*haul*
170 pound male..freshly imported from Tibet......Do-Khy..excellent dancer.....
Marco Polo described Do-Khys (my folks!) as "tall as a donkey with a voice as powerful as that of a lion ."
The Tibetan Mastiff also known as Do-Khyi is the largest of the Oriental breeds as well as one of the most beautiful. An ancient and rare breed, the Tibetan Mastiff has been a guardian and a protector of nomad flocks, villages, and the monasteries of Tibet for hundreds of years. It has also been companion to kings, queens, presidents and as well as His Holiness Dali Lama. The Tibetan Mastiff is still a primitive breed and has several characteristics which are unique to it. It is evident by the fact that the Tibetan Mastiff bitch has a single estrus per year, which occurs in the winter. Tibetan Mastiffs mature slowly, with females reaching maturity between three and four years, and males between four to five years of age.
The Tibetan Mastiff is a native to Central Asia where it is found throughout the Himalayan region. It is extremely hardy and equally adaptable to the arid tablelands of Afghanistan, the steaming tropics of India, and the high remote mountain regions of Nepal and Tibet. It's courage is legendary and serve both villagers and nomads as sentinel and watchdogs. As the Tibetan Mastiff evolved in an unforgiving climate. It had to adapt to the harshest environment and perform it's guard duties often without human direction. As a result, it is an intelligent, independent, and aloof dog, capable of making it's own decisions and acting on them. A perceptive animal which is naturally wary of strangers. The Tibetan Mastiff requires early and careful socialization to new people and situations. It's temperament does not suit everyone. It needs a strong, confident, and patient owner willing to train and socialize a large, strong dog with a stubborn streak!
Quoted from Hutchinson’s Popular & Illustrated Dog Encyclopaedia published by Hutchinson & Co., Ltd., in 1929:"The Tibetan Mastiff is certainly one of the most ancient breeds of dogs; it originates from the Central Tablelands of Asia, but is also found in Arabia and Syria, which regions it must have reached by following the invaders. Very probably it was Tibetan Mastiffs that were presented to Alexander by an Asiatic King to combat lions and elephants, and which became famous in the arenas and circuses of decadent Rome. In Asia, the part played by the Tibetan Mastiff is to guard the women, children and cattle."
The Tibetan Mastiff was bred for centuries solely for their working capabilities, leaving only the most agile and tractable dogs of tested strength, stamina and courage. Unwittingly, the villagers were approximating the choices that mother nature would have made. By this natural selection, the Tibetan Mastiff escaped many of the genetic problems prevalent in man made and man moulded working breeds of today and is little changed from the Tibetan Mastiff of ancient times.
Again quoting from The Encyclopaedia of Dogs:"This is a breed which has remained unchanged for thousands of years as proved by bones unearthed from different eras, and from pictures as well. In the Orient, it is not unusual for this dog to be given the task of guarding an entire village, as the male population is often obliged to go far from the village to care for livestock, to hunt, or to work in the fields. The Tibetan Mastiff then defends the women and children who remain in their houses, and his presence alone is enough to keep away prowlers and wild animals."
Tibetan Mastiff is generally considered to be hypoallergenic, which makes it an excellent candidate for those with allergies. It also lacks the usual "doggie" odour to some extent. However, the Tibetan Mastiff, being a large dog, does require enough room to romp and exercise properly. While it is an active dog out-of-doors, it is usually fairly quiet when in the house. Because, centuries of being bred for guarding flocks and homesteads. Personality will differ from dog to dog, but generally it is a strong-willed, courageous animal, endowed with strong protective instincts of home and family. It adapts well to different lifestyles. Tibetan Mastiff is aloof with strangers, is highly intelligent, it has an exceptional memory and once introduced to someone, it will rarely forget that person. The Tibetan Mastiff by nature is a guardian dog and generally reserved with strangers. Originally bred to protect livestock and villages from thieves, wolves, leopards, and other predators, it's fierceness and fearlessness is legendary. It's natural instinctive ability makes it an excellent home protector. It is trustworthy and patient with children, gentle and affectionate with his family. It makes an outstanding family dog. He is generally well disposed toward other dogs, although it will not back down if challenged. This dog is not for everyone. It is generally thought to be stubborn, but actually most of the time it has it's own agenda.
For three thousand years the Tibetan's bred this dog for it's loud, bell toned bark. Thus it is a nocturnal barker and this should always be a consideration when thinking of buying a it depending on where you live, and whether your Tibetan Mastiff will sleep outdoors or indoors at night . One should also have experience with large and powerful breeds.
The best way to help you visualize the Tibetan Mastiff is to compare it with common breeds with which you are undoubtedly familiar. It is similar in temperament to the Akita and Rottweiler in that it is generally reserved with strangers, trustworthy with children and gentle and affectionate with it's family. However, unlike the Akita and Rottweiler, the Tibetan Mastiff is generally well dispositional toward other dogs, although it will not back down if challenged. Its coat is like that of the Newfoundland in that it is double with a dense undercoat and water resistant guard coat of medium length. However, it is not like the St. Bernard in that it is large, blocky, has pendant ears, and a broad skull and muzzle. However, it's jowls are not so excessive as to be constantly wet with drool. It's movements is similar to that of the herding breeds in that it is free and effortless and is not the stilted or ponderous gait we see so often in other Mastiff breeds. It is large, but not giant size (26-28 inches at the shoulder, 90-125 lbs. for dogs; 24-26 inches at the shoulder, 75-90 lbs for bitches) and is ideal for sentry work where guarding instincts must be combined with agility, speed and endurance. As a family pet, it is large enough to take abuses from small children, but not so large to injure them unintentionally. Its size combines the advantages of the giant breeds, i.e., impressive stature, formidable appearance and great strength, without the disadvantages, i.e., shortened lifespan, clumsiness, general lethargy and a high incidence of hip dysphasia.
The Tibetan Mastiff is still considered to be a primitive, natural and unspoiled breed. It is a courageous dog with strong protective instincts. It has spirit, initiative and courage, with no trace of timidity although, it does take the time to size up a situation before acting. The Tibetan Mastiff possesses an excellent memory, is intelligent and easily trained, faithful, gentle with children and obedient. Although aloof with strangers, it has a desire to please and is a good-natured family companion, playful on invitation and generally impressive by its dignity upon reaching maturity.Each Tibetan Mastiff has its own personality, but generally, the Tibetan Mastiff is very protective and territorial dog. It is even-tempered, calm and thoughtful, being dignified and very loyal to its own family. It is by and large loving with children, care should be taken when strange children are playing with the children of the family under the guarding eye of the dog. Tibetan Mastiffs are generally excellent decision makers and know when they are dealing with children, but rough play between children can be misunderstood. Large Tibetan Mastiffs may also learn to lie down for very small children, but their enthusiasm alone (in the form of a lick or a tail wag) can be overwhelming to a young child. Caution is urged until the owner is confident about interactions between children and their individual dog.
Originally bred to protect villages and livestock from thieves, wolves, leopards, and other predators, the Tibetan Mastiff's fierceness and fearlessness is legendary. It is easy to housebreak. The Tibetan Mastiff is an outstanding sheepdog and is ferocious against wolves or leopards that try to approach its flock. It is also an excellent guard of both entire villages and isolated houses.
Tibetan Mastiff is somewhat strong-willed and very determined, but with a desire to please. Patient and highly intelligent it was bred to take initiative. This breed, though highly-valued as a guard in it's homeland, does not have a history of close association with people. It must be socialized and trained to become the fine family guard and companion it can be. It comes naturally to this Mastiff to guard its family and their property. This special dog has to be raised to adulthood in a careful and well-balanced manner. Strong words and readiness to hit the dog will only cause it to ignore its handler even more. The objective in training this dog is to achieve a bond of mutual respect, which can only be accomplished by showing respect.
Quoted from an article entitled Dogs From the Roof of the World, published in the March 1937 issue of the American Kennel Gazette:"...Mastiffs in Tibet are called Do-Kyi, which means "a dog you can tie up". Do-Kyi are kept by every nomad, sheik or yak-herder to guard the tents. Although fierce, as a result from being tied up since puppy hood, these Mastiffs are very affectionate with the people they know and one often sees the smallest children handling and calling them off from their attempts to attack the intruder with perfect ease and safety...Tibetan Mastiffs are usually black in colour with tan points. One of the highest officials of His Holiness the Tashi Lama once had some entirely black ones of which he was very proud, but tan markings are more usual. Red [gold], cream, blue and grizzly brown colours are less common."
Tibetan Mastiff distrusts and is reserved with strangers, but is fine when accompanied by someone trusted by it. But when the stranger is alone or acts in a threatening way that it shows aggression. As for aggression, much depends on the location, age, gender and how it has been reared. Tibetan Mastiff will definitely defend their territory.
The Tibetan Mastiff is basically a low energy dog. As a guardian breed, Tibetan Mastiff conserve its energy for the moments when it really needs it. Off course, a well exercised Tibetan Mastiff can remain quite healthy in old age. The best exercise for a Tibetan Mastiff or any other breed is playtime with other dogs.
Given that the owner understands pack behaviour and maintains discipline, Tibetan Mastiff can be a outstanding house dog. Under other circumstances, like poor discipline, lack of stimuli for the dog, and sometimes just by the whim of the individual dog, Tibetan Mastiff can be very destructive, demanding a view of, and access to, the property it is there to guard.
Tibetan Mastiff is known for being night-time barker, and has a booming voice. This can be a problem in packed neighbourhoods. More mature dogs can develop restraint, but getting to that point can take a deal of patience. This is one area where a Tibetan Mastiff's stubbornness can defeat even the most determined owner. animal layout powered by HOT FreeLayouts.com / MyHotComments
