Tibetan Mastiff

An ancient breed virtually unheard of, that has remained relatively pure due to its isolated habitat and remote location. The Tibetan Mastiff is the native of the Tibet Plateau, and one of those few breeds which have the capability to endure the harshest of weather where the rtemperature drops below 30 degree Celsius are normal. Authorities claim this breed as a forbear of “Molossian” or “Molossoid” but it is believed that the breed may well be connected with the Molossian but may well not be the ancestor. While they may bear a superficial resemblance to other Mastiffs, they lack the wrinkled brow and large jowls normally associated with dogs of Molossian heritage.

History:

Before accepting all the travellers’ tales as pure fact, certain points should be kept in mind. Travelers in ancient times tilted towards exaggeration. Marco Polo in his journey to China wrote:

” A large breed of dog so fierce and bold that two of them together will attack a lion“.

Vero Shaw, in his “Book of Dogs”, 1879, wrote:

“These people of Tibet have Mastiff dogs as big as asses(donkeys)”

Vero Shaw’s account of Mastiffs as big as donkeys is less amazing if one remembers that the size of donkey found in Tibet and Nepal measures only 34-38 inches at shoulders.

The monastries and stupas situated upward in the mountains all had their guarding dogs. The dogs that have the necessary insulation on a “cast-iron” skeleton, to withstand the punishing conditions of the plateau. Only the strongest were able to survive and nature kept the culling. Inbreeding might have been carried as infrastructure for traveling was not favourable and communication was rare.

Establishing the Breed in Western World:

Due to the inaccessibility of the region ad its harsh climate, the Tibetan Mastiff was virtually unknown outside Tibet. In 1879, two specimen were brought by Edward VII (then Prince of Wales) which were exhibited at the Alexandra Palace dogshow in December 1875. In 1929, Colonel Bailey imported two males and two females to Britain. During the invasion of Tibet in 1951 by China, many dogs were destroyed and monastries had a hard time keeping them. In 1969, first imports arrived arrived in USA and breed enthusiasm started to develop.

Essentials of the Breed:

The Tibetan Mastiff has immense power and substantial bones. It matures as an impressive guardian. The minimum height for dogs is 66cm and for bitches it is 61cm. The colour varies from rich black, black and tan, brown, various shades of gold, grey and blue, grey and blue tan. Tan markings if any appear above the eyes, on chest, lower part of legs and underside of tail. On the muzzle they are present around eyes. The tail is curled over back to one side. The coat is long and thick with hard, straught hairs- they are never silky, curly or wavy. The undercoat is heavy and wooly.

Character:

The Tibetan Mastiff is wary of strangers and does not socialize easily and quickly. It is not a ferociuos animal but holds a reserve personality and is not recommended for a complete novice owner. He has been bred to serve in a role of guardian of its flock, territory and people and duly performs this task. Some forty years ago, he was relatively unknown in the show world and his recent arrival in show scene has not remodelled its primitive nature regarding the females that arrive on heat only once a year unlike all other domesticated breeds that enter estrus twice yearly.

Tags: Book of Dogs, China, Marco Polo, mastiff dogs, mastiffs, Tibet Plateau, Tibetan Mastiff, Vero Shaw