Tibetan Mastiff (Detailed Introduction)

　　The Tibetan Mastiff is one of the oldest and rarest dog breeds in the world. Its loyal and protective nature makes it not only the best guard dog for nomadic peoples but also recognized as a king among dogs. The Tibetan Mastiff is quite sensitive to its living environment and nutritional intake.
　　Care during the Lactation Period for Female Tibetan Mastiffs
　　Daily Management of the Female Dog
　　Supplementary Nutrition during Lactation
　　After giving birth, the pregnant dog consumes considerable energy and also needs to nurse the puppies, which can cause poor condition and weak physical status. At this time, it is important to provide the mother dog with high-quality, nutritious, full-price balanced feed. Firstly, to meet the nutritional needs of the mother dog’s body, and secondly, to ensure the mother provides enough milk for the puppies since their nutrition must come from the milk to ensure normal growth and development.
　　In the first few days after delivery, the mother’s body is very weak and taking care of the puppies can lead to poor appetite. Therefore, it is recommended to feed small amounts of easily digestible liquid feed, and warm water (30-40℃) should be provided before the puppies are one month old; cold water must not be given.
　　Puppy Feeding
　　Day 1:
　　After the puppy is born, the mother will bite off the umbilical cord and lick the puppy clean. Then the puppy should be lifted and fully wiped with gauze. Leave one centimeter of the umbilical cord and tie it with white thread, then cut the cord and disinfect with iodine.
　　If the fetus shows weak or no breathing, hold its head down, shake left and right, or use your mouth to suck the puppy’s nose to expel moisture, then perform artificial respiration, chest massage, and tapping.
　　Drop 0.5CC of 5% glucose or vitamin ADEC liquid into the puppy’s mouth to enhance vitality.
　　Place the puppy in front of the mother’s nipples to suckle (if the puppy cannot suckle, open the puppy's mouth by hand and hold the mother’s nipple for it to suck slowly).
　　Colostrum (mother’s milk from days 1 to 17) is extremely important for puppies. Try to ensure puppies absorb this milk to enhance immunity by more than 75%, helping resistance to distemper and other diseases.
　　Day 3: Umbilical cord falls off.
　　Day 7: Remove dew claws.
　　Day 14: Eyes open.
　　Day 18: Start learning to stand and walk.
　　Days 21-24: Deworming.
　　Day 25: Eyes and ears function, start supplementing milk powder, high protein, vitamins, calcium powder.
　　Day 30: Prepare for weaning.
　　Day 35: Milk teeth start to grow, puppy can defecate independently, male puppies’ testicles descend into scrotum.
　　Day 42: Inject DA2L vaccine.
　　Day 50: Deworm.
　　Day 63: Inject CPV vaccine.
　　Day 70: Boost PV vaccine injection.
　　Day 90: Boost DA2L and PV vaccines again.
　　8 to 10 months: First heat (female dog). At one year, boost DA2L and PV vaccine injections again.
　　Raising Techniques
　　Pay attention to cold and heat protection: Newborn Tibetan Mastiff puppies have poor temperature regulation. Therefore, ambient temperature greatly affects their life activities. It is essential to maintain a good indoor environment temperature. The puppy pen should be made of semi-circular iron mesh made from thick iron rods. In winter, cover the iron mesh with plastic film to prevent cold wind, and seal the front and back windows tightly with plastic film; in summer, remove the plastic film and use the iron frame to support climbing plants like grapes or gourds to shade the puppies.
　　Suitable environment temperature by puppy age: 0-7 days: 28–32℃, 8–21 days: 27℃, after 28 days: 23℃. Keep the room dry and avoid drafts.
　　Enhance lactation: The mother’s milk production decreases gradually after 20 days, while puppies' milk demand increases. Timely supplemental feeding is needed to provide the mother dog with fresh, high-quality, easily digestible animal and plant feed to ensure sufficient milk supply.
　　Improve the nutritional value for Tibetan Mastiff puppies: After 1 month, puppies develop rapidly with strong appetite, and the mother's milk can no longer meet needs. Provide supplemental feed with nutritious, easily digestible, palatable liquid foods such as fresh milk mixed with milk powder, meat broth, cooked egg yolk, thin porridge, and add fish oil, multivitamins, and bone powder to prevent malnutrition, weakness, and stunted growth.
　　Feed puppies in appropriate amounts: Tibetan Mastiff puppies have small stomach capacity, so feed small amounts frequently, 5-6 times a day. As age increases, gradually increase diet concentration and daily feed volume to match weight gain.
　　Ensure clean drinking water: Pay attention to water quality, temperature, quantity, and timing. Provide puppies with clean water free of harmful substances and pathogens. Clean water troughs daily. Water intake varies by season, highest in summer, and water supply should never be interrupted. Use caustic soda (2%-3% hot water solution), 3% lysol, and 5% formalin alternately to disinfect the birthing room, box, and puppy activity area. Regularly disinfect feeding tools with 2% potassium permanganate. After birth, use levamisole at 1 tablet per 2.5 kg body weight; deworm twice at 30 days with good results; vaccinate regularly at 2 months.
　　Tibetan Mastiff Grooming
　　Dry winter weather causes dandruff easily, not only in people but also in Tibetan Mastiffs. The peeling affects the entire body, not just the head. To prevent flaky skin, start from regular bathing routine.
　　First Step: Three-part Hair Protection
　　1. Use moisturizing shampoo and follow with conditioner.
　　2. After washing and drying the Tibetan Mastiff, use a strong blow dryer to dry the hair; do not let them air dry to avoid catching a cold.
　　3. Use warm air and dry the hair about 90%; avoid very hot air or drying 100%, as that will negate moisturizing effects.
　　Second Step: Trim the Nails - Cut the White Part Only
　　Just like humans, cutting nails too close to the flesh causes bleeding because of blood vessels and nerve endings inside the nail near the flesh. When trimming Tibetan Mastiff nails, only cut the white part. If you accidentally cut into the pink part causing bleeding, use styptic powder to stop bleeding. After trimming, file the nails to prevent the dog from scratching itself or the owner.
　　Third Step: Use Ear Cleaning Solution
　　Tibetan Mastiff ears should be kept clean regularly, but their ear canal structure differs from humans’. Before bathing, use cotton swabs to remove shallow earwax; for deeper earwax, use ear cleaning liquid or powder as assistance.
　　Fourth Step: Trim Excess Hair on Toes
　　Don’t neglect the paw pads because they rarely see daylight. If the toenails and toe hair are too long, it not only affects appearance but also causes instability and risk of slipping while walking.
　　Fifth Step: Full Grooming for a Beautiful Coat
　　Don’t let your dog have a “lotus head and broom feet” look; pay attention to the tail and rear end. If the hair around the anus is too long, it not only looks messy but can cause feces to stick during elimination, creating hygiene problems. Regularly trim the hair around the anus.
　　Final reminder: Before bathing, always express the anal glands. Because the Tibetan Mastiff’s coat is very thick, drying after bathing takes time and effort, so carefully dry the coat thoroughly to avoid skin diseases.