Tibetan Mastiff

Patellar Luxation

Legg-Perthes Disease

Hip Dysplasia

Heart murmurs

Tibetan Mastiff puppies should be given a nutritious diet to ensure the proper formation of their bones and joints. This is particularly critical during their puppyhood for these rapidly growing giants.

Supplements should not be added to the diet unless absolutely necessary as they can do more harm than good.

Surprisingly, these fluffy giants eats much less than expected despite their size. Adult Tibetan Mastiffs may only require two to four cups of high-quality dog food daily. They will usually only eat when they are hungry and it is not uncommon for them to skip meals.

The coat of a Tibetan Mastiff, whatever its length or colour doesn't typically shed but they do blow their coat once a year which usually occurs in late spring on summer.

This can last up to 6-8 weeks and a good brush every few days during this time is recommended to help keep all the loose hairs at bay.

Tibetan Mastiffs are low-maintenance dogs. Their double-coated, heavy, woolly undercoat and coarse guard hair will require a quick brush once a week at most to remove dirt from the surface. A wide-tooth comb can be used for their tail, mane, and breeches to remove any tangles and a quick wipe with a towel or a chamois cloth will also help to keep them clean.

During their moulting season, Tibetan Mastiffs blow all their undercoat out, which comes out in clumps of wool. They need to be heavily groomed/raked out during this time.

Tibetan Mastiffs are couch potatoes so it is important for them to get regular moderate exercise to be fit and happy.

Monitoring their activities from their younger years and as they get older will help minimise any potential damage that can occur in their bones and joints. Though they have a tendency to be lazy, they still enjoy exercising and a little ramble around in the countryside or in an outdoor area.

As long as they get their daily walks and are properly socialised, they are content just laying around napping all day, but with one eye always open on guard. They are not too keen on playing games like balls and other toys and prefers to go on patrols around their territory or other work-related tasks instead.

Tibetan Mastiffs are a relatively healthy breed with an average lifespan of 12-15 years. They can be prone to developing genetic health conditions.

Hip and elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and canine-inherited demyelinating neuropathy are some conditions both you and your vet should keep an eye on.

Regular check-ups at least once a year to monitor your dogs' overall health is highly recommended.

Tibetan Mastiffs are known to be loving and affectionate towards their family, and their calm demeanour makes them perfect companions for older children. However, because of their great size, Tibetan Mastiffs are not recommended for homes with toddlers or small children. They are also not recommended for first-time dog owners.

The mastiff's guard dog origins are likely to manifest themselves when they encounter visitors in their home. They tend to be suspicious of strangers and can be protective of their families and perceived territory. This can be minimized through obedience training and proper socialization.

It is vital to expose your mastiffs to as many new people, places and situations as possible, particularly during their younger years.

Tibetan Mastiffs require consistent and firm hand during training. They can be a bit stubborn and dominant, so they need to know their place in the family. They are highly intelligent dogs, and they learn quickly. Avoid repeating things they already know.

Tibetan Mastiffs typically do not respond well to traditional obedience training and will follow instincts over training if they are not respected. Strong words and harsh handling will only cause them to ignore their handlers. Treats are also not recommended, for they are not food driven dogs, but other positive reinforcements such as praises and play can help.

They need to be brought up carefully with proper socialisation to become well-adjusted family pets. And so it's best to start training your Tibetan Mastiffs as puppies while they are still at a manageable size.

Tibetan Mastiffs often display their dominance over unfamiliar dogs they encounter and may also be aggressive with dogs of the same sex. But when properly introduced, they generally get along well with other animals and guests. It is important that they are carefully supervised when introduced to new animals and humans.