from becoming a problem in the future, the puppy is given to understand what he should guard and what is not his territory.

This instinct has both negative and positive features. One of the positives is the attitude of the Tibetan mastiff towards children. Not only are they extremely protective of them, but they are also incredibly patient with children's games. Caution should be observed only if there is a very small child in the house.

Still, the size and primitive character are not jokes. In addition, if the child has new friends with whom the dog is still unfamiliar, then you need to let her watch how they play. Noise, screams, running around can be mistaken for a threat by a mastiff, with all the consequences that follow.

Tibetan mastiffs are loyal, devoted family members who will protect from any danger. At the same time, in the family circle, they are always ready to have fun and play.

But they are suspicious of strangers by default. Aggression can be shown if an unknown person tries to get into a protected area. In the company of the owner, strangers are treated calmly, but detached and closed.

They always protect their pack and territory and strangers are not allowed just like that. It takes time for a dog to start trusting them.

Being a large breed, they are dominant towards other animals and can be aggressive towards them. Proper socialization and training will help reduce the level of dominance.

It must be remembered that they get along well with those animals with which they have lived since childhood and which they consider members of their flock. It is not recommended to have new animals in the house after the Tibetan Mastiff has matured.

Being an independent and ancient breed, the Tibetan Mastiff has an independent character and is not easy to train. Moreover, he is slowly growing both physically and emotionally.

The breed requires maximum patience and tact as it slowly adapts to life and gets to know its surroundings. Intensive training for the Tibetan Mastiff can take up to two years and must be done by the owner to establish leadership in the pack.

Previously, in order for a dog to survive, it needed the mentality of an alpha, that is, a leader. Therefore, for the Tibetan Mastiff, you need to clearly outline what is possible and impossible.

A professional large breed dog trainer will help you teach your puppy the basics, but the owner must do the rest.

If you allow it, then the dog will take a dominant position in the family. So training should begin from the moment the puppy appeared in your house. Socialization should be carried out at every opportunity, it is of paramount importance.

Encounters with other dogs, animals, new people, smells and places and sensations should take place as early as possible. This will help the Tibetan mastiff puppy understand his place in the world, where his pack and territory are, where strangers and friends are, who and when to drive away.

Since the dog is simply huge, walks on a leash and with a muzzle are necessary for her own safety and for the peace of others.

It is believed that regularly changing the route helps the puppy understand that he does not own everything around and makes him less aggressive towards those he meets on these walks.

Any training must be done with care. No rude actions or words, unless you want a dog with problematic behavior in the future. The Tibetan Mastiff can learn OKD, but obedience is not the breed's strong point.

Tibetan mastiff puppies are full of energy, passionate, lively, and ready to play and learn, this is the best time for training. Over time, this enthusiasm passes, and adult dogs are calmer and more independent, they serve as watchdogs and watch their pack.

The breed is considered good for home keeping: loving and protective of the family, easily tamed to cleanliness and order. True, they have a tendency to dig and gnaw on objects, which increases if the dog is bored. They are born to work and easily get bored without it.

A yard to guard, toys to chew on and your dog is happy and busy. For obvious reasons, keeping in an apartment and even alone is not recommended. They are born to move freely and living in a limited space become depressive and destructive.

However, if you give the dog a regular and plentiful load, then the chances of successful keeping in the apartment increase. And yet, your yard, but more spacious, will not replace the largest apartment.

Despite all the difficulties owners face when keeping Tibetan mastiffs, their character and loyalty are highly valued.

With proper upbringing, consistency, love and care, these dogs become full members of the family, which is no longer possible to part with.

This is a great dog for a family, but for the right family. The owner must understand canine psychology, be able to take and maintain a leading role in the pack. Without persistent, constant discipline, you can get a dangerous, unpredictable creature, however, this is common to all breeds.

The protective instinct of the breed requires judgment and discernment from the owner in order to manage and direct it. Tibetan mastiffs are not recommended for beginner dog breeders.

Care

This dog is born to live in the harsh conditions of mountainous Tibet and the Himalayas. The climate there is very cold and heavy, and for protection from the cold, the dog developed a thick double coat. It is thick and long, you need to comb it weekly to comb out the dead and avoid the appearance of tangles.

Dogs molt in spring or early summer and molt lasts from 6 to 8 weeks. At this point, the coat is shedding profusely and it needs to be combed more often.

Daily is ideal, but several times a week will be fine. The pluses include the fact that Tibetan mastiffs do not have the smell of dog, characteristic of large dogs.

Health

Because Tibetan Mastiffs are slow growing both physically and mentally, they have a longer lifespan than most large breeds.

Average life expectancy is 10 to 14 years. However, much depends on genetics, those lines that often interbreed with each other have a shorter life expectancy.

Being a primitive breed, they do not suffer from hereditary genetic diseases, but are prone to joint dysplasia, the scourge of all large dog breeds.

Few people were lucky enough to see her live. However, its name for cynologists sounds quite familiar, since all modern dogs of the molossoid type descend from it. Its roots go back to the depths of centuries.

The first specimens of the Tibetan mastiff that arrived in the West were already adults. They did not really know their new owners, and it is likely that they were not accustomed to people from a young age. Therefore, one should not be surprised that in those days when nothing was known about canine ethology or the psyche of dogs, these dogs were recognized as difficult in everyday life and in communication.

	Training
	Mind
	Moult
	Guard qualities
	Security qualities
	Popularity
	Size
	Agility
	Attitude towards children

When talking about the Tibetan Mastiff, it is important to remember that a lot of time has passed since the first, not too successful experiments. The breed today is fundamentally different from its ancestors and the image of a dog, huge, as tall as a donkey and furious like a tiger, has remained only the property of legends.

Description of the breed Tibetan Mastiff

The authentic Tibetan Mastiff is a tall but well-proportioned dog. This is a vigilant and attentive watchman, endowed with a balanced character. He has an affectionate disposition, as evidenced by the completely peaceful coexistence of dogs of the same sex. And although the Tibetan Mastiff has always performed, there is nothing ferocious about it. She is only determined to protect the owner and his property. If the dog is with the owner, in his presence any stranger can stroke - she will not get angry at all. The most she can do in this situation is to make a "goat face", showing that caresses do not arouse her enthusiasm. She has enough attention from the owner. If a puppy, as well as all puppies, is a real natural disaster, then an adult dog is rather restrained. The Tibetan mastiff is ready to accept caresses and signs of attention only when he wants it. Nevertheless, he wants to always be with the owner. He is ready to never part with him. He can lie at our feet for hours - silent and calm, so that we even forget about his presence, although his mass is by no means small.

Character

Indeed, the Tibetan Mastiff deserves more distribution, and not only because of its beauty, but because of its character. After all, being with the owner, this dog is always ready to turn into a great playmate. Of course, you should not expect the mobility of a border collie from her. However, the Tibetan, especially at a young age, loves to run, jump, and even swim. On the other hand, he may well turn into an annex to furniture when he knows that no one should be disturbed. He is extremely affectionate with children. Walking on a leash, he adapts to their stride and actually lets them do whatever they want with him. Therefore, parents need to monitor the children rather than the dog. Especially when the dogs are still small and fragile.

Puppy education

Like all dogs, the Tibetan Mastiff can become stubborn and stubborn. However, the reason for this will be the mistakes made by man. For example, if a person does not engage in imprinting with a puppy, he will not accustom him to life in society. Imprinting is a set of techniques that teach a dog to trust a person, convincing him that he and we belong to the same species. To do this, you need to stroke the puppy in the period from the 3rd to the 7th week of life, caress and play with him. If at the same time we are not “chewed” much, or we have to look helplessly at the “great” battle with shoelaces, then everything is in order. The puppy wants to communicate with us and uses its mouth for this - its main means of expressing emotions. A puppy that has not undergone imprinting will not chew either shoelaces or socks, because it will experience fear of a person and it is quite obvious that he will never be able not to cooperate with a person, not to become an indispensable companion in his life.

After imprinting during the period of socialization, a puppy living in the family circle is taught to interact with the outside world. This is a very important time in his life and extremely delicate. From the 7th week until the 17th week, the puppy is taken out for a walk to explore the world. The owner and, if possible, other adult dogs come out with him. In this way, he learns to get along with strangers, with cars, with other animals, and so on. If the walks were long and tiring, then on the way back the puppy may need a cart. But most importantly, the dog must come into contact with the reality surrounding it and its various components. This will temper her character and nervous system.

Care and maintenance

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Tibetan Mastiff, as the English-speaking inhabitants of the planet call this unusual breed of dog, are large furry creatures with a wise and hardy character.

Born in the harsh conditions of the highlands of Nepal and Tibet, they were called upon to become reliable protectors of the entire family, livestock and other property of local residents.

At first glance at the photo of the Tibetan Mastiff, an involuntary thought arises in my head: What an adorable teddy bear!

But do not rush to hasty conclusions and the realization of an urgent burning desire to acquire such a big and dear friend.

"Highlight" of the breed

Even a very large apartment will not be a good home for a pet of such impressive size.

The term “owl” is quite applicable to a Tibetan mastiff dog, during the day it is a completely calm and slightly sleepy member of the family, at night it is its support and protection.

When a dog of an ancient breed appears in the house, the new owners should immediately put all the dots on the “and” and convincingly show the baby who is the boss in the house, gaps in the upbringing of the future adult mastiff will lead to the fact that he will lead your family, and not you.

Remember that the once sweet and playful fluffy creature will need more and more space in the house every day, Tibetan mastiff puppies grow slowly but surely and turn into huge and strong dogs.

Every evening, or even part of the night, you will need to take walks with your little brother, moreover, in different neighborhoods, as the breed of dogs living in difficult conditions for centuries has developed a clear habit of “outlining” its territory and not letting strangers into it.

People from Tibet and Nepal walk on a leash, here their patience is silent and does not resist, but at home they clearly prefer freedom of movement and free communication with the whole family, a chain is unacceptable for a mastiff.

The dog is sensitive and understanding in relation to all the moods of the household, it will respond to kind attention with devotion, and aggression - with an evil and tough character.

Mastiff babies are expensive, if you are offered a very budget price, it is likely that a completely different dog will live in your house.

If your desire to get to know a representative of a rare family of dogs has not become less active, then it would be nice to learn more about the history of the breed, habits, character and other features of the "fur cub".

How sensitive guards and true friends of the family won the recognition of mankind

Many countries and peoples have inscribed their pages in the history of the appearance and further spread around the globe of the large Tibetan mastiff.

Chinese scientists who conducted genetic research in the field of separating the DNA chains of a wolf and a dog made an assumption that the process occurred more than 40,000 years ago, the approximate “date of birth” of the breed of interest to us is considered to be a period of more than 50,000 years ago.

The conclusion suggests itself: Tibetan giant dogs are one of the first breeds of dogs on the planet. Mastiffs have "closest relatives" which are the Great Pyrenean Dog, the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Rottweiler, the St. Bernard and the Leonberger.

The ancestors of these breeds were likely to have passionate romances with each other, which was the reason for the appearance of these well-known large pets in the future.

Throughout the history of mankind, puppies of the Tibetan mastiff have become a generous gift or trophy for the winners in various battles.

The victorious procession of a unique breed across the planet began in the 19th century (it was at this time that the first letters about an unusual family of dogs appeared) and continues to this day.

There is a very likely assumption that it was the “Tibetan cubs” who became the ancestors of a large group of dogs “Molossians”, but no one will ever know the true truth about this.

The ubiquitous Romans, great lovers and connoisseurs of the dog tribe, play a big role in the spread of mastiffs around the world. The Roman legions, roaming the planet in order to conquer territories and establish their dominance, became the unwitting reason for the first timid appearance of the breed in Europe.

Officially, Western society got acquainted with the Nepalese and Indian guards in 1847, when the English aristocrat Lord Harding presented Queen Victoria with a magnificent male Tibetan breed named Siring, this moment becomes a key moment in the spread of mastiffs across the European continent.

Giant dogs came to America a little later, first as a present to President Eisenhower, then by mass importation from the celestial lands.

The current state of affairs

Unaware of their legendary fame and popularity, large and reliable guards of the territories continue to carry out their honorable mission. They doze sweetly at the feet of their master during the day and guard at night.

During their existence, fur dogs repeatedly found girlfriends from other dog groups, which inevitably led to some loss of the purity of the breed. Real Tibetan beauties, who have all the necessary documents confirming their belonging to the mastiff elite, cost a lot of money.

There are cases of sale of small puppies at a price of 600,000 thousand dollars. This is the highest cost of a dog cub in the entire civilized history of the globe.

When choosing a baby in a nursery, future owners-owners should carefully examine it. Even a mastiff puppy should have a wide and large head, somewhat disproportionate to the whole body.

"Oriental" section of expressive brown eyes, a wide nose with large nostrils, a large lower lip, plump hanging ears, velvet-covered fur. Straight posture, strong neck with thick furry hair, strong paws, tail set high.

All these are signs of a typical portrait of a Tibetan mastiff, your future watchman and friend. Time will pass and a ferocious huge comrade will decorate any photo with a person.

But it was not the external attractiveness that made this breed so rare, expensive and desirable.

Mastiffs are smart, in the process of evolution they have learned to be independent and infinitely loyal to their chosen master.

Next to such a friend, you and your children will feel calm, your little world will now always be under an invisible, but merciless "castle" to enemies.

Give your pet your love, attention and care, and he will return them to you a hundredfold, giving his whole huge dog heart to his family and protected area.

Photo of a Tibetan Mastiff

The legendary Tibetan mastiff is one of the oldest dogs in the world, as well as the ancestor of all modern service dogs. The purity of the blood of these dogs has been maintained for many centuries due to the remoteness of the geographical location of their homeland - Tibet.

Breed characteristics

Origin story

There are no clear facts in history that indicate the origin of the breed. According to one source, their ancestor is the black Tibetan wolf. According to other sources, the ancestors of these dogs were watchdogs of Chinese merchants who passed through the mountains of Tibet.

The first mention of the breed dates back to 1121 BC. in the Chinese book Shu King. Mastiffs guarded the houses of monks, monasteries and herds of yaks from wild animals and snow leopards.

The first mention of the Tibetan Mastiff breed in Europe was recorded in 1847, when the Viceroy of India, Lord Harding, sent a Tibetan Mastiff puppy to Queen Victoria. Official breed standards were adopted in 1898.

Description of the breed Tibetan Mastiff

A characteristic feature of this breed of Tibetan mastiff is a long thick coat. Mastiffs surprise with their size and muscular physique. They are powerful and strong, perfectly tolerate both cold and heat.

The weight of an adult dog is 70 kg (males), 60-65 kg (females). Height at the withers of males - 69-71 cm, females - 58-61 cm.
The head is broad and heavy in weight, the neck is strong with well-developed muscles.
Powerful bite, moderately wide muzzle, large dark nose.
The body is massive, muscular, the top line is straight, even, the chest is deep. Body length exceeds height.
The coat is long, hard, with a thick undercoat.
The eyes are oval, brown or dark, set wide apart.
The ears are medium triangular, hanging.
The tail is long, bushy and set high.
Paws are straight and strong.

colors

In the description of the Tibetan Mastiff breed, three main colors are considered.

Black - black color prevails over the entire surface of the coat in combination with yellow hairs.
Tan - This color is characterized by black with brown spots - tan. Tans have a clear pattern and borders and are located in certain places.
Red - red color comes in various shades - from red to golden.

IMPORTANT! The standard allows for a small white patch on the chest in all colors. Other coat colors are not acceptable for show class dogs.

Character

The Tibetan Mastiff has excellent guard and protective qualities. In the family, the dog does not single out a single owner for itself; the dog treats all family members equally. Mastiffs are unusually affectionate with children, very sensitive, upset and retire if there is discord in the family.

Representatives of the breed are not inclined to show aggression in the presence of family members.
Distrustful of strangers.
They are highly intelligent yet stubborn.
Dogs are calm and balanced, do not rage for no reason.
Easily take root in any family, both large and small.
They tend to protect everything that is dear and familiar to them.
The dog is moderately active in comparison with other relatives.
They have a restrained character, they know how to control their ardor.

The character of these giants combines fearlessness, kindness and devotion. If a pet is initially accustomed to society, not deprived of food and walks, then aggression is not characteristic of it.

Training

Tibetan mastiff puppies require proper upbringing from an early age. The characteristics of the breed suggest that dogs have a sense of dignity and independence, so they can be stubborn during training. In view of the calm, melancholy disposition, these giants are weakly amenable to active training.

How to raise an obedient and loyal dog? Owners of the Tibetan Mastiff breed give the following advice:

educate a puppy from the first days of its acquisition;
engage in imprinting with your baby, teach him to trust you;
show moral strength, earn respect from the dog;
for the execution of commands, treat your pet with a delicious treat;
teach the necessary commands, such as “sit”, “lie down”, “to me”, “fu”, “near”;
show love and patience, it is forbidden to raise a pet by the method of aggression;
be consistent, achieve the fulfillment of all commands and tasks.

Do you know how long Tibetan mastiffs live? The life span of this breed is 10-12 years.

Due to their large size and long coat, dogs require some care. If you do not know how to care for and how to wash your pet in order to provide him with a beautiful and well-groomed appearance, contact the grooming services.

Hygiene and dog health

Wool is the main decoration of the Tibetan Mastiff breed. During molting, the dog is combed 3-4 times a day with special brushes. Wool does not have a specific unpleasant odor, you should bathe the dog 1-2 times a year. Be sure to check the coat for tangled clumps.
Make time to brush your teeth twice a week. During the period of changing teeth, monitor the formation of the correct bite and the condition of the gums.
Trim your nails 3 times a month with a nail cutter. After walking, wash your dog's paws and inspect them for wounds.
Ear care is a must. Wipe the auricles from dust with wet wipes, get rid of excess sulfur with cotton swabs.
The eyes of the Tibetan mastiff are washed with chamomile tincture. For daily rubbing of the eyes from mucous secretions, use wet and clean cotton sponges.
Due to the fact that Tibetan mastiffs mature late, dogs are allowed to mate after 3 years. At the same time, males reach puberty no earlier than 4 years, females - no earlier than 3-3.5 years. In order not to violate the standards of a rare breed, but to contribute to its development in the future, we recommend choosing a pair for your pet in a kennel or club.

Due to their large size, the breed is not suitable for keeping in an apartment.
Walks should be long, but not too active.
Take care of choosing a place for your pet. It must be spacious. In a private house for a dog, it is better to build an aviary.
Purchase all the necessary pet care products (brushes, combs, shampoos, nail cutter).
Make sure you have a veterinary first aid kit.
Buy a collar and leash.
Do not leave your pet alone for long periods of time.

Health

Protects the puppy's immune system and provides him with health for many years. Starting from the age of two months and until reaching the age of one year, the puppy must go through three stages of vaccination. In the future, vaccinations are done annually. When choosing a vaccine, consult your veterinarian. At home, vaccination is carried out only by a specialist.

Tibetan mastiffs are characterized by the following infectious diseases of the breed:

Nerve paralytic distemper;
parvovirus enteritis;
rabies;
infectious hepatitis.

Other ailments include:

hip dysplasia;
malignant tumors;
allergy;
osteochondritis;
bone dystrophy;
dermatitis.

IMPORTANT! Visit your veterinarian regularly for checkups on your pet. The doctor will definitely advise you on how to identify the signs of a particular disease and prescribe the correct treatment.

What to feed

For a healthy and well-groomed appearance of a dog, it is necessary to take care of nutrition. Tibetan mastiffs are not picky eaters and eat relatively little. The number of feedings for an adult dog is 2 times a day, for a puppy - 5-6 times a day. When feeding a mastiff with dry food, you should choose dog food with the inclusion of fresh meat in the composition.

When choosing what to feed your puppy, give preference to the following components of the diet:

boiled and raw meat (horse meat, beef);
processed organ meats (heart, liver, lungs);
cereals cooked in milk (buckwheat, rice, oatmeal);
vegetables;
dairy products (kefir, cottage cheese).

Vitamins are an essential component of a healthy diet.

Stop at these products:

veal, beef;
chicken eggs;
sea fish.

Keep an eye on the presence of drinking water in the pet's bowl. Don't feed your dog sweets. When choosing what kind of food to feed your pet, proceed from the age of the dog and the composition of the food. It is advisable to choose foods that are suitable specifically for the Tibetan Mastiff breed. Inexpensive feeds do not include all minerals and vitamins, so add foods that contain the missing trace elements to your daily diet.

Video

Photo of Tibetan mastiffs

How much does a puppy cost

How much does it cost to buy a Tibetan Mastiff puppy? The price of thoroughbred babies ranges from 40,000 rubles. up to 160,000 rubles The price depends on many factors: on the pedigree of the parents, the quality of the litter, the color. It is almost impossible to buy a Tibetan Mastiff puppy inexpensively, because it is quite rare.352