Tibetan Mastiff is a large breed of dog, which originated in the Himalayan region, particularly Tibet where it was first bred by nomadic tribes to guard villages, monasteries and livestock against predators like leopards and wolves. Male Tibetan Mastiffs weigh 40-70 kilograms while females have a weight of 30-55 kilograms. They are characterised by a long or medium double coat, subject to climate, in various shades like black, black and tan, bluish-grey and multiple shades of red.
Tibetan Mastiffs are known for their imposing physique, muscular build, broad head, lion-like mane, bushy tail and deep-set eyes. They are widely popular as guard dogs due to their loyal and protective nature. However, Tibetan Mastiffs can become stubborn and aggressive, in the absence of proper training. Average lifespan of Tibetan Mastiffs is 10-12 years.
Legal Status in India
There is no outright ban on Tibetan Mastiffs in India. However, there are specific restrictions on owning and breeding Tibetan Mastiffs in some states. The Government of India had issued directives to prohibit certain ferocious breeds of dogs in the year 2024. However, Tibetan Mastiffs did not feature among the dangerous breeds named by the government.
On 12th March 2024, the Union Government’s Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying issued directives to state governments pertaining to prohibition of sale, breeding and import of 23 dog breeds identified as ferocious by an expert committee set up by it. The said committee was headed by the Animal Husbandry Commissioner.
The department directed the state governments to instruct the local bodies in their respective states to issue guidelines enforcing the ban on sale, breeding and import of 23 dog breeds deemed ferocious. Existing pets of the selected dog breeds were to be sterilised and vaccinated.
The list of 23 dangerous dog breeds released by the department did not include Tibetan Mastiffs. Instead, Boerboel Mastiff was named in the list. Eventually, this directive was stayed by three high courts, Delhi High Court, Karnataka High Court and Calcutta High Court.
State-level Restrictions
In February 2024, the state government of Tamil Nadu introduced a policy prohibiting the breeding of nine cold-climate dog breeds in the state. The government cited the inability of those nine cold-climate dog breeds to withstand the weather in India as a primary reason behind the ban. Tibetan Mastiff features in this list, alongside other cold-climate dog breeds. The ban came into effect in September 2024.
In other states like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, ownership of Tibetan Mastiffs is allowed under certain conditions like local licensing.
