Tibetan Mastiff: breed characteristics, secrets of education and care

A person who first encounters a Tibetan mastiff experiences both admiration and fear. The dog impresses the inhabitant with his dimensions and appearance, but at the same time very few people thought that behind a formidable appearance a friendly creature could be hiding. The material of this article will acquaint the reader with the history of the appearance of dogs of a given breed, its characteristics, secrets of raising and caring for them.

The Tibetan Mastiff is one of the rarest breeds of large dogs, whose population today is practically the same as the primary one. This is partly due to the isolation of China, and the ancestors of the dogs, whose homeland is considered Tibet, initially served as guards of nomads, shepherds and monks. Primitive breed was formed without human intervention., Aristotle wrote about Tibetans, impressed by the appearance of animals, who considered them to be a cross between a dog and a tiger.

History has proved that these dogs existed even before our era. This is evidenced by the letters in the ancient Chinese manuscript Shu-King (1122 BC). The dogs were celebrated in their historical writings by Marco Polo, they were called the pets of Genghis Khan and Buddha. At one time, animals were credited with the possibility of seeing demons, associating it with pigmented spots under the eyes, which were encountered in individual representatives of the breed.

Progenitors of Tibetans are considered to be Chinese aboriginal dogs or Tibetan wolves. In the era of the Indian campaigns of Tsar Alexander, Tibetan dogs were brought to Greece and Rome. The harsh climatic conditions of the early evolution of dogs reflected in their character, which is why some members of the breed often showed ferocity. This forced the mastiffs to be locked up, but they were allowed to spill energy at night.

With their help, the monks defended the monasteries, and the dogs had to defend the territory together with the Tibetan spaniels. The resounding spaniels reported strangers, which attracted the attention of the mastiffs, who were not afraid even of snow leopards. The monks did not have to fear armed raids or invasions. Tibetans wandered to other countries rarely and only as gifts or as trophies.

In Europe, the first puppy of this breed appeared thanks to the Indian king, Lord Harding. In 1847, this pet was a gift to Queen Victoria, the puppy was named Seering. Later, Edward VII brought two more puppies to England, who took part in an exhibition at the Alexandra Palace Palace.

However, in Europe, the breed, which has become sharply popular with aristocrats, has practically degenerated, what contributed to the fact that dogs could not endure an excessively humid climate. The standard turned out to issue only in 1931. And yet, with the beginning of the Second World War, the puppy flow, imported from Nepal and Tibet, was stopped. At the same time, breeders for the first time thought about preserving the breed and put a lot of effort into it.

In 1950, huge dogs were in America and were donated to Eisenhower. However, the breed itself was not interested in the Americans, and therefore the ranch guard became the lot of the dogs. They began to forget about dogs here, and therefore have not imported for almost 20 years. And yet, in 1969, Tibetans again came to America, this time from their historic homeland.

After five years, the Association of the American Line of Tibetan Mastiffs (ATMA) was created through the efforts of dog handlers., which, in fact, was a club of connoisseurs of these dogs. After five years, the dogs bred in America were able to take part in the exhibition, which had tremendous success. It is worth noting that today their livestock is small. For example, in the UK today, their number does not reach three hundred purebreds.

The characteristic of the Tibetan mastiff consists of a description of its appearance and character traits. The description fits within the rigid framework of the existing standard. For example, the height at the withers of males is at least 66 cm, in females its minimum value does not fall below 61 cm. Such an animal weighs in the range of 64-78 kg, while the weight of males is always greater.

The proportions of the Tibetan mastiff with the standard have their own characteristics. For example, the length of the skull should correspond to the length of the muzzle. In addition, the length of the body should be greater than its height. Lips should cover at least a little the lower jaw, teeth fit should be tight. Mandatory tilting of the eyes and their wide arrangement.

Tibetan mastiff is considered the largest representative of the dog family. He has a heavy and strong bones, developed skeleton and proportional physique. The appearance of the dog is unusual: from a distance it seems as if he is wearing a long-haired fur coat with a hood or a volume wig. The collar also resembles a thick mane, which makes the dog look like a lion.

From birth, endowed with densely growing harsh fur coat and dense undercoat, Tibetan mastiff is not afraid of the cold, and therefore can live in high mountains and harsh climatic conditions. The hair is long, prone to the formation of tows on the limbs and suspension in the area of ​​the tail. Wool straight, wavy are considered a defect. Tibetans have thin and elastic skin, it fits snugly to the body and is free in the areas of the head and neck.

The genital type of these dogs is quite clearly developed: Males differ from bitches not only in size, but also in hull capacity. However, the build and they, and females strong, seeming rude. The large head of the Tibetan Shepherd dog is distinguished by its broad forehead, on which characteristic wrinkles are instantly formed at the moment of anxiety. As they grow older, the dog acquires folds on the head and above the eyes.

Visually visible occipital and the transition from the forehead to the face, but not sharp. The muzzle itself seems shortened, its shape tends to square. The dogs of this breed have a large nose and saggy lips. Their jaws are powerful enough, there is a complete dental kit in the mouth, a scissors bite and, rarely, a straight bite.

The size of the ears is average, their shape is triangular, by the end they are slightly rounded. When an animal is calm, its ears hang on cartilage, at the moment of danger or arousal, they rise. Small eyes seem slanting, depending on the color of the animal, the iris of the eye can be as brown as nut. The neck is outstanding, has a noticeable suspension and a sufficiently developed musculature.

The withers of the animal is collared, but quite pronounced. The back of the Tibetan is straightforward, characterized by a developed muscle mass. The loin is convex, wide, croup seems sloping. The rib cage is deep, the ribs flatten to the sides, the belly is somewhat tucked up. The movement of dogs seems slow due to their huge size, although in reality the steps of the Tibetans are sweeping.

Paws of a representative of the breed are large, have a parallel formulation. Their backbone is powerful enough, each part is muscular.The setting of the front paws is somewhat narrower in comparison with the hind legs; they look small in relation to the body, but quite proportionally. The tail of medium-sized dogs with high staging, it is bent up and pressed against the rump.

According to the norms of the standard, dogs of a given breed may have several colors. For example, it may be:

• anthracite black;
• black with reddish-brown burns;
• gray with light tan;
• smoky gray (blue gray);
• brown and chocolate;
• golden (from fiery red to red);
• sable with dark marks.

According to the norms of the standard, the purer the shade of dog's coat, the better Carrion, present on a rich coat, allowed both light and dark. In addition, a small white spot on the sternum, paws or the inside of the tail is not a defect.

It is difficult for an outsider to imagine that the character of the Tibetan mastiff can be peaceful. However, if the dog is not annoyed and properly educated, it will be just that. Many representatives of this breed in practice prove that they can be family companions, distinguished by endurance, calmness and loyalty to people. But if the situation requires protection, they are transformed into formidable guards.

In this case, as a rule, the dog attentively and cautiously monitors how freely the owner communicates with strangers, which allows them. He knows how to assess the situation and is able to study strangers for a long time.

Some individuals do not need constant attention and squeezing at all. They want dosed care, but if the owner wants to caress, pets do not go beyond the friendly attitude. Some of them are extremely stubborn and able to defend their point of view for a long time. Despite this, they are everyone's favorite, adoring to take part in family matters. Some individuals become attached to the owners so much that they can walk on their heels.

These animals are able to adequately build relationships with relatives of different breeds. And to a greater degree they sympathize with small-sized dogs, they respond to the aggressive behavior of large relatives without any fear with similar behavior, showing who is in charge. They do not react to barking pawns, considering it unworthy of their attention. The very same bark on the case, although very loud.

Centuries of guard service left an imprint on the life schedule of Tibetans. They prefer to sleep during the day, and stay awake at night, and therefore the best time for their walking is evening. It is at this time that they are most active and can spend the energy accumulated during the day. Such a life rhythm is convenient for individuals living in private homes.

Here, dogs have the opportunity to climb to high points to inspect the territory to be monitored by them. When an animal lives in different conditions, it has to adapt to them, which does not take much time. Large dogs quite accurately capture the mood of the household, which is why they act according to the situation. These giants can provide emotional support when needed.

In relation to children, they show patience and do not allow themselves any aggression. With older children, they can play active games, love to walk together and do not allow themselves to tear off the leash, trying to adapt to the small children's step. Perhaps this is due to the fact that once these dogs were used as nannies.

Nevertheless, it is unacceptable to let children go for a walk together with these dogs without adult control. From time to time the dog is not able to determine the line between too active a game and a real threat.Because of this, she can rush to the defense, considering that outsiders can harm her little owners.

The vital resource of the Tibetan mastiff varies from 10-11 years. However, it can significantly be reduced if improper care or failure to comply with proper nutrition, ignoring preventive examinations, complete disregard for the health of the pet. In addition, other factors also affect longevity.

For example, this may be a period of development, habitat features, as well as an ecological background in a region where dogs are kept. The way of breeding is also important, since it affects the physiology of animals. The life expectancy of individual individuals can reach 14 years, while often the dog lives for a long time without any disease. However, if he has hereditary diseases, he may not live to 10 years.

Before bringing a puppy into the house, the owner must take care of preparing the enclosure and arranging the booth of the required size. As a rule, the height of the fence should be not less than 2 meters with a total area of ​​6 m2. The place occupied by the booth with a stove bench should not occupy more than one third of the area of ​​the enclosure. The floor in the area of ​​the booth and lounger is preferably made of wood, in any case it can not be concreted.

Above the location of the beds is desirable to make a canopy, which will pritenyat it. The rest can be planted with lawn grass or covered with a sand layer. It is impossible to build an open-air cage without any tent: this is a prerequisite for keeping a Tibetan dog. To keep your pet strong and healthy, he will need daily walking. They should be long lasting, which will help maintain a good physical condition.

Be sure to buy a pet for a pet muzzle, leash and harness. When buying, you need to pay attention to the fact that the equipment does not squeeze the animal, and the material can withstand strong jerks until the dog passes the training course, which is especially important for hard representatives of the breed. The dog should have its own dishes, in a bowl should be clean and fresh water.

In contrast to the tiny brothers of various ornamental breeds, it is not so easy to keep a Tibetan. The first problem the breeder will face will be the size that will have to be taken into account. The dog will not be able to keep in the conditions of a small apartment, and any other. With age, the size of the pet will increase, and this will require more space.

As for the optimal climate, the dog tolerates cold and dryness more easily than heat and moisture. Unlike many of its fellows of other breeds, this dog is active in bad weather. He gladly frolics in the snow, while in the summer he tries to hide from the sun. Given its type and length of coat, it is quite natural.

It is necessary to accustom a dog to any hygienic procedures from an early age. So they will not be for him something tedious, but because the dog will be relaxed and will not become stubborn. It will be necessary to look after the coat of a Tibetan thoroughly, which takes a lot of time and effort. Of course, the advantage of the procedure will be the fact that the dog calmly refers to combing the hair and has an undercoat without the characteristic smell of a dog. However, it is thick, and therefore in the arsenal of purchases, in addition to the comb and pukhoderka, it is necessary to add a furminator.

Pick up the paddle with a nozzle-trimmer need based on the size of the animal. If the width of the comb, the length of the teeth and the distance between them will not meet the requirements, the procedure of combing the wool can be tedious and long-term.Despite the fact that the dog's coat is not prone to rolling and the formation of mats, combing is an essential element of caring for it. It helps the animal to get rid of dead hairs, which it can carry on itself for months.

Someone prefers to use a metal comb for combing. The furminator allows, without much effort, not only to thin the fur coat, but also to massage the skin, which has a good effect on blood circulation and relaxes the animal. In no case should you try to replace the comb with an electric razor, since it damages the structure of the wool, leading to a violation of heat transfer. During the shedding it is necessary to comb the dog every day.

Any hygiene involves the observance of several rules for maintaining cleanliness. However, despite the sometimes persistent desire of the owner to accustom the animal to frequent water procedures, it is often undesirable to bathe a Tibetan. It is necessary to do this only in case of strong pollution, as frequent washing will wash the layer of fat protection from the dog, which protects its skin from getting wet. Natural lubricant can recover only after a few days.

Wash a huge dog is not easy, besides it has a long and thick coat. Ideally, the easiest way to do this is in the summer, and in summer the washed fur will dry much faster.

For washing use a special zoo shampoo, picking up a product for long-haired dogs. Detergents from the arsenal of man to wash dogs are not suitable, as well as balms, conditioners: the dog must have its own hygiene products.

Claws dog will have to be shortened monthly. Considering the thickness of the cornified tissue, it is preferable to soak the feet before starting the procedure, keeping it in warm water. After trimming the length, the ends of the claws are sawed off, the hairs located between the toes of the paws are cut. Complete doggy manicure and pedicure processing soles. They are applied vegetable oil in order to prevent cracking of the skin.

Like a person, a dog needs to monitor the condition of the oral cavity. Teeth need to inspect constantly, caring for them, you can not allow the strengthening of the resulting yellowness or plaque. The gums of the dog must be pinkish, tooth diseases are unacceptable, and especially their loss. A tibetan owner should brush his teeth at least twice a week using a specialized dog paste and brush.

For the prevention of the weakening of the bone tissue, animals are given solid food. Also, the owners buy specially designed items covered with a composition for removing plaque. From time to time it is necessary to show the dog to a specialist who will assess the condition of the teeth and, if necessary, solve the problems found. Do not let the gums loosen, which can lead to bleeding and loss of teeth.

In addition to caring for teeth and claws, the host should pay attention to the hygiene of Tibetan ears. Like humans, they accumulate earwax and pollution, which must be disposed of as they appear. On average, they should be cleaned once a week, using a cloth moistened with warm water and then dry. In the cold season, ear hygiene is carried out at home or in a heated room.

If visual examination revealed inflammation or even redness of the auricles, it is urgent to contact a veterinarian. Other good reasons for visiting him are the presence of fluid inside the ears and an unpleasant smell.

Important and eye care: when they are healthy, they shine and have a slight discharge. Thanks to them, the eyes get rid of dust particles. Cleanse these secretions with a sterile cloth.In order to prevent souring of the eyes, about once a week they are treated with a weak extract of chamomile, using a flap of soft natural fabric. In the presence of pus, redness, swelling, you should contact your veterinarian.

The key criteria for the education and training of the Tibetan mastiff are strict discipline and caress. A well-trained dog will not allow itself to bark in vain: being close to people, it will give a voice only at danger. Hyperactivity is inherent in these animals only in childhood. But puppies usually do not cause inconvenience when training, if it is started in a timely manner and with the right approach.

Furry giants can fully obey their masters, but invest in them will have a lot of knowledge and time. And because the owner of the dog must be a strong-willed person who has a great deal of patience.

The first thing she learns is the rules set by the owner at home. A dog must understand “his own” and “alien”; master's furniture cannot even be its temporary litter. You can not allow him to sleep in a chair or on the couch: in the future, an understanding of the established order will contribute to a comfortable neighborhood when living together in a house. In training, the owner must be firm and calm, otherwise the dog may try to take the initiative in his hands, “training” the owner in his own way.

Eating a puppy and an adult dog should be saturated with vitamins and microelements, as well as calcium, which is especially important given the high load on the animal on its limbs. The basis of the nutritional diet can be taken as a natural food, and professional dry food.

During the period of active growth and development of the pet it is necessary to feed more often. In this case, greed cannot be encouraged: it is necessary that the dog should eat at certain hours, be dosed and eat without haste. On average, a dog's meal should be up to 15 minutes. If you decide to feed your pet with natural food, you should include beef, rabbit, turkey and chicken in the diet.

In addition, it is necessary to give the animal sea fish, offal, vegetables, herbs, and fruits. Porridges (including rice and buckwheat) will be useful food. Puppies can be given minced meat, newborn babies are given protein food. Starting from two months, vitamins are introduced into the diet, at 4 months the puppy eats the liver and heart.

Half-yearly pet should receive omega-acids and substances from the group of chondroprotectors. It is impossible to sharply transfer a puppy to adult food: it is necessary to gradually reduce the amount of baby food and add an adult.

It is not easy to buy a Tibetan mastiff, which is explained by the high price and rarity of the breed. The price of a private trader for a small friend is from 50,000 rubles, while often there is no guarantee of buying a purebred dog. A dog with documents (pedigree and veterinary passport) is more expensive: the price for a baby is from 300,000 to 600,000 rubles.

To buy a purebred puppy, you need to take a specialist with you to a deal. He will conduct a visual and thorough examination, will point out the best litter among the puppies. To have a more visual idea of ​​the standard, you can preview detailed information about dogs, talk with a specialist about weaknesses and possible diseases.

The acquired puppy must be active and inquisitive, easy to make contact, it must have the right gait. The primary signs of socialization laid down by the mother dog are also needed.They will serve as an impetus to the training necessary for the formation of the correct character of the dog.

The name of the dog should reflect its character and indicate its uniqueness, which is why simple dog nicknames should be excluded from the list of possible names. The name should be short but sonorous, possibly shortened from the full name indicated in the pedigree. In the future, the dog will understand that calling his full name, the owner refers to him. For example, a pet boy can be called Marty, Archie, Mark, Zus, Black, Dark, Brutus. The girl can be given the name Bat, Elsa, Jess, Dana, Abby, Chess, Emma, ​​Dana.

Also dog can be called Cooper, Google, Zack, Nick, the female - Roxy, Sher, Sophie. You cannot call Tibetans Balls, Dusmi, Cannons, Pugs and Nameplates. This breed is quite representative, and therefore the name must be appropriate. Before giving it, it is necessary to relate it to those that are in the pedigree: it should not yield to them. Among the sonorous nicknames you can add such nicknames as Ness, Sheila, Yumi, Gina for girls and Kai, Stark, Chase, Ram, Zack - for boys.

The approximate age of the Tibetan Mastiff breed was determined by genetic research, initiated by the Chinese University of Molecular Evolution. According to their research, the age of the dogs became one of the oldest in the world: they lived more than 50 thousand years ago. Here are some interesting facts about dogs of this breed.

• Thanks to archaeological excavations, the Tibetans found the bones and skulls that these animals lived alongside people in the Stone Age.

• Often breeders have to sacrifice their clothes to the dog. The dog loves to “chew” the owner, showing his affection and desire to play together.

• There is an opinion that the Tibetan Mastiff is smarter than the German Mastiff and is a kind of family dog ​​psychologist who can cheer up any household.

• The origin of the dog has many contradictions, but it is known for certain that its ancestor was a wolf, from which all the Molossians descended.

• White is considered the rarest color. These dogs are worth millions of dollars, in nature, they are rare, breeding almost can not be.

• These dogs mature much later than their relatives of other breeds. Puberty in them ends in 3-4 years.

• Not all photos on the Internet show the real dimensions of the Tibetans. The largest of them, at the age of 11 months, had a weight of 113 kg, was bought by a Chinese billionaire for 1.5 million dollars.

• Some puppies are prone to independent decision making in different situations. Without waiting for the order of the owner, they can go on the attack.

• The dog tries to make informed decisions, and therefore it takes several years to study. He does not tolerate orders, needs respect. With the wrong approach to the training of it grows monster.

• At one time, the voice of Mastiffs in Tibetans was considered sacred. Mockery of these dogs was considered the worst evil in comparison with the murder of a man.

• Tibetans bred in Europe differed from those dogs that were common in Tibet. The more their pedigree and the stricter the standard, the more expensive they are.

There are other facts related to Tibetan gigantic dogs. It is believed that they won leopard battles. According to legend, the Buddha himself had such a dog. There were various rumors about the representatives of this breed, and therefore it was sometimes difficult to figure out where the truth was and where the fiction was. Their popularity was about the same as that of the snowman.

The Tibetan mastiff receives various reviews of the inhabitants, as evidenced by comments left on the information portals. People who are familiar with dogs remain fascinated by their size, noting that the parameters of some individuals are commensurate with the size of calves. At the same time, the owners note that the character of the dogs is striking in its modesty and goodwill.The giants are calm and do not express much interest in strangers, but they are closely living in urban apartments.

The breeders consider pet susceptibility to joint dysplasia to be negative characteristics. In addition, according to the owners, the lack of dogs is abundant hair loss during the molting period, which provokes an allergic reaction. Despite their excellent acclimatization, not all of them suffer loneliness. In the breed there are individuals that it oppresses. They love children and can adapt to the rhythm of life of the owners.

Other breeders say that dogs are not as harmless as described in the general description of character and habits. For example, in the comments, the owners note that pets can wind up with a half turn, believing that it is necessary to defend the honor of the owner in front of an alien. At the same time, even those puppies that have not reached 6-8 months can hurt an adult. Those who know firsthand what the Tibetan mastiff is, in one voice say: to keep a dog you need to have a tremendous sense of responsibility.

Read more about the Tibetan mastiff in the next video.