7 Dogs Like 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 now a day’s Tibetan mastiffs are one of the most demanded dogs in Asian and European Countries and a trending fashion and status symbol in China, which makes their price is too high. But while adopting a Tibetan Mastiff some other factors must be considered apart from their demand, status, price and look like lion like appearance e.g.: their nature, temperament, living and grooming requirement and then only you may 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 and along with that they are stubborn, strong willed and dominant dogs that need lot of physical exercise and daily walk. Tibetan mastiffs are not well adapted to apartment living, they are excellent door guards but don't like to be in door and they need a very confident and firm owner to prevent them becoming wilful and stubborn in short 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 Tibetan mastiff. This hub enlists such other breeds from which you can choose from.

Nepali Sheep dogs are native to Nepal and ancestors of Tibetan Mastiffs. They are very popular and demanded in India, Pakistan and Bhutan. These dogs are very alert, intelligent and an excellent guard dog. Nepali sheep dogs are also known as Himalayan sheep dog, Bhotia Mastiff. Here 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, which need lot of outdoor exercise. Likewise to their ancestor Tibetan Mastiff, they are also very dominant and territorial dogs and not suitable for apartment living or for first time owners. Basically they are herding category dogs, but they are very much appreciated as a working or companion dog. Even they look very similar to Tibetan Mastiffs, but comparatively they are smaller and friendlier.

This distinct breed is developed recently in an Indian town called Tehri Garhwal. The part of town where they were developed known as Banger from 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 found any single Indian native dog breed. Latter than 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'. Latter, he created these native Indian Mastiff dogs. Basically Native Bhotia dogs were 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 leopard, wolf etc.

Bangar Mastiff dogs are very friendly, alert, courageous and very loyal to their owner and family. They have very similar muzzle like Tibetan mastiffs but 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 early stage.

Himalayan Mastiffs are native Indian dogs from region of Himalaya, they are known as Himalayan Guard Dog or Indigenous Tibetan Mastiff. These dogs could be located in Laddakh region of Himalaya, even they look very similar to Tibetan Mastiffs but their behaviour is entirely different. Indigenous Mastiffs are calm and lovable dog who loves to please their master and his 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 to take down, 2 wolves alone. Himalayan Mastiffs are very devoted to his 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 coat fur and available colours are black, black with yellow tans, red, dark grey or grey black tanned. Some rare dog has mixed colour but white colour is not common.

Gaddi dogs are native Indian dogs, from Himachal state of north India. They are considered as one of the oldest descendants of Tibetan Mastiff. Gaddi Dogs were bred for hunting purposes but multi-talented Gaddi Dog is widely used by local shepherds, mostly Gaddis (from the tribe of the same name) and 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 as Mahidant Mastiff, Indian Leopard Hound and Bhotia dogs.

Even these dogs are considered as an ancestor of Tibetan Mastiff and look like them. But not as giant and powerful like Tibetan Mastiffs. But Gaddi dogs have higher stamina, speed and entirely different personality and temperament. They are gentle, calm, friendly, intelligent and very alert, loyal and protective off their family.

Pyranian Mountain Dogs are natives of Spain, basically from southern slopes of the Pyrenees Mountain from where they got their name. Also they are known as Great Pyrenees, Chien de Montagne des Pyrenees or, Pyrenean Mastiff. Mostly they are available in white colour and have thick undercoat and coarser outer coat. Pyrenean dogs are strong huge, elegance and gentle, well balanced and have powerful rear legs. Asiatic Mastiffs are their genetic source and they share out lot of similarities with them.

Pyranian Mountain dogs were domesticated and endorsed by Spanish people, to guard sheep and assist in herding. Only 5-6 Pyranian dogs were able to heard about 1000 sheep. This breed was kept under observation as they were endangered and on high alert to extinct, but good news is that, now they are growing and are out of endanger.

These dogs are originated from a Russian region called Caucasus., They were commonly used to protect flocks, premises against wolves and other wild animals and strangers in Mountains of Caucasus, from where they got their name Caucasian Mastiff or Caucasian Mountain Dogs. But they are well recognised with other names eg. - Zhaul Zhali (Chechen, Ingush), Georgian Nagazi Kavkasiuri Nagazi Kavkazty Uasahichala Kavkazskaïa Ovtcharka etc.

They are very dominant dogs and need an owner with alpha character. Even though they are very protective of their family and owner but 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 muzzle and are a courageous, strong and active dog. They don't tolerate slight 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, else they become disparaging, vicious and aggressive.

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

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