Tibetan Mastiff Dog Breed

About the Tibetan Mastiff

The Tibetan Mastiff (TM) is a primitive breed of great size and substance that has a dense, stand-off coat. This breed is very devoted to its family, but usually chooses one person who is their best friend.

The Tibetan Mastiff is a guardian breed that often acted independently with nomadic herders and outside monastery walls. They were often tied out in grasslands with yaks or goats, or placed near entrances to chase off predators like snow leopards. Thus, the TM may appear to be stubborn and aloof; needing to believe that training is his own idea rather than that of its owner/s.

AKC Group

Working

Height

24 – 26 inches

Weight

70 – 150 pounds

Lifespan

10 – 12 years

History of the Tibetan Mastiff

The Tibetan Mastiff has a history steeped in legend. It is thought by some to be one of the most ancient breeds and the forbearer of all mastiff-type dogs. Ancient records from around 1100 BC mention large dogs in China, and these ancestors likely accompanied armies of the Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans.

Since few Westerners were permitted into Tibet before the 1800s, the Western world was largely unaware of this breed’s existence. The early British explorers brought attention to a giant breed of dog in the Himalayas. In 1873, the Royal Kennel Club officially recognized the breed. In the late 1950s, the President of the United States received two Tibetan Mastiffs, which were subsequently sent to the Midwest; however, despite research, further information has yet to become available. Since the 1970s, more dogs have been imported to the United States, and numerous litters are being whelped every year.

Their long history with humans has given Tibetan Mastiffs an almost uncanny “human” understanding. Unlike some breeds that are bred for their function, the TM evolved as a result of its function. Their role as guardians for thousands of years made them into loyal companions, unafraid to defend the herders they accompanied or the monasteries where they resided. Their role as guardians has shaped them into dogs with controlled strength, fearlessness, patience, loyalty, and gentleness. Their dense, double, stand-off coat gave them protection from the harsh elements of the Himalayas. Today, they are popular as companions and protectors around the world.

General Appearance

Height & Weight

The size of the Tibetan Mastiff is an essential characteristic of the breed. This fearless guardian must be at least 25 inches tall at the withers for males and 23 inches for females. Under this size is a disqualification in the American Breed Standard. The preferred range is 26 to 29 inches for males and 24 to 27 inches for females. Although there is no specified weight range, this breed can weigh well over 100 pounds.

Proportion & Substance

The breed should measure slightly longer than tall (10-9), (i.e., the length to height, measured from front to rear, is greater than the withers to ground). The Tibetan Mastiff should have remarkable substance in relation to its size, in bone, body, and muscle.

Coat Texture, Colors & Markings

Texture: Many Tibetan Mastiff owners were first attracted to the dense, double, stand-off coat. It is made up of fairly long, thick, coarse guard hair, with a heavy, soft undercoat. Hair is fine but hard and straight; never silky, curly or wavy. The heavy coat around the neck and shoulders gives a mane-like appearance. The tail has especially heavy feathering.

A Note About Color: Colors include Black, Brown, and Blue/Grey, all with or without tan markings, ranging from light silver to a rich mahogany, and Gold, with shades ranging from a pure golden to a rich red gold. White markings on the chest and feet are acceptable. Undercoat may be lighter shades of the dominant color. The undercoat on black and tan dogs also may be grey or tan. Sabling, other than wolf sable and sabling in a saddle-marked color pattern, is acceptable on gold dogs. Large white markings are to be faulted. Tan markings may appear at any or all of the following areas on all but Gold dogs: above eyes as spots, around eyes (including spectacle markings), on each side of the muzzle, on throat, on lower part of front forelegs and extending up the inside of the forelegs, on inside of rear legs showing down the front of the stifle and broadening out to the front of the rear legs from hock to toes, on breeches, and underside of tail.

Disqualifications – All other coat colors (e.g., white, cream, wolf sable, brindle and particolors) and markings other than those specifically described.

Head

The Tibetan Mastiff head and expression are hallmarks of the breed. The head is broad, strong with heavy brow ridges. The mature dog may have a single wrinkle from above the eyes around to the mouth. More wrinkle than that is severely faulted.

• Skull: Broad and large, with a strongly defined occiput. The backskull is flat, with prominent, bony brow ridges.
• Expression: A correct head and expression are essential to the breed. The expression is noble, intelligent, watchful, and aloof.
• Eyes: Deep-set, well apart, almond-shaped, and slightly slanting, the eye rims are tightly fitting at maturity. The eyes are very expressive, medium in size, and any shade of brown. The eye rims are black except in blue/grey and blue/grey & tan dogs, where they are the darkest possible shade of grey.
• Ears: The ears are medium in size, V-shaped, pendant, set-on high, dropping forward and hanging close to the head. Raised when alert and level with the top of the skull, they contribute to the fearless expression. The ear leather is thick, covered with soft, short hair, and when measured, should reach the inner corner of the eye.
• Muzzle: The Tibetan Mastiff muzzle is essential to the breed’s expression. It is broad, well filled and square when viewed from all sides. Its measurement from stop to end of nose is between one-half to one-third the length of the measurement from the occiput to stop. It should never be longer. The width of the skull from ear to ear is slightly greater than the length of the skull.
• Nose: Ideally, the nose is well pigmented, with broad, open nostrils. It should be black, except with blue/grey or blue/grey & tan dogs, then it should be the darkest shade of grey; and on brown dogs, it should be the darkest shade of brown.
• Bite: The Tibetan Mastiff has a scissors bite with complete dentition. A level bite is acceptable. The canine teeth are large and strong; broken teeth are not faulted. Disqualifications – Undershot or overshot bite.

Tail

Balancing the head, the tail is well feathered, medium to long, not reaching below the hock. It is set high on the line of the back. When alert or in motion, the tail is always carried curled over the back, but it may be carried down when the dog is relaxed.

The Tibetan Mastiff – What to Consider?

Choosing a Tibetan Mastiff as a companion requires extensive socialization for a longer period of time compared to other breeds. Regular walks and trips to various places take time and dedication.

The TM is highly intelligent and is easily bored, leading to destructive behaviors. Chewing and digging are his favorite activities as a youngster. With their strong jaws, they enjoy chewing and digging, often creating large holes that some owners humorously refer to as “new landscaping.”

New puppy owners should not be discouraged if their Tibetan Mastiff doesn’t sit, stay, or come like other puppies in class. Tibetan Mastiffs are not naturally obedient! These classes are as much for socialization as they are for training.

Tibetan Mastiff Health

Information from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and from breeders indicates that the Tibetan Mastiff is a relatively healthy breed. Their AKC parent club, the American Tibetan Mastiff Association, recommends only four health tests are needed, and the breed’s longevit