Tibetan Mastiff vs St. Bernard - Breed Comparison

Tibetan Mastiff vs St. Bernard - Breed ComparisonTibetan Mastiff is originated from China but St. Bernard is originated from Switzerland. Tibetan Mastiff may grow 12 cm / 5 inches higher than St. Bernard. Both Tibetan Mastiff and St. Bernard are of same weight. Tibetan Mastiff may live 4 years more than St. Bernard. Tibetan Mastiff may have less litter size than St. Bernard. Tibetan Mastiff requires Moderate maintenance. But St. Bernard requires High maintenance

History

tibetan mastiff - historyThe Tibetan Mastiff is still considered to be a primitive breed originating in Tibet centuries ago. The breed was developed to guard property and livestock. They still do this as well as being a much loved family dog and a show dog as well. There is very little history that is documented for the breed prior to the 19th century.

Believed to be centuries old with ancestors who are mastiff like dogs that developed into two different types of Tibetan Mastiffs. These types are the Tsang-Khyi and the Do-Khyi. The Tsang Khyi were guardians for Tibetan monks, while the Tsang-Khyi guarded flocks for nomadic shepherds and in villages.

The first Tibetan Mastiff was imported in 1847 to England and presented as a gift to Wueen Victoria, from India’s Viceroy. By 1873 there was an English Kennel Club and the breed was labeled a large dog from Tibet and entered into the EKC Stud Book.

The next year the future King Edward VII, brought another two Tibetan Mastiffs to the United Kingdom to show in 1875. The first breed club began in 1931. The world wars interfered and no new dogs were imported to England until 1976. Two dogs were given to the President of the United States in the late 1950’sbut were not bred and it wasn’t until 1970 that any more were imported. The US Tibetan Mastiff Club was not founded until 1974 and they were first entered in a National Specialty show in 1979.

In 2007 the AKC recognized the breed as a working dog since 2007. It’s hard to find a purebred Tibetan Mastiff in Tibet anymore.

st bernard - historyThe St Bernard breed was once called the Alpine Cattle Dogs or the Alpine Mountain Dogs. They have always been farm dogs and mountain dogs in the French and Swiss Alps. They come from the border land of Switzerland and France. They were herding dogs, hunting, search and rescue, watchdogs and draft dogs.

Their ancestors are considered to include the Sennenhunds and molosser breeds that came to the Alps with the ancient Romans. There are four Sennenhund breeds that are believed to have contributed to the original St. Bernard. These included the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund), the Appenzeller (Appenzeller Sennenhund), the Bernese Mountain Dog (Berner Sennenhund) and the Entlebucher Mountain Dog (Entlebucher Sennenhund) Today the St. Bernard is considered a Molossoid breed.

The first we know of the St. Bernard in any written records was in 1707 at the Great St. Bernard Pass and Great St. Bernard Hospice run by monks. There were found paintings of the dogs dating back into the late 1600’s. It is told that Barry saved upward of 100 people in the St. Bernard pass, and it is from these stories that the dogs gained their snow rescue reputation.

The St. Bernard of that time did not look like the St. Bernard does today as there was much crossbreeding. Many dogs dies during rescues in the avalanches of the mid 1800’s and so they Saint was crossed with the Newfoundland to preserve the breed. You can today see the resemblance in the build and looks of the two breeds. This cross brought about the long haired St. Bernard whose fur was too heavy for rescues.

The St. Bernards of mountain rescue fame were only about the size of a German Shepherd dog and were short haired. After crossing with the Newfoundland and moving into clubs and dogs shows, they have been bred to be much larger. Before the stud book was closed, it is thought that many larger breeds such as the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, the English Mastiff, the Tibetan Mastiff, the Rottweiler, the Great Pyrenees, the English Bulldog, the Great Dane, the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Boxer and the Caucasian Oycharka all contributed to today’s St. Bernard.

In 1884 The Swiss St. Bernard Club was founded and the breed entered the Swiss Stud book as its first entry in 1884. It was 1888 when the standard was approved and the breed became the national dog of Switzerland. Before the name St. Bernard came to be common, these dogs might be called, Barry Dogs, Alepnmastiff, Noble Steeds or Saint Dogs.

The dogs came to England in the early 1800s and to the United States soon after. They were recognized by the European kennel clubs first and by the early 1900’s they were the most popular breed in the AKC.

Description

tibetan mastiff puppy - descriptionBoth types of Mastiffs can be present in the same litter, so that both larger and smaller pups are present. Both types are well-muscled and structured. Today’s dogs being developed in China and the West are much larger than the previous ones. These dogs would be less useful to the nomads and cost too much to feed. Today’s dog is very large with a large head and a long double coat. This coat can be black, brown, gold, and blue, with or without tan markings. There are now a few white Tibetan Mastiffs being bread.

The breed standard for the Mastiff is different in the West than in the East. In the East the breed is broken into two categories – the Lion Head and the Tiger head.

st bernard puppy - descriptionToday’s St. Bernard is not a large dog, he is a giant dog. Weighing in at 140-200 pounds and standing 28 to 35 inches tall, he is a lot of dog. Bred with mastiffs and large mountain dogs, they have proportional and powerful build. They are strong, sturdy and well muscled. They have either a smooth or rough (short or long) coat. Their eyes are brown or occasionally blue. They have tight lids, and square heads and muzzles.

There are two coat types called smooth and rough, or short and long. The smooth shorter coat is tough, flat and close against the body and the long, rough coat is dense, wavy and heavy around the legs, neck and ruff. Both types have long tails that hang low and are heavy. Saints are known to slobber, drool and snore.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

tibetan mastiff dog - characteristicsWith extreme caution and only if raised together

Special talents

Guard dog

Adaptability

Not good. No apartments and cant deal with heat

Learning ability

Highly intelligent very stubborn and independent

1Children friendliness excellent

2.Special talents tracking

st bernard dog - characteristics3.Adaptability no - these are giant dogs that need a lot of room. A large fenced yard or farm is best. They won’t do well in an apartment. They need exercise every day and loping around a yard is very good for them. They love to play in the snow, carry a backpack or pull a cart. They love to have a “job”

4.Learning ability – They are smart and highly trainable if motivated. They may appear lazy but they are just laid back and need a motivation.

Health Problems

tibetan mastiff puppies - health problemsThough considered a primitive dog and isolated for several centuries, so they should not have as many genetic or inherited conditions as other dogs with more cross and in-breeding. These are the potential health issues they might develop:

Elbow and Hip dysplasia – can lead to lameness and arthritis.

OCD Osteochondrois Dissecans – this is also an orthopedic condition when the soft tissue growth is abnormal in the joints. It is painful and the joint is stiff. Don’t breed a dog that has this condition.

Panosteitis – Canine growing pains. Inflammation of the long bones in large dogs as they grow. They will eventually out grow it. Pain can be managed through medication.

Autoimmune Hypothyroidism – Hormone deficiency leading to flaky skin, weight gain and lack of energy. Can be managed through medication.

Canine Inherited Demyelinative Neuropathy – If your Tibetan Mastiff is going to have this condition, they will have it by six weeks of age. Weakness in the hind legs leading to paralysis.

Bloat – deadly if not treated immediately and related to dietary habits.

st bernard puppies - health problemsThe first problem this breed faces is how fast they grow and gain weight. This can lead to serious health issues if not controlled. Their bones can be damaged by this excessively fast rate of growth. Other issues facing the breed include:

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia – can cause arthritis and lameness.
  • Bloat – can be fatal if not treated immediately.
  • Bone Cancer or Osteosarcoma – tends to be fatal.
  • Entropion and Ectropion – eyelids turn in or out and can be corrected.
  • Epilepsy – controlled by medication
  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy – can be fatal.
  • Eczema – skin disease can be treated.
  • Be careful of extreme heat.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

tibetan mastiff dogs - caringDon’t feed the puppy too much protein as you want to prevent Panosteitis and growing too quickly. Do not overfeed. Feed 4-5 cups of high quality large breed puppy food in 3-4 meals day.

Feeding the adult

4 to 6 or more cups of a high-quality dog food daily, divided into two meals. To avoid bloat do not feed before or after vigorous exercise.

Points for Good Health

Calm and laid back when inside.

Games and Exercises

They need 20-30 minutes of vigorous exercise and play daily. They prefer to play with other large dogs.

st bernard dogs - caring1.Feeding the puppy – You want to control their growth. Do not overfeed, and make sure they exercise but not too much. Feed a high quality large breed puppy food 3-4 X a day in small amounts.

2.Feeding the adult – The problem you face with he adult St. Bernard is the potential for Bloat. Don’t over feed. Don’t feed before or after strenuous exercise. Feed 2-3 X a day in smaller amounts to prevent Bloat. Feed a high quality breed specific food if possible or an extra large breed formula.

3.Points for Good Health stamina and strength in cooler weather.

4. Games and Exercises They need exercise but not as much as you might think. The St. Bernard is a laid back lumbering character so don’t over exercise her. They enjoy weight and cart pulling but they are not athletes who enjoy frisbee or agility. Search and rescue trials and tracking trials are perfect athletic endeavors for them.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
China
Switzerland
Height Male:
75 - 83 cm
29 - 33 inches
63 - 71 cm
24 - 28 inches
Height Female:
72 - 80 cm
28 - 32 inches
60 - 69 cm
23 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
55 - 90 kg
121 - 199 pounds
54 - 90 kg
119 - 199 pounds
Weight Female:
53 - 88 kg
116 - 195 pounds
52 - 85 kg
114 - 188 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
8 - 10 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
4 - 9
Size:
Large dog
Giant dog
Other Names:
Mastiff, TM
St. Bernhardshund Bernhardiner Alpine Mastiff (archaic)
Colors Available:
and blue, gold, black, with or without tan markings , brown
redish- Brown and white with a black mask to blond and white with black mask
Coat:
double coat with a long, thick, coarse-textured topcoat and a heavy, soft, woolly undercoat.
rough or smooth
Shedding:
Moderate
Constant
Temperament:
Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Stubborn
Affectionate, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Protective, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
High maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Tibetan Mastiff vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  2. Tibetan Mastiff vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  3. Tibetan Mastiff vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  4. Tibetan Mastiff vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  5. Tibetan Mastiff vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  6. Tibetan Mastiff vs Samoyed - Breed Comparison
  7. Tibetan Mastiff vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  8. Tibetan Mastiff vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  9. Tibetan Mastiff vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  10. Tibetan Mastiff vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  11. Tibetan Mastiff vs Presa Canario - Breed Comparison
  12. Tibetan Mastiff vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  13. Tibetan Mastiff vs Labrador Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Tibetan Mastiff vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  15. Tibetan Mastiff vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  16. Tibetan Mastiff vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  17. Tibetan Mastiff vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  18. Tibetan Mastiff vs Goldador - Breed Comparison
  19. Tibetan Mastiff vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  20. Tibetan Mastiff vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  21. Tibetan Mastiff vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  22. Tibetan Mastiff vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  23. Tibetan Mastiff vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  24. Tibetan Mastiff vs Central Asian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  25. Tibetan Mastiff vs Mackenzie River Husky - Breed Comparison
  26. St. Bernard vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  27. St. Bernard vs Newfoundland Dog - Breed Comparison
  28. St. Bernard vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  29. St. Bernard vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  30. St. Bernard vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  31. St. Bernard vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  32. St. Bernard vs Pyrenean Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  33. St. Bernard vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  34. St. Bernard vs Moscow Watchdog - Breed Comparison
  35. St. Bernard vs Spanish Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  36. St. Bernard vs Kars Dog - Breed Comparison
  37. St. Bernard vs Moscow Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  38. St. Bernard vs Ciobanesc de Bucovina - Breed Comparison
  39. St. Bernard vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  40. St. Bernard vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  41. St. Bernard vs Neapolitan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  42. St. Bernard vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  43. St. Bernard vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison
  44. St. Bernard vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds