Breed of the week: Tibetan Mastiff

The Tibetan Mastiff is a gigantic dog that weighs anywhere from 140 to 170 pounds and stands about 25 to 28 inches off of the ground!  They are a very strong and sturdy dog with a broad and wrinkled head along with a broad muzzle. They have deep set, brown, almond shaped eyes and ears that hang slightly forward.  The Tibetan Mastiffs have a double coat that is extremely thick, and have what looks to be like a mane of fur around their neck.  The coat can come in the colors of brown, black, grey, tan, or a mixture of these colors.  The average life span of a Tibetan Mastiff is 15 years.

   The Tibetan Mastiff breed is thought to go back all the way to 1100 BC were they were isolated in the Himalayan mountains.  These dogs were often used as guards and some would even guard whole villages.  When men would leave the village to move their flocks to higher grounds these dogs would be left behind to guard the man's family.  in the 1800s the English Queen Victoria received one of these dogs and it was the first time that the Tibetan Mastiff came out of isolation.  Soon many more of these dogs were imported to England where they were bred and gained popularity.  In 1970s the breed came to the United States.  Although it became a very popular breed in England and the United States it became a rare sight in Tibet.  The Tibetan Mastiff was recognized by the AKC in 2006. 

    The Tibetan Mastiff is a very intelligent, independent, and confident dog.  This breed has guarding instincts and may be protective of their family.  This breed is very dominant and due to their protective instincts it is important to socialize them from a very young age.  They can do well with other animals, especially if they have grown up with them.  They can be aggressive towards an animal of the same gender, so it is recommended that if you get another pet to get one of the opposite gender.  The Tibetan Mastiff can be trained, but it does take patience because they can be stubborn.  They are easy to house train though.  As long as children are gentle with the dog, this breed does very well with them.  They do need a good amount of exercise and a fenced in yard is definitely recommended due to them not always coming when you call.  This breed becomes very close to its family, but can be a little reserved in showing affection.  These dogs have a deep bark and don't mature until 3 to 5 years of age.  This breed is a heavy shedder, but brushing can help remove some of the loose hair.  Although the Tibetan Mastiff can be a challenging dog to train, they will be protective and loyal friends.

Information from:
 http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/tibetanmastiff.htm
http://www.justdogbreeds.com/tibetan-mastiff.html

Picture from:
http://www.tibetanmastiff.net/