Tibetan Shepherd Dog: photo, description of the breed

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Today, more and more people are getting dogs, and there is nothing strange in this, since these creatures sincerely love their owners and will be faithful to them for the rest of their lives. A striking example of a faithful and intelligent pet is the Tibetan Shepherd Dog.

Tibetan Sheepdog: breed description

Tibetan Shepherd Dog or Tibetan Mastiff is an excellent guard dog. These are strong animals, with a height of 60-65 cm, reaching a weight of 60-70 kg.

The breed is famous for its thick coat with a double undercoat, which perfectly protects the animal in winter. The thick coat around the neck visually resembles a mane, which is why the nickname “Tibetan lion” has stuck to the Tibetan Shepherd Dog.

Wool varies in color from gray-blue to rich black. There are individuals with a variety of red shades. There are patches of white on the chest and legs.

Origin story

The Tibetan Mastiff has been surrounded by myths and legends since ancient times. The breed itself is quite ancient, formed as a result of the geographical isolation of Tibet.

From the 13th century, whenChinese merchants passed through the territory of Tibet, mixing of the gene pool of local and Chinese dogs began. Purebred Tibetan dogs remained only among individuals living in the mountains.

The first mention of these strong and hardy animals begins to appear centuries before our era. In the 13th century, during his trip to Asia, Marco Polo described these dogs admiringly. They were brought to Europe in 1847.

Tibetan mastiffs amazed Europeans with their appearance, which is why the first individuals brought there were kept in zoos.

Many cynologists study Tibetan mastiffs with interest. Some of them even express opinions that this breed can be considered the ancestor of the Molossians (this is a group of dog breeds that includes Great Danes, Bulldogs, Mastiffs, Boxers, Pugs).

Show Breed Standards

The breed standards for the Tibetan Mastiff are not very detailed.

Some individuals within the breed differ markedly from each other in color and size. The minimum height for males is 66 cm, for females 61 cm. Different variations of black, gold, chestnut, red and gray with tan are allowed in the color.

Tibetan Shepherd Dog (photo) - the largest dog of all ancient breeds on Earth. She has a powerful muscular body, a strong neck with a slight bend and a mane, strong, evenly set limbs. The tail is of medium length, set above the level of the back line, curved. The head is broad, with a massive and strong skull. The ratio of the skull to the muzzle is 1:1.

Eyes of medium size, far apart, expressive. The ears are drooping, triangular in shape, set low and close to the head.

Character

The character of the Tibetan Shepherd Dog harmoniously combines patience and fearlessness, which makes it an ideal protector of the home. However, like every breed, it has its own characteristics of behavior that should be considered by future owners.

The character of the Tibetan mastiff is sometimes distinguished by stubbornness and independence, so it is very important that the dog learns not only to obey, but also to trust his master from puppyhood.

The Tibetan Shepherd (photo in the article) loves communication and attention, so it is perfect for keeping in the family. Despite the patient temperament, it is better not to let small children near the animal, because the guard dog can take the overly active behavior characteristic of babies for aggression against itself.

Tibetan mastiffs also do not approve of a large crowd of strangers in the house. Therefore, lovers of noisy and crowded parties should not get a dog of this breed. This attitude is common to all dog breeds with protective qualities.

While walking, you must follow different routes, otherwise the mastiff will consider someone else's territory as his "protection zone".

If the Tibetan Shepherd dog is kept most of the time in the yard, it is necessary to enclose the territory with a sufficiently high fence.

It is not recommended to leave the Tibetan Mastiff for a long time alone or with unfamiliar people. sociable by naturethe dog can hold a grudge and stop trusting the owners, or even run wild.

Features of care and maintenance

Given the size and nature of the Tibetan Mastiff, it is best to keep him in the spacious yard of a private house, where he can play and move freely.

Dense double undercoat creates certain difficulties for keeping the animal in a hot and humid climate. The Tibetan Shepherd Dog tolerates high temperatures well only when kept in a dry climate.

Every day it is necessary to provide the dog with walks and outdoor games lasting at least half an hour. When walking with a puppy, the owner must be extremely attentive and careful. The fact is that it is during the period of growing up that most injuries of the limbs occur, so outdoor games with a small mastiff are best played in a familiar area, for example, in the courtyard of the house.

The Tibetan Mastiff usually molts once a year, depending on the climate. Several times a week, the dog must be combed out with a special grooming brush. Tangles need to be untangled by hand or cut off. Bathing is carried out once a month and as needed.

Proper and timely care will ensure a long and he althy life for your pet.

He alth and disease

Homeowners should remember that most infectious diseases can be avoided by vaccinating a pet in advance. These procedures must be repeated annually, makingrevaccination at the veterinary clinic.

The Tibetan Shepherd does not suffer from specific diseases inherent only to its breed. The most common disease in dogs, including Tibetan mastiffs, is torsion of the eyelid, when the lower movable part of the eye turns inward. Such a problem is solved relatively easily, with the help of a simple surgical intervention.

Large dogs often have joint problems, and although Tibetan Shepherds are not very susceptible to this disease, no one is immune from the risk of hip dysplasia. To prevent the disease, it is recommended to conduct x-ray examinations from time to time (but not more often than once a year), as well as carefully monitor the visual manifestations of possible diseases.

Proper nutrition of the Tibetan Shepherd Dog

Tibetan Shepherd, especially in the period of active maturation, eats a lot. Adult dogs need a smaller amount of food, but their diet should be balanced.

It is not recommended to mix ready-made dry food with natural food. A complete diet should include cereals, eggs, vegetables and meat.

Feeding should be done at regular intervals. Puppies under six months of age should eat at least six times a day, adults - up to four times.

Basic nutrition rules to follow:

1. You can't overfeed your dog. If for some reason she is very hungry, it is necessary to provide more frequent feeding with smallportions.
2. Do not soak dry food with water or milk. This may lead to poisoning.
3. Suddenly switching from natural to dry food can cause digestive problems, so the transition should be done gradually.
4. Choosing pet food should be based on its age.
5. Smoked, s alty food, raw fish and meat should not be given to animals.

Training

For a dog to be obedient, it is necessary to engage in training with it, starting from puppyhood.

Tibetan Shepherd Dog is by nature smart and attentive dog, needs guidance and a firm hand of the owner. However, training should take place in such a way that the animal learns not only to obey, but also to fully trust the owner, so screams or violence are unacceptable. In no case should you suppress the natural playfulness of the puppy, otherwise he will experience a hidden fear of the owner, which may result in uncontrollable behavior in the future.

Tibetan Shepherd Dogs, like most guard breeds, need socialization - from time to time you need to introduce them to other people and dogs. If the animal is deprived of socialization, it may begin to show excessive aggression and suspicion. Of course, in this case, it is necessary to observe the golden mean - the dog should not forget about his security duties.

If an animal shows unreasonable aggression, it is necessary to seek clarification from professional cynologists andtrainers. Being practically familiar with the characteristic features inherent in a particular breed, they will be able to determine the reasons for this mastiff behavior with a high probability.

Tibetan Mastiff vs Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Comparison

When planning to purchase a guard dog, many future owners are faced with a choice - to take a Tibetan Mastiff or Caucasian Shepherd puppy. Both breeds are distinguished by their excellent protective qualities, but it is also necessary to take into account the specific character traits inherent in each of them.

The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is more difficult to train, so inexperienced dog owners should choose a Tibetan Mastiff. What is the other significant difference between them? The Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus the Tibetan Mastiff has a more cocky and cunning disposition, while the Tibetans are more accommodating and calm.

Of course, the nature of the dog will depend not only on its belonging to a particular breed. What matters is upbringing and the psychophysical qualities received from birth of each individual, which cannot be predicted with absolute certainty.

Price for puppies

On average, a Tibetan Shepherd puppy will cost 30 thousand rubles. The breed is not yet well known in Russia, so the price is appropriate. Before buying, it is necessary to check the pedigree, and how to examine the puppy not only for physical compliance with the prescribed breed standards, but also for visual absence of diseases.

If you follow all of the aboverules when choosing a puppy and caring for him, then you will provide yourself with a devoted friend and guard.