Why in the World Would Anyone Want a Tibetan Mastiff?

This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, April 2013 issue.

Why in the World Would Anyone Want a Tibetan Mastiff?

The most common reasons that prospective Tibetan Mastiff owners give me as a breeder are: they are beautiful, they are wonderful with children, they are livestock guardians, and they are “gentle giants.” Hopefully, I can dispel some of the misunderstandings that lead people to the Tibetan Mastiff and help others to appreciate this marvelous breed.

After thousands of years in existence, the Tibetan Mastiff is still considered a rare breed. Not until 2005, when a particularly zealous exhibitor became the driving force behind getting the Tibetan Mastiff accepted into the American Kennel Club, was there even much interest in AKC recognition by most breeders and fanciers. The Tibetan Mastiff came into the AKC in January of 2007, but it is still uncommon to see a large entry at AKC events. National Specialties typically only attract 15-20 entries, and there are no regional clubs.

As a breeder of Tibetan Mastiffs and an AKC judge for the breed, I am often asked why the breed is not exhibited more. To understand that requires that you appreciate the breed and the people who are attracted to it.

I was certainly experienced with dogs when I acquired my first Tibetan Mastiff in 1992. My family was not involved in showing but was devoted to our family dogs. I can only remember brief periods of time when I was without a dog, and during those times, I worked with rescue organizations and animal shelters. When my first Tibetan Mastiff entered my life, I realized right away that I did not have an ordinary breed. The young male I brought home would forever change my life, and I often told him that he was “the reason for the rest” who joined him and followed him.

I want to make sure that the important characteristics of the Tibetan Mastiff do not get lost in this article. First and foremost, the Tibetan Mastiff is a guardian breed. Puppies have such natural instincts that they will bark and alert in their whelping box when they have only just opened their eyes. Watchful and attentive of everything and everyone around them, they are an ideal property guardian.

The relaxed demeanor of the TM belies the fact that they are ever vigilant to each and every change in their territory. When there is a change, however benign, the Tibetan Mastiff will raise their voice to alert their families. Their voice is their trademark but can also create havoc in their families. Tibetan Mastiffs that live in urban settings can pose special challenges for their owners. Simply put, the breed can be destructive if left unsupervised in the home, and they can be a barking nuisance if left outside in a setting where they are stimulated to guard.

The Tibetan Mastiff is sometimes mistakenly identified as a flock guardian. While they are wonderful for predator control, they are not trustworthy with livestock or fowl.

The characteristics that first attracted me to the Tibetan Mastiff were their health and longevity. Typically, well-bred Tibetan Mastiffs will live 12-15 years, with females generally being slightly longer-lived. While it is true in every breed that there are health concerns, they are relatively minimal in the Tibetan Mastiff. Of course, people considering a Tibetan Mastiff will want to interview breeders and make sure that health checks and socialization are priorities. The truth is that TMs live a good long life compared to many other large breeds.

The Tibetan Mastiff offers some other very desirable traits. Their beautiful coat is comparatively low maintenance and odor-free. There is no evidence that they are hypoallergenic despite some claims to that effect. The breed loses its undercoat usually in the spring in large manageable clumps, and then shedding is almost non-existent the rest of the year. Simply wiping the TM down with a damp towel and blowing the coat to remove dust/dirt is usually sufficient for dogs not entered in shows. Grooming for shows involves bathing and brushing with trimming of the feet only.

Tibetan Mastiffs are one of the easiest breeds to house train and leash train. They are naturally clean, and one almost never hears of a Tibetan Mastiff that has any issues with housebreaking. Leashes should be durable, and flexi-leads should be avoided. Still, Tibetan Mastiffs love a leash walk with their family. With proper socialization, Tibetan Mastiffs do not overreact to other dogs or people on a walk. The TM is generally tolerant and loving with children if introduced to them when they are puppies.

So, let’s discuss the downside of Tibetan Mastiff ownership. This independent breed simply does not come when called. No amount of training will change their fundamental independence. TMs are too intelligent to be left with nothing to do, so they may become destructive or hyper-vigilant on their home property, resulting in aggression towards strangers. Temperament is a subject for a separate article altogether.

Objectively, the temperament of the Tibetan Mastiff is one of the primary reasons that they are not shown more often. They seldom display a “show attitude” and are generally indifferent to people other than their family. While they are usually devoted to the people they live with, they are frequently aloof and sometimes will not allow themselves to be touched or handled by strangers. Their guardian characteristics can make them unreliable in the show ring, and so many fanciers choose to forego exhibition of their dogs. It is an important part of Tibetan Mastiff ownership to be actively involved in socializing puppies and to expose the youngsters to new situations and new people.

I mentioned that understanding the people who love the Tibetan Mastiff is key to understanding the breed. Having been involved with TMs for over twenty years, I can say that the best owners for this breed are sensible, stable, level-headed, patient, consistent, and independent. Expectations for the Tibetan Mastiff owner will have to be realistic, given the primitive guardian nature of the breed. Those of us who love them do so in spite of the special challenges they present, but also because they are without parallel as canine companions and natural guardians and protectors.