Did you know that this dog breed is one of the oldest there is? It comes from Tibet and accompanied the shepherds on their walks. Not only was it an ideal dog for these workers, but it has also been used for centuries as a guardian of Tibetan monasteries. The Tibetan mastiff is also known under the name Do-KY.
We can find mentions of this breed in Greek texts. Aristotle (384 – 322 BC) was the first writer to mention them when talking about Marco Polo. Since then the Tibetan Mastiff has been considered a very strong dog both physically and mentally.
It is also said that this dog is more than 2000 years old. According to various sources it could have been used already in Assyrian times. Thanks to its fierceness and loyalty it seems that it was used to watch over the prisoners and even during the war. In the latter case he helped the military in battle.
We can find its presence in all kinds of bas-reliefs from the ancient world. They are reflected with an aspect very similar to the current one in bas-reliefs of Babylonian, Egyptian and Greek origin. Which shows that in ancient times it was a widely used dog?
After the Roman conquest, the Tibetan Mastiff or Dog del Tibet began to spread throughout the Mediterranean Sea area. Precisely thanks to this expansion, different races were created. Like that of the European molasses and different breeds of rescue and shepherd dogs. For example the well-known San Bernardo.
Scholars of European breeds consider the Tibetan Mastiff or Dog del Tibet as the original breed from which the rest of the large mountain breeds and the rest of the mastiffs have derived.
The Tibetan Mastiff or Dog del Tibet would not begin to spread throughout the old world until the 19th century. It would be then when a male specimen was sent to Queen Victoria by the Viceroy of India. Lord Harbinger. This would happen in 1847.
We will have to wait until 1880 for the monarch Edward VII (then King of Wales) to transfer another two copies to England. In 1898 the birth of the first litter of these dogs in the old world is recorded. Exactly at the Berlin Zoo.
Currently this dog has conquered the hearts of humans around the world. Today his skills and qualities are still in high demand in the Himalayas. In fact, the Tibetan Mastiff or Dog del Tibet continues to be an excellent guardian of Tibetan monasteries and continues to accompany farmers with his herd.
How is the Tibetan Mastiff or Dog del Tibet? Physical characteristics:
The Tibetan Mastiff or Dog del Tibet has been considered a guard and companion dog since time immemorial. This breed does not reach maturity until 3 years in females and 4 years in males.
According to the classification of the International Iconological Federation (FCI), the Tibetan Mastiff or Dog del Tibet is found within section 2.1 of Group II. Different breeds are located in this canine section of the FCI classification. The most recognized are that of the Pinscher, that of those dogs within the mountain modality (such as molossoids) or that of the Swiss Cattle Dogs, among others.
- Physically, the Tibetan Mastiff or Dog del Tibet is a large dog, very heavy and with a friendly appearance and a solemn profile. His body is rather long if we look at the height of the withers. His head is wide and strong. When it reaches maturity it can develop some wrinkles that start above the eyes and extend to the corner of the snout. As for the snout, it is rather wide and with very open nostrils, which allows it to breathe properly while running. The eyes are very expressive and the ears, of medium size, are triangular in shape and hanging.
- As for the coat, females have less hair than males. However, in both cases the hair is of great quality, very long and thick. The color of the coat can vary between black, brown, bluish gray, tan and gold. Sometimes these tones are combined with a white star on the chest.
- If we talk about the character of this breed, it is said that it is protective and very reserved. However, it is considered very docile and affectionate with its relatives. You can live with children, but you need to be quickly trained and familiar with them so you know how to deal with them. Due to his background as a caretaker, he is a dog that does not take well the presence of strangers. And he reacts quickly and fiercely to possible threats to those he considers part of his family. He can become dangerous if he considers that something is his and that he must defend it. Hence the importance of knowing how to educate him. Their bark is fierce and similar to the growl of lions. He is not playful and usually likes quiet.
How to take care of a Tibetan Mastiff or Dog del Tibet:
These are dogs that can live in flats or on large plots. Although they do not require many walks, it is important, however, that they have their own space. For example, a garden or a small terrace that they can access whenever they feel like it.
- Although they do not have to exercise much, they love long walks. He thinks that most of his predecessors have dedicated themselves to accompanying shepherds. If you cannot walk it several times a day and for a long time, it is not your type of dog. Not having their walks end up getting agitated and changing their character. To be happy they need to go out and relax. It is his way of releasing stress.
- To train it, it is necessary to have a canine trainer who knows this breed. It is a complex breed and needs an expert. Being very protective breeds, it is important that trainers soften their aggressiveness towards strangers.
- As for his health, he is usually good. The diseases that accompany him over the years are related to his size. In other words, it is normal for their bones and joints to wear out little by little. Hence the importance of taking long walks instead of performing very aggressive exercises. This would only affect your bones and joints making them worse. They also commonly develop hypothyroidism and cataracts. That is why it is important that you control their eyesight and their thyroid from puppies.
- You have to take their education seriously from puppies. All large dogs are very strong and can inadvertently hurt people. Hence the importance of being educated from an early age. Tibetan Mastiffs or Dogs del Tibet grow quickly from puppies and remain somewhat disobedient until they are a year and a half old. You have to train them quickly to control their character.
- Adequate space for its size. As we said a few lines above, these dogs can live in flats or on plots. However, it is not convenient for them to live in very small apartments due to their size. The best thing is that they have enough space to move without feeling trapped. And we must not forget that they must have a small garden or terrace to go out whenever they want.
- Brushed. These dogs are very furry and need great care so that their fur is perfect and healthy. It is convenient to brush them several times a week. These way loose hairs will be removed and the rest will remain shiny and lustrous. At least we recommend that you brush them three times every seven days. Do not be scared if they suddenly release a large amount of hair. During the mounting season, they change their fur and leave all of their hair lost. In those times you have to be extremely clean inside the home and brushing so that they are not releasing every two by three hairs.
- They can live with other animals. They are very faithful dogs to their litter, to their family. So they can live with other animals if they do it from a young age. In this way it will be easier for them to interpret them as part of their family even if they correspond to another species. In order for the Tibetan Mastiffs to get along well with the company of other species, they must be accustomed to their presence as puppies.
- They require a lot of attention. Since they are puppies these animals require a lot of attention. You have to be very strict with his education at the beginning of his life. This way it will be easier to train them.
- Better for cold climates. Although today we can find specimens scattered all over the world, these animals are more comfortable in cold climates. Think they have great fur. Very thick and that this can be really oppressive in hot climates.
