Tibetan Mastiff - Do-Khyi Breed Information Puppies and Breeders Australia

If you're looking for a big dog with a big personality, you may be in luck with the Tibetan Mastiff or Do-Khyi as it's also known. Originally from Tibet, the Tibetan Mastiff is an ancient breed that has seen a lot of history. At one point Tibetan Mastiffs found a fan in Alexander the Great, who acquired some to keep him company on his travels. English breeders developed an interest in them in the 19th century however their popularity waned in the first part of the 20th century and has only returned in the last few decades.

Tibetan Mastiffs are traditionally a working dog and in their early days they were used to guard villages, monasteries and livestock. Today they are bred throughout the world, with western breeds now combining with their traditional Tibetan counterparts. They still make great guard dogs, but they can also be wonderful companions.

The Tibetan mastiff is a sturdy, powerfully built dog with a thick coat, bushy tail, and dense mane of fur around the neck and head. They have a thick, medium-length coat, which doesn't tend to shed a great deal making grooming relatively easy. Like many dogs, they can lose a layer of fur during the summer months, which often sheds in clumps.

Male Tibetan Mastiffs are, on average, around 66cm tall and females about 61cm. They may occasionally live up to 14 years, but usually live around 10 to 12 years. There are several colour variations including black, brown, gold, grey, black and tan, or gold and grey. Some have tan markings above the eyes, on the muzzle, lower leg, and tip of the tail. They may also have white markings on the chest and toes.

Don't be misled by their slow gait. They may not appear so, but they are quite agile. This is a dog with an average amount of energy. They do enjoy a long walk once a day but don't mind lying about for the rest of the time. They're not particularly big on ball games, so just a walk and a chance to explore will keep them happy.

While the ancient Tibetan dogs could apparently be quite ferocious, today's Tibetan Mastiffs are much calmer. They still like to guard and protect family members, yet if trained properly most become very gentle and patient, and are generally good with children. On occasion, they may be stubborn, and also wary of strangers, but early training and socialisation should reduce the risk of this becoming a problem. Tibetan Mastiffs may be expensive to buy as they are much rarer than some other dogs, but on the plus side, food costs are generally minimal.

The Tibetan Mastiff has a long, distinguished history and they are a dignified, self-confident though occasionally stubborn dog. They have a big booming voice which is perfect for guard dog duties, and they'd love to have the opportunity to become part of your family and give you all of their loyalty.