The Tibetan Mastiff comes in more colours than you might think, and no two Tibetan Mastiffs will look exactly the same. Some colours are incredibly common, but some of the rarer colours increase the price of the pup. But what colours are available to potential Tibetan Mastiff owners?
Read on to find out more about some of the usual – and most unusual – colours the Tibetan Mastiff boasts, as well as why one man paid a whopping $1.5 million USD for a rare coloured Mastiff dog in China.
The most common colours for this breed include black, brown, and gold, each contributing to their noble presence.
Black Tibetan Mastiffs typically have a rich, deep hue that highlights their strong features, while brown ones can range from light to dark shades, often with a warm undertone. Gold Mastiffs present a striking golden coat that catches the eye and adds to their grandeur. Some individuals may also display a mix of these colours, along with white markings.
Like other dogs, these giant fluffy dogs come in many wonderful colours. Let’s get to know about them!
Black is the most common colour found in this large companion dog breed and is one of the cheapest to buy. The black Tibetan Mastiff can also have some distinct patterning within its coat or be entirely black.
While black is the most common colour, black with tan is the most common colour combination. There’s a rumour that this colouring results from a mutation in their DNA, but there is no scientific evidence to provide this. Black and tan dogs can have flecks of colour, anywhere from a light brown to a deep, rich chestnut.
This breed can come in many variations of brown, from a pale biscuit colour to mahogany to a dark brown. These large breed dogs with brown coats are often referred to as ‘bear dogs’ due to their striking resemblance to grizzlies.
This colour results from the pup inheriting the recessive gene from both parents, meaning both parents would have to be brown. Brown Tibetan Mastiffs are considered to be a dilute black coat colour, and although there are a lot of solid brown dogs, it’s possible for them to have white or tan markings.
While many dog breeds can have red colouring, the colour is extremely rare in the Tibetan Mastiff breed. So much so that in 2011, a Chinese man paid an unbelievable $1.5 million US dollars for a red Tibetan whom he called Big Splash. This still remains the most expensive breed in the world.
The blue colour seen in these original guard dogs is said to be caused by a dilute gene inherited from either the mother or father’s side. There are a few variations of this colour, including silver-grey and blue-grey.
A dog of this breed can have a blue-grey undercoat with tan colouring on the coat’s outer layer, resulting in an unusual and beautiful colour. However, it’s not always formally accepted by many kennel clubs worldwide.
The Australian National Kennel Club states the following when it comes to permitted or undesirable colours and patterns:
“Rich black, with or without tan, slate grey, with or without tan, rich golden. The rich tan markings appear above the eyes, on muzzle, on chest, the lower part of legs and underside of tail. Spectacle markings around the eyes acceptable.
“White star on breast permissible. Minimal white markings on feet tolerated. Cream, white, chocolate/liver, particolour, brindle or flecked are undesirable.”
While both Tibetan Mastiff dogs come in various colours and patterns, it’s entirely up to you what type of dog you decide on. You might be drawn to a particularly cute member of the puppy pack, or there might be a pup with a stand-out personality that you feel drawn to. Whatever you choose is your decision!
Regardless of the colour you decide on, it’s important to make sure your puppy is well-socialised around people and other animals from a young age. It’s also vital that you have some prior experience with large dog breeds, as these guys, although loving, can be very headstrong and require an owner who can take the time to train them.
As a Tibetan Mastiff gets older, it’s common to see the hair around the ears and croup (the muscular area around the rump) become longer. As well as his, the coat can generally become thicker as the dog matures.
Puppies don’t have the guard hair that adults do; they simply have an undercoat. The outer coat, known as the guard layer, will begin to grow around six months for most Tibetan Mastiff puppies.
Apart from this, there is little difference between the coat of a Tibetan Mastiff adult and a puppy.
There’s no denying that the Tibetan dogs are some of the most beautiful dogs around. With their luscious double coat and giant mane, towering expression and intelligent personality, they make a great dog for many people.
Regardless of the colour you decide on, you’re sure to have a loving and loyal companion.
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