Tibetan Mastiff is one of the oldest pedigree dogs conserved in the origin form as known from this time

History – Do-Khyi in their country
It comes from Tibetan tablelands. This breed rarely occurs also in other parts of the Himalayas because of the fact that lamas pilgriming through Tibet were accompanying by their dogs which were given as presents to local princes.

It is possible to judge it from cave paintings and reliefs dated from cca 1000 years B.C. Aristoteles wrote about Indian dog and to all appearance it was about Tibetan Mastiff. Also Megastheus wrote about Indian dog with floppy ears and huge bones, muscles and big head with wide snout in 327 B.C.

After that, traveller Marco Polo discovered Tibetan Mastiff and described this dog as huge great dog, almost same height as donkey. It is necessary to add that Marco Polo was illustrated together with Tibetan Mastiff, which was same height as current Tibetan Mastiffs. Tibetan donkeys were markedly smaller then in other countries in the world. We have to keep in mind that all travellers exaggerate their travel memories.

Samuel Turner, who travelled through Tibet around the year 1800 writes: Tibetan Mastiffs guard droves of yaks in the night, it is typical mountain dog because it has all necessary qualities – height, impressive width, guardian instinct, proud movement, defence, loyal love to their owner, etc.

They were used as house, droves and possession guardians of nomads in their country.
Tibetan Mastiff´s tasks were to guard villages, monasteries, palaces, droves and accompany caravans. The dog was house and droves guardian as well as carriers of burdens. Ghauts and mountain paths are sometimes so narrow and impassable that it is possible to use just sheep or dogs.

Those dogs were feeded by corn-bread and goat´s or sheep´s milk. Meal just if they hunted some animal. They were and still are unassuming boarders. Tibetan name is Do-khyi which means „tethered dog“. Dogs were tethered by strong chains since their babyhood and some of them have never get rid of it till the end. Some of them were without their chains just at night when they ranged through villages and guard droves against intruders and wild animals. In Tibet, black and tan dogs were preferred there, because of their light spots upon their eyes, called second pair of eyes. It seemed that dog is still awake despite he was sleeping.

Imposant head and mane appearance was artificially intensified by a collar made from long red bull coat which the dog had on his neck.

Unfortunately, we guess that based on the Chinese regime influence, do-khyi is in his country in danger. In all cases, travellers do not see them very often.

CHARACTER

All past writers described do-khyi do–khyi as cur, wild and wayward dog. Travel books influenced the readers, therefore they raised an presumption that do-khyi is not a common pet but dangerous beast. The rule by do-khyi is the same as by other breeds – dog is what men want to make from him. It is confirmed that aggressive and rough dogs were required in Tibet. People from villages had to consider all foreigners as dangerous, especially if they did not have any locks on the doors. This was ensured by their dogs. Villages or nomad camps had a special control system. Dogs rounded the settlement, some of them were tethered directly by the entries to houses or tents. By this, safety was ensured because if someone got near, deep barking welcomed him first, so that the foreigner had to cleared up the reason of his visit. The whole villages could have been entrusted just to the dogs in men absent. Mother wit and perfect guarding skills were given do-khyi by tough selection for thousands of years. Just the best and the strongest could survive in poor Tibet. No one could afford to breed weak dogs just for fun. Therefore do-khyi´s unique qualities were settled in other generations.

In this time, Tibetan Mastiffs rarely bite more often than other breeds. It is very pleasant dog after proper training and often contact with people. If there is a good socialization since puppy time, Tibetan Mastiff becomes well-balanced, calm and affable dog with all guardian instincts. By Tibetan Mastiffs, the socialization in first months of life is more important than by other breeds. With this respect, it is needed to warn against puppies from cote breeds, because the socialization, getting to know new things, getting to know other dogs, people and environment in first months of life is not possible to compensate and it stigmatizes the dog for all his life.

From do-khyi´s country they kept independent thinking, sometimes pig-headedness, which are peculiar to all Tibetan breeds. They feel to be equivalent members of a kennel so they need to be in contact with their people. Do-Khyi is often a pet in their families. To place them to the cote for all time is the worst thing you could do. Do-Khyi always suffer in close room and without people. From cote breeded dog can become very troubled animal. Do-Khyi pine for his kennel, to see or just hear his people.
Outside his territory, do-khyi behaves demurely to other animals and people, but not aggressively. If he is in danger, he behaves abstractedly and unconcernedly. Do-khyi is very unique guardian. Unwanted visitor is warned by deep, guttural growling. He does not run amuck on him but the foreigner is tagged on the place and do-khyi is waiting for one oh his people. If you see do-khyi between your children or small animals, you could easily see that do-khyi is not an aggressor but a guardian.

Do-khyi´s body as well as character development is very slow. Adult dog is around 3 years old, therefore it is needed to be patient and kind during the training period. Do-Khyi is guard, individually thinking and working dog who can decide what is the best in the current situation. It is dog who will love his people, guard and respect them. Sometimes you have to say „please“ to get what you want. Please be aware that Tibetan Mastiff is very proud dog and hardly accept the injustice. These dogs are very sensitive of physical punishments and remember all bad experience. The way how to teach him obedience is to get his confidence, love and understanding. If you give it to your dog, it will be returned manifold. You can not find better friend and partner.

The care of Tibetan Mastiff
The care of this rase is not hard. It is very resistant dog, who does not mind any weather conditions. These dogs love snow, frost and also warm. If there is chance to keep out of the rain, they like to be outside for the whole year.

The care of hair is very easy, during the year, it is enough to brush the hair once a week, just in moulting period (May – June), it is needed to comb out all old hair, dead underhear, which can take one week. The hair of this rase is not predisposed to felt, so it does not take much time to take care of this dog´s hair. Dog likes brushing, especially the contact with his man, who brush him. Tibetan Mastiff´s hair has natural purification capacity. Once the dog is dry, all impurities fall down. Do-Khyi are hygieneminden and their hair don´t smell, what is very positive quality.

Nutrition of Tibetan Mastiffs is not challenging in compare with other huge rases. If you decide for high quality dry food from a renowned company, it is not needed to add other supplements. These supplements are very often bad for their healthy nutrition. It is important for puppy to ensure slow and equable grow. Overfeeding often leads to damaging of the skeleton.

If you follow producer´s instruction about feeding, you will do the best for your dog.
During the growth time, it is not good to burden your dog with long walks. It is better to go for a shorter walks during the day.

Breeding activity
In the Czech Republic, there are two functional breeding clubs – Tibetan Mastiff Club ČR and Club of smallnumber rases, in which is this rase also included. Both clubs are members of CMKU and are engaged in breeding activities, issue their own magazines and ensure their breeders full service. Both clubs also cooperates together. Thanks to lot of imports, current base is developing very well, nevertheless each drop of new blood is welcomed.

In the beginning of Czech breeding was near relational blood used, which had a negative effect on health situation of some individuals. In this times, breeders almost always take breeding very seriously and the quality of this race is on the top from European as well as worldwide perspective.