The Tibetan mastiff is a huge and beautiful dog that perfectly understands its owner. This breed is not very common among Russian dog lovers, however, it is very popular due to its size and appearance.
Origin history
This breed is considered to be very ancient. In Tibetan and Himalayan monasteries, this breed of dog was originally used for protection. Medieval merchants also often turned on Tibetan mastiffs. They acted as guides and protectors of caravans, and, in addition, they were excellent rescuers who helped to get people out of the snow avalanches and warmed them with thick wool.
This breed is surrounded by various legends and myths. It is believed that even Aristotle praised the Tibetan mastiffs as the progenitors of all dogs belonging to the Molossian group.
The Tibetan mastiff, as the largest dog, first appeared in Europe in 1847, and was brought as a gift to the Queen of England from the King of India. Later, two more representatives of this breed were brought to the territory of England. In the Berlin zoo in 1898, even the first offspring of these dogs appeared.
According to information with varying degrees of certainty, the Tibetan mastiff was with Buddha, Alexander the Great, US President Eisenhower, Alain Delon and other famous personalities. (Above in the photo, the Tibetan mastiff is the largest dog.)
External description
The Tibetan mastiff is the largest and most expensive of all known breeds in the world. Its height at the withers can reach 71 cm, and the weight of individual individuals reaches 100 kg. He has a strong physique and massive paws. The dog has a thick coat on its head resembling a lion's mane. In addition, its size and weight also give it a resemblance to the king of beasts.
The world's largest Tibetan mastiff named Hong Dong until 2012 was also the most expensive dog. He was bought by a Chinese millionaire for 1.5 million euros. However, the second place was replaced by another representative of this breed - a male named Chif, who in 2012 was sold for 1.6 million euros.
Specifications
According to international standards, Tibetan mastiffs as the largest dogs have the following characteristics:
- the country of origin is Tibet;
- males on average grow up to 66 cm, and females - up to 61 cm;
- the weight of males reaches 76 kg, and females - 59 kg;
- puberty in a male occurs at 4 years old, in a female at 3 years old;
- they live on average from 10 to 15 years;
- their body structure is strong;
- in proportion, the mastiff’s body length is greater than height;
- Normally, the bite is similar to scissors, but a straight line is also allowed;
- they have a red or black color, on which the presence of a white spot on the chest is allowed;
- they have a long, straight and stiff coat with a dense undercoat;
- they belong to the group of pinschers, schnauzers and dog-like;
- for use, they relate to guard and guard dogs, as well as companion dogs;
- they are recognized by all international cynological associations;
- they are also called Dokhai, Great Dane, Tibetan molosses or Tibetan dogs.
A record is recorded, which indicates how much the largest Tibetan mastiff weighed - 113 kg.
Currently, work is underway aimed at reducing the body weight of this breed, since it leads to certain problems, namely, affects the weak joints of the dog.
Photos of the world's largest Tibetan mastiff can be seen in the article.
Character and education of the dog
The character of the mastiff, the largest representative of the dog breeds, is stubborn and independent. He has a hypertrophied sense of self-esteem and therefore requires increased attention to himself.
For a dog of this breed it is very important to socialize. From an early age, puppies should be surrounded by people and other animals. With him, you need to regularly walk on the street, introduce him to new people. It is important to consider that mastiffs are far from all.
This breed requires communication, attention and training. If such a pet starts to get bored, his independent entertainment, given the size, can be very destructive.
Even the largest Tibetan mastiff cannot live separately from people (courtyard or aviary), because, being alone, he begins to acquire bad habits (digging, aggressive behavior, lack of obedience). In addition, living in apartments is not suitable for a mastiff, since he needs freedom of movement. Also, this breed is not recommended for families with children, as some children's games can be perceived by the mastiff as aggression in his direction.
Walking with such a dog is recommended on different routes, since he perceives frequently visited places as his territory. For this reason, it may begin to establish its own rules on it.
A well-bred dog that has everything you need behaves quite calmly. However, if you leave him yourself for a long time, the mastiff may begin to bark loudly, notifying others about his presence. The barking of the Tibetan mastiff (as the largest dog breed) is unique and is considered one of its valuable characteristics. In ancient times, Tibetan monks watered mastiffs with warm milk in order to preserve its thick and velvety timbre, comparable to the sound of a gong.
Health
Before you start a representative of this breed, you should familiarize yourself with the list of diseases to which mastiffs are most often exposed:
- joint dysplasia (ulnar and hip);
- bone inflammation;
- osteochondrosis;
- autoimmune hypothyroidism;
- neuropathy.
To prevent the development of these diseases, the dog should be vaccinated and examined regularly.
Conditions of detention
The best place for a Tibetan mastiff will be a house outside the city with a large adjacent territory, where he will feel like a master, since he needs a lot of space for walking and exercise. Thanks to the thick and warm coat, the mastiff feels great in frosty weather.
If he still lives in the apartment, then it should be very spacious and you need to walk the dog at least three times a day. However, in this case, the dog may lose the beauty and density of its coat.
Hair care
Even the largest Tibetan mastiff is not so difficult to care for.
This breed of dog sheds once a year, or even less, depending on the climate in which it lives. The mastiff should be combed every week. Despite the fact that his “fur coat” is rarely confused, it is necessary to check it for the presence of tangles, because they hurt the dog.
During molting, the hair is combed out as necessary using special tools. It is recommended to carry out this procedure outdoors, since there will be a lot of wool.
Bathing
A characteristic feature of the Tibetan mastiff is the complete absence of smell and special cleanliness. The dog can take care of its appearance on its own. Bathing a mastiff more than once a month is not necessary, unless there are good reasons.
Cleaning claws, teeth, ears and eyes
Mastiff should be taught to conduct hygienic procedures from an early age, because later it will be difficult to cope with an older dog.
Checking and rinsing the eyes is carried out as necessary, and if signs of the disease are found, you should immediately go to the veterinarian.
Look into the ears once a week, if necessary, clean. Teeth are cleaned 2-3 times a week, and the nails are cut every month.
Feed
In order for the dog to live long and without disease, it should be fed in a balanced manner. Tibetan mastiffs are not prone to overeating, and their single serving of food does not exceed the serving of a boxer or labrador.
They sometimes have a period of complete refusal of food. However, veterinarians consider this a norm that does not cause the dog any problems.
Due to the fact that the mastiff eats a little, the feed must be balanced and of excellent quality.
You need to know that it is advisable to feed puppies with natural foods, only when he grows up, begin a gradual transition to dry food. Feed should be purchased premium, which are designed specifically for this breed, as they will meet all the needs of the dog. The following rules are in place to ensure that the mastiff is in good health:
- It is forbidden to feed a dog dry and natural food at the same time.
- You can’t dramatically change the feed, as this can cause the mastiff to feel unwell.
- Feeding puppies with food for another age group is also prohibited.
- Food should be at an acceptable temperature.
- It is forbidden to give smoked food or river fish to the dog.
- Mastiffs who live in the fresh air need to add more protein to their diet.
Puppy selection
Tibetan mastiff puppies are born once a year. Therefore, their choice should be approached carefully. There are the following recommendations for choosing a mastiff puppy:
- First of all, you should study the photos and the pedigree of the parents.
- In the kennel it is necessary to pay attention to the conditions in which the dogs are kept, familiarize themselves with the breeder's documents and inquire about the nature of the parents. In addition, you should make sure that the parents and puppies do not have hip dysplasia.
- When choosing a puppy directly, attention should be paid to the appearance, cleanliness of the ears and hair, the back (to be even) and the absence of a crease on the tail. The puppy should be furry, well-fed, heavy, with thick legs and a wide muzzle.
Price
As mentioned above, the Tibetan mastiff is the most expensive dog breed. Its price depends on the size, features, breeding region and class. The cost of a healthy, thoroughbred dog that meets international standards can reach 250 thousand dollars or more.
Tibetan mastiffs have long held the position of the most expensive dogs, as they are one of the oldest breeds in the world. Despite their long history, mastiffs have not lost their purebred and valuable qualities.
The relatively low price of a puppy does not always mean the presence of a flaw. An important role is played by the breeder’s experience, the number of awards from parents and the desire to quickly sell litter.