Tibetan Mastiff Dog: A Rare and Protective Breed

If you and your family are looking to adopt a large protective dog with a voluptuous fur coat, the Tibetan Mastiff might be the perfect match for you. Although, there are some important things you need to know about this breed before even considering adopting one. There are pros and cons to adopting a Tibetan Mastiff, some of which are outlined below.

You’ll want to take these pros and cons into consideration and think whether this breed of dog is right for you and if it can fit comfortably into your lifestyle.

History

Because of how isolated and discrete Tibet is, experts have a hard time precisely pinpointing where and when these mastiff big dogs came to be. History also tells us that these large dogs were believed to be the great protectors of the Himalayas, much like the big and majestic guard dogs that we all know and love today. These dogs are likely to be the great ancestors of all Mastiff breeds. It would only make sense that these gentle giants would be a good fit to play the role of protector.

They were often seen guarding homes and livestock like herding dogs. To this day this massive breed is still used to guard livestock on farmlands. 

Other historical accounts tell us that the Tibetan Mastiff was sometimes given as a gift to those who traveled to Tibet at the time. These gifted dogs were then utilized to breed new Mastiff hybrids in areas such as the Middle East and Europe. 

Personality

Historically the Tibetan Mastiff has been known to be a ferocious protector of his livestock and family. The breed has retained this personality trait and temperament, making the Tibetan Mastiff an excellent home security system.

They will grow to love their family and are known to be very loving and affectionate with their human family as well as any other dogs who reside in the home. They are not very fond of strangers, however. Training must take place early in the Tibetan Mastiffs’ life in order to get a grip on their tendency to want to “protect” their family at all costs, even when there is no real danger.

Raising a young Tibetan Mastiff is often seen as a challenge but is very rewarding once you have a full-grown teddy bear of a dog protecting and loving you. The only goal that this breed has is to please their humans. Although sometimes their independent side comes out and they will need to be reminded of their training. If socialization is practiced at a young age the Tibetan Mastiff will grow up to be more comfortable and at ease with interactions with new people and animals. 

Pros of Adopting a Tibetan Mastiff

One of the more obvious pros is that by owning a Tibetan Mastiff you will never need to worry about home invaders and can always feel safe in your own bed at night. The Tibetan Mastiff is good with children, as long as the children are taught how to interact with him properly. They are also generally quiet dogs during the daytime unless a situation arises in which they need to protect their humans.  

Because of the discipline and upkeep needed for this large breed of dog, a pro that could be considered is that it would teach a growing family the responsibility of caring for such a pet. Younger children will learn how to be calm around the dog so that he will not get worked up, as well as learn how to keep up with his grooming needs. 

Cons of Adopting a Tibetan Mastiff

Depending on you and your particular lifestyle, the cons may or may not outweigh the pros. For instance, a Tibetan Mastiff cannot live in small places such as apartments. There are other Tibetan dog breeds however, that may be more suitable for apartment living. Such as the Tibetan terrier or Tibetan Spaniel. 

Another thing to take into consideration before heading to the Tibetan Mastiff rescue is their need for dog grooming upkeep. This means being able to invest time and money into caring for their thick coat of fur. Whether that means taking the time to perform their grooming needs at home or taking them to a professional dog groomer as often as need be. 

Conclusion

The Tibetan Mastiff is a wonderful and loving dog with a rich history as a guardian in the Himalayas. As wonderful as they seem to be as a protector for your family, there is much to be taken into consideration before going out to adopt one. For instance, you will want to discuss with your family, their training needs at a young age, as well as grooming and exercise needs. 

The Tibetan Mastiff would be happiest in a home where there is not too much chaos of visitors and loud noises often. As well as with a large, fenced-in backyard for them to run around in during the day. A fence that can handle keeping them contained in the backyard since they are known so well for their escape artistry. The Tibetan Mastiff is a special breed that requires a special human to care for and love them. 

How much is a Tibetan mastiff?

Depending on the breeder as well as the actual breeding of the dog, a Tibetan Mastiff can cost anywhere from $1,700 to $7,000 to adopt. Their care also costs a pretty penny once you’ve brought them home. They are a very rare breed of dog, which is why they cost so much to adopt from a breeder.

How much does a Tibetan mastiff weigh?

Male Tibetan Mastiffs, when fully grown, can weigh anywhere in the range of 100lbs to 160lbs. Females, however, tend to weigh between 75 to 125 lbs. Either way, the Tibetan Mastiff grows to be a very large dog of either gender.

What is a Tibetan mastiff?

The Tibetan Mastiff is a large, fluffy breed of dog that was developed in Tibet as a guard dog of livestock as well as of property. The large fur coats that came with them living in the colder climates of Tibet definitely help with the intimidation factor.

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