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Tibetan Mastiff: 21 Amazing Things You Should Know

  • Other Dog Breeds
  • Posted 8 months ago

Tibetan Mastiffs have a long, thick coat that gives them a very distinct appearance, making them one of the most beautiful mastiff breeds.

Although they make fantastic security dogs and are fiercely devoted to their owners, they can also be rather aggressive at times. Since you are here, you must have done some research and reading about them. However, did you realize that there are 21 additional facts about them that you probably didn’t know?

You will discover a lot about this breed in this article, I’m sure. So, stay with me till the end!

1: Tibetan Mastiff is an Asian Breed

The Chang Tang Plateau, a region of Tibet (China), is where the Tibetan Mastiff breed originated. The Chan Tang Plateau is located at a height of around 16,000 feet. While other mastiffs will find it difficult to survive at such a high altitude Tibetan Mastiffs can endure extremely cold weather, high elevations, and snow.

While not as well known as the Tibetan Mastiff, there is another breed that is related. The Himalayan Sheepdog is a breed of dog that belongs to the mountain dog family. They are smaller in stature than Tibetan Mastiffs. I just wanted to give you that information as many people don’t know about that breed.

2: They Have An Insane Bite Force

Male Tibetan mastiffs can bite with a force of 550 PSI, which is sufficient to cause serious injury. Remember that lions can bite with a force of 650 PSI. So, Tibetan mastiffs aren’t very far in terms of bite force.

Few breeds, nevertheless, have a stronger bite than others. Among dog breeds, the Kangal, which can bite with a force of 743 PSI, has the highest bite force.

3: They Can Give A Tough Fight To Wolves

Tibetan mastiffs were raised to guard people and livestock from dangerous animals, including wolves, mountain bears, and snow leopards.

One interesting fact is that even though Tibetan mastiffs resemble lions, lions are considerably stronger than them; hence, they cannot fight one. They can, however, fight wolves hard and might win. On the internet, there are a ton of videos where you can see for yourself just how strong they are.

4: They Used To Protect Buddhist Monastries

Few people are aware of an intriguing fact about Tibetan Mastiffs. Tibetan Mastiffs used to guard Buddhist monks from dangerous animals; in fact, some experts claim it is because of Buddhist monks that this breed is still in existence because they provided them with food and other care, which allowed them to live.

However, during the two world wars, they once again came dangerously close to going extinct, but miraculously, they survived.

Tibetan mastiffs are highly revered by Buddhists, who see them as a divine gift.

5: Tibetan Mastiffs Are Quite Big

Only when you see them in person can you truly appreciate how huge these canines are. I was astounded by their sheer enormity when I first saw it.

The male Tibetan Mastiff can weigh up to 115 pounds and reach a height of 30 inches. Even though they are smaller than English Mastiffs, Great Danes, and Anatolian Shepherds, they nonetheless have an intimidating presence that is impossible to ignore.

6: They Are Pretty Rare

Tibetan mastiffs are extremely uncommon in the Western world. There are numerous causes for this, but the most common is that their ancestral home is located far away from the Western world. They are Himalayan dogs, and the Himalayan mountains are rather far away.

However, as people become more aware of how beautiful this breed is, their population in the West is progressively expanding.

7: They Are Quite Expensive

They Are Quite Expensive

They are highly pricey due to their scarcity. They might range in price from $2,000 to $18,000 depending on where you live in the United States. Even though they are not high-maintenance dogs, you may expect to pay up to $200 per month to maintain them.

8: Tibetan Mastiffs Are Banned In Many Parts Of The World

Compared to other large breeds like the English mastiff, St. Bernard, Great Dane, and Newfoundland, Tibetan Mastiffs are by nature more aggressive. Since they have a dangerously strong bite and an aggressive disposition, Tibetan mastiffs have been tightly regulated or outlawed in several nations.

  • Australia
  • France
  • Malaysia
  • Parts Of USA
  • Germany
  • Ukraine
  • Maldives
  • Belarus

These are the nations that have either placed restrictions on or outright banned Tibetan Mastiffs. Visit this post to find out more about it!

9: They Are Very Brave

Tibetan Mastiffs are among the fiercest mastiff breeds; robbers and burglars would avoid your homes since they are a living nightmare for them.

Tibetan mastiffs have no fear of other animals; even if they know they will be beaten, they will not back down. There have been numerous reports of Tibetan mastiffs fighting large animals such as lions, tigers, wild wolves, and other large predators.

They are perhaps the finest choice if you require a guard dog who is also incredibly loyal.

10: They Prefer Cold Wheather

They prefer cold weather over hot temperatures because they are from mountains. They are equipped with a thick double coat that can withstand snowfall and cold weather. Therefore, it is advised that you only pet them if you reside somewhere where the average temperature is kept below 25 °C.

11: They Need A Protein Based Diet

To stay strong and healthy, Tibetan mastiffs require a diet high in protein. Protein maintains the health of their teeth, bones, and coat.

Additionally, meals that are heavy in sugar should not be provided to them. Avoid giving them avocados, coffee, and chocolate as well

12: They Can Live up to 15 Years

In comparison to other large breeds, the Tibetan mastiff has a rather long lifespan. Mastiffs rarely live more than 10 years, however, the Tibetan Mastiff can live for up to 15 years.

So, if you want a partner who will stick with you for a long time, they are the greatest option.

13: They Don’t Drool Much

Tibetan Mastiffs don’t drool much, which is surprising given that most mastiffs do. However, you should keep them away from sofas and bedsheets because they drool when they are hungry or when food is nearby. So, they might end up making them sticky.

14: They Shed

They don’t drool as much as other mastiffs, but they do shed, particularly in the spring. To keep your mastiff’s coat healthy and mat-free, you’ll need to invest in a good brush and de-shedding shampoo.

Brushing your Tibetan Mastiff’s coat daily will keep his coat shiny and healthy.

15: They Don’t Need Much Exercise

Because Tibetan Mastiffs are large dogs, over-exercising them can be harmful to their joints. Instead, encourage them to exercise for half an hour per day. You can go for a walk or swim with them. You may also get a toy for them to use when playing with them.

Playing with your dog is not only helpful for keeping your dog on his feet and away from excess fat, but it is also healthy for your health.

16: Tibetan Mastiffs Can Swim

Tibetan Mastiffs have webbed feet that allow them to swim; however, keep in mind that they are not born swimmers and may require training.

It is risky to throw a mastiff into the water and expect them to come out. Only a few dogs require no instruction to swim; Tibetan mastiffs are not one of them; they must be trained before jumping into deep water.

17: They Need A Lot Of Space

Although they may reside in apartments, Tibetan mastiffs prefer open areas where they may roam free and guard your home. If you confine them to a tiny space, they can become bored and become less active, which could lead to an increase in body fat and slowness.

I only advise you to pet a Tibetan mastiff if you have a sizable yard or live close to mountains and forests.

18: They Actively Watch During the Night

They usually sleep during the day and wake up at night. They have a tendency to guard their house or territory at night; it’s in their DNA. They also bark a lot at night, which might be a little annoying, especially when you are tired and trying to sleep.

19: They Sleep A Lot

Tibetan Mastiffs may sleep for up to 14 hours every day. To feel rested and alert, they require adequate rest time. Sleep deprivation can lead to behavioral problems in Tibetan mastiffs.

Although 14 hours of sleep may seem excessive, several other breeds really sleep longer than that.

20: They Were Recognised By AKC in 2006

Tibetan mastiffs are among the oldest dog breeds, having guarded monasteries and livestock on mountainous heights for at least a thousand years or more, according to experts, but the AKC (American Kennel Club) only recognized them in 2006, which is quite late given that this dog has been around for a long time.

21: They Are A Status Symbol In China

Elite Chinese people view Tibetan Mastiffs as status symbols and investments; many owners rent their canines to breeders.

A fascinating incident occurred in Beijing when a Chinese dog breeder disclosed that a real estate developer had paid him 18 million yuan ($3 million) for twin Tibetan mastiffs, demonstrating how the breed has evolved into a status symbol for China’s wealthy.

China has a great demand for them.

Conclusion

The Tibetan mastiff is a stunning breed renowned for its bravery and distinctive appearance. They originate from the Himalayan region and are relatively uncommon, particularly in the west.

Because they are aggressive dogs, these pricey dogs can be challenging to manage. They have no fears about dangerous animals like wolves, lions, or leopards.

Only those with prior experience with larger breeds are advised to pet a Tibetan mastiff because they can become aggressive if improperly taught.

Overall, if you want to get one, make sure to socialize it from a young age and provide it with the necessary training so that it remains obedient, amicable, and well-behaved.

I hope you found this post helpful.

Thanks for reading!

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