Is the Tibetan Mastiff right for you?
Personality and temperament

In 1985 the American Tibetan Mastiff Association conducted an informal survey of Club members and Tibetan Mastiff fanciers regarding Tibetan Mastiff personality and temperament. The results of the survey are summarized below for your information.
[It is important to note that the survey is not considered a definitive personality and temperament survey. Owners of fewer than 10% of the Tibetan Mastiffs registered in the United States responded.]

• Tibetan Mastiffs are fast learners. However, they are strong-willed and sometimes extremely stubborn. Tibetan Mastiffs are not recommended for formal obedience competition, although they are quite capable of learning obedience.

• Tibetan Mastiffs are territorial and are natural guardian dogs. Some Tibetan Mastiffs are more protective about guarding and watch dog work than others. The breed can be highly territorial though it is usually confined to his property, auto and other normal boundaries. Once off territory, they are usually non-territorial.

• Tibetan Mastiffs often displays dominance over unfamiliar dogs to which they are introduced. They get along well with other animals and guests when properly introduced. They should be carefully introduced and supervised with new animals, adults and children. They may also be aggressive with dogs of the same sex.

• Tibetan Mastiffs are good family members. When Tibetan Mastiffs are raised with children or exposed to them frequently, they do very well.

• Tibetan Mastiffs are clean dogs and are easy to housebreak.

• Tibetan Mastiffs tend to be more active in the evenings and early morning hours. They are relatively inactive while indoors, and moderate to active outdoors.

• Tibetan Mastiffs are not excessive barkers during the day. However, most people with close neighbors bring their "night barkers" in at night.

• Some Tibetan Mastiffs are noted to roam neighborhoods and surrounding areas if they are not kept in a fenced yard or kennel run. Some dogs can be very athletic, and have been known to climb high chainlink fences to escape.

• A growing number of Tibetan Mastiffs have been formally obedience trained and successfully show in obedience competition.

Tibetan Mastiffs have the following unique traits:
1. Females have a single estrus
2. Tibetan Mastiffs are not always willing to please their owners.
3. Tibetan Mastiffs can be extremely determined to get their own way.
4. Tibetan Mastiffs are very cat-like in their behavior.
5. Before buying a Tibetan Mastiff, you should consider that a Tibetan Mastiff needs a large fenced yard, may be very vocal at night, requires socialization with other animals and people, and may act very stubbornly.

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