Purina

Other names/Nicknames:

• Do-Khyi

Country/Date of origin:

• Tibet
• 900’s

Height:

• 24 to 28 inches

Weight:

• 140 to 180 pounds

Personality:

• Responsive to training.
• Usually gentle.
• Loyal to its family.
• Excellent guard dog.

History:

The Tibetan Mastiff is believed to be the originator of most of the European Mastiff breeds.  It has remained unchanged for centuries.  A fierce guard dog, it was used by nomadic Tibetan people.  Marco Polo reported seeing this dog during his travels but it remained relatively unknown outside of Tibet until the 1970’s.  At that time they were imported to the United States, Germany and Switzerland.

Body Type:

• Typical Mastiff-type dog but not as heavy in body.
• The tail is carried over the back in a loose curl and is not altered.
• The hanging ears are carried close to the head and are not altered.

Coat:

• Medium-long with a very thick undercoat.
• Has a mane around the neck.
• Accepted colors are black, brown, and bluish gray, with or without tan markings.
• Grooming is moderate but brushing is a must.

Health and Wellness:

• Hip dysplasia.
• Elbow dysplasia.
• Autoimmune thyroid disease.
• Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD).
• Gastric dilatation and volvulus syndrome (GDV, also commonly called bloat).
• Metabolic bone disease.
• Muzzle pyoderma.
• Arthritis.

What you should know:

• Obedience training recommended.
• Puppies are difficult to find, especially since the females do not come into season as often as other breeds.
• It is common in Tibet for this dog to wear a red yak’s-hair collar as a status symbol.