(Last Updated On: June 1, 2022)

Looking at the name, almost all of us are already familiar with this huge and powerful breed. Great responsibility arrives with greater size, and this lot makes for impressive guard dogs. 

Tibetan Mastiffs are intensely protective of and yet very independent of their family. They love being indoors with the family. There are many such facts about Tibetan Mastiff that are listed below.

Tibetan Mastiffs are very patient and devoted despite their guarding instinct and enjoy a good cuddle. Despite their loyalty, when you call them, they are known for never coming to you.

Tibetan Mastiff

Tibetan mastiffs are loyal, strong-willed, and independent dogs. They are fuzzy and adorable puppies and grow strong, huge, and determined, resembling lions or bears when they are fully grow up.

The origin of this breed is one of the unknown Tibetan Mastiff facts. They are believed to be the guardians of the monasteries, herds, and communities in the Himalayas.

Tibetan mastiffs have markings around the eyes, muzzle, leg, throat, and tail, varying from silver to mahogany. The thick double coat of this breed can be of black, brown, blue-gray, red, or gold color.

Tibetan Mastiffs have a thick and coarse outer coat, and the inner texture is soft and wool-like. The shedding occurs in annual spring to summer and requires little grooming during this period.

Females weigh 70-120 pounds and are 24 inches or more to the shoulder. Males weigh 90-150 pounds and are 26 inches at the shoulder. 

The small white markings are seen on the chest and feet but nowhere else on the body. The males have more coats than females and a thicker mane around the neck and shoulders.

Tibetan Mastiff Facts

They are a ferocious breed and can fight with wolves and snow leopards. The huge size and strong physique are the specialties of this breed.

facts about tibetan mastiffs
source: petplace.com

Tibetan Mastiffs are used as strong and dignified estate guardians with protective instincts and watch over home and family with undying allegiance.

Here are some intriguing facts about Tibetan Mastiff:

1. They have a mysterious history

Nobody knows for sure. The breed is so old, and Tibet has always been so isolated that it is difficult to tell when or how the TMs came into being. They have a typical and unique appearance and traits

We know that they have been the mighty guardians of the Himalayas for centuries, and they are considered the progenitors of all modern mastiffs.

Evidence suggests that these giants were often offered to early travelers to Tibet as gifts and were established in the Middle East and Europe’s mastiff breeds.

2. They are slow maturing breeds

Tibetan mastiffs are giant and slowly maturing breeds. They have a long life span of about 14 years, and they take longer to mature. 

facts about tibetan mastiffs
source: morefamilynewfoundlands.com

The females grow a bit faster than males, who take about 4-7 years to get physically mature. They usually take three years to reach full-grown weight. 

You might notice minimal growth in Tibetan mastiffs when they reach their full size. The baby Tibetian mastiff is as cute as a German Shepherd puppy.

3. They don’t shed a lot

 Despite having a dense and fluffy coat, Tibetan Mastiffs don’t seem to shed all that much. In fact, per year, this breed is known for having only one extreme shedding cycle.

That means it should be a breeze to look after the Tibetan Mastiff’s coat. You’ll probably be able to get away with only brushing him once a week, but it would be best to keep his coat looking shiny a few times a week.

You can note that the coat of your Tibetan mastiff gets a little tangled and knotty. So, if this seems to happen a lot, more regular brushing may be best.

If you are looking for a small pet watchdog which fits indoors that doesn’t shed much, Beagles are the best option you want to go with.

4. They’re very fast and agile

The Tibetan Mastiff is a very big breed, but they’re also very fast and agile. 

Being one of the largest breeds, Tibetan mastiffs are very instantaneous and fast. They are considered to be able to run up to 20 miles per hour, but possibly for short distances only.

This dog tends to overheat in hot and humid weather; it’s better to take short walks. They are active dogs with great stamina for the play session and walks but not more than 15 mins.

5. They bark a lot

When it comes to barking and howling, Tibetan Mastiffs are one of the worst offenders. They will catch you off guard the first time you hear it.

They are quiet and disciplined, but they will warn you by barking a lot when they sense danger. They often bark out of boredom, loneliness, or to get the attention of owners.

6. They were bred as a guard dog

The Tibetan Mastiff was bred solely as a guard dog in the early days of the race. The breed was extremely successful in herding livestock and keeping predators away from their sheep, cows, and chickens. 

Yet, this dog was also known because of his friendly and jovial nature. The Tibetan Mastiff is still one of the best guard dogs today but has also owned the title of an outstanding family dog.

facts about tibetan mastiffs
source: cutewallpapers.org

They’re also bred because they yield a lot of cash to breeders. It normally costs a few thousand dollars for a Tibetan Mastiff puppy. 

7. They are good with dogs and cats

As long as they stay in the same house, this puppy can normally do fine around other dogs and cats. Taking them to the park for a walk among dogs and humans is necessary for their temperament.

But certain Tibetan mastiffs are fighting to demonstrate their superiority over dogs of the same sex, so it would be better to select a dog of the opposite sex to preserve harmony.

As this breed has a very low prey drive and was only taught to protect property against predators, there’s very little chance of your Tibetan Mastiff harassing your beloved cat. 

8. They have a powerful bite

This breed is not any more susceptible to bite than any other dog breed, considering its size and frightening look. They’re usually friendly, but they may be a little suspicious of new people and pets. 

There have been several cases where Tibetan Mastiffs have attacked people and contributed to serious injuries such as hand bites, severe brain injuries, and even death.

Tibetan mastiffs top the list of the dogs with a powerful bite which is up to 552 pounds square inch.

9. Emotionally intelligent and can read feelings

Well, they are smart enough to keep an eye on their property and protect it from threats and predators. However, they are also known for being emotionally intelligent and learning about the feelings of their families.

They will be able to feel it when you are angry, sad, happy, or some other emotion. Yet, at the same time, the TM is a pretty independent breed. 

When it comes to thinking about themselves and knowing exactly what to do in many circumstances, they seem to do well. This emotional attachment with intelligence makes to the amazing Tibetan Mastiff facts.

10. Patient and reliable

These strong-willed dogs are self-reliant and take on all vital situations. Unless anyone is likely to provocation, Tibetan mastiffs are very relaxed and silent. This animal sets a strong example of restraint.

These facts about Tibetan Mastiff show how connected they are with their owner and capable of jumping into any circumstances for their master.

11. They have a heavily coated neck

They have a very thick coat around their necks and shoulders. Often, from far away, they look like sleeping lions. In the winters, the undercoat gets very heavy, whereas, in the summer, it shrinks. 

facts about tibetan mastiffs
source: dogbreeds.wiki

It is the ideal machine for handling all weather extremes. The powerful feature of a heavily coated neck to tackle fluctuating weather is interesting facts about Tibetan mastiff.

12. Most expensive dog

Tibetan Mastiff is regarded as one of the most expensive dogs. They are rare in North America and can cost between $2,500 to $6,000. On the other hand, the German Shepherd’s price is nearly half that of the Tibetan mastiff.

The most expensive dog sale was recorded in 2011, the Tibetan Mastiff sold for 10 million yuan or about $1.5 million.

13. Banned in some nation

In the countries like Malaysia, Maldives, Australia, France, and some parts of the United States, these breeds are banned or restricted.

They can lift the banned any time the government wants. Dogs being prohibited and restricted in some nations is also one of the surprising facts about Tibetan Mastiff.

In conclusion, your days will be filled with adventure if you share with this beautiful creature. They are recognized with majestic coats and huge physiques. 

They tend to be aggressive and patient simultaneously as they are the guard dogs and a family dog. Their body features favor the cold climate than the humid or hot climate.