How to Identify a Tibetan Mastiff

The Tibetan Mastiff has a light-footed, but powerful and balanced gait. It is a very intelligent breed that is also independent and strong-willed. It is protective of its family and aloof with strangers, so it makes a good watchdog. Though aloof, it is not shy. This breed has been used as a guard dog for ages.

Instructions

1. Look at the general appearance of the Tibetan Mastiff. Males are a minimum of 26 inches at the shoulders. Females are a minimum of 24 inches at the shoulders. It is a slightly rectangular-looking dog, as the withers-to-rear measurement is slightly longer than the withers-to-ground measurement. Males and females can weigh between 140 to 170 pounds.

2. Make sure the heavy head is broad and strong. It should give a noble, intelligent expression. The medium-sized eyes may be any shade of brown and they are very expressive. They are set deeply into the skull and are set far apart. They are almond-shaped and slant just a bit. The medium sized-ears are v-shaped, sit high on the head and drop forward. The Tibetan Mastiff does raise its ears when it is alert. The muzzle is wide and square, ending in a black nose that is fully pigmented. If the dog's coat is blue-gray or a combination of blue, gray and tan, the nose will be a dark gray color. If the dog's coat is brown, the nose will be a dark brown color.

3. Check that the well-muscled neck arches moderately into moderately angled shoulders. The chest is deep and moderately wide. The legs have substantial muscle and bone, leading to large, strong cat-like feet. The rear is very muscular. The rear feet may sport single or double dewclaws. The well-feathered tail is moderately long, but does not hang below the hock joint. It curls over the back or to the side of the back when the Tibetan Mastiff is in motion.

4. The Tibetan Mastiff sports a double coat. The outer hair is coarse and covers a heavy, but soft undercoat. The undercoat sheds out and is not quite as heavy in the summer months. The hair is straight and should never be curled or wavy. The neck and shoulders have an especially heavy coat-more so in males. The coat may be black, blue/gray, brown and may have tan markings. Some dogs may have white on the chest and feet.