Tibetan Mastiff

Also known as: Zangao, Bhotekukur, Tibetian Dog, Himalayan mastiff, Tibetan wolfhound

The Tibetan Mastiff, called Do-Khyi in Tibetan, guarded nomad camps and villages against wolves and leopards for centuries, often working loose at night and resting through the day. The dense double coat, with its pronounced neck mane, is built for extreme high-altitude cold, which means the breed tends to struggle more than most with heat in warmer climates. A male can reach 72 kilograms, and that size means slow growth and a real need to protect joints while young. This is an independent breed that makes its own decisions, built to work without constant human direction. Around strangers it stays watchful and distrustful. Life expectancy runs 10 to 14 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Tibetan Mastiff: how old in human years?

61–76 cmHeight
34–72 kgWeight
10–14 yrsLife expectancy

Caucasian Shepherd Dog

FCI group: Pinscher and Schnauzer type, Molossoid breeds, Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs
FCI section: Section 2.2: Molossoid breeds, Mountain type
FCI: 230
Country of origin: China (Tibet)

Energy level

2/5
Trainability

2/5
Family friendly

3/5
Grooming need

4/5

At a glance

Height

Males 66–76 cm

Females 61–71 cm

Weight

Males 45–72 kg

Females 34–54 kg

Life expectancy

10–14 yrs

Coat

thick double coat with mane (long)

Temperament & Family Life

Tibetan Mastiff's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is low.

Family friendly 3/5
Good with children 2/5
Good with other dogs 1/5
Friendly with strangers 1/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 2/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Tibetan Mastiff's energy and exercise needs are low.

Energy level 2/5
Exercise need 3/5
Apartment friendly 1/5
Prey drive 3/5
Hunting instinct 2/5

Guarding & Alertness

Tibetan Mastiff's guarding and alertness traits are high.

Guarding instinct 5/5
Watchfulness 5/5
Barking level 3/5

Grooming & Care

Tibetan Mastiff's grooming needs are moderate.

Shedding 4/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 4/5

Living with the Tibetan Mastiff

A Tibetan Mastiff spends his day lying somewhere with a view of his whole territory, looking lazy right up until someone appears at the fence. He needs daily calm walks and a roomy, securely fenced garden rather than marathons. A flat is no place for him: his size, his vigilance and his deep voice call for space and distant neighbours, all the more so because he takes his guard duty most seriously in the evening and at night.

He is intelligent but not obedient in the usual sense. He was bred to make his own decisions, so he treats commands as suggestions, and harshness only makes him dig in. Calm consistency, early and very broad socialisation, and experience with large guardian breeds are close to essential, which makes him a poor choice for a first dog.

With his own family he is devoted and protective, but reserved and suspicious with strangers, and he finds it hard to get along with other dogs, particularly of the same sex. Always supervise him with small children: he can be gentle, but he may read the noisy games of visiting children as a threat. If what you want is a calm, dignified companion who guards the house at night rather than a playmate, this mountain giant may be your dog.

Grooming and coat

A Tibetan Mastiff's coat was made for Himalayan winters: long, coarse guard hairs over a dense undercoat, with a heavy mane around the neck and shoulders, especially in males. For most of the year it asks surprisingly little: a thorough weekly brush right down to the skin, with extra attention to the mane, the trousers and the tail. But once a year, in the warm season, the undercoat comes out all at once, and for a few weeks you will be brushing daily with a rake and a brush, filling bags as you go. There is no need to clip or shave this coat, which insulates against cold and heat alike.

As you brush, part the coat and look at the skin: it shouldn't be red or flaky, and mats keep the air off it. The drop ears get little air, so look inside once a week: clean and not smelly is what you want. His eyes should be clear, without discharge or redness. A dog this size likes to decide for himself when he is handled, so start the grooming routine while he is still a puppy small enough to sit on your lap.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

Midnight, and the dog who has not made a sound all day stands up at the gate and informs the whole street, in a deep voice, that he is on duty. The Tibetan Mastiff is a mountain guardian raised in a harsh climate, tough and unpampered, but his eyes, joints and thyroid deserve watching. A dog this big doesn't always show discomfort, so your attention and regular vet check-ups go a long way.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Eye problems

An umbrella term for a range of eye troubles, from faulty eyelids and lashes to inflammation or damage to the cornea. A Tibetan Mastiff's eyes are partly hidden by his heavy mane, so check that an eye isn't watering or red and that he isn't squinting or pawing at it. If an eye suddenly turns red, looks painful or has been injured, he needs a vet immediately.
Elbow and hip dysplasia

A developmental problem of the joints: as the puppy grows, the parts of the elbow or hip don't form quite right, so the joint wears faster than it should. You may notice him getting up stiffly after a nap, limping after a longer walk or taking the stairs reluctantly. A big, heavy Tibetan Mastiff grows slowly and needs sound joints, so if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.
Hypothyroidism

When the thyroid makes too little hormone, the whole body slows down. Sluggishness in a calm Tibetan Mastiff is easy to put down to character, so watch for other clues: weight gain without eating more, a thinning, dull coat, hair slow to grow back, or seeking out warm spots. Whether the thyroid is behind it is for your vet to determine.

Food for giant breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (72 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 565 g of dry food a day, from €31,10 a month For a neutered, normally active 51,3 kg dog. Calculate for your dog