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The Tibetan Mastiff (Do-khyi in Tibetan,
meaning 'tied dog' or 'Bhote Kukur' in Nepali which means
Tibetan Dog) is a rare breed of domestic dog (Canis lupus
familiaris) originating in Tibet and neighboring countries
with similar nomadic cultures (e.g. Mongolia, where it is
called "bankhar", meaning "guard dog").
Appearance: The Tibetan Mastiff is among the largest
breeds. Its sturdy bone structure and large, wide head makes
it appear considerably more massive than other dogs of a
similar height. It can reach heights up to 31 inches (80 cm)
at the withers, although the standard English breed is
typically in the 25 to 28 inch (61 to 71 cm) range.
The largest of the breed weighs nearly 220 pounds (100 kg),
but the English standard dogs are more typically between 140
to 180 pounds (64-82 kg). Its double coat is long and usually
all black, although it can also have areas of tan or gold, and
coat colors of Gray, gold, and brown are also possible.
Unlike many other Mastiffs, it has a smooth rather than
wrinkled brow and lacks their large jowls, giving them a drier
mouth than other Mastiff breeds. They are also hypoallergenic
with a thick double coat that only moults once per year.
Temperament: The native strain of dog, which still
exists in Tibet (though sparsely), and the English breed are
very different in temperament. Elizabeth Schuler states,
"The few individuals that remain in Tibet are ferocious
and aggressive, unpredictable in their behavior, and very
difficult to train.
But the dogs bred by the English are obedient and attached
to their masters." Others claim that the ferocity of
those in Tibet is due to their training as guard dogs and not
companion dogs. Many Tibetan breeders are now seeking to breed
the larger more aggressive Tibetan Mastiff while Western
breeders have sought to standardise the breed to a slightly
smaller, more amicable breed.
As a sheepdog and guard dog, it is ferocious in its ability
to tackle even wolves and leopards. As a domestic dog, it
requires at least a yard; it is not an appropriate dog for an
apartment. Still, the modern English breed is generally
easy-going although mildly aloof around strangers.
Through hundreds of years as a guard dog, the breed has
developed a tendency to bark at sounds during the night, so
leaving it outside at night with nearby neighbors is not
usually recommended. The Tibetan Mastiff is usually good with
children in a family home.
Like most herding breeds, they are intelligent and learn
quickly. Obedience training is imperative, since this is also
a strong-willed dog with powerful jaws, strong muscles, and a
tremendous body. Socialization is also critical with this
breed because of their natural caution around strangers and
guarding instincts.
Health: Like most very large breeds, its life
expectancy is relatively short, usually not more than 10 or 11
years. The breed has a higher incidence than normal of
hypothyroidism, entropion or ectropion, skin problems
including allergies, missing teeth, maloclusion (overbite or
underbite), cardiac problems, progressive retinal atrophy
(PRA), and small ear canals with a tendency for infection.
As do most giant breeds, some suffer from elbow or hip
dysplasia, although this has not been a major problem in the
Tibetan Mastiff. Canine inherited demyelinative neuropathy
(CIDN), a rare inherited neural disease, appeared in one
genetic line in the early 1980s but it is believed that this
problem has been eliminated and appeared in no other breeding
lines.
History: This is an ancient breed, descended from
very early large Tibetan dogs from which most, if not all, of
today's Mastiff-type and Molossuses are descended. Some of the
modern breeds thought to have Tibetan Mastiff ancestry include
the Leonberger, the Newfoundland, the Kuvasz, and even the toy
dog breed, the Pug, which itself was a well-established breed
before the 1500s. Marco Polo encountered the large Tibetan
dogs in his travels and described them as "tall as a
donkey with a voice as powerful as that of a lion." They
were used as guard dogs outside the sacred city of Lhasa.
The breed originated in Tibet as a herding dog and guard
dog and it still makes an excellent sheepdog, but, by the
early 19th century, this dog had become nearly extinct in its
homeland. English breeders took an interest in it and
developed the Tibetan Mastiff in their own country during the
first half of the 19th century. King George IV owned a pair,
and there were enough of the breed in England in 1906 to be
shown at the 1906 Crystal Palace show. Subsequently, however,
the breed lost favor and nearly died out in England, as well.
Today there are many active breeders, although the breed is
still uncommon. The breed has suffered from inbreeding over
many generations because of the small number of the original
stock, but today's reputable breeders work hard at reducing
the genetic problems.
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