About
Tibetan Mastiff
Recent
studies
have
provided
fascinating
insights
into
the
Tibetan
Mastiff's
adaptation
to
the
extreme
climates
of
its
native
high-altitude
regions.
It
turns
out
that
these
remarkable
dogs
have
developed
their
impressive
resilience
through
interbreeding
with
local
mountain
wolves.
This
genetic
blending
contributed
significantly
to
their
ability
to
endure
the
harsh
and
frigid
conditions
of
the
Himalayas.
The
Tibetan
Mastiff's
origins
trace
back
more
than
twenty
thousand
years
to
the
rugged
and
isolated
regions
of
Tibet.
Historically,
these
powerful
dogs
were
revered
as
formidable
protectors,
tasked
with
safeguarding
Buddhist
monasteries
from
dangerous
wildlife
such
as
snow
leopards
and
wolves.
Their
role
as
guardians
required
not
only
physical
strength
but
also
an
exceptional
level
of courage and vigilance.
The
Tibetan
Mastiff's
personality
is
as
striking
as
its
physical
appearance.
These
dogs
are
renowned
for
their
remarkable
intelligence,
which
manifests
in
their
ability
to
learn
quickly
and
solve
problems.
Their
loyalty
to
their
family
is
profound,
and
they
form
extraordinarily
strong
bonds
with
their
owners,
making
them
both
dependable
companions
and
effective
protectors.
Despite
their
imposing
size
and
powerful
build,
Tibetan
Mastiffs
possess
a
calm
and
independent
demeanour.
They
are
not
overly
demanding
of
attention
but
require
regular
exercise
and
social
interaction
to
maintain
their
well-being.
This
breed’s
inherent
courage
and
strong
guarding
instincts
make
them
excellent
watchdogs,
capable
of
deterring
intruders
and
protecting
their
home.
However,
their
formidable
nature
means
that
consistent
training
and
early
socialization
are
crucial
to
ensuring
they
develop
into well-adjusted and obedient pets.
Visually,
Tibetan
Mastiffs
are
a
sight
to
behold.
Their
dense,
double-layered
coat,
which
comes
in
a
variety
of
striking
colours
such
as
rich
black,
slate
grey,
and
golden,
adds
to
their
majestic
and
imposing
appearance.
The
thick
undercoat
provides
insulation
against
cold
temperatures,
while
the
longer
outer
coat
repels
moisture
and
protects
them
from
the
elements.
This
luxurious
fur
not
only
enhances
their
regal
presence
but
also
underscores
their
historical
role
as
resilient
protectors
in
some
of
the
world's
most
challenging environments.
On
our
site,
you
will
find
a
comprehensive
array
of
resources
dedicated
to
the
Tibetan
Mastiff.
We
offer
a
rich
collection
of
photos
and
articles
that
delve
into
various
aspects
of
this
extraordinary
breed.
Whether
you
are
a
current
owner,
a
prospective
buyer,
or
simply
an
enthusiast,
our
site
aims
to
provide
valuable
information
and
foster
a
community
of
like-minded
individuals.
We
invite
you
to
join
our
online
community,
where
you
can
share
your
experiences,
seek
advice,
and
participate
in
engaging
discussions
about
all
things
related
to
Tibetan
Mastiffs.
We
hope
you
find
our
resources
informative
and
enjoyable,
and
we
look
forward
to
welcoming
you
to
our
vibrant
and
supportive community.
Diversity by Sanna
Sander
The Many Faces of the
Tibetan Mastiff
When
you
first
get
in
contact
with
the
TM
you
soon
notice
that
it
consists
of
several
different
types.
A
novice
in
the
dog
world
would
have
trouble
seeing
that
they
all
belong
to
the
same
breed
and
it
can
be
a
bit
confusing
before
you
understand
that
things
are
as
they
have
always
been.
Diversity
is
something
that
follows
the
TM
through
the
centuries.
This
is
a
breed
hailing
from
the
vast
region
of
the
Himalayas.
The
people
of
this
region
have
used
their
dogs
for
many
tasks
and
demanded
dogs
capable
of
performing
the
work
at
hand.
It
is
not
unusual
that
different
types
would
evolve
to
better
suit
the
life
and
hardship in different areas.
We
have
the
smaller
and
lighter
TM
that
watched
over
herds
on
the
slopes
and
plains.
We
have
the
heavier
and
larger
TM
said
to
guard
monasteries
and
monks.
We
have
different
types
from
different
areas
of
Tibet
-
smooth
coated
ones
and
long
haired
ones.
They
have
all
adjusted
to
the
life
around
them
and
have
been
shaped
into
the
dogs
we
see
today.
It
was
the
ones
with
power
in
their
bark,
the
brave
ones,
the
clever
ones
that
carried on the legacy.
There
was
a
need
for
agile
and
strong
dogs
who
could
guard
the
livestock
and
protect
them
from
foes
and
there
was
a
need
for
impressive
gatekeepers
at
the
monasteries,
holding
intruders
at
bay
with
their
deep
voices
and
fierce
look.
The
dogs
had
more
roles
to
play
than
these
two,
they
were
used
in
many
ways
and
adjusted
to the conditions of life.
When
these
dogs
came
to
the
west
they
were
all
called
by
their
new
name:
Tibetan
Mastiff.
People
thought
of
them
as
one
breed
and
being
used
to
the
breeds
in
the
west
they
had
a
very
clear
image
of
what
a
breed
is
-
dogs
who
are
all
similar
in
type,
temperament
and
looks.
The
TM
does
not
quite
fit
that
description.
They
all
have
similarities
but
are
they
really
just
one
breed?
The
question
is
a
hot
topic
in
the
TM
world.
In
the
west
we
used
to
separate
the
breed
into
two
types.
This
has
never
been
official
in
any
way,
but
to
people
in
the
breed these terms are well known:
To
me
this
is
a
very
interesting
topic
and
I
am
amazed
at
the
feelings
that
this
subject
brings
out
in
breeders
and
owners.
It
is
very
sad
to
hear
negative
things
about
the
different
types
since
they
are
all
gathered
under
one
name.
I
think
it's
strange
that
all
these
different
dogs
have
been
pushed
into
one
form
but
at
the
same
time
I
am
in
love
with
the
diversity
of
our
beautiful
breed.
They
are
all
very
special,
no
matter
if
they
are
big,
small,
heavy,
light,
long
haired,
smooth,
golden, black or blue!
CHINESE MASTIFF is NOT a type within
the TIBETAN MASTIFF breed
In
recent
years
a
completely
new
"variation"
of
Tibetan
mastiff
emerged
with
its
origin
in
China.
To
dedicated
fanciers
of
Tibetan
mastiff
it's
known
as
CHINESE
MASTIFF,
but
also
goes
under
the
names
MARKET
TYPE
Tibetan
mastiff,
Pig
mastiff, Chinese Tibetan Mastiff.
These
dogs
are
NOT
Tibetan
mastiffs,
and
they
certainly
is
NOT
a
type
within
the
breed,
no
matter
what
the
breed
name
on
their
pedigree
may
say.
They
are
a
modern
creation,
made
in
China
at
the
beginning
of
our
century
and
consists
of
a
lot
of
different
breeds.
All
used
to
add
size,
coat
and
bone
to
the
breed.
It
have
since
spread
across
the
rest
of
the
world.
These
dogs
are
not
to
be
considered
Tibetan
Mastiffs
because
they
are
simply
cross-breeds
with
pedigrees,
sadly
being
used
as
studs
all
over
the
world.
The
dogs
below
are
typical
examples
of
Chinese
mastiffs - exaggerated in every way.
The
Tibetan
mastiff
was
never
a
breed
of
exaggerations,
it's
a
breed
of
moderation.
Their
past
as
functional
working
dogs
have
dictated
their
evolution
unlike
the
Chinese
mastiff
who
was
created
to
saturate
a
huge
demand
when
the
Tibetan
mastiff
ended
up
in
the
spotlight
at
the beginning of this century.
It
was
a
sign
of
wealth,
status
and
prosperity
to
own
a
Tibetan
mastiff
in
China,
and
simplified
the
birth
of
the
Chinese
mastiff
was
a
result
of
demand
and
supply,
and
of
course
the
result
of
backyard
breeders
seeing
an
opportunity
to
cash
in on the hype. Make no mistake, it was a hype!
No
one
in
the
breed
have
missed
the
headlines
about "the world's most expensive breed".
A
lot
of
these
Chinese
mastiffs
were
sold
to
the
west
and
breeders
here
were
thrilled
to
add
new
blood
to
the
small
gene
pool,
but
sadly
did
so
without
asking
questions,
like
for
example
"how
come this type has never been seen before?".
Nowadays
it
can
be
a
challenge
to
actually
find
a
Tibetan
mastiff
without
Chinese
mastiff
blood,
bred in the west.
In
the
west
we
used
to
separate
the
breed
into
two
types.
This
has
never
been
official
in
any
way,
but
to
people
in
the
breed
these
terms
are
well
known:
Ask (Manam Ask Drokpa)
Sanna Sander
Fu-Hsing Sundari"Zodd"
Sanna Sander
© TIBETAN MASTIFF 2024
Powered By Tibetan Mastiff
owners of AU/NZ 2024