Tibetan Mastiff, also known as "sleeve dog", originated from the Himalayas in Tibet. It is a breed of dog with a mysterious color and is also one of the ancient dog breeds in China. It is said that in the past, it was specially raised by monks for prayers and, after professional training, learned to help monks turn the scripture wheel and guard the monastery courtyard. Later, it gradually developed and spread from Tibet to the capital city and was loved by the royal family of the Qing Dynasty. It was kept in the palace, so it was also called the palace dog.
The Tibetan Mastiff is small in size, lively, independent, confident, and has a high level of alertness. Its appearance gives the impression of being very symmetrical, and it is also very intelligent, with strong learning ability and easy training, making it very suitable as a companion dog. However, purebred Tibetan Mastiffs are currently very rare, as they have not received the proper attention and protection and are in a endangered state, requiring us to save them together.
Tibetan Mastiff originated from Tibet in China. According to records, this dog has existed since at least the 8th century and was raised by Tibetan monks for prayers. It has a lifespan of 13-14 years, weighs 4-7 kilograms, and is 24.5-25.5 centimeters tall. From an anatomical point of view, it is very similar to another Chinese native dog breed, the Beijing dog, and they rarely suffer from respiratory and back diseases due to their innate physical characteristics.
Tibetan Mastiff is just one of its names. In fact, they have never been engaged in hunting work. Because of their high intelligence, it is said that they were used for prayer in the past and learned to help monks turn the sutra cylinder. They are not only working dogs but also companions of the monks, guarding temples and accompanying them for centuries.
Tibetan Mastiffs can be raised in urban households. They have a lively and adorable personality, are intelligent and confident. They know how to avoid strangers and can get along well with children, making them a very suitable companion dog.
1, Heart Disease
Dogs with heart disease are often associated with obesity and old age. When dogs have heart disease, they mainly show symptoms such as easy fatigue and difficulty breathing. It is difficult to detect heart disease in dogs, and often the owner realizes it when the dog is already very sick.
2, Infectious Diseases
Canine distemper and canine parvovirus are common and highly fatal infectious diseases in dogs. Dogs that have not been vaccinated in time are very susceptible to these two infectious diseases, and once infected, they may show symptoms such as listlessness, decreased appetite, increased body temperature, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3, Kidney Disease
When it comes to common diseases and symptoms in dogs, one has to mention kidney disease. The terrifying aspect of kidney disease in dogs is that it often progresses unnoticed, and when the owner discovers it, the dog's kidney cells are already more than 75% damaged. When a dog's kidneys have problems, the symptoms are generally bloody urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4, Parasites
Gastrointestinal parasites such as roundworms and hookworms, as well as heartworms, are common parasites that infect dogs. When a dog is infected with intestinal parasites, the main symptoms include emaciation, depression, diarrhea, presence of worms in the feces, and pale gums. Heartworms, on the other hand, are parasites that live in a dog's heart. After a dog is infected, it may show symptoms such as decreased vitality, coughing, anemia, shortness of breath, and abdominal effusion.
5, Canine Pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but dog pneumonia is usually a complication of other diseases. It often occurs in dogs with abnormal upper respiratory tract, bacterial infection, canine distemper infection, viral influenza, lung dysfunction, and heartworm infection. Coughing, nasal congestion, and increased body temperature are the main symptoms of dog pneumonia.
Foods that Tibetan Mastiffs cannot be fed:
1. Chocolate: The theobromine in it may reduce the blood flow to the brain of the animal, leading to heart disease or other life-threatening problems.
2. Onions and garlic: Both raw and cooked onions and garlic contain disulfides, which can cause oxidation of the red blood cells in Tibetan Mastiffs, possibly leading to hemolytic anemia.
3. Raw or cooked liver: A small amount of liver is beneficial to Tibetan Mastiffs, but excessive consumption may cause poisoning because the liver contains a large amount of vitamin A, which can lead to vitamin A toxicity.
4. Bones: Fragile bones, such as chicken bones, may penetrate the throat of Tibetan Mastiffs or cause cuts to their mouth, esophagus, stomach, or intestines. It is best to cook the bones thoroughly before feeding them. In addition, you can feed large bones to help clean the dog's mouth and promote dental development.
5. Raw eggs: Raw eggs should never be eaten because they not only contain bacteria but also a protein called avidin, which depletes essential vitamin H in Tibetan Mastiffs.
6. Raw meat and poultry: Tibetan Mastiffs' immune systems are simply not strong enough to withstand commercially raised poultry and meat. The most common salmonella and bacillus strains are extremely dangerous to Tibetan Mastiffs.
7. Pork: The fat globules in pork are larger than those in other meats, which may block the micro-blood vessels of Tibetan Mastiffs. Therefore, it is best to avoid feeding pork products, especially bacon containing sodium nitrate.
8. Milk: Most milk contains lactose, and many Tibetan Mastiffs have lactose intolerance. If your dog experiences symptoms such as flatulence, diarrhea, dehydration, or skin inflammation after drinking milk, you should immediately stop feeding it milk.
1. Cannot bathe frequently
When bathing a dog, of course, it should not be too frequent. The frequency of bathing a dog depends on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather in the summer, you can bathe the dog more often, while in the winter, you can reduce the frequency. However, the total number of baths should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Brush frequently
Dogs shed almost every day, especially in spring and autumn when the shedding is more severe. To promote good hair growth, frequent brushing is important. Pet owners can use a dedicated pet comb to help the dog remove naturally shed hair and avoid tangles. Brushing once in the morning and once in the evening for about five minutes each time is enough.
3. Sunbathe
Sunbathing is beneficial for the growth of a dog's fur. In addition to making the fur more shiny, letting the dog sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. While sunbathing, owners can let the dog exercise a bit, which can improve the dog's physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier hair.
4. Deworming
Poor fur condition is actually closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, depriving it of nutrition. Therefore, deworming is essential. When deworming, it is recommended to do both internal and external treatments. Additionally, deworming medication can cause significant damage to the dog's digestive system, so it is recommended to feed probiotics regularly to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order for a dog to have beautiful fur, it must have a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to its daily diet. On one hand, feed the dog nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a brand that is suitable for the dog and provides sufficient nutrition to meet the dog's needs. On the other hand, the dog can be fed with lean meat, cooked egg yolk, and vegetable oil in moderation.