The Tibetan Mastiff, also known as the Tibetan Dog, the Thibet Dog, the Thibet Mastiff and the Tibetaanse Mastiff, is an ancient, heavily coated breed with a history shrouded in legend and lore. It was developed in the remote valleys and plateaus of the Himalayan Mountains, primarily to serve as a watch and guard dog protecting people and property from wild predators and wandering thieves. It is known for its impressive size, controlled strength and tremendous independence. The Tibetan Mastiff can appear aloof and is naturally wary of strangers. Its protective instincts are unparalleled. The Dalai Lama reportedly kept eight of these dogs to guard the gates to his summer residence. Females of this breed often only have one heat cycle annually much like wolves, rather than two as is normal with other domestic canine breeds. The Tibetan Mastiff was accepted by the American Kennel Club in 2006, as a member of the Working Group.
The mature male Tibetan Mastiff stands a minimum of 26 inches at the withers; bitches must be a minimum of 24 inches in height. Adults typically weigh between 140 and 180 pounds, although the breed used to be bigger than it is today, with records of weights over 220 pounds. Its double coat is unusually thick, straight and hard, forming a mane about the neck particularly in males. The Tibetan Mastiff’s tail and legs are heavily feathered. It sheds its coat once a year and requires regular brushing. The preferred coat color is black-and-tan, although other colors ranging from black to golden also appear in the breed.
The Tibetan Mastiff is considered by many experts to be the ancestral foundation from which most, if not all, large working breeds descend – including all mastiffs and all mountain dogs. There are no accurate records of the exact heritage of the Tibetan Mastiff. Predecessors of the modern mastiff are thought to have traveled with the armies of many ancient civilizations throughout the centuries. Historians believe that the Tibetan Mastiff developed from dogs that remained
Tibetan Mastiffs are some of the most reliable guard dogs around. In Tibet, they would be tied to a pole at two months of age to enhance their aggressive tendencies and taught to guard a home. As the breed developed and became larger and more reliable, one dog would often act as a guard over an entire village. Modern Tibetan Mastiffs that are bred in the West are still very alert, protective watchdogs but they
Tibetan Mastiffs are large dogs with massive heads, heavy bone structure and a thick, medium-length coat. The head of the Tibetan Mastiff is often described as bear-like in shape and features, as it is wedge shaped and sports a blunt, wide muzzle. The teeth should meet in a scissors bite. The nose is black. Males tend to have a moderate dewlap. They are slightly longer than they are tall, with a level topline. The coat
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