About the breed

Origin: (on Canadian Kennel Club Miscellaneous list) As early as the 13th century, Marco Polo wrote of seeing Òdogs as big as donkeysÓ in his Far East wanderings. This ancient breed gained fame for its legendary fierceness as the outside guardian of Tibetan monasteries and also served as the fearless protector of homes, livestock, villages and caravans. Few breeds can claim to be the forerunner of so many other breeds. The Tibetan Mastiff is considered to be one of the ancestors of the Newfoundland, the Great Pyrenees, the Dogue de Bordeaux, the Great Dane and many others.
Temperament: Fanciers will quickly point out that this is not the dog for everyone and can be a real challenge, even for experienced dog owners. Though patient, gentle, stable and loyal, the TM is also independent, powerful and courageous, and prefers to think for its
Activity Level: Tibetan Mastiffs require a fair amount of attention and exercise to keep them occupied. Because of giant size and nocturnal vocalizing, the TM is best suited to country living. Fenced property is an absolute must for this breed.
Height/Weight: The heavily constructed Tibetan Mastiff male stands a minimum of 26 in (66 cm) at the shoulder while the female should never be less than 24 in (61 cm). Bigger is the rule.
Coat: The TM wears a medium-length, thick, weather-resistant double coat.
Colour: The most common colours are black, black-and-tan or golden.
Grooming: Regular, thorough grooming is recommended to remove dead coat.