Originally the Tibetan Mastiffs were used to protect Buddhist monasteries and monks of Tibet from animals such as bears, wolves, and snow leopards. The Tibetan Mastiff is a phenotypically distinct dog breed that was also bred as a flock guardian in the high altitudes of the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateaus.
In the early 20th century, the Prince of Wales, eventually known as George V, introduced a pair of Tibetan Mastiffs to the United Kingdom. By 1906, the breed was prevalent enough in England to be shown at the Crystal Palace Show. However, during WW2 the breed lost favor and focus, nearly dying out in England.
The breed has been gaining in popularity worldwide since 1980. Although the breed is still considered somewhat uncommon, as more active breeders arose and produced adequate numbers of dogs, various registries and show organizations (notably FCI and the AKC) began to recognize the breed. The Tibetan Mastiff competed for the first time in the 2008 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, along with the other three new additions that year - the Swedish Vallhund, the Plott, and the Beauceron.
Since AKC recognition, the number of active breeders has skyrocketed, leading to over-breeding of puppies, many of which are highly inbred and of questionable quality and unfortunate temperament. Initially the breed suffered because of the limited gene pool from the original stock. But by 2015, due to excessive breeding and unsuitability of the breed as a pet in urban situations, prices in China (the market with the highest historical prices for the breed) had fallen to about $2,000 for even the best dogs, and lower quality were being abandoned. This was a shocking change from only a few short years prior, when an 11-month-old Tibetan Mastiff named Big Splash was sold in China for $1.5 Million USD. This just goes to show how incredibly quick a decline in breed quality can happen when unethical breeders get involved, and unvetted buyers purchase them. The Great Mastiff Abandoning was tragic and inhumane to a sickening degree.
In 2011 a DNA study concluded that there was a genetic relationship between the Tibetan mastiff and the Great Pyrenees, Bernese Mountain Dog, Rottweiler and Saint Bernard, and that these other large breed dogs are probably partially descended from the Tibetan Mastiff. In 2014, a study added the Leonberger to the list of possible relatives.
As a flock guardian dog in Tibet, and in the West, it uses all the usual livestock guardian tactics (barking, scent-marking perimeters, howling, etc.) to warn away predators and avoid direct confrontations. Tibetan Mastiffs can run up to a speed of 20Â mph over short distances, making them able to chase and take down predators if necessary.
As a socialized domestic dog, it can thrive in a spacious, fenced yard with a canine companion, but it is not an appropriate breed for apartment living. The Western-bred dogs are generally more easy-going, although still somewhat aloof with strangers. Through hundreds of years of selective breeding for a protective flock and family guardian, the breed has been prized for being a nocturnal watcher, keeping would-be predators and intruders at bay, and barking at unidentified sounds throughout the night. Leaving a Tibetan Mastiff outside all night with neighbors nearby is not recommended for this very reason. Due to this in-bred instinct, they often sleep during the day, making them far more active, alert, and aware at night.
Like all flock guardian breeds, they are intelligent and stubborn to a fault, so obedience training is recommended (although it is only mildly successful with some individuals) since this is a strong-willed, powerful-bodied breed. Unless they are to be used exclusively as livestock guardians, socialization training is also critical with this breed, because of their reserved nature with strangers and guardian instincts. They can be excellent family dogs, depending on the family. Owners must understand canine psychology and be able and willing to spend a lot of time and devotion to training their dogs. Lack of consistency can result in the creation of unpredictable dogs, or pushy dogs that attempt to be more assertive than the owner. The protectiveness of Tibetan Mastiffs requires alertness and planning by the owner in order to avoid mishaps when the dog is merely reacting as a guardian. The breed is not recommended for novice dog owners.
Instinctive behaviors, including canine pack behavior, contributed to the survival of the breed in harsh environments in Tibet. It is one of the few primitive dog breeds that retains a single estrus (heat) per year instead of two, even at much lower altitudes and in much more temperate climates than its native climate. This characteristic is also found in wild canids such as the Grey Wolf and other wild animals. Since its estrus usually takes place during late autumn, most Tibetan Mastiff puppies are born during December and January.
Its double coat is long, subject to climate, and found in a wide variety of colors, including solid black, black and tan, various shades of red (from pale gold to deep red) and bluish-gray (dilute black), often with white markings. As of 2014, some breeders had begun marketing white Tibetan mastiffs. This color is unrecognized by most kennel clubs. And even the puppies are thickly coated!
The coat of a Tibetan Mastiff lacks the unpleasant big-dog smell that affects many large breeds. The coat, whatever its length or color(s), should shed dirt and odors. Although the dogs shed somewhat throughout the year, there is generally one great molt in late winter or early spring and sometimes another, lesser molt in the late summer or early autumn. (Sterilization of the dog may dramatically affect the coat as to texture, density and shedding pattern.)
Tibetan Mastiffs are shown under one standard in the West, but separated by the Indian breed standard into two varieties: Lion Head (smaller; exceptionally long hair from forehead to withers, creating a ruff or mane) and Tiger Head (larger; shorter hair).
A bit more on training...
Tibetan Mastiffs do not respond well to traditional obedience training. They are highly intelligent, learn quickly, and do not feel the need to repeat what they already know. They will do what their owners ask of them they respect and trust their judgment, but if there is ever a question, they will follow their instincts over training. In general the breed is not food driven, and they do not reliably respond to treats as a training tool. They are also notorious for performing impeccably in class and then completely ignoring all commands when they are once again at home. They do not have reliable recall and should never be trusted off leash.
They need daily moderate exercise, but it does not need to be in the form of an organized activity. This moderate exercise can go a long way in helping with training. They prefer to focus on work-related tasks, such as patrolling their territory, rather than structured play, such as chasing a flying disc or playing fetch. But if you can find a way to get them exercised daily, training may be slightly easier since they should be a little less headstrong.
They are more active in cooler weather, and should be watched during hot weather - a time of the year in which many indoor Tibetan Mastiffs simply refuse to venture outdoors.
The Tibetan Mastiff is a relatively healthy breed, and responsible breeders will screen their stock for health conditions such as elbow and hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and eye anomalies including entropion and ectropion. Seizures have been reported, but the issue is not considered prevalent in the breed.
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
Hip Evaluation
Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Thyroid Evaluation
Elbow Evaluation
Resources:
Comments