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15 Incredible Facts About Mastiffs That You Didn’t Know

Published: · Modified: by Ekaterina Sova · This post may contain affiliate links

It's no surprise that Mastiffs are one of the best guard dogs and independent dog breed you'll ever have. But there's more to them that you didn't know for sure. So, here are 15 incredible facts about Mastiffs that you didn't know.

#1 The size.

A Mastiff lying on the ground with its sad face
The dog has a large stature, thick coat and fluffy tail. The Tibetan mastiff belongs to giant dog breeds, its weight can range from 40 to 75 kilograms. The presence of a large number of positive qualities does not mean that this breed is suitable for everyone. When acquiring a Tibetan mastiff, you must be prepared for long-term training and education.

#2 Origin history.

A Mastiff lying on top of its bed in the mountain
Mastiff is one of the oldest breeds. It is believed that the mastiff appeared in Tibet along with the nomads - cattle breeders whom they helped to graze cattle, later these dogs became reliable defenders of Tibetan villages and monasteries. Quite often, travelers described these dogs as furious animals that reliably stood up for the protection of local residents. The first mention of the breed dates from 1121 BC. Initially, Tibetans called these dogs "Do-khyi", which literally meant "attached dog." This is due to the fact that during the day dogs of this breed were kept on a chain, and released at night. The spread in the world of Tibetan mastiff began in the seventies of the last century.

#3 Mastiff character.

A large Mastiff standing in the yard
Mastiff is one of the most reliable guard dogs. As the breed developed, mastiffs became more reliable and more reliable in terms of protection. Today, the popularity of these guard dogs has not exhausted. That's just the owners do not want to bring up aggression in their pets. A mastiff may not show open aggression towards the offender, but it is unlikely that he will allow the villain to leave the territory. Mastiffs are strongly attached to people who give them their love and attention. These are very affectionate and loving dogs that are full of independence. A mastiff will be a great dog in the hands of an experienced, trained dog breeder.

#4 Maintenance and care.

A large Mastiff walking in the yard
Mastiff's hair should be combed out two to three times a week. This will allow timely removal of dead hair and maintain the coat in a normal healthy condition. These dogs do not molt very actively, sometimes even seasonal molting is absent, but everything will depend on the climate in which the animal lives.

#5 Bathing.

A Mastiff sitting outdoors during winter
Mastiffs are bathed as necessary (on average 1 time per month).

#6 The ears.

two large Mastiff lying in the forest with a kid kneeling in between them during winter
Check your pet’s ears weekly for infections, inflammation, and contamination. Auricles are treated with a special solution that a veterinarian should prescribe. The use of cotton swabs should be avoided.

#7 Teeth.

A Mastiff with its eyes covered with its fur
Brush your dog’s teeth at least once a week to keep your gums and teeth healthy.

#8 Claws.

An adult Mastiff and a puppy walking in snow
Claws are trimmed as they grow back, as a rule, with a frequency of 1 time per month.

#9 Training.

A large Mastiff sitting in snow
The issues of training and training dogs of this breed are best solved with the help of specialists in this field. Mastiffs consider themselves to be the main ones in the house, so the owner needs to make an effort so that the dog understands who the owner is in the house. The training process should begin very early, during which the trainer needs to show firmness of character and perseverance, self-confidence. Mastiffs will never obey a person who applies physical force to a pet. Therefore, any aggression should be completely excluded.

#10 Health and disease.

two large Mastiffs sitting in the grass
The average life expectancy of a Mastiff is 10-14 years. This period is considered long enough for dogs of this size. Major health problems include hip dysplasia, skin problems, hypertrophic neuropathy, and thyroid disease.

#11 Puppies

A young Mastiff sitting on the ground while looking sideways
Be prepared for the fact that the mastiff puppy will grow into a huge dog. The size of this dog makes it almost impossible for her to live in an apartment.

#12 Activity.

A large Mastiff sitting on snow with a kid standing beside him
Mastiffs are usually particularly active in the morning and evening. If you can not pay enough attention to the dog at the time mentioned, then this pet is definitely not suitable for you.

#13 Accommodation.

A Mastiff running in snow
Dogs of this breed should not live outside. As a companion dog, a mastiff should live in the house.

#14 Sleep in the yard.

A black Mastiff standing in grass with its tongue out
In the house, these dogs behave diligently. If you leave the Tibetan mastiff to sleep in the yard, then most likely he will bark all night, reminding the owner that he was left alone.

#15 Time.

A Mastiff lying in the forest beside a small dog sitting next to him
Without proper mental and physical stress, a Мastiff can get bored. This will lead to disobedience, barking and other negative manifestations of dog behavior. If you decide to get this dog, you should be prepared for the fact that every day you will have to devote a lot of time to the animal.
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