The Tibetan Mastiff (Tibetan: འདོགས་ཁྱི, Wylie: Dogs khyi; Chinese: 藏獒, Pinyin: Zàng áo) is a large Tibetan dog breed belonging to the mastiff family. Originating with the nomadic cultures of Tibet, China, Mongolia, India and Nepal, it is used by local tribes of Tibetans, Nepalis and Indians to protect sheep from wolves, leopards, bears, large mustelids and tigers. 'The million-pound mutt: Red Tibetan Mastiff becomes world's most expensive dog'. Daily Mail. London.