Did you know the Tibetan Mastiff signifies both prosperity and status in China? These huge dogs represent a prized wealthy symbol amongst both the rich and famous, which might make you think these dogs will also be extremely expensive here in Australia.
Read on to find out exactly how much these giant bundles of fluff and attitude cost, as well as the ongoing maintenance costs of caring for the breed over their lifespan.
A Tibetan Mastiff is not cheap and can cost between $2,000 to $8,000, with some costing up to $10,000! Tibetan Mastiffs have been known to sell for a million dollars before, so it’s easy to understand where their steep price tag comes from. When you see a low price for a Tibetan Mastiff, it’s important to consider the seller. Are they an adoption shelter working tirelessly to find the perfect home for a dog, or are they an unethical breeder looking to exploit animals? The price can seem like a good deal, but you could be left with a dog that has been poorly bred, causing behavioural or physical problems. Plus, you will be supporting the exploitation of animals!
On average, it costs between $2,000 and $8,000 when buying a Tibetan Mastiff from a registered breeder. The cost does vary depending on the age of the dog, with puppies being more expensive than older or retired dogs. The price of dogs purchased from a breeder also varies depending on the breeder’s reputation and the lineage of the dog. Purebreds will cost more, and having a better understanding of your dog’s lineage will help you better understand their temperament and the chances of any genetic health conditions.
It isn’t often, but you can find Tibetan Mastiffs in adoption shelters looking for another home. The cost of adopting a Tibetan Mastiff is lower, ranging from $375 to $1,500, depending on the location of the animal shelter and the age of the dog.
These large dogs can sometimes find themselves in adoption shelters through no fault of their own, and the shelters will work tirelessly to match them to their perfect home. They will provide you with as much information as possible about their temperament and any health conditions, as well as learn about you and your home to determine if you are a suitable owner.
When adopting a Tibetan Mastiff, you won’t get much information about their lineage, so there is a chance they won’t be purebred, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have a lovable dog.
There are a variety of factors that influence how much you can expect to pay for this generally very expensive dog breed.
One of the biggest considerations that affect the price of these is the breeder. A good breeder will charge a higher price due to the high care level they commit to pure Tibetan Mastiffs. A more premium price will also be paid to help absorb vet bills for the dogs as well as any vaccines and certificates they require.
The breed standard is achieved through selective breeding, with many breeders trying to emulate this throughout the country. The more authentic and certified a line of Tibetan Mastiffs is, the higher the total price.
Buying Tibetan Mastiff puppies will always be more expensive than buying an older Tibetan Mastiff (or adopting one). And don’t forget, these dogs live for a long time – sometimes up to 16 years and, sometimes, even longer. (We’ll go into more detail on this in just a minute.)
Before purchasing your Tibetan Mastiff, you must consider the cost of essentials and whether you can afford to care for a dog. Essentials for your Tibetan Mastiff can cost between $10 and $200 per item, so you must check your budget carefully to ensure you have the money. Some essentials will need to be repurchased over the years, too, as your dog grows or needs new leads. We have broken down the cost of every item so you know what to expect:
Dog crate: can cost between $30 and $200, depending on the brand and size. A Tibetan Mastiff needs a large crate, pushing you to the top end of the price range.
Dog bed: can cost between $20 and $100 depending on the size and material used. A Tibetan Mastiff will need a large bed to provide the space for a comfortable rest.
Dog collar/lead: can cost between $10 and $150, depending on the material used and brand. Leather collars are considered a premium option, sitting at the top of the price range and providing plenty of comfort and durability.
Feeding bowl: can cost between $10 and $50 depending on the brand, how many bowls you need, and if stands are required. A Tibetan Mastiff will need large feeding bowls to ensure they are getting the portions they need.
Dog toothbrush: can cost between $11 and $100 depending on the brand and if you are using a manual or electric toothbrush.
Dog car harness: can cost between $20 and $70, depending on the size and brand. A Tibetan Mastiff will need a large harness, which can be expensive.
Puppy treats: can cost between $10 and $156 a week, depending on how many treats your dog uses. Your Tibetan Mastiff might eat lots of treats a week while training them.
Puppy training pads: can cost between $10 and $30 depending on how long it takes to toilet train your dog. You might not need to buy these if you have an older or rescue dog.
Dog shampoo & conditioner: can cost between $10 and $50 depending on the brand and if you need medicated shampoo. Medicated shampoo usually costs more but will be available on a prescription from your vet.
Dog nail clippers, brushes & combs: can cost between $20 and $50, depending on the brand and how many grooming tools you buy. For a Tibetan Mastiff, you should buy durable grooming tools that can work through their fur.
Alongside the essential costs, there are maintenance costs you need to budget for every year. These include feeding your dog, grooming them, and providing them with the medical care they need. This can cost between $170 and $380 a month, depending on the brand you choose, the vets you use, and how often your dog requires grooming. To help you better understand these costs, we have outlined your monthly and annual costs below.
A Tibetan Mastiff requires a lot of food to keep them fed so they can exo and be satisfied, which will cost owners. You can expect to spend between $100 and $120 a month feeding your Tibetan Mastiff, depending on the type of food you choose and the brand. The more you spend on dog food, the higher the quality that you can expect, providing your dog with a balanced and nutritional meal.
Tibetan Mastiffs require a high-protein diet to keep them full and energised, so make sure you check the ingredients list and meat content when deciding which food to eat for your dog. Below, we have the average daily cost of feeding an adult Tibetan Mastiff based on their weight (34 to 68 kg depending on gender):
Your Tibetan Mastiff will also need to attend the vets regularly to ensure they get the healthcare they need. This can cost between $800 and $3,200 a year, depending on the cost of your vet and the number of treatments needed. Vet prices can vary across Australia, so we recommend reaching out to your local vet for an accurate cost breakdown.
These prices do not include treating any health conditions or visiting the vet for any health concerns. These trips to the vet can become expensive, so we recommend investing in good health insurance to ensure that your pet is covered. We have broken down the costs of the vet treatments your dog needs below:
Annual vet checkups: can cost between $100 and $300 a year, depending on the price of your vets and if additional treatments and follow-ups are required.
Vaccinations: can cost between $50 and $200, depending on the price at your vet and the size of your dog. Dosages are offered based on the size of your animal, so you can expect to pay near the top end of the price range for your Tibetan Mastiff.
Worming and parasite protection: can cost between $50 and $200 a year depending on the dosage size your dog needs and how many times they need to be administered throughout the year.
Dental cleaning (every 1-2 years): can cost between $200 and $1,000 depending on the level of cleaning needed and if your dog needs to be sedated for the treatment.
Pet insurance: can cost between $500 and $1,500 a year depending on the age of your dog, the level of cover that you choose, and if there are any health conditions that need to be covered.
While you can groom a Tibetan Mastiff at home to save on grooming costs, we think it’s better to leave it to the professionals and pay for a groom. Professional groomers will have the right equipment to keep your Tibetan Mastiff in place, ensuring they can groom them without any additional stress to the dog. It can cost between $60 and $190 depending on the groomer and treatment you choose, with the cost breakdown outlined below:
Hydrobaths: $35 to $60
Full groom prices: $150 to $200 for large dogs
Face, feet & tail groom prices: $60 to $90 depending on fur length
You might also be required to pay an additional fee if there are several mats in your dog’s fur that need removing or if they attend their appointment with fleas. Some groomers will charge a fee to decontaminate their space after fleas are found, so be sure to keep up with their brushing and parasite treatment to prevent this.
Tibetan Mastiffs are huge, so it’s important that you train them properly. You can make use of professional trainers to achieve this, who will use their experience to guide you through obedience training, dealing with reactivity, and any other issues. The cost of training can vary from $50 to $250 a session, with the cost depending on the type of training your dog needs. We have outlined the costs you can expect below:
Basic obedience training prices: $50 to $250
Puppy training class prices: $30 to $230
Specialised training prices (i.e. anxiety, aggression): $50 to $250
A Tibetan Mastiff is a huge dog that can add lots of love to your life, but you must make sure you have the funds to provide them with the life they deserve. Use this guide to work out how much owning a Tibetan Mastiff will cost to see if you can bring one into your home.
Welcome to Pets Online, a team of pet parents, animal lovers and veterinarians devoted to providing you with everything you need to know about pets.