GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: 61-66cm (24”-26”).
Colour: Black, black/tan, grey, grey/tan, brown or gold. A little white on the
toes or chest is allowed.
Coat: Outer coat - standoffish and harsh. Undercoat is thick and woolly.
Gait: Powerful and free. Single tracking when trotting.
Impressively powerful, this breed has a solemn but kindly expression. The defined stop is set midway between the massive skull and the broad square muzzle. The almond shaped eyes are obliquely set, and the pendant ears normally are carried low. The well maned neck runs into a strong back which is slightly longer than the height at the shoulder. The deep chest reaches below the elbows. Well angulated fore and hindquarters finish with compact feet which are well feathered between the pads. The removal of dewclaws (single or double) is optional. The well coated tail is high set and carried over the back to one side.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE 
Tibetan Mastiffs are exceptionally slow to mature, taking up to 3-4 years to develop.They have very strong protective instincts and like many dogs evolved in Asia, are aloof with strangers and therefore make excellent guard dogs. Due to their desire to please and their excellent memories, Tibetan Mastiffs are easily trained and make fine family companions. Periodic grooming removes dead hair and keeps the coat and skin healthy.
HISTORY 
Presumed to be a member of the old Asian Mastiff family, these dogs were known in Tibet as ‘Doyki’, meaning the dog that can be tied up. It is recorded their courage and gameness made them an equal match for bandit and animal alike. It is believed the Tibetan Mastiffs first made their way to the western world during the time of Alexander the Great. Centuries later, Marco Polo encountered them in the 14th century and claimed they were the size of donkeys. This is supported by recent excavations by archaeologists, who found skeletons of the early Tibetan Mastiffs to be considerably larger than the modern day Tibetan Mastiff.