Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff has long been held in high regards as a protector and courageous watchdog. An independent and strong-willed, this dog is very territorial and aggressive towards strange people and unfamiliar dogs. They are highly devoted to its family and must be socialized from an early age around people and other animals so as on to grow up to be overly suspicious and anxious. Tibetan Mastiffs are wonderful around children, but may have a tendency to guard against other children visiting the house.
A Brief History Of The Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff dates as far back as the Ancient times. As its name suggests, the area of origin for the dog is Tibet. The original function of the breed was to be a highly devoted guardian. Today the dog is still relied upon to act as a trusted guardian and family pet.
Unfortunately, the Tibetan Mastiff dog goes so far back in time that its exact origins have been lost. There is, however, archaeological evidence that shows the massive dog to have been alive in China sometime around 1100 B.C. One theory suggests that the dogs traveled with Attila the Hun and the legendary Genghis Khan, which helped start the base of the breed in Central Asia.
Tibetan Mastiff dogs were used to guard the villages, campsites and monasteries of the nomadic people. During the day, certain dogs (known as village sentries) were kept chained to rooftops and gates, then allowed to roam freely at night to protect the village.
The breed was kept so isolated during this period that they were unknown outside of Tibet until the year 1874. Researchers have found documentation that one of the dogs was sent to Queen Victoria as a gift from the Viceroy of India.
Shortly after, the Prince of Whales had imported two of the dogs and had them enter a dog show. This helped the popularity of the Tibetan Mastiff boost to higher numbers. In 1931, a breed standard was created by the Tibetan Breeds Association of England.
The dog's numbers declined severely when the Chinese attacked Tibet during the 1950s. The only way for the breed to survive was to escape to neighboring countries and local mountains. Fortunately, enough did survive and during the 1970s several breeding programs for the Tibetan Mastiff were started in the United States. And in 2005, the breed was officially recognized by the AKC.
Upkeep Requirements For The Tibetan Mastiff
In addition to being devoted family protectors, these dogs make wonderful house pets. They are quiet and calm when indoors, and very active when outside. In terms of daily exercise needs for the Tibetan Mastiff, a few brisk walks on the leash or vigorous playtime in the yard will be plenty.
Confinement in a closed-in space, even if the yard is large, is not enough to keep his dog happy. They should be allowed to roam free on open areas of land. Without this living arrangement Tibetan Mastiffs become easily bored and destructive through digging. They do not tolerate heat well and should live in colder climates. Grooming requirements consist of two to three weekly brushings due to the dog's heavy coat.
Health Concerns
The average life span of a Tibetan Mastiff is between eleven and fourteen years. There are no major health concerns that run common in the breed. Minor health issues include canine inherited demyelinative neuropathy, seizures, and entropion. Veterinarians suggest that Tibetan Mastiffs get tested for potential hip and thyroid problems.
More History
The Tibetan Mastiff's home is the Tibetan Plateau. Locals dubbed this breed Do-Kyi (tied dog); they were usually fastened to door of the owner's abode. Some experts think that the Molossian strains were decendents of the Tibetan Mastiff. They were sentries and temple guards. They went to war with many ancient armies. They were treasured by the Mongols, Persians, Greeks, Huns, Romans, and Assyrians.
Leighton, a cynologist, adduces a Chinese manuscript dating 1121 B.C. that describes a canine given to Emperor Wou-wang. It depicts a huge Tibetan dog that stands at 4 feet. This particular dog was taught to hunt people. This breed is a national treasure in China.
In 1847, Lord Hardinge, the Viceroy of India, shipped a Tibetan Mastiff (Bhout) from India to Queen Victoria. During the 1870's, the Prince of Wales imported two Tibetan Mastiffs to Great Britain. In 1875, one of these canines named Siring was shown in the Alexandra Palace dog show. King George the fifth had one shipped to England. Upon its death, the dog was prepared, stuffed, and mounted. After which, it was given to the Zoological Society. It was first displayed in 1912 in the National History Museum of London. Currently, this specimen is exhibited at Walter Rothschild Zoological Museum located in Tring, Hertfordshire.
Colonel Eric Bailey and his spouse exported five Tibetan Mastiffs from Tibet to Great Britain in 1928. One of these dogs was named Rakpa; it won several awards from different shows: Kenningston, Kennel Club, and Crufts.
President Eisenhower received the first Tibetan Mastiff to come to the U.S.A. Do-khyl (red dog) was a present. The AKC recognized this breed in 2006.
General Looks
It's a strong, tall, and heavy dog. Its height is less than its length. It has a broad, wrinkled head; the nose is wide. It has brown, slanted eyes. It is drop eared. Its tail curls above its back. The neck, chest, tail, and back legs are feathered.
Is This Your Breed?
When indoors it is usually calm and quiet. It's an active outdoor dog. It's best to exercise this breed in a fenced yard. It needs a daily walk. It isn't an apartment dog. A rural environment is best. It needs a firm owner that has experience with dogs. It sheds once each year and needs regular brushing.
Coat
The coat is doubled; the undercoat is dense; the outer-coat is hard and straight.
Color
The colors are completely black, gold, blue, gray, chocolate, white, and black and tan.
Locomotion
It's gait is strong, steady, balanced, and light-footed.
Personality
This breed has ingrained work habits for guarding and protecting. It's agile at climbing and jumping. It's intelligent, self-reliant, strong-willed, loyal, fearless, observant, and independent. The owner must train consistently and positively and be very assertive.
It's better with older, kind kids. Its aloof to and wary of strangers. It needs early socialization to instill a stable personality and to get on well with other pets.
Tibetan Mastiff video:
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The Tibetan mastiff in the West was a major obsession with the late nineteenth century dog fancy. It has more than just a touch of Western mastiffs in its pedigree– like the Newfoundland and the St. Bernard.
I think the place of origin for molosser dogs is more likely out on the steppes, rather than in the mountains. However, the first historical record of a molosser goes back to the twelfth century in China. I know that my views are in the minority. Most dog authorities believe that the Tibetan mastiff is the ancestral dog, while I think it's more likely an Ovtcharka-type.
I checked Wikipedia. It says they are the same breed. I'm not convinced. I think they are related– like the rottweiler is related to the Swiss mountain dogs. (Rottweil, as a free city, had a union with Switzerland that lasted several centuries.)
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