Basic Information:

• Life expectancy: 12 - 15 years
• Height: Male: 66-76 cm, Female: 61-71 cm
• Weight: Male: 45-73 kg, Female: 34-54 kg
• Origin: Tibet, Nepal, Himalayas
• Temperament: Tenacious, Strong-Willed, Stubborn, Aloof, Intelligent, Protective
• Colors: Black, Black & Tan, Brown, Brown & Tan, Red Gold, Blue Gray

Overview:

• Tall with a heavy coat and a bushy tail that curves over his back, the Tibetan Mastiff today has a calm and majestic presence. He is a giant breed, weighing 80 to 150 pounds or more. While he has many good qualities, the Tibetan Mastiff is not the right breed for everyone. If you want a gentle and patient dog, be prepared to do a lot of homework in order to find him as well as put in plenty of effort to train and socialize him once you bring him home.

• The Tibetan Mastiff is quiet, watchful, and protective of his family, including other pets, and he is inclined to be gentle with and tolerant of children. He has an independent nature with a determined and territorial temperament. He is suspicious of strangers, so much so that he might not let people you approve of into the home. Because of his heritage as a village guardian, he tends to bark a lot at night.

• While his protective nature is attractive, the Tibetan Mastiff is not the best choice for a novice dog owner. He needs someone who can guide him with kind, firm, consistent training, never force or cruelty. He is an independent thinker but responds well to routine. Tibetan Mastiffs do not like discord, so it is not a good idea to argue in front of them or discipline children in their presence. They are likely to step between you to put an end to arguments or scoldings. It's also not a good idea to let TMs supervise children's play. It's all too easy for them to mistake roughhousing for attacks and step in to protect their children.

• Begin training as soon as you bring your Tibetan Mastiff puppy home, while he is still at a manageable size. That 20-pound ball of fur will quickly grow much larger. It's always a good idea to take a Tibetan Mastiff to puppy kindergarten followed by a basic obedience class, especially if you are working with a trainer who understands the Tibetan Mastiff mindset. To get the best from this dog, use positive reinforcement techniques such as praise, play, and food rewards, never force.

• Early, frequent socialization is essential to prevent a Tibetan Mastiff from becoming overly suspicious or fearful of anything new or different. Purchase a Tibetan Mastiff puppy from a breeder who raises the pups in the home and ensures that they are exposed to many different household sights and sounds, as well as people, before they go off to their new homes. Once vaccines are current and your vet gives the green light, continue socializing your Tibetan Mastiff throughout his life by taking him to puppy kindergarten class, on visits to friends and neighbors, and on outings to local shops and businesses. It is the only way he can learn to be discriminating, recognizing what is normal and what is truly a threat.

Personality:

• The Tibetan Mastiff loves his family with a fierce intensity. Though he may not show it with public displays of affection, he wants nothing more than to be with them and protect them. The TM has been guarding people and property for more than 2,000 years, so it's safe to say that he's pretty good at it. Aloof and watchful, he will take care not to let anyone in your home unless you permit him or her, and even then the TM can be reluctant. On his home turf, he's highly territorial. He can extend that attitude to the whole neighborhood if he isn't confined by a tall, solid fence and walked on different routes so that he doesn't become possessive about a certain street or the things he sees on it.

• Because of his heritage as a guardian breed, the TM is an independent thinker with his own agenda. In his mind, he knows best and therefore can be strong-willed and stubborn when it comes to getting his own way, especially if he thinks it's for your safety. It's essential to establish yourself as a leader he can respect but without using force, harsh words, or physical punishment. The TM understands consistency and firmness but won't take abuse. A nothing-in-life-is-free program, requiring puppies to work for everything they get by performing a command before receiving meals, toys, treats, or play, is a good way to establish your leadership.

• The Tibetan Mastiff is sensitive to emotions. It's not a good idea to argue with your spouse or spank your child in front of him. He may think it's his job to intervene.

• He is an intelligent dog who learns quickly, but again, he'll make his own decisions about whether he wants to obey. It's not really his goal to please you but to protect you. That's just one of the reasons he can't ever be walked off-leash. You can never be sure if he will respond when you tell him to come. He may also be aggressive toward other dogs, especially those of the same sex.

• The Tibetan Mastiff is quiet indoors but active outside. He's a moderately active and athletic dog, and a securely fenced yard is necessary for him to get the exercise he needs. But don't think that he can't climb your chain-link fence if he decides he wants to go exploring. He also likes to dig, so don't be surprised if you come home to new landscaping one day. On the plus side, he's generally easy to house-train.

• Nighttime is the right time for barking as far as the TM is concerned. In Tibetan villages, he was allowed to roam at night and barked various communique until dawn: All well, I hear something suspicious or Get out of here before I kill you. He'll do the same at your home if you leave him outdoors at night. Give the neighbors a break and let him sleep inside. That way he'll be right there to protect you if someone breaks in.

Health:

• All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems, just as all people have the potential to inherit a particular disease. Avoid any breeder who does not offer a health guarantee on puppies, who tells you that the breed is 100 percent healthy and has no known problems, or who tells you that her puppies are isolated from the main part of the household for health reasons. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur in her lines.

• The Tibetan Mastiff has some health conditions that can be a concern. They include hip and elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, persistent pupillary membranes (an eye disorder), and canine-inherited demyelinating neuropathy.

• Remember that after you've taken a new puppy into your home, you have the power to protect him from one of the most common health problems: obesity. Keeping a Tibetan Mastiff at an appropriate weight is one of the easiest ways to extend his life. Make the most of your preventive abilities to help ensure a healthier dog for life.

Grooming:

• The Tibetan Mastiff has a long, thick double coat, with males having a more lavish covering than females. The heavy undercoat is soft and woolly; the topcoat is straight with a hard texture. The amount of fur on the neck and shoulders gives the TM the appearance of having a mane. His tail and britches (the rear thighs) are also heavily coated. There's no need to trim any part of the coat unless you want to give the feet a neater appearance. With regular brushing, he shouldn't need frequent baths.

• Brush the TM several times a week to remove dead hair and keep the skin and coat healthy. During shedding season, you'll want to brush him daily to keep the loose hair under control.

• The rest is basic care. Trim the nails as needed, usually every week or two. Brush the teeth frequently with a vet-approved pet toothpaste for good overall health and fresh breath.