Recently, a news story once again put Tibetan Mastiffs in the media spotlight. However, this incident itself has little to do with the breed. It involved a man who, after a dispute with his ex-girlfriend, killed her, dismembered her body, and fed the remains to his Tibetan Mastiff. This shows the dog was not the main culprit, but the Tibetan Mastiff quickly became a hot topic. Some netizens expressed concerns about whether Tibetan Mastiffs really eat people.

First, let's look at the origin of the Tibetan Mastiff. It is one of the oldest dog breeds and one of the four dog breeds native to the Tibetan Himalayan Plateau. The Tibetan Mastiff breed has a history of 8,000 years. In Tibet, Tibetan Mastiffs live closely with their owners and share a very intimate bond. They enjoy the highest respect among Tibetans.

Characteristics of Tibetan Mastiffs

Tibetan Mastiffs are famously loyal guardians. Their guarding instincts are innate and deeply rooted. As guard dogs, they believe there is no need to bark first when they see a threat to their owner or territory, but instead immediately charge and take protective action. As companion dogs, they are devoted and willing to sacrifice their lives for their owners. Tibetan Mastiffs are considered protective spirits of the people living in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau mountainous areas. Moreover, they have strong adaptability and are great companions for hiking and traveling. If properly trained, they can coexist peacefully with other household pets. Are Tibetan Mastiffs man-eating vicious dogs? They can be loyal to their family and patient playmates for children. Tibetan Mastiffs always keep a distance from strangers and do not readily accept them. They will not be as friendly as breeds like Golden Retrievers, but they do not take the initiative to attack either.

Do Tibetan Mastiffs Really Eat People?

Generally, Tibetan Mastiffs do not actively attack people. If they do attack, it is usually due to one of the following reasons:

1. You inadvertently entered their territory: This is a tricky issue because we do not know exactly which areas the dog considers their territory. So, when encountering a Tibetan Mastiff, it is best to enter their home under the owner's guidance.

2. Provoking a Tibetan Mastiff that is locked up: Although few people would provoke a Tibetan Mastiff without reason, some daring individuals try this, and if bitten, it is no one's fault but their own.

3. Taking away their food during eating: Removing food they are still eating is considered food snatching, and the dog may attack in response.

Always properly leash or lock up Tibetan Mastiffs

How to Train Tibetan Mastiffs Not to Bite

1. From a young age, expose them to strangers frequently so they become accustomed to new people. At this stage, Tibetan Mastiffs have a relatively gentle character and a temperament like a blank slate, allowing owners to teach them according to their wishes.

2. During training, if the Tibetan Mastiff exhibits bad behaviors such as tearing objects randomly, damaging furniture, urinating or defecating indiscriminately, barking excessively, or attacking the owner, immediately use a newspaper to tap its mouth and make it understand the reason for punishment; point out the mistake location and warn that the error should not be repeated.

3. Training must have clear rewards and punishments, and they must be timely. If a Tibetan Mastiff makes a mistake and you delay punishment, the matter is effectively past and should not be brought up days later.

If your Tibetan Mastiff has a naturally irritable temper, it is best not to let it wander freely and to keep it on a leash as much as possible. When taking it outside, a sturdy leash is essential. Avoid provoking the dog with strangers, and do not stare directly into their eyes to prevent being mistaken for a challenge.