The Tibetan Mastiff is a very large breed of dog that originates from Tibet, China.  It is believed that the breed dates back as far as the stone and bronze age, with a written record from 1100 B.C.  The Tibetan Mastiff may very well be the ancestor to all mastiff type breeds.
  
    It is possible for the Tibetan Mastiff to be as tall as 31 inches at the withers, but it is more common for them to stand between 25-28 inches.  They normally weigh between 140-179 pounds, although in Europe it is said they can weigh up to 220 pounds.  They have a thick double coat that they do not shed, but instead blow once a year.  Their tails are curled and carried on the back, and they a ruff of fur around their neck.  Colors in the Tibetan Mastiff can vary, although they are normally black with golden or tan markings.
   
    This history of the Tibetan Mastiff is murky at best and mixed with what has become legend.  In its homeland it was used to guard the outside of monasteries, livestock, homes, and families.  Before the 1800s so few Westerners were allowed into Tibet, so little was known of its lands or its dogs.  In 1847 one dog was sent to Queen Victoria, and this was the first “modern” introduction to the breed.  More dogs were brought to England in 1874, and it wasn’t until the 1950s that the first two dogs reached the United States.  The Tibetan Mastiff was not fully recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) until 2007.
   
    Close relationships with man has given the Tibetan Mastiff an almost “human” understanding.  Generations of guarding livestock, along with women and children have made this breed a protector, but not a killer.  They are fearless and loyal, but extremely gentle with their families.  It is recommended that you socialize the Tibetan Mastiff at a young age, and do to its size obedience training is a must.