Tibetan Mastiff - PDSA

Tibetan Mastiffs may look imposing but are in fact loyal and gentle dogs who will gladly spend as much time as possible with their owners. Despite their calm nature, they can certainly move quickly when they want to so need plenty of exercise and can be very strong-willed.

Originally bred in the Himalayas, Tibetan Mastiffs were commonly used for protecting the home and livestock, so they’ll naturally want to protect your home. This has also made them very intelligent dogs who respond really well to positive training. Their size and strength means that they don’t really suit first time owners but can be great with experienced owners who understand the breed.

 

Common health problems in Tibetan Mastiffs

Tibetan Mastiffs are calm dogs who are deeply protective of their families and home. Their quiet and thoughtful personalities are making them grow in popularity as pets in the UK. Unfortunately, like so many other purebred dogs, they are at risk of certain problems and conditions relating to their breed.

If you are thinking of buying a Tibetan Mastiff puppy, make sure the parents of your puppy have had the relevant health screening to reduce the chances of your puppy being affected by certain conditions. We’d recommend looking for a Kennel Club Assured Breeder as they meet extra requirements which will benefit your puppy’s health.

Some of the conditions Tibetan Mastiffs may develop include:

• Hip dysplasia – where hip joint that doesn’t fit together perfectly, which will eventually lead to arthritis. Before breeding, dogs should be screened by x-rays through the BVA/Kennel Club Hip Dysplasia Scheme.
• Elbow dysplasia – where the elbow joint that doesn’t fit together perfectly, which will eventually lead to arthritis. Before breeding, dogs should be screened by x-rays through the BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme.
• Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) – often known as ‘bloat’, this is where the stomach twists. It is an emergency and requires urgent veterinary attention.
• Ear problems due to infections.
• Eye problems including entropion and ectropion.
• Skin problems, sometimes due to their thick coat
• Joint problems.
• Hypothyroidism – an underactive thyroid, causing problems with weight, skin and energy levels.

If you want to minimise the risk of your dog getting problems due to exaggerated features, you can read our advice on choosing a pedigree dog.

 

Caring for your Tibetan Mastiff

Due to their history working closely with people, Tibetan Mastiffs are believed to be more in tune with their owners. They form strong bonds and given the right training will always look to you for direction. For this reason, owners need to be ready and committed to their Mastiff’s needs.

Like most dogs, Tibetan Mastiffs don’t like being on their own for long. If they’re alone for longer than they are comfortable with, they might take it out on your furniture or let your neighbours know by barking!

Tibetan Mastiffs and barking

As with any dog, your Tibetan Mastiff is likely to bark and how much they do this will be down to the individual, their personality and the training they have had. Typically, Tibetan Mastiffs are known for being quite vocal dogs, due to their protective nature they’ll be on high alert for intruders. If you’re having problems with excessive noise or barking, we recommend seeking the advice of an accredited behaviourist.

Training and socialisation

Tibetan Mastiffs were bred to guard and protect which makes them intelligent and easy to train with experienced owners. They certainly have a more independent side to them and given their size and power this can make them a challenge for owners unfamiliar with the breed. Tibetan Mastiffs respond best to positive, reward-based training and a firm but fair attitude. You’ll need to be consistent and set clear boundaries from day one. If you are a first-time owner, you may benefit from contacting an accredited trainer for guidance.

Given their history as guard dogs, Tibetan Mastiffs don’t always trust unfamiliar people so socialisation from a young age is really important. You should socialise your dog with different people, dogs and experiences to help them become a confident and well-rounded pet.

Although Tibetan Mastiffs can cope alone for very short periods given the right training, we would never recommend leaving your dog alone for more than four hours. A lonely Mastiff may get upset and decide to nibble on your furniture or bark a lot to try and let you know.

Exercise