Tibetan Mastiff Information

The Tibetan Mastiff is believed to be the oldest of the Mastiff breeds. They were bred to guard the monasteries of Tibet. Legend has it that the Lhasa Apso would sound the alarm when an intruder was close and the Tibetan Mastiff would chase them off. They also served in the mountains as livestock guardians, protecting flocks from people as well as wolves and other predators. Due to the various jobs required, two types developed, a heavier mastiff type and a lighter shepherd type.

These are large dogs, males standing at 24 to 28 inches tall and ranging from 90 to 140+ pounds, females standing at 22 to 26 inches tall and averaging 80 to 130 pounds. They are double coated, a long outer coat and a dense woolly undercoat. They can be a variety of colors including black and tan, solid black, gold, gray, brown, tan and blue.

In the 1980's, the breed gained some mild popularity due to the movie Man's Best Friend with a Tibetan Mastiff playing the starring role.

Tibetan Mastiffs will bark if left outside through the night- they're known as "night barkers". Tibetan Mastiff females tend to only have heat cycles once per year, unlike most breeds who have two per year.

Health concerns with this breed include Hip Dysplasia, thyroid disorder and elbow dysplasia.