Tibetan mastiffs are said to be one of the oldest dog breeds, dating back to 1100 B.C. in Central Asia. They were initially used to protect Buddhist monasteries from wild animals and were bred as flock guardians in the Himalayas.
They made their way to England in the late 18th century, but during WWI and WII, the breed lost favor and nearly died out in Western Europe.
The Tibetan breed’s association created the Tibetan mastiff breed standard in 1931. The breed began gaining popularity in 1980 and was finally recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2006.
While the breed is still considered rare, it entered competition in Westminster Kennel Club in 2008 and is a family pet in many U.S. homes.
