A better name for the breed might be the Tibetan Mountain Dog or, to encompass the landrace breed throughout its range, the Himalayan mountain dog. Instinctive behaviors including canine pack behavior contributed to the survival of the breed in harsh environments. Since its estrus usually takes place during late fall, most Tibetan Mastiff puppies are born between December and January. Some lines do produce long-lived dogs. Other, more closely inbred lines, produce short-lived, unhealthy dogs. The breed has fewer genetic health problems than many breeds, but cases can be found of hypothyroidism, entropion, ectropion, distichiasis, skin problems including allergies, autoimmune problems including demodex, Addison's disease, Cushing's disease, missing teeth, malocclusion (overbite, underbite, dry mouth), cardiac problems, seizures, epilepsy, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), cataracts, and small ear canals with a tendency for infection. As with most large breeds, some will suffer with elbow or hip dysplasia.
demodex, Addison's disease, Cushing's disease, hypothyroidism,|ectropion, distichiasis,|allergies,|demodex, Addison's disease, Cushing's disease,|malocclusion|epilepsy, progressive retinal atrophy|elbow or hip dysplasia.
demodex, Addison's disease, Cushing's disease, hypothyroidism,|ectropion, distichiasis,|allergies,|demodex, Addison's disease, Cushing's disease,|malocclusion|epilepsy, progressive retinal atrophy|elbow or hip dysplasia.