Tibetan Mastiff

The Tibetan Mastiff is a no-fuss pup.  

• Bathing: Their coats are good at repelling dirt, so they don’t need a bath more than once a month.  
• Brushing: Every spring, Tibetan Mastiffs blow their undercoats (where they shed chunks of hair, instead of individual strands) and will need to be worked over with an undercoat rake. The rest of the year, weekly brushing with a pin brush or slicker brush is enough to keep their moderate shedding under control and keep their fur from matting.  
• Dental care: Brush your Tibetan Mastiff’s teeth daily. Start when they’re a puppy, if possible, so they get used to the routine. Regular brushing, combined with dental treats, water additives, and other dental health tools, can help prevent tooth and gum disease. See your vet once a year for a pro teeth cleaning. 
• Ear care: Once a month, check for debris in the ear canal, and examine the ears for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or any bad smell. Call your vet if you notice anything.
  • Your vet may recommend at-home ear cleaning. You can wipe the inside and outside of the ears with a damp cloth or ear wipes, taking care to avoid the ear canal.
• Nail care: Nails need trimming once or twice a month. You’ll know it’s time for a trim when you hear them tapping on hard surfaces as your dog walks by. 

The Tibetan Mastiff is one smart cookie, but they also think very independently and tend to follow their own instincts when it comes to training, so you’ll have to earn their trust.  

This pup needs a leader who’s patient and consistent; use positive reinforcement training to reward your dog with toys, treats, and praise for good behavior. You may need to experiment to find a reward that will get them excited enough to pay attention to you. (As much as they love you, they have their own minds and opinions about the world.) 

Socialize your Tibetan Mastiff puppy from the time you bring them home (or as early as possible if you adopt), safely exposing them to as many new people, children, animals, and environments as you can. You’ll want to continue socializing their whole life to keep them engaged with the world, as these loyal souls tend to be naturally introverted.  

Tibetan Mastiffs do best with experienced pet parents who can instill these dogs with good manners. Enlisting the help of a certified dog trainer may be a good idea, too. 

The Tibetan Mastiff typically does well on a high-quality commercial dog food that’s complete and balanced. Choose a diet that’s AAFCO-compliant for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior). Pick a large-breed formula, which supports the bones and joints of dogs the Tibetan Mastiff’s size.  

Because Tibetan Mastiffs can develop a life-threatening health issue called GDV (more on that later), take these precautions during mealtimes:  

• Feed your dog multiple daily meals—not one big daily meal. 
• Don’t let your dog exercise for an hour before or after eating. 
• Offer your Tibetan Mastiff food in slow feeder bowls, snuffle mats, or puzzle toys. This slows down how quickly they scarf.  
• Avoid using raised food bowls, which may increase the risk of GDV.  

Supplements or treats containing glucosamine, chondroitin, and fish oils can also help protect your dog’s joint health as they age. Ask your veterinarian if your Tibetan Mastiff would benefit from these supplements. Your vet can also help you determine the best food and diet, including serving size and feeding schedule, based on your dog’s age, weight, and activity level.  

As with any dog, make sure your Tibetan Mastiff doesn’t gain extra weight, as obesity can have a negative effect on their body and joints. Only give a moderate amount of extra goodies; treats shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories.  

Tibetan Mastiffs have a moderate energy level and need 20–30 minutes of daily exercise. Ideally, they’ll get this out in the yard, sniffing around the area in the morning and early evening, when they’re most active. 

If you don’t have a lot of land, you’ll need to take them on walks during these times of day. Allow them to rest in the middle of the day, especially during the warmer months, where overheating is a serious risk. 

These strong-minded pups won’t always come when you call and (given their introverted personalities) they might not be a natural bestie for other canines, so taking them to a dog park or allowing them to go off-leash aren’t good ideas.  

These unique pups also might not be into structured games as much as other dogs. Don’t be surprised if they’re not fascinated by fetch—they’re already busy surveying the land.  

The ideal home for a Tibetan Mastiff has lots of acres to wander. At minimum, they need a large fenced yard. They do great in colder climates and higher altitudes and may be less active in warmer climates, especially during the hottest parts of the day. 

Tibetan Mastiffs aren’t a great fit for first-time pet parents. In fact, these dogs need an experienced person who has the time and energy for daily obedience training and socialization—both are consistently necessary to help your pup live their best life. 

With proper socialization, Tibetan Mastiffs can get along well with kids and other pets, especially if they’re raised with them. But due to their sheer size and strength, they should always be supervised when meeting and playing with others.  

Note that these reserved souls appreciate a calm environment. Children who are loud and rambunctious may startle your dog and won’t be the best companions. Tibetan Mastiffs are also generally not a great fit for homes with cats or tiny dogs.  

A properly socialized Tibetan Mastiff will tolerate the presence of people and dogs whom they don’t know well, but they tend to be aloof toward (and sometimes wary of) strangers. That just means more time to enjoy with their favorite person—you.