The Tibetan Mastiff dog breed has long been surrounded by exciting legends and beautiful tales. Born in mysterious Tibet, these animals have managed to retain their vitality, endurance, and strength in their original form. Nature has blessed them with excellent health and an incredible longevity for a dog. Despite their ferocious appearance, this giant pet has a gentle nature and is very fond of its owner.
Description of the breed
The child of the land of snow understands people well and is an excellent guardDue to its size, the Tibetan Mastiff is considered one of the the largest dogs in the worldStanding 60-67 cm tall, the dog weighs between 64 and 77 kg. Individuals up to 90 cm tall and weighing 100 kg have been recorded.
The breed standard includes:
- strong body;
- strong and straight forelimbs;
- well placed, powerful shoulders;
- strong and straight hind legs with low set pasterns;
- straight back line;
- an arched, lean, massive neck, which in males is covered with hair similar to a lion's mane;
- a heavy, large head with a powerful skull;
- square end of the muzzle;
- dark eyes of moderate size;
- Slightly forward-hanging, triangular, proportional ears that are raised when active.
The Tibetan Shepherd's short, coarse, and dense coat has a double undercoat. This provides excellent protection during harsh winters, but thins noticeably in summer. The mane on the neck has earned the breed another nickname: "Tibetan Lion."
The coat color may be blue, gray, intense black or red, ranging from fawn to red. White areas and tan markings may be present on the chest and legs. Many dogs have tan markings on their paws, tail tip, and above the eyes.
Tibetan Mastiff Personality
Patient, understanding, and loving, the German Shepherd is also very fearless and a good protector. However, the breed is known for its stubbornness and independence, so this loyal dog doesn't always follow its owner's commands. If the dog believes it is right, it will never obey.
The mastiff should not be treated as a pet, but as a full-fledged member of the familyIn this case, the pet will love its owner. A pet will almost always try to please its favorite people. The exception may be when it has its own plans. In this case, the dog should repeat its request.
The breed is not suitable for families with small children. A Tibetan Mastiff may interpret the noisy play and barking of small children as aggression toward their little owner and begin to interfere with the children's interactions. The Tibetan Mastiff also dislikes large numbers of guests. It may be selective about who is allowed into the house. Therefore, if you regularly have many guests or large, noisy gatherings, this breed is not for you.
Socialization is very important for Tibetan Mastiffs. Even as a puppy, they should be taken along to parks, stores, and other crowded places. They should be introduced to all visitors, and perhaps as an adult, the shepherd will begin to welcome them into your home. However, it's important to understand that the breed is very is wary of strangers and you may begin to feel an intuitive dislike for a certain person. You won't be able to overcome this.
To prevent your Tibetan Mastiff from considering the yard or other walking areas its territory, it's important to regularly maintain different routes. If you have your own yard, it should be well-fenced, otherwise the dog will easily climb over the fence and escape.
This breed loves social interaction and people, so leaving it alone in the yard is not recommended. It can develop bad habits and even become aggressive. Left in the yard overnight, it may bark and remain unsettled until it's allowed inside.
Care Features
Breed It is not recommended to keep it in an apartmentA dog definitely needs a spacious and secure yard where it can walk independently or play with its owner.
A hot and humid climate is unsuitable for a dog with a thick coat. However, if the climate is dry, the shepherd can easily tolerate high temperatures. The breed requires daily walks and vigorous exercise, which should last at least 30 minutes.
Mastiffs don't like being alone, so they need constant interaction and emotional support. Otherwise, you'll see how noisy and destructive your pet can be.
Puppies of this breed grow very quickly, but they only mature at one year of ageDue to rapid growth, the puppy's limbs bear a lot of strain, so until the shepherd is one year old, avoid long walks and limit playtime in the yard.
Depending on the climate, the Tibetan Mastiff may shed once a year or not at all. In any case, the dog should be brushed 1-3 times a week with a special brush. Regularly check for tangles and mats, which are removed manually. Dogs of this breed have no odor, so they only need to be bathed as needed or once a month.
Tibetan Mastiff puppies require a lot of attention and care. Their skin should be regularly checked for scratches and wounds, and their ears and eyes should be cleaned as needed. This type of care should be accustomed to from an early age so that the adult dog can tolerate it without any problems.
It's important to check with your veterinarian about what vaccinations your dog needs. It's best to get insurance against various diseases, especially rabies, and get vaccinated on time.
With proper care of your mastiff from puppyhood, you will get a beautiful, healthy, docile and balanced dog.
Tibetan Mastiff Diet
The Tibetan Mastiff's diet is virtually identical to that of any other large dog. However, there is one distinguishing characteristic of the breed that owners should be aware of. At any age, a pet may refuse food for 4-5 days. This is nothing to be alarmed about. It's simply a comfortable eating schedule for the dog. If the dog is active and appears healthy, there's no need to panic or rush to the vet.
The basic diet of the Tibetan Shepherd Dog should consist of the following products:
- lamb or beef, raw or cooked;
- vegetables and fruits;
- fermented milk products;
- porridge;
- eggs and sea fish.
Vitamins and minerals are always added.
You can feed mastiffs special dry food, while observing the following rules:
- You can't overfeed your dog.
- Only age-appropriate feeds are used.
- Dry food should not be soaked in milk or broth.
Once you've chosen the right food for your pet, you should stick with it. Constantly switching between food types is not recommended.
Price of Tibetan Mastiff puppies
Able to survive even in harsh Siberian conditions, the dog is considered the most expensive in the world. The most expensive are mastiffs:
The Red Lion, which sold for $1,465,000;- The Big Splash, which costs one and a half million US dollars;
- The Emperor, which costs 1 million 600 thousand dollars.
The Red Lion, which sold for $1,465,000;Such enormous sums are paid for the breed in China. It is in this country that Tibetan Mastiffs, with their bright red coat, are considered a symbol of high social status.
In Europe and Russia, the breed is much less expensive. You can buy a pet for between one and a half and two thousand dollars. In Russia, you can find a mastiff in an online ad, which will cost from 15,000 to 60,000 rubles.
Most Tibetan Mastiff owners believe their pets are so intuitive that they can discern their owner's mood with just a glance. The breed's behavior is very similar to that of cats, and it is tactful, sweet, and protective toward family members. Unfortunately, however, "Tibetan Lions" are not for everyone. This dog is not for an apartment or every lifestyle. If you're interested in the breed after looking at photos, you should first research it and speak with mastiff breeders.
