Tibetan Mastiff Dog Breed Information
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13 to 14 years
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Expensive *
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Star
Superstar
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Rare
Easy to get
Introduction
This breed which looks a bit scary but is just a big ball of fur is also known as TDo-Khyi or Tsang Khyi or Ipoo in Tibet. This breed is also known as Bhote Kukur in Nepali language which literally translates to the dog from Tibet. This breed easily resembles a lion and there was this one time when a zoo labelled this breed as a Chinese Lion. Tibetan Mastiff are considered the primary breed for most of the Mastiff breeds including the English Mastiff. This breed is also not readily available in India, barely 5000 breeds registered. This breed is perceived to be very huge but that is just an illusion that the large head plus the hairy coat creates. Mastiffs are generally considered as a bully breed which gets a kick out of scaring people. Because Tibet is a country with harsh winters, this breed has a thick coat which protects it from the terrible weather conditions. The long hair is also a mechanism that will protect this breed from the harsh weather conditions of the place. This breed is also the largest known dog breed on planet earth and is primarily a guard breed.
Tibetan Mastiff would look like a bundle of joy and at peace, but it can be very territorial when it comes to its own security. This breed also holds a good fight and has the potential to take out any large animal. This breed is very happy indoors during the day but loves patrolling outside during the night as it is one of its inherent trade. This breed is also not an attention seeking pet but can exist independently of its owner and also enjoy their company. This breed is what we call an introvert in human terms. This breed also functions on respect and it needs to be given respect. This breed can come off as haughty a number of times because of its independent steak but once comfortable is generally very nice to have around. This fascinating breed doesn’t believe in shedding, it just blows off its coat once a year. This breed also suffers from lesser health concerns than many other breeds.
Bred centuries ago in Tibet to be guardian dogs for livestock and property, the Tibetan Mastiff continues to perform this role, but is now also a happy family dog. This is a massive breed of dog and, however, little the puppy, remember that they grow into a mammoth 65kgs in most cases. With their luxurious mane of hair, muscular bodies and show-stopping presence, Tibetan Mastiffs are known to be amongst the most expensive dogs to maintain. Naturally, this leads them to become status symbols, not just in the land of their birth, but the world over. The aspirational value apart, remember that this beautiful beast comes with several disclaimers. They cannot live in small houses, don’t do well in warm climates, need constant grooming, cannot be left off-leash on walks, and tend to be protective and loyal to a fault. However, if you’re a responsible pet parent and are willing to put in a lot of research before acquiring this stunning new family member and plenty of hard work in terms of socialisation and training after, be prepared for a lifetime of adventures with the Tibetan Mastiff!
History
While no existing records can pinpoint the exact year of origin of the Tibetan Mastiff, it’s safe to say that this is one of the oldest breeds in the world. DNA evidence suggests that mastiff-type dogs have existed in Tibet for about 5,000 years. The Do-Khyi was a smaller type of mastiff that travelled with nomads and served the purpose of guardian dogs to the livestock, while the Tsang-Khyi – a larger type of mastiff – served as guardians to Tibetan Buddhist monks. In written records, Captain Samuel Turner wrote of his time in Tibet and mentions a large breed of dog. The first Tibetan Mastiff made its way to England, when Queen Victoria received one as a gift from Lord Hardinge, the then Viceroy of India. The breed officially made it to Englands Kennel Club records as a Tibetan Mastiff, in 1873. The breed continued to be imported into England and other European countries, where they were bred and shown. There was a brief interlude in their breeding during World War II till, in 1976, English breeders resumed breeding this dog. Today, it’s rare to find a purebred Tibetan Mastiff in the land of its birth, but they can still occasionally be found amongst nomadic Tibetans. The breed continues to flourish in Europe and the USA.
There aren’t very specific and accurate records of the Origin of the Tibetan Mastiff but there are some records which show that there are evidences which can be seen about their existence which dates back to the BC era. There were also said to accompany rulers like Genghis Khan through Central Asia. These were primarily guard dogs which were chained during the day due to their ferocious appearance. The first time that this breed moved out of the contours of Asian region is when the Viceroy of India gifted one to Queen Victoria and then after that Prince of Whales imported two of them for a dog show. After the famous Chinese Invasion of Tibet, the count of them decreased significantly but there were few who survived by escaping through the borders to the other nations. Around the 1970’s this breed was imported by the USA for breeding from India and Nepal. This breed is in the miscellaneous list of the American Kennel club. This breed is said to the origin point of many other large sized breeds. It has though become difficult to find an original pure bred Tibetan mastiff. This dog used to go around with its owner protecting them against any animal attacks.
Unique Aspects
Tibetan Mastiffs can be calm indoors dogs, but tend to get active in the mornings and evenings. Create a schedule for them that will keep them occupied during these times of day and, chances are, you’ll have a happy, well-adjusted dog. They are companion dogs and do not do well when left alone, especially outdoors, for several hours. This breed has a particularly protective nature and should never be walked off leash, when in public. It is also advised that their walk route be changed regularly to keep it interesting and keep them from getting possessive about “their” route. It’s for the same reason that they are not recommended as pets for either first time dog families or families with very little children. Tibetan Mastiffs are extremely intelligent, even stubborn, dogs. They are known to be very sensitive to human moods, and get upset if their human companions are unhappy. Because of their possessive nature, early socialisation with several people and animals comes highly recommended for these dogs.
Fun Trivia
The Tibetan Mastiff is a giant size dog with powerful looks but sadly we could not find any movies or celebrities that have this breed. We will update it once we know about some. It is believed though that there are some Chinese movies and superstars that have this powerful Mastiff.
Vital Stats:
Dog Breed Group: Working Dogs
Height: 34-36 Inches
Weight: 64-78 Kg
Life Span: 13 to 14 years
Pros
Tibetan Mastiff is a beautiful hairy breed. It doesn’t shed regularly so the owners don’t have to worry about finding dog hair everywhere all the time but it does shed its coat once a year where it can get problematic for the dog owners. Though shedding once a year is better than shedding regularly. This breed is very quiet indoors so one doesn’t have to worry about things breaking. It can be left unsupervised alone for long hours indoors during the day time. It isn’t an aggressive breed so it will quietly sit in a corner. Tibetan Mastiff loves outdoors so it makes a great partner for outdoor workouts and bonding with nature. It is very cuddly but not aggressive which makes it a perfect cuddle partner. If given the right training, it could be the perfect man of the house, guarding the children and protecting them against any harm. This Is also a great working dog who has very good instincts when it comes to strangers. Tibetan Mastiff knows how to take control of situations and sometimes can be smarter than a human. As Mentioned earlier, it is an introverted dog who comes off as calm and dignified. Contrary to its appearance, this breed is pretty flexible and agile and can fit into compact spaces.