Tibetan Mastiff
is one of the most ancient breeds. For a
long time it’s integrity and purity of
blood was maintained due to the geographical isolation of the region - an area
of snow, high mountain and green valleys. Tibet covers the Northern slopes of Himalayas
and is isolated from the other world by mountains in the South and a desert in
the North. Since the XIII century Chinese merchants travelling through Tibet
took defense dogs with them for protecting their lives, commodities and belongings.
With centuries step by step Chinese and Tibetan dogs intercrossed with European
dogs. Only those dogs who lived high in
the mountains conserved the purity of blood. They were very strong animals who
could live in a severe climate. Since the Antic period they got a mystical halo.
Aristotle, Marco Polo and many other authors and travellers marveled great physical
force and intellect of these dogs. Even their barking was considered to have unique
timbre.
Today Tibetan
Mastiff became a profitable commercial item with the average price for a puppy up to $ 750 000. Go-getters travelled high in the mountains searching
for new pure blood puppies. They do not care that many of them die. Borne in a
unique Tibetan environment puppies are not able to adapt easily to a quite different
weather, air, water and food. Above all – Tibetan Mastiff is not a dog to live in
a city apartment and to be an expensive toy. A luxurious fashion became rather dangerous for this
ancient breed.
