Tibetan Mastiff German Shepherd Mix Breed Facts and Traits

If you have a Tibetan Mastiff German Shepherd Mix and want to learn more about what to expect, you’ve come to the right place.

How exactly is this breed unique? What can you expect in terms of size and appearance? We’ll cover it all in this comprehensive guide!

The German Shepherd Tibetan Mastiff Mix is made up of two notable breeds, both with tendencies toward guardianship and protection. This hulking powerhouse of a dog can be somewhat strong-headed. As such, this hybrid should be properly trained and socialized by an experienced owner starting early-on.

Knowing about the breeds that make up your dog’s lineage can help you better anticipate what you may encounter as an owner in the future. Read on to find out what you can look forward to as an owner of this robust and bold dog.

Is The Tibetan Mastiff German Shepherd Mix a Good Dog to Own?

When you choose to bring a new dog into your life, you may be wondering whether it will be a good fit. While there is no simple answer to this, there are a few ways you can help to ensure that your relationship with your dog will be as harmonious and healthy as possible.

This Can Be a Great Dog for the Right Owner

Owning a Tibetan Mastiff German Shepherd Mix can be an amazing opportunity for the right owner. But what does the right owner look like? Before purchasing or adopting a big pup like this, there are some factors you’ll want to consider.

Is your house large enough to accommodate a big dog? Do you have the time and resources needed to care for this particular mix? Are you ready to face the potential health issues large breeds like this are prone to? These are important things to ask yourself.

If you have plenty of room to offer in your home and yard, can provide proper training, and are ready to care for any potential health issues that may arise in a large breed like this, this could be a fantastic dog for you.

This helpful article from dogpsychologistoncall.com explains that every breed has its upsides and downsides. It’s smart to make a list of the traits you would like in a dog and then look for breeds that match your preferences.

How Can Breed Composition Influence Your Dog?

A dog’s breed can influence factors like its appearance, size, health, lifespan, instincts, and other key characteristics. As explained by Science News Online, behaviors like fearfulness and aggression can also be directly linked to breeding and genetics.

It’s important to understand that no dog is identical and breed specifications are not one size fits all. However, to set yourself up for success, you can do your due diligence and learn as much about the dog you are interested in as possible before adopting.

What Breeds Makeup the Tibetan Mastiff German Shepherd Mix?

The Tibetan Mastiff and German Shepherd breeds have been combined to create an extremely unique and stunning crossbreed mix. Powerfully built and with instincts for guardianship and protection, this dog is like nothing you’ve ever seen before.

While this hybrid pooch is somewhat uncommon, it’s a dog breed worth looking into. This breed offers its owners both the intelligence of a German Shepherds and the gentle giant attitude of a Mastiff. Looking at both breeds separately can help you understand a lot more about this mix.

Here’s Some Helpful Information on the Tibetan Mastiff Breed!

The Tibetan Mastiff is an extremely loyal dog originally bred for protection and guarding. It can be somewhat territorial and has a booming deep bark. Tibetan Mastiffs are alert dogs with a calm demeanor. They can balance protection and gentleness with ease.

More of a defender than an aggressor, these are fantastic family pets. They have deep instincts for protecting their families and property. This in-depth YouTube video can help you learn more about the attitude and behaviors often seen by these dogs.

In appearance, Tibetan Mastiffs are lion-like, with a voluptuous mane of fluffy fur. They are a noble and powerful breed with an athletic and unforgettable stature. In size, Tibetan Mastiffs can reach a whopping 160 pounds!

Originally from the mountainous regions of Tibet, their fluffy fur was meant for warmth and served to protect them from wolves. They’re related to Chow Chows and Saint Bernards and are ancestors of many other popular breeds as well.

Now, Let’s Look At Some Facts About the German Shepherd

German Shepherds are another amazing breed. Originating in Europe, the German Shepherd was carefully bred in the 1890s as a working dog that would be intelligent, noble, and attractive.

They have a wide wedge-shaped head that distinguishes them from other dogs. German Shepherds are extremely smart and easy to train. However, when left unattended, German Shepherds can exhibit many undesirable behaviors.

While these dogs can be distrustful of strangers, these dogs aren’t inherently aggressive. When trained through positive reinforcement, these dogs learn quickly. These dogs need ample daily exercise to stay happy and healthy.

German Shepherds can have various kinds of coats. Most German Shepherds have a thick undercoat that requires lots of brushing as it sheds frequently. These dogs are an amazing option for anyone willing to put in the time and dedication.

This dog is popular around the world. It’s unique, statuesque, and unerringly loyal. With proper care and training, this can be a great dog for families. This helpful YouTube video goes over more about the German Shepherd and its characteristic traits and features.

What Can You Expect In Terms of Appearance With A Tibetan Mastiff German Shepherd Mix?

As a mix of the massive and shaggy Tibetan Mastiff and the athletic and muscular German Shepherd, this dog will be large, fairly fluffy, and statuesque. You can expect to see a wide chest, large head, big paws, and an upright tail that may or may not curl.

This dog will likely have upright ears, though they may flop over a bit. This dog will also likely be prone to shedding, though it will likely be semi-annually. Since it’s a new mix, there are quite a few possibilities for its appearance.

This Mastiff Shepherd Mix Will Change as it Grows to Adulthood

Shepherd Mastiff puppies are known for going through a metamorphosis in appearance. Though they’re round and squishy as pups, they tend to grow into muscular dogs with a much more angular appearance.

Additionally, their ears may or may not start to stand up as they age. German Shepherds have erect ears, while mastiffs have floppy ears with less cartridge. Because of this, there’s about a 50/50 chance that your puppy’s ears will stand straight up as an adult.

Any Number of Coat Colors and Lengths Are Possible With This Dog

Both Tibetan Mastiffs and German Shepherds come in many coat colors. The German Shepherd also has various coat lengths, depending on which type of German Shepherd you have. So, this mix can have many different color variations.

Generally, they will maintain the coloration of the standard German Shepherd, which is black and tan. However, these dogs can also be red, cream, sable, black, chocolate, white, and more. No matter what color your dog’s fur is, it’s sure to be fluffy and soft.

The coat length will be medium to very long. Since Tibetan Mastiffs and German Shepherds both have weather-resistant coats, you will only need to bathe them about once a month or as needed based on their activity. This will help to protect their fur from overwashing.

No Matter What, You’ll Have A Large Dog On Your Hands

The word Mastiff comes from the word massive, which makes sense, as this is one big and beautiful pooch! German Shepherds are also a large breed of dog. This means that no matter what, your little puppy will grow into a hefty adult.

Because of this, you’ll need to watch for the standard large dog health issues. We will cover that in the next section.

Does The Tibetan Mastiff German Shepherd Mix Have Any Health Risks?

Knowing what health risks your dog may have can help you better protect them as they grow and throughout the course of their life. Large dogs can have many health issues, which is important to consider before choosing to buy or adopt a mix like this.

Tibetan Mastiff German Shepherd Mixes are Prone to Certain Health Issues

Unfortunately, this is a breed that is prone to some health risks. The good news is, since it is a mixed breed, it may not be prone to as many health risks as other purebred dogs are. Over-breeding dilutes the gene pool and can lead to even more health issues.

The main issues that these dogs are at risk for are hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Dysplasia is a joint condition that has to do with the growth and weight of a dog. A proper diet in puppyhood can help you avoid both of these risks.

Large breeds are prone to a few other health problems as well. Katie Finlay (writer for iHeartDogs.com) goes over these issues in-depth, explaining that Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Bloat, Panosteitis, and Aortic Stenosis are other things to watch out for.

Is Tibetan Mastiff German Shepherd Mix Easy to Train?

Many dog owners wonder whether or not the puppy they pick out will be easy to train. After all, no one likes a puppy who pees all over the house. Considering that this is a massive mix, you will want to be sure that you’ll be able to train and manage this dog properly.

This Dog Is Not Very Difficult to Train, With a Few Caveats

Since this crossbreed has all of the intelligence of a Shepherd and the instinct of the Tibetan Mastiff, it’s not very hard to train. That being said, training should be started early and reinforced often. All Shepherd Mixes should be trained well from puppyhood.

Do You Need Professional Experience With Training Dogs to Own This Breed?

Some may wonder if such a large and powerful breed requires professional handling. You definitely don’t want to have a giant dog that you can’t reign in on your hands.

While Obedience School Is a Good Idea, You Can Train Your Dog at Home

You don’t necessarily need to take this dog through obedience training. You can teach them at home, provided that you get your Tibetan Mastiff German Shepherd as a puppy. You’ll train this dog in the same way that you’d train any other breed, with a few slight differences.

For one, you’ll want to consider that this can be an independent breed. German Shepherds are highly intelligent and may become stubborn. They don’t always do well with a heavy-handed training method.

On the other hand, Tibetan Mastiffs are very independent and can be strong-willed. They require lots of behavior reinforcement and consistency. Because of this, you’ll want to continue training and working with your puppy well into adulthood.

As a combination of both breeds, you’ll have to fine-tune and customize your training methods. If you’re worried about working out stubborn tendencies and behaviors, this YouTube video can offer helpful tips.

What Kind of Home is Best for Tibetan Mastiff German Shepherd Mix?

Ultimately, the best home for this dog will be any home willing to accommodate its needs and adjust to unforeseen issues. However, there are a few factors that can make your home a better option for this mix specifically.

It’s A Good Idea to Have Plenty of Time to Spare and Space Available Before You Adopt This Mixed Breed

This dog will need plenty of room, as it will be very large when full-grown. If your dog ends up retaining more German Shepherd like tendencies, it will need a lot of exercise. If it’s more Mastiff like, it will be more mellow.

It’s also a good idea to be ready financially before bringing home a dog like this. From dog food costs to vet bills to grooming requirements, a large dog like this can start to get expensive quickly. Having some savings set aside for potential issues is wise.

Finally, this dog will require a lot of time and energy in training. It’s not that it’s terribly difficult to train, it’s just that such a large dog absolutely must be taught manners and boundaries for the safety of you, the dog, and everyone else.

Will Tibetan Mastiff German Shepherd Mix Be Good With Children?

If you have children of any age, you may be wondering whether such a large and powerful dog will be a good option. The good news is, yes, this dog can be a great family companion.

As Long As You’ve Dedicated Adequate Time to Training and Socialization, This Dog Should Be Fine in a Family With Children.

Dogs and children both have to be taught to coexist well, no matter what breed you have.

Should Anything Else Be Taken Into Consideration About The Tibetan Mastiff German Shepherd?

This is a beautiful and unique breed that’s like nothing else in the world. They can make fantastic family pets. This article from thecrazypetguy.com goes to offer the finer points of this mix and what you can expect.

Additionally, you can read what this real-life Mastiff Shepherd Mix owner has to say about her dogs Nala and Harley!

In conclusion, this is a stunning and bold dog that’s large in stature. Have your dog brush ready, because they shed and may blow their coats twice a year. With proper training and handling, this can be an amazing pet for anyone with the space availability, dedication, and time that this mix requires.