Overview
The Tibetan Mastiff is the great guardian of the Himalayan plateau, bred to protect monasteries, villages and herds from predators and strangers. It has a massive frame, a heavy mane and a thick double coat, often in black and tan or deep red, and a reputation for independence that is fully earned.
A well-raised dog is calm and gentle with its own household and reserved with everyone else. It is not a dog that lives to please; it was bred to work alone at night without instruction, and it still barks at night and still makes its own decisions. The UK population is small and owners tend to know exactly what they have.
Exercise and walking needs
An hour a day in two slow walks suits most adults. Mastiffs patrol rather than exercise, and a steady lead walk around a familiar route with time to stand and watch gives them everything they want.
Growth is slow and the joints are vulnerable, so young dogs need short, gentle outings for a long time. Heat is dangerous for the breed: in summer, walk at dawn, carry water and be willing to cancel.
On the walk
- Strength: If the dog decides to go somewhere, you are going too. Use a heavy-duty harness, keep the lead short and avoid situations that could trigger a lunge.
- Strangers: People approaching head-on may draw a deep bark and a planted stance. Cross the road early and give the dog nothing to react to.
- Other dogs: Tolerant of calm dogs it knows; territorial with strange ones, particularly of the same sex. Never a group-walk dog.
- Heat: Panting hard at mild temperatures is normal and a sign to slow down. Shade, water and a short route are not optional in summer.
Tips for professional walkers
- Agree a long introduction period with the owner; the dog has to accept you before it will walk with you.
- Choose quiet times and quiet routes, and avoid narrow paths where you cannot give other dogs a wide berth.
- Carry water and a bowl, and watch for heat stress even on cloudy days.
- Check the dense coat for mats and ticks after walks, especially behind the ears and under the mane.
What to ask the owner
- Any hip, elbow or thyroid history, and what has the vet said about distance and heat?
- How does the dog respond to strangers and other dogs, and has it ever lunged or snapped on a walk?
- Is there a harness the dog accepts, and are there routes or times you want avoided?