Breeds / Large
Tibetan Mastiff puppies
Aloof, independent and strongly territorial, the Tibetan Mastiff is a Himalayan guardian breed that is devoted to its own family and needs experienced handling and secure fencing.
The facts
- Size class Large
- Country of origin Tibet (China)
- Adult weight 31.8 to 68 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 70 to 150 lb
- Adult height 61 to 66 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Medium double
- Typical lifespan 10 to 12 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
Where these come from:
About the Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff guarded villages, monasteries and flocks across the Himalayan plateau, working through the night and resting by day. It is a heavy, imposing dog, 61 to 66 cm tall and 31.8 to 68 kg, with a thick double coat, a mane around the neck and shoulders, and a tail curled over the back. The temperament is that of a night guardian: aloof, independent, strongly territorial, calm and affectionate with its own family, and disinclined to take instructions on trust.
Exercise is moderate and largely self directed. Patrolling and walking suit the breed better than fetch, and it is far more active in cold weather than in heat. The coat is low effort most of the year, then blows the entire undercoat once a year and needs daily raking. Night barking and roaming are real issues without secure fencing. Training should be built on respect and reward, and started very young. This is a breed for experienced owners with space, not a first dog.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Tibetan Mastiff puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A large breed puppy at eight weeks looks deceptively normal sized and will roughly double every few weeks for a while. Keep exercise short and low impact, the growth plates are wide open. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything it meets calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of its life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed and scored for
- Hypothyroidism, detected by a blood test of thyroid hormone levels
- Entropion and ectropion, eyelid faults found on veterinary eye examination
- Canine inherited demyelinative neuropathy, detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Seizures, reported in the breed and diagnosed by ruling out other causes
From Tibetan Mastiff breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/tibetan-mastiff/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Your Tibetan Mastiff puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Large for a Tibetan Mastiff.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 31.8 to 68 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Other large breeds
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.