Hailing from the ancient land of Tibet, 'The Roof of the World', the Tibetan Mastiff may be the one of the most oldest of the giant dog breeds. Since the beginning of the very first tales of these dogs reached Western ears via the journals of Marco Polo and later by other explorers, Europe has been awestruck at the size and majesty of these impressive animals.
Temperament
As a sheepdog and guard dog, it is ferocious in its ability to tackle even wolves and leopards. As a domestic dog, it requires at least a yard; it is not an appropriate dog for an apartment. Still, the modern English breed is generally easy-going although mildly aloof around strangers. Through hundreds of years as a guard dog, the breed has developed a tendency to bark at sounds during the night, so leaving it outside at night with nearby neighbors is not usually recommended. The Tibetan Mastiff is usually good with children in a family home.
Formal Breed Standard
Formal Breed Standard for the Tibetan Mastiff
History and Origins
This is an ancient breed, descended from very early large Tibetan dogs from which most, if not all, of today's Mastiff-type and Molossuses are descended. Some of the modern breeds thought to have Tibetan Mastiff ancestry include the Leonberger, the Newfoundland, the Kuvasz, and even the toy dog breed, the Pug, which itself was a well-established breed before the 1500s. Marco Polo encountered the large Tibetan dogs in his travels and described them as "tall as a donkey with a voice as powerful as that of a lion." They were used as guard dogs outside the sacred city of Lhasa.
The breed originated in Tibet as a herding dog and guard dog and it still makes an excellent sheepdog, but, by the early 19th century, this dog had become nearly extinct in its homeland. English breeders took an interest in it and developed the Tibetan Mastiff in their own country during the first half of the 19th century. King George IV owned a pair, and there were enough of the breed in England in 1906 to be shown at the 1906 Crystal Palace show. Subsequently, however, the breed lost favor and nearly died out in England, as well.
Size & Weight
The Tibetan Mastiff can reach heights up to 31 inches (80 cm) at the withers, although the standard English breed is typically in the 25 to 28 inch (61 to 71 cm) range. The largest of the breed weighs nearly 220 pounds (100 kg), but the English standard dogs are more typically between 140 to 180 pounds (64-82 kg).
Grooming Requirements
Tibetan Mastiffs will work very well with those people with little time to dedicate to grooming their dogs, as these dogs are very low maintenance dogs. Their coats can be kept in a good condition by brushing them once a week, but this will have to be increased during times when they shed a bit more. Some ofthe Tibetan Mastiffs have thicker coats which will mat from time to time, and more attention should then be paid to grooming these dogs.
Exercise Needs
Exercise this breed vigorously every day. They should be walked or run.
Health Issues
They have a low susceptibility to illness, but cases of ectropion, entropion, hip and elbow dysplasia, and hypothyroidism have been reported on occasion
Trivia
Marco Polo wrote about them in his memoirs during his travels in the Orient.
