Tibetan mastiff: characteristics of the breed, the secrets of education and care

A person first encountering a Tibetan mastiff experiences both admiration and fear. The dog impresses the layman with its size and appearance, but few people thought that a friendly creature might be hiding behind a formidable appearance. The material in this article will introduce the reader to the history of the appearance of dogs of this breed, its characteristics, the secrets of raising and caring for it.

The Tibetan mastiff is one of the rarest breeds of large dogs, the population of which today is practically no different from the primary. This is partly due to the isolation of China, and the ancestors of the dogs, whose homeland is considered to be Tibet, initially served as guards of nomads, shepherds and monks. Primitive breed was formed without human intervention, Aristotle wrote about the Tibetans, impressed by the appearance of animals, who considered them a cross between a dog and a tiger.

History has proven that these dogs existed before our era. This is evidenced by the writings in the ancient Chinese manuscript Shu-King (1122 BC). Dogs praised Marco Polo in their historical works, they were called the pets of Genghis Khan and Buddha. At one time, animals were credited with the possibility of seeing demons, linking it with pigmented spots under the eyes that were found in individual representatives of the breed.

The ancestors of the Tibetans are considered to be Chinese native dogs or Tibetan wolves.In the era of the Indian campaigns of Tsar Alexander, Tibetan dogs were brought to Greece and Rome. The harsh climatic conditions of the early evolution of dogs were reflected in their character, which is why some representatives of the breed often showed ferocity. This forced the mastiffs to be locked up, but they were allowed to splash out energy at night.

The monks with their help defended the monasteries, and the dogs had to defend the territory together with the Tibetan Spaniels. Voiced spaniels reported strangers, which attracted the attention of mastiffs, not even afraid of snow leopards. The monks did not have to fear armed raids or invasions. Tibetans wandered to other countries rarely and only as gifts or as trophies.

In Europe, the first puppy of this breed appeared thanks to the Indian king Lord Harding. In 1847, this pet became a gift to Queen Victoria, the puppy was named Syring. Later, Edward VII brought to England two more puppies who took part in the exhibition at the Alexandra Palace cultural and entertainment center.

However, in Europe, the breed, which has become sharply popular with aristocrats, has practically degeneratedThis was facilitated by the fact that dogs could not stand an excessively humid climate. It turned out to issue the standard only in 1931. And yet, with the outbreak of World War II, the flow of puppies imported from Nepal and Tibet was stopped. Then the breeders first thought about preserving the breed and made a lot of effort for this.

In 1950, huge dogs ended up in America and were donated to Eisenhower. However, the breed of Americans itself was not interested, and therefore the protection of the ranch became the lot of the dogs. They began to forget about dogs, and therefore they did not import them for almost 20 years. Yet in 1969, the Tibetans again came to America, this time from their historical homeland.

Five years later, through the efforts of dog handlers, the American Tibetan Mastiff Line Association (ATMA) was created, which, in fact, was a club of connoisseurs of these dogs. Five years later, dogs bred in America were able to take part in the exhibition, which was a huge success. It is worth noting that today their livestock is small. For example, in the UK today their number does not reach three hundred purebred individuals.

The characteristic of the Tibetan mastiff consists of a description of his appearance and character traits. The description fits into the rigid framework of the existing standard. For example, the growth at the withers of males is at least 66 cm, and in females its minimum value does not fall below 61 cm. Such an animal weighs between 64-78 kg, while the weight of the males is always greater.

The proportions of the Tibetan mastiff, taking into account the standard, have their own characteristics. For example, the length of the skull should correspond to the length of the muzzle. In addition, the length of the body must be greater than its height. The lips should at least slightly cover the lower jaw, the fit of the teeth should be tight. Mandatory tilt of the eyes and their wide arrangement.

The Tibetan mastiff is considered the largest representative of the canine family. He has a heavy and strong skeleton, a developed skeleton and proportional physique. The dog’s appearance is unusual: from a distance it seems as if he is wearing a long-fur coat with a hood or a voluminous wig. The collar also resembles a thick mane, which makes the dog look like a lion.

Endowed with a densely growing harsh coat and dense undercoat, the Tibetan mastiff is not afraid of the cold, and therefore can live in high mountains and harsh climatic conditions. The coat is long, prone to patting on the limbs and suspension in the tail area. Wool straight, wavy are considered a vice.Tibetans have thin and elastic skin, it fits tightly to the body and is free in the areas of the head and neck.

The sexual type in these dogs is developed quite clearly: males differ from females not only in size, but also in body power. However, the physique of both them and the females is strong, seeming rude. The large head of the Tibetan Shepherd Dog has a broad forehead, on which characteristic wrinkles instantly form at the moment of anxiety. As they grow older, the dog acquires folds on the head and above the eyes.

The occipital protuberance and the transition from the forehead to the muzzle are visually traced, but not sharp. The muzzle itself seems to be shortened, its shape tends to be square. Dogs of this breed have a large nose and saggy lips. Their jaws are quite powerful, they have a complete tooth set in their mouths, a scissor bite and quite rarely a straight one.

The ears are medium in size, triangular in shape, slightly rounded towards the end. When the animal is calm, its ears hang on the cartilage, at the time of danger or excitement they rise. Small eyes seem slanted, depending on the color of the animal, the iris can be as caret, as nut. The neck is outstanding, it has a noticeable suspension and well-developed muscles.

The withers of the animal are closed by the collar, but quite pronounced. The back of the Tibetan is straight, characterized by developed muscle mass. The loin is convex, broad, the croup seems to be oblique. The chest is deep, the ribs flatten to the sides, the abdomen is somewhat taut. The movement of the dogs seems unhurried due to their enormous size, although in reality the steps of the Tibetans are sweeping.

Paws of a representative of the breed are large, have a parallel setting. Their skeleton is powerful enough, every part of the muscular. The setting of the front paws is somewhat narrower in comparison with the hind legs; they look relatively small relative to the body, but in full proportion. The tail of medium-sized dogs with high staging, it is bent up and pressed against the croup.

According to the norms of the standard, dogs of this breed can have several colors. For example, it could be:

• anthracite black;
• black with tan tan;
• gray with light tan;
• smoky gray (gray blue);
• brown and chocolate;
• golden (from fiery red to red);
• sable with dark marks.

According to the norms of the standard, the cleaner the shade of the dog’s coat, the better. The tan marks present on a rich fur coat are allowed both light and dark. In addition, a small white spot on the sternum, paws or inner side of the tail is not a defect.

It is difficult for an outsider to imagine that the character of a Tibetan mastiff can be peaceful. However, if the dog is not annoyed and properly raised, it will be just that. Many representatives of this breed in practice prove that they can be family companions, characterized by endurance, calm and loyalty to people. But if the situation requires protection, they are transformed into formidable guards.

At the same time, as a rule, the dog carefully and warily monitors how freely the owner communicates with strangers, which allows them. He knows how to assess the situation and is able to study strangers for a long time.

Some individuals do not need constant attention and squeezing at all. They want meticulous care, but if the owner wants to caress, the pets do not go beyond a friendly relationship. Some of them are extremely stubborn and able to defend their own point of view for a long time. Despite this, they are universal favorites, adoring to take part in family affairs. Some individuals are so attached to the owners so that they can follow them on the heels.

These animals are able to adequately build relationships with relatives of different breeds. Moreover, they are more sympathetic to small dogs, they respond to aggressive behavior of large relatives without any fear of such behavior, showing who is in charge. They don’t react to barking hollows, considering it unworthy of their attention. Themselves bark on the case, although very loudly.

Centuries of watch service have left their mark on the life schedule of Tibetans. During the day, they prefer to sleep, and stay awake at night, and therefore evening is considered the best time for their walk. It is at this time that they are most active and can spend the energy accumulated during the day. This rhythm of life is convenient for individuals living in private homes.

Here, dogs have the opportunity to climb high points to inspect their subject area for observation. When the animal lives in different conditions, he has to adapt to them, which does not take a lot of time. Large dogs accurately capture the mood of the household, as a result of which they act in accordance with the situation. These giants can provide emotional support when needed.

In relation to children, they are patient and do not allow themselves any aggression. With older children, they can play active games, love joint walks and do not allow themselves to break off the leash, trying to adapt to the small children's step. Perhaps this is due to the fact that once these dogs were used as nannies.

Nevertheless, letting children go for a walk with these dogs without adult control is unacceptable. From time to time, the dog is not able to determine the line between an overly active game and a real threat. In view of this, she may rush to the defense, believing that unauthorized children can harm her small owners.

The life resource of the Tibetan mastiff varies between 10-11 years. However, it can be significantly reduced with improper care or failure to follow proper nutrition, ignoring preventive examinations, and completely neglecting the health of the pet. In addition, other factors affect life expectancy.

For instance, this may be a period of development, especially the habitat, as well as the ecological background in the region where the dog is kept. The breeding method is also important, since it affects the physiology of animals. The life expectancy of individual individuals can reach 14 years, while often the dog lives for a long time without any disease. However, if he has hereditary diseases, he may not live up to 10 years.

Before bringing a puppy to the house, the owner must take care of preparing the aviary and equipping the booth of the required size. As a rule, the height of the fence should be at least 2 meters with a total area of ​​6 m2. The place occupied by a booth with a bed should not occupy more than one third of the area of ​​the enclosure. The floor in the area of ​​the booth and lounger is preferably built of wood, in no case should it be concrete.

It is advisable to make a canopy above the location of the bed, which will shade it. The remaining part can be planted with lawn grass or covered with a sand layer. You can’t build an aviary without any tent: this is a prerequisite for keeping a Tibetan dog. For a pet to be strong and healthy, he will need daily walks. They should be long-lasting, which will help maintain good physical fitness.

Be sure to buy a muzzle for a pet, a leash and a harness. When buying, you need to pay attention to the fact that the equipment does not squeeze the animal, and the material can withstand strong jerks until the dog passes the training course, which is especially important for the restive representatives of the breed.The dog should have its own dishes, the bowl should have clean and fresh water.

Unlike the tiny brothers of various decorative breeds, it is not so easy to contain a Tibetan. The first problem the breeder will face is the size that will have to be considered. It’s impossible to keep the dog in a small apartment, and any other. With age, the size of the pet will increase, and this will require more space.

As for the optimal climate, the dog tolerates cold and dryness more easily than heat and moisture. Unlike many of his brothers of other breeds, this dog is active in bad weather. He enjoys frolic in the snow, while in the summer he tries to hide from the sun. Given its type and length of coat, this is quite natural.

It is necessary to teach a dog to any hygienic procedures from an early age. So they will not be tiring for him, but because the dog will be relaxed and will not be stubborn. Tibetan wool will have to be thoroughly looked after, which will take a lot of time and effort. Of course, the advantage of the procedure will be the fact that the dog is calmly combing his hair and has an undercoat without a characteristic dog smell. However, it is thick, and therefore, in addition to the comb and slicker, you will have to add a furminator to the arsenal of purchases.

Select a rower with a trimmer nozzle based on the size of the animal. If the width of the comb, the length of the teeth and the distance between them will not meet the requirements, the procedure for combing the hair can be tedious and long. Despite the fact that the dog’s coat is not prone to rolling and forming tangles, combing is an essential element of grooming. It helps the animal get rid of dead hairs that it can wear for months.

Someone prefers to use a comb for combing. The furminator allows you to not only thin out the fur coat, but also to massage the skin, which has a good effect on blood circulation and relaxes the animal. In no case should you try to replace the comb with an electric razor, since it damages the structure of the hair, leading to a violation of heat transfer. During molting, you need to comb out the dog every day.

Any hygiene implies compliance with a number of rules for maintaining cleanliness. However, despite the sometimes insistent desire of the owner to accustom the animal to frequent water procedures, bathing a Tibetan is often undesirable. This should be done only in case of severe contamination, since frequent washing will wash off the layer of fat protection from the dog, which protects its skin from getting wet. Natural lubricant can recover only after a few days.

It is not easy to wash a huge dog, besides it has a long and thick coat. Ideally, this is easiest to do in the summer, and the washed coat will dry much faster in the summer.

For washing, they use a special zoo shampoo, choosing a product for long-haired dogs. Detergents from the arsenal of humans for washing dogs are not suitable, as well as rinse conditioners: the dog must have its own hygiene products.

The claws of the dog will have to be shortened monthly. Given the thickness of the keratinized tissue, it is preferable to soak the feet before starting the procedure, keeping them in warm water. After trimming the lengths, the ends of the claws are treated with a file, the hairs located between the toes are trimmed. Complete the dog manicure and pedicure processing the soles of the paws. They apply vegetable oil in order to prevent cracking of the skin.

Like a person, the dog needs to monitor the condition of the oral cavity. The teeth should be examined constantly, caring for them, one should not allow the strengthening of the resulting yellowness or plaque. The gums of the dog should be pinkish, tooth diseases, and especially their loss, are unacceptable.The owner should brush his Tibetan teeth at least twice a week, using a specialized dog paste and brush.

To prevent weakening of bone tissue, animals are given solid food. Also, the owners buy items specially designed for this, coated with a composition for removing plaque. From time to time it is necessary to show the dog to a specialist who will assess the condition of the teeth and, if necessary, solve the problems found. Weakening of the gums should not be allowed, which can lead to bleeding and tooth loss.

In addition to caring for teeth and nails, the owner should pay attention to the hygiene of the Tibetan ears. Like a person, earwax and impurities accumulate in them, which must be disposed of as they appear. On average, they need to be cleaned once a week, using a cloth soaked in warm water and then dry. In the cold season, ear hygiene is carried out at home or in a heated room.

If, during a visual examination, inflammation or even redness of the auricles is detected, it is urgent to consult a veterinarian. Other good reasons for visiting him are fluid inside the auricles and an unpleasant odor.

Eye care is also important: when they are healthy, they shine and have a slight discharge. Thanks to them, the eyes get rid of dust particles. Clean these secretions with a sterile wipe. To prevent souring of the eyes, about once a week they are treated with a weak infusion of chamomile, using a rag of soft natural fabric. If there is pus, redness, swelling, you should contact your veterinarian.

The key criteria for the education and training of the Tibetan mastiff are strict discipline and affection. A well-trained dog will not allow itself to bark in vain: being next to people, it will cast its voice only in case of danger. Hyperactivity is inherent in these animals only in childhood. But puppies usually do not cause inconvenience in training, if they start it in a timely manner and with the right approach.

Shaggy giants can completely obey their masters, but they will have to invest a lot of knowledge and time. Therefore, the owner of the dog must be a strong-willed person with a large share of patience.

The first thing she learns is the rules set by the owner at home. The dog must understand "his" and "alien", the master's furniture can not even be a temporary litter. You can’t let him sleep in an armchair or on a sofa: in the future, understanding the established order will contribute to a comfortable neighborhood when sharing a house. In training, the owner must be firm and calm, otherwise the dog may try to take the initiative into its own hands, “training” the owner in its own way.

The nutrition of the puppy and adult dog should be saturated with vitamins and minerals, as well as calcium, which is especially important given the heavy load of the animal on its limbs. As a basis for a nutritious diet, you can take both natural food and professional dry food.

During the period of active growth and development of the pet, it is necessary to feed more often. At the same time, greed cannot be encouraged: it is necessary that the dog ate at certain hours, dosed and ate without haste. On average, a dog’s meal should be up to 15 minutes. If you decide to feed your pet with natural food, you must include beef, rabbit, turkey and chicken in the diet.

In addition, it is necessary to give the animal marine fish, offal, vegetables, herbs, and fruits.A healthy meal will be cereals (including rice and buckwheat). Puppies can be given minced meat, newborn babies are given protein feed. Starting from two months of age, vitamins are introduced into the diet, at 4 months the puppy eats the liver, heart.

A six-month-old pet should receive omega acids and substances from the group of chondroprotectors. It is impossible to sharply transfer a puppy to adult food: it is necessary to gradually reduce the amount of baby food and add an adult.

Buying a Tibetan mastiff is not easy, due to the high price and rarity of the breed. The price of a private owner for a little friend is from 50,000 rubles, while often there is no guarantee of buying a purebred dog. A dog with documents (pedigree and a veterinary passport) is more expensive: the price for a baby is from 300,000 to 600,000 rubles.

To buy a thoroughbred puppy, you need to bring a specialist with you to the deal. He will conduct a visual and thorough examination, indicate the best litter among puppies. To have a better understanding of the standard, you can preview detailed information about dogs, talk with a specialist about weaknesses and possible diseases.

The puppy to be acquired must be active and inquisitive, easily contacting, and must have the correct gait. The primary signs of socialization laid down by the mother dog are also necessary. They will serve as the impetus for the training necessary for the formation of the correct character of the dog.

The name of the dog should reflect its character and indicate its uniqueness, as a result of which simple dog nicknames should be excluded from the list of possible names. The name should be short but sonorous, possibly abbreviated from the full name specified in the pedigree. In the future, the dog will understand that when calling his full name, the owner turns to him. For example, a pet boy can be called Marty, Archie, Mark, Zus, Black, Dark, Brutus. The girl can be given the name Bet, Elsa, Jess, Dana, Abby, Chess, Emma, ​​Dana.

Also, males can be called Cooper, Google, Zack, Nick, female - Roxy, Cher, Sophie. You can not call the Tibetans Balls, Dusches, Guns, Pugs and Nameplates. This breed is quite representative, and therefore the name should be appropriate. Before giving it, it is necessary to correlate it with those that are in the pedigree: it must not be inferior to them. Among the sonorous nicknames, you can add nicknames such as Ness, Sheila, Yumi, Gina for girls and Kai, Stark, Chase, Ram, Zack - for boys.

The approximate age of the Tibetan mastiff breed was determined by the method of genetic research, initiated by the Chinese University of Molecular Evolution. According to their research, the age of dogs has become one of the oldest in the world: they lived more than 50 thousand years ago. Here are some interesting facts about dogs of this breed.

• Thanks to archaeological excavations, the bones and skulls of Tibetans found that these animals lived next to people in the Stone Age.

• Often breeders have to donate their clothes to the dog. The dog loves to “chew” the owner, thereby showing his affection and desire to play together.

• There is an opinion that the Tibetan mastiff is more savvy than the Great Dane and is a kind of family dog ​​psychologist, able to cheer up any household.

• The origin of the dog has many contradictions, but it is known for certain that its ancestor was a wolf, from which all molosses evolved.

• The rarest color is considered white. These dogs cost millions of dollars, they are rarely found in nature, and practically cannot be bred.

• These dogs grow up much later than their relatives of other breeds. Puberty in them ends in 3-4 years.

• Not all photos on the Internet show the true dimensions of Tibetans.The largest of them at the age of 11 months weighed 113 kg, was bought by a Chinese billionaire for $ 1.5 million.

• Some puppies are prone to independent decision making in various situations. Without waiting for the order of the owner, they can go on the attack.

• The dog tries to make informed decisions, and therefore it takes him several years to train. He does not tolerate orders, needs respect. With the wrong approach to training, a monster grows out of it.

• At one time, the voice of the mastiffs among the Tibetans was considered sacred. Mocking these dogs was considered the worst evil compared to killing a person.

• The Tibetans bred in Europe were different from those dogs that were common in Tibet. The larger their pedigree and the stricter the standard, the more expensive they are.

There are other facts related to Tibetan gigantic dogs. It is believed that they won in the battles of leopards. According to legend, the Buddha himself had such a dog. There were various rumors about the representatives of this breed, and therefore it was sometimes difficult to figure out where the truth is, and where is the fiction. Their popularity was about the same as that of a bigfoot.

The Tibetan mastiff receives various reviews from ordinary people, as evidenced by the comments left on the information portals. People familiar with dogs remain fascinated by their size, noting that the parameters of some individuals are commensurate with the size of the calves. At the same time, the owners note that the nature of the dogs is striking in its modesty and goodwill. The giants are calm and do not express much interest in strangers, but they live closely in urban apartments.

The negative characteristics of breeders include pet exposure to joint dysplasia. In addition, according to the owners, the disadvantage of dogs is the abundant hair loss during molting, which provokes the appearance of an allergic reaction. Despite their excellent acclimatization, not all of them suffer loneliness. In the breed there are individuals whom it depresses. They love children and can adapt to the rhythm of the life of the owners.

Other breeders note that dogs are not as harmless as described in the general description of character and habits. For example, in the comments, the owners note that pets can start up half a turn, believing that it is necessary to defend the honor of the owner in front of a stranger. At the same time, even those puppies who have not reached 6-8 months are able to hurt an adult. Those who know firsthand what the Tibetan mastiff say with one voice: to maintain a dog you need to have a tremendous sense of responsibility.

Read more about the Tibetan mastiff in the next video.