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When coming face to face with this ancient behemoth, an intruder who does nothing good will easily move towards choosing. TMs can stand 26 at the shoulder and weigh more than 100 pounds. It is impossible to discuss this breed without leaning on words like “powerful,” “muscular,” “huge,” and “substantial.” And yet, TM is quite lighthearted and will face a perceived threat with astonishing agility. The wide head, with its high-set, V-shaped ears and expressive brown eyes, features a great, intelligent expression.
Nobody really knows for sure. The breed is so ancient, and Tibet has always been so isolated, that it is impossible to tell how and when TM came. We know that for millennia they were powerful patrons of the Himalayas, and they are believed to be the ancestors of all modern mastiffs. Evidence suggests that early travelers to Tibet were sometimes given as gifts to these giants, which were used to create mastiff breeds of the Middle East and Europe.
Great and influential: a large, but not huge breed. A strong and adequate dog, of a serious but kind presence. The Tibetan mastiff stands well on the pestern, giving a vigilant look, with strong, tight, feline legs. Body is slightly longer than tall. The identity of the breed is the head and tail. The head is wide and impressive, with an ample back skull, eyes deep-set and almond-shaped, slightly tilted, the snout wide and well padded, giving a square appearance. The specific expression of the breed is one of vigilance. The tail and breech are well feathered and the tail is carried above the back in a single curl, keeping the head in balance. The coat and heavy mane are thick, with thick guard hair and a woolen undercoat.
The gestation period in lasts for 60-64 days The primary period of the reproductive cycle of the female is called Proestrus and goes on for around 9 days. During this time the females begin to draw in males. The subsequent part is the Estrus when the bitch is receptive to the male. It goes on for around 3 to 11 days. The third part is the Diestrus. Usually, it happens around day 14. In this period the bitch’s discharge changes for distinctive red and reaching its end. The vulva gets back to average, and she will no longer allow mating. The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time span between heat periods ordinarily keeps going around a half year. The litter size ranges between 6 to 8 puppies at a time’
Tibetan mastiffs are double coated, with heavy, woolen undercoats and thick guard hairs. They have a low-maintenance coat that requires minimal grooming for most of the year. It is necessary to brush weekly with a slicker or a long pin brush to remove surface dirt, and use a wide-toothed comb on the tail, mane, and breech to remove tangles. TMs “blow up” their undercoats once a year in late spring or summer in large-scale shedding. During this time, it is best to use an undercoat rake or de-shedding tool. By breed standard, TM has to be shown naturally; No clipping or trimming is acceptable except for shaping the legs and making the hawks look clean.
Tibetan mastiffs do not respond well to traditional obedience training. They are highly intelligent, learn quickly, and do not feel the need to repeat what they already know. If they respect and believe their decision they will do what their boss asks of them – but if there are any questions, TM will follow their instinct on training. Breeds in general are not food-driven, and they do not reliably respond to behavior as a training tool. They are also notorious for performing flawlessly in the classroom and completely ignoring all orders when they are once again at home. They do not have a reliable recall and should never rely on a lease.
The Tibetan mastiff requires daily moderate exercise, but it does not need to be as an organized activity. TMs prefer to focus on work-related tasks, such as patrolling their territory, rather than in a structured game, such as chasing flying discs or playing fetch. They are more active in cold climates. They conserve energy until needed, exhibit only short bursts of activity, and lack endurance. They make good throw-rugs in winter and air-conditioner vent covers in summer!
The Tibetan Mastiff should perform well on high quality dog food, whether it is commercially manufactured or prepared at home with the supervision and approval of your vet. Any diet should be appropriate for the age of the dog (puppy, adult, or senior). Tibetan mastiffs eat far less than expected for their size, as adults may require only two to four cups of quality food per day. They only eat when they are hungry, and it is not uncommon for TMs to give up food altogether. When it is the season for women, men often refuse to eat for a week or more and can reduce their body weight by 10 to 15 percent. Know which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not. Contact your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean, fresh water must be available at all times. Tibetan Mastiffs do not require any special diet.
The Tibetan mastiff is a relatively healthy breed, and responsible breeders will examine their stock for health conditions such as elbow and hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and eye anomalies, including entropion and ectropion. Seizures have been reported, but this problem is not prevalent in the breed.
Recommended health tests from the National Breed Club:
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