7 Dogs Like the Tibetan Mastiff

Tibetan mastiffs are ancient domesticated dogs. These dogs are large, strong, and powerful mountain dogs whose traditional purpose was to protect livestock and help for herding. They look like a lion, and nowadays, Tibetan mastiffs are one of the most demanded dogs in Asian and European countries and are a trending fashion and status symbol in China, which makes their price quite high. But if you want to adopt a Tibetan mastiff, some other factors must be considered apart from their demand, status, price and lion-like appearance. You must consider their nature, temperament, living, and grooming requirements. Only then may you decide whether they are really suitable for you.

Tibetan mastiffs are courageous, fearless, tempered, and intelligent dogs and very loyal to their family and owner. But they are not very friendly to other pets and strangers. They are also stubborn, strong willed, and dominant dogs that need lot of physical exercise and daily walks. Tibetan mastiffs are not well adapted to apartment living, they are excellent door guards, but don't like to be indoors and they need a very confident and firm owner to prevent them becoming wilful and stubborn. They are not recommended for inexperienced or weak owners.

These dogs are mountain dogs and suitable for cold weather, but they don’t do well in warm weather. Also, their availability is not common and pure breed dogs are not available at many places. But still, many people are fascinated with Tibetan mastiffs and really want to have them. For such people, it’s advisable to check for other breeds that look very similar to this breed. This article covers other breeds from which you can choose from.

Nepali sheep dogs are native to Nepal and are related to Tibetan mastiffs. They are very popular and demanded in India, Pakistan, and Bhutan. These dogs are very alert, intelligent, and can be an excellent guard dog. Nepali sheep dogs are also known as Himalayan sheep dogs or Bhotia mastiffs. Bhotia should not be confused with Bhutan's Bhutia sheep dog.

Nepali sheep dogs are available only in India and Nepal. These giant dogs are very powerful and courageous, and they need lot of outdoor exercise. Like Tibetan mastiffs, they are also very dominant and territorial dogs and not suitable for apartment living or for first time owners. They are herding category dogs, but they are very much appreciated as a working or companion dog. Compared to Tibetan mastiffs, this breed is smaller and friendlier.

This distinct breed was developed recently in an Indian town called Tehri Garhwal. The part of town where they were developed is known as Banger, which is where they got their name Bangar mastiff or Bangara mastiff.

In 1963, a retired Indian army major, W.V. Soman, was asked to act as a judge at a dog show in Mumbai. He noticed that all the dogs on show were imported pedigree breeds and he didn’t find a single native Indian dog breed. He set about changing this by publishing a detailed list of Indian breeds, stating, "My work will only be fulfilled if we see the pedigreed dogs of Indian origin in dog shows in India." Later, he created these native Indian mastiff dogs. Native Bhotia dogs were the genetic source for these dogs. Those dogs were used by local people for herding yak, sheep ,and to protect the villagers from ferocious wild animals like leopards and wolves.

Bangar mastiff dogs are very friendly, alert, courageous, and very loyal to their owner and family. They have very similar muzzles like Tibetan mastiffs but are comparatively less hairy and smaller in size. They are well suitable to apartment living and very friendly towards other pets and guests, but must be well socialized at an early stage.

Himalayan mastiffs are native Indian dogs from the region of Himalaya. They are also known as a Himalayan guard dog or indigenous Tibetan mastiff. These dogs could be located in the Laddakh region of Himalaya. They look very similar to Tibetan mastiffs but their behaviour is entirely different. Indigenous mastiffs are calm and lovable dogs who love to please their master and their companions and like to be around its owners and family.

Usually, they are very friendly and gentle, but if something goes wrong, they could be very ferocious. They are very courageous and dynamic warriors, who are known to fight till death. A full grown male Himalayan mastiff is capable if taking down two wolves alone. Himalayan mastiffs are very devoted to their owner and very protective to their family. They are reserved with other pets and dogs and don't like their company much. They have long, dry, double-coated fur and are available in colours black, black with yellow tans, red, dark grey, or grey black tanned. Some rare dogs have mixed colours but white colour is not common.

Gaddi dogs are native Indian dogs from the Himachal state of North India. They are considered to be one of the oldest descendants of Tibetan mastiffs. Gaddi dogs were bred for hunting purposes, but multi-talented Gaddi dog are widely used by local shepherds, mostly by the Gaddis (the tribe of the same name). These dogs are reputed to be strong enough to repulse attacks by snow leopards and are very intelligent to herd stray sheep and goats back to their pens. Gaddi dogs are also called Mahidant mastiffs, Indian leopard hounds, and Bhotia dogs.

These dogs are not as giant and powerful like Tibetan mastiffs. However, Gaddi dogs have higher stamina, speed, and entirely different personalities and temperament. They are gentle, calm, friendly, intelligent and very alert, loyal, and protective of their family.

Pyranian mountain dogs are natives of Spain. They are from the southern slopes of the Pyrenees mountain from where they got their name. They are also known as great Pyrenees, chien de montagne des Pyrenees, or Pyrenean mastiffs. They are mostly available in a white colour and have a thick undercoat and coarser outer coat. Pyrenean dogs are strong, huge, elegant and gentle, well balanced, and have powerful rear legs. Asiatic mastiffs are their genetic source and they share a lot of similarities with them.

Pyranian mountain dogs were domesticated and endorsed by Spanish people to guard sheep and assist in herding. Only five to six Pyranian dogs were able to herd about 1000 sheep. This breed was kept under observation as they were endangered and on high alert to be extinct.Fortunately, they are now growing and are out of being endangered.

These dogs originate from a Russian region called Caucasus. They were commonly used to protect flocks as well as premises against wolves and other wild animals and strangers in the mountains of Caucasus. This is where they got their name Caucasian mastiff or Caucasian mountain dog. They are well recognised with other names like zhaul zhali (Chechen, Ingush).

They are very dominant dogs and need an owner with an alpha character. Even though they are very protective of their family and owner, they can be extremely wilful dogs and usually can’t be trusted with strangers or guests. They may have aggressive behaviour toward strangers. These mountain dogs have very strong and powerful muzzles and are a courageous, strong, and active dog. They don't tolerate dogs or pets into their territories, and they are well known for dog fights and wolf hunting. These dogs are strictly not recommended for apartment life as they need lot of exercise and early socialization. Otherwise, they can become disparaging, vicious, and aggressive.

Newfoundlands are giant and gentle dogs of the working category, originating from Newfoundland, Canada. Most kennel clubs accept only black, white, and black colored Newfoundlands, but some dogs are also available in brown and grey colors. Basically, they were created and groomed as a working dog for pulling nets for fisherman and hauling wood from the forest.

To perform their assignments, they have to be a good swimmer, strong, and sturdy. And that's the basic nature of Newfoundland dogs. They are excellent swimmers, obedient, and responsive. Newfoundland dogs make a good family pet.