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The Tibetan Mastiff is an Asian pedigree dog that has strong guarding and protective instincts. Nevertheless, he is also a cuddly family bear who can form a close bond with his caregivers and the children of the family.
History of the Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff is a pedigree dog that is thousands of years old and has its roots in Tibet (China). There he was used as a guard dog and was known for his valiant services in livestock protection. Its dense fur develops an important double function with regard to its original tasks: it mitigates bite injuries and is effective thermal insulation.
Due to the visual similarities, the rumor spread that the Tibetan Mastiff could be a hybrid of a dog and a lion. However, there is nothing to this myth and the close relationship between the Tibetan Mastiff, the Molosser and Great Dane has since been refuted on the basis of genetic analysis. According to the latest findings, the Tibetan Mastiff seems to be an original and independent Asian pedigree dog.
Although the gentle giant had been in the service of the Tibetans for a long time, systematic breeding only began in the 1960s. In 1961, the FCI recognized the Tibetan Mastiff as a permanent breed. With growing awareness, the former high-performance animal has become a status symbol that no longer has to be functional, but above all should look impressive. Unfortunately, many Tibetan Mastiffs are unhealthy these days because the breed used little fresh blood (inbreeding) and was increasingly mass-produced.
Essence and Character
The Tibetan Mastiff is a dog with a special charm. This is due to the fact that in its nature it brings together supposedly opposing properties into a harmonious unit. On the one hand, the fluffy four-legged friend is fond of children, cuddly and playful. Because the relaxed nature of the gentle giant can spread to others, it is also used in therapeutic workgroups. Secondly, he is a fighter and territorial. He is wary of strangers while offering full protection to his family—people and dogs alike. Appropriately, the Tibetan Mastiff is extremely confident.
Purchase of a “Tibet Mastiff”
The Tibetan Mastiff does not trend. Accordingly, the number of annual offspring remains at a low level. It can therefore be assumed that you will have to be put on a waiting list. Because there are only a few reputable breeders, in addition to the purchase price (around 1,500 euros), you may have to pay high travel costs. Be prepared for this cost factor.
What do I need to pay attention to when purchasing?
In order for you to enjoy your Tibetan Mastiff, the purchase should depend on the following points:
- You should only buy the dog if the necessary health care (vaccinations, deworming, test for hip dysplasia) has been carried out and inbreeding can be ruled out based on the pedigree.
- There are often no cheaper mixed breed dogs or Tibetan Mastiffs from animal welfare. In addition, dogs with an unknown history/with an unknown combination of genes are a danger that should not be underestimated. So the Tibetan Mastiff should not be a bargain dog from the Internet or from abroad.
- The breeder must take the time to inform you about the developmental status of the puppies with photos/videos. It should also be possible to get to know each other personally. Dubious breeders attract attention, among other things, by not presenting the mother dog to you. If you cannot see the puppies’ mother, you may have come across an illegal breeder and should be extra careful.
- You should only initiate the purchase if you feel up to the future responsibilities and challenges that may arise in raising a Tibetan Mastiff. You should also meet the spatial requirements, have embarked on a stable future path, and not be too fickle.
Puppy Development and Training
The Tibetan Mastiff does not always make it easy for its owner to train because it is an independent free spirit. He only reacts to signals when they make sense to him and switches off very quickly when bored. However, the Tibetan Mastiff is an intelligent animal that is easy to control with proper handling.
Early socialization is of particular importance. Only if you get your Tibetan Mastiff used to the presence of strangers and dogs as a puppy will it still tolerate your visitors as an adult dog. If you don’t set limits for your Tibetan Mastiff and fail to desensitize them early, serious behavioral problems can arise that are difficult to get a grip on. In general, it is not recommended to develop the dog’s protective qualities if one does not want their basic instincts (to guard and protect) to degenerate later. So the Tibetan Mastiff has all the skills to make a great family and companion dog. But getting there requires consistency and expertise.