Dog Breed

Tibetan Mastiff

Primary image of Tibetan Mastiff dog breed
Full Name
Tibetan Mastiff
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Life Span
10 - 14 years
Weight
85 - 140 pounds
Description

Strong Willed, Tenacious, Aloof, Stubborn, Intelligent, Protective

Origin
Nepal
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Tibetan Mastiff good with children?

    Yes, the Tibetan Mastiff is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the Tibetan Mastiff naturally loves children.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Tibetan Mastiff friendly with strangers?

    The Tibetan Mastiff is not automatically friendly with strangers and we would not recommend for a living situation with frequent guests.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Tibetan Mastiff friendly with other dogs?

    The Tibetan Mastiff is not naturally friendly with other dogs, but with a good amount of early socialization as a puppy they can learn to get along with most breeds of dog. Proper training is required before letting the Tibetan Mastiff go off-leash or to dog parks.
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Tibetan Mastiff like to cuddle?

    The Tibetan Mastiff appreciates affection and that includes kisses and snuggles!
    Playfulness

    Does the Tibetan Mastiff like to play?

    The Tibetan Mastiff is playful both as a puppy and as an adult dog. As they get older they may appreciate their alone time, and may not be in the mood for constant play, but certainly will have plenty of time for play as well.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Tibetan Mastiff make a good service dog?

    The Tibetan Mastiff would not be a great fit as a service dog for several reasons.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Tibetan Mastiff good for first-time owners?

    The Tibetan Mastiff would not be a good fit for first-time owners. A breed is only good for first-time owners if it is raised for home companionship, and is open to training and pleasing its owner.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Tibetan Mastiff be trained?

    The Tibetan Mastiff does not have high levels of training potential. There are exceptions, but the Tibetan Mastiff is not typically seen in competitions or as a service dog or police dog.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Tibetan Mastiff shed a lot?

    The Tibetan Mastiff sheds a lot! They may still shed less than a few other breeds, but be prepared for dog hair throughout the home and on your clothes.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Tibetan Mastiff easy to groom?

    The Tibetan Mastiff requires an average amount of grooming. Taking your Tibetan Mastiff to the pet salon will make your life easier, but its possible to groom a Tibetan Mastiff on your own as well.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Tibetan Mastiff need a lot of exercise?

    The Tibetan Mastiff requires an average amount of exercise. You should be ready to dedicate a couple of short walks or a larger dog park session each day for your Tibetan Mastiff to be happy and fulfilled.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Tibetan Mastiff?

    The Tibetan Mastiff has average intelligence. They are smart and witty, but do not need to be constantly challenged mentally, as some other breeds.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Tibetan Mastiff bark? Does the Tibetan Mastiff bark too much?

    The Tibetan Mastiff barks a lot. This is important to consider with your living situation- will it be ok when you leave them at home alone or will they disrupt the neighbors? The Tibetan Mastiff will oftentimes bark just to express their thoughts... even just to be heard!
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Tibetan Mastiff a good guard dog?

    The Tibetan Mastiff is not a dog breed necessarily known as a guard dog, but they are alert. The Tibetan Mastiff is protective of its family, and has above average tendencies when it comes to guarding property.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Tibetan Mastiff good at staying alone? Is the Tibetan Mastiff independent?

    The Tibetan Mastiff prefers having family around at all times, but can also do well when left alone. The Tibetan Mastiff still needs plenty of attention, but is independent, and can typically be left alone for several hours without issues.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Tibetan Mastiff a good apartment dog?

    The Tibetan Mastiff is a very bad fit for apartment living and we would not recommend it.
    Size

    How big is the Tibetan Mastiff?

    The Tibetan Mastiff is one of the biggest dog breeds in the world. In the "giant" category!
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Tibetan Mastiff tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Tibetan Mastiff?

    The Tibetan Mastiff can tolerate some heat, but should not be over-exposed to hot weather. In general, they can live in hot weather climates, but would do best with air conditioning or at least a fan in their home, especially where they sleep.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Tibetan Mastiff tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Tibetan Mastiff?

    The Tibetan Mastiff does very well in cold weather, and loves the snow. They were built for it!
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Tibetan Mastiff try to run away?

    It is natural for the Tibetan Mastiff to run away. They are easily distracted and excited, so the urge to run away should be expected and prepared for- a fenced yard is important.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Tibetan Mastiff a healthy dog? The health of a Tibetan Mastiff should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Tibetan Mastiff is healthy, but has an average number of health risks that should be taken into consideration.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Tibetan Mastiff?

    The Tibetan Mastiff has a good amount of energy and it's important to give the Tibetan Mastiff daily walks and ideally run time as well. A well-exercised dog is easier to train, and will be happier and have less likelihood for destructive habits.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Tibetan Mastiff drool?

    The Tibetan Mastiff drools very little, typically to where it's never a concern.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Tibetan Mastiff have a large prey drive? Does the Tibetan Mastiff like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Tibetan Mastiff has average prey drive. They will probably enjoy chasing after birds and other small animals at the park, and it may be an issue at the home if you have small animals, but with some training and introduction can usually learn to live with them.
    Athleticism

    Is the Tibetan Mastiff atheltic?

    The Tibetan Mastiff is athletic and has average levels of endurance. They need a lot of exercise, and can be an exercise partner as long as it's nothing too extreme.
  1. Working
  2. Mountain Type
  3. Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff is a purebred dog that belongs to the Mountain Type sub group, which falls under the larger Working dog breed group.
Working group: Working dogs encompass a wide range of different breeds- but they all were bred to assist people, so they are used to working hard. It is important for them to feel they have a "job" as their roles traditionally have varied from rescuing people to pulling sleds. Because of their large size and intensity, they may be a handful for first time dog owners. On the other side, they can be trained well, so any owner who can exercise and dedicate to training their working dog, will be well rewarded. A common misconception may be that the working dog's jobs are only in physically challenging jobs; actually working dogs can also make excellent service dogs, since they are also kind and attentive to their owners.
Mountain Type sub-group: Mountain type dogs are rustic, powerful, and majestic. They are not a good dog for first time owners since they are demanding, and need an owner who they can respect and appreciate. Of course they need loving just like any other dog, but they are unique because they have these additional "expectations". In addition, mountain type dogs want to feel they always have some sort of "job" to do since they were bred to either protect a property or flock. Mountain dogs are similar to livestock guardian dogs in many ways, but have been raised on the mountains, and typically are better suited for extreme weather conditions, particularly cold weather. Mountain dogs are not always friendly with strangers or other dogs, since they are used to being in charge, and are protective. However, with family and small children they can be extremely loving, and enjoy a night cuddled up alongside you. Mountain Dogs bark a lot and love being outdoors, so they are probably the worst dog for an apartment.

Tibetan Mastiffs for adoption

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