Tibetan Mastiff, originated from the Tibetan Plateau known as the 'Roof of the World' at an altitude of 5000 meters, might be mistaken as a Terrier breed due to its name, but it is actually a type of livestock guardian dog. It is referred to as 'Bring' because of its similarity in size to a Terrier. Tibetans call it "Lucky Bearer" or "Holy Dog". China's Tibet is one of the most sparsely populated places in the world, with extreme climate and complicated terrain, so they have a high adaptability to the environment. Its double-layer coat provides great protection, with soft facial fur to protect the eyes from wind and snow, and a sturdy body to resist environmental difficulties.
The Tibetan Mastiff is intelligent, gentle in temperament, and physically strong. It is friendly to its owner and can be a companion dog in the home after training. Because of its difficult-to-maintain double-layer fur, it needs to be bathed and carefully groomed every day.
The Tibetan Mastiff originated in Tibet, China. Records show that over 2000 years ago, monks kept Tibetan Mastiffs in temples as companion dogs, considering them as "lucky messengers" that bring good fortune. Selling the dogs was believed to bring bad luck and disaster, but giving them as gifts expressed reverence to the deities or sincere wishes and gratitude to people. In the 1920s, a female doctor in India cured a sick Tibetan woman, who then gifted her a Tibetan Mastiff as a gesture of gratitude. The doctor developed many of these dogs in India due to her love for them and established the famous Lamleh Kennel. In the 1920s, Tibetan Mastiffs gained recognition in India and were acknowledged by the United Kingdom in 1937. Today, Tibetan Mastiffs are popular worldwide due to their magnificence and can be seen in dog shows around the globe.
In 1956, the Harry and Hariette Miller couple from Virginia bought a Tibetan Mastiff from the Lamleh Kennel, making it the first officially recognized Tibetan Mastiff in the United States. This attracted many dog enthusiasts from Canada to Florida, from the East Coast to the West Coast.
On May 1, 1973, the Tibetan Mastiff was recognized and registered by the AKC. It was classified as a non-sporting group in the AKC dog show on November 3, 1973.
Tibetan Mastiffs are suitable for modern family upbringing. They have a gentle temperament, strong physique, and high resistance to diseases. They are obedient to their owners, easy to train, and make very caring companions at home.
1. Heart Disease
Dog heart disease is often associated with obesity and old age. When dogs have heart disease, they mainly show symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath. Dog heart disease is difficult to detect, and by the time owners notice it, the dog is already seriously ill.
2. Infectious Diseases
Canine distemper and canine parvovirus are common and highly fatal infectious diseases in dogs. Dogs that are not vaccinated in a timely manner are very susceptible to these two infectious diseases. Once they are sick, they will experience symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3. Kidney Disease
When it comes to common diseases and symptoms in dogs, kidney disease cannot be ignored. The terrifying thing about dog kidney disease is its unconscious process. By the time the owner discovers it, the damage to the dog's kidney cells often exceeds 75%. When dogs have problems, the symptoms are usually blood in urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4. Parasites
Intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms are common parasites in dogs. When dogs are infected with gastrointestinal parasites, the main symptoms are emaciation, lethargy, diarrhea, presence of worms in feces, and pale gums. Heartworm is a parasite that parasitizes in the dog's heart. When dogs are infected, they will have symptoms such as low vitality, coughing, anemia, asthma, and ascites.
5. Canine Pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but canine pneumonia is a complication of other diseases. It often occurs in dogs with abnormalities in the upper respiratory system, bacterial infections, canine distemper infections, viral flu, impaired lung function, and heartworm infections. Coughing, nasal congestion, and increased body temperature are the main symptoms of canine pneumonia.
1. The Tibetan Mastiff's coat is difficult to manage because it is double-layered, so it needs to be bathed and carefully groomed every day.
2. It is important to protect the Tibetan Mastiff's teeth. It should not be fed soft and wet food frequently to avoid plaque formation and dental disease. Letting the dog chew on big bones can clean its teeth and help tooth development.
3. When the owner cleans the dog's mouth, they can first open the dog's mouth, rinse it with clean water or 1% saline solution, and then use a damp cloth strip with a little toothpaste wrapped around the finger to gently wipe the teeth. If using a dog-specific toothbrush, it is best to choose a soft bristle to protect the teeth. The teeth need to be cleaned once a week.
4. The dog's diet should be regularly changed to prevent the dog from getting tired of eating.
1. Cannot bath frequently
When bathing a dog, it should not be done too frequently. The frequency of bathing should depend on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, the dog can be bathed one or two times more, while in winter it can be reduced by one or two times. However, in general, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its coat and skin!
2. Groom regularly
Dogs shed almost every day, especially in spring and autumn when seasonal shedding is more severe. In order to have good hair growth, regular grooming is an important step. Pet owners can use pet-specific brushes to help the dog remove natural shed hair and prevent matting. Grooming once in the morning and once in the evening for about five minutes each time is sufficient.
3. Sunbathe
Sunbathing is beneficial for the dog's hair growth. In addition to making the coat shinier, letting the dog sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. While sunbathing, owners can let the dog exercise, which can improve the dog's physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier hair.
4. Parasite control
Poor coat condition is closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body and compete for nutrition. Therefore, parasite control is essential. It is recommended to perform internal and external parasite control together. Moreover, deworming medication can cause significant harm to the dog's gastrointestinal tract, so it is advisable to feed probiotics on a regular basis to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order for the dog to have a shiny coat, a good nutritional foundation must be established, and attention should be paid to daily diet. On one hand, feed the dog with nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a brand that is suitable for the dog and provides sufficient nutrition to meet its needs. On the other hand, the dog can be fed with lean meat, cooked egg yolk, and vegetable oil in appropriate amounts.
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