Last Updated on August 19, 2021 by Marco
Husky Mastiff mix-breeds are a thing now, and in this article, we will be exploring the Tibetan Mastiff Husky mix.
The Tibetan Mastiff is a giant, shaggy guard dog, and the Siberian Husky is a medium-sized, and slightly less shaggy, working dog, so the Tibetan Mastiff Siberian Husky mix is basically a large dog with lots of fur!
Sometimes referred to as a Siberian Mastiff, these dogs are not for novice dog owners. They are independent and can be stubborn, both traits which make training difficult.
The Tibetan Mastiff
These dogs are huge, bear-like creatures that were originally bred by nomadic tribes in central Asia and Tibet, where they were used for hunting. They were later used for guarding livestock, and for protecting monasteries.
The average puppy price of the Tibetan Mastiff is $2,500-$4,000 USD. These dogs are enormous, with adults measuring and up to 28 inches at the shoulder, and weighing a whopping 170 pounds.
In terms of temperament, the Tibetan Mastiff is described as being aloof, protective, strong-willed, stubborn, courageous, and loyal.
Their coats are long and dense and come in a variety of colors such as black, black and tan, blue, brown, grey, and red.
These giants live for around 10 to 14 years.
They bark a lot (not surprising, given that they are a guard dog breed), are known to be playful and affectionate around children (in their own families, not strangers), and need a fair bit of exercise. They do not do well in the heat due to their coats.
Read more about: 7 Of The Best Deshedding Tools For Huskies
A Tibetan Mastiff Named ‘Big Splash’
In China today, the Tibetan Mastiff is as highly prized as the Panda Bear, and as such, they cost a fortune. In 2011, a Chinese businessman paid an eye-watering 1.4 million dollars USD for a Tibetan Mastiff named ‘Big Splash’. Big Splash has unusual red-gold fur. Legend has it that this dog has lion’s blood running through its veins!
The Husky Tibetan Mastiff Mix: Personality
Like with all mixed breeds, it is hard to predict how each individual dog will turn out, but both the Tibetan mastiff and the Siberian Husky have a few traits in common.
Both are smart dogs, and are ‘thinkers’. Both breeds can be stubborn thus making training harder. Huskies and Tibetan Mastiffs like children, are gentle and loyal with their human families, and will not come back if called so are not to be let off the leash when out in public.
The Siberian Husky differs from the Tibetan Mastiff in that they are friendly to strangers, love to play, and love to run. The Tibetan Mastiff, being a guard dog, does not like strangers, is too big and cumbersome to run too much, and is not really a playful breed.
The Husky Tibetan Mastiff Mix: Looks
By combining these two breeds, you will end up with a large dog, given that the Tibetan Mastiff is a giant breed and the Siberian Husky is a medium-sized dog.
Both of these dogs have thick double coats. The Husky blows its coat twice a year, and the Tibetan Mastiff blows its coat once a year. Therefore, a mix of the two will require lots of grooming due to vast amounts of shedding.
Siberian Mastiffs have coats that come in a range of colors, given that the Husky comes in black, white, gray, and silver and the Tibetan Mastiff comes in all of the colors mentioned earlier.
The Husky Tibetan Mastiff Mix: Training
This mix needs consistent, clear communication when it is being trained. People who are considering owning one of these dogs really need to have prior dog-handling experience. Otherwise, there is a risk that the animal may be ‘too much’ for a novice owner, and could potentially end up being surrendered at an animal shelter.
Positive reinforcement, consistency, and a firm hand are crucial to the successful training of this Husky Mastiff combo.
Socialization is very important too, particularly around other dogs because the Tibetan Mastiff is not overly friendly to other canines. So start early, enlist in puppy school, and get some professional advice from an experienced dog trainer early on, before any trouble arises.
The Husky Tibetan Mastiff Mix: Housing
Siberian Huskies are known for their abilities to jump over fences, so any mix that has Husky genes needs to be housed in a property that has high, secure fencing.
Tibetan Mastiffs do quite well indoors, as they are not overly active once inside with their families. But again, due to their sheer size, good fencing is essential.
If you have a Siberian Mastiff in your home, you may well end up with 100 pounds of dog in your bed! So be prepared for that too.
The Husky Tibetan Mastiff Mix: Exercise
Huskies need to run – a lot.
Tibetan Mastiffs also need vigorous exercise, but not to the same degree as the Husky. Given that this is a large breed, you should not over-exercise them – particularly when they are young – because it can put too much strain on their growing bones and joints which can lead to health problems down the track.
So if you decide to own one of these dogs, you will need to find some balance when it comes to exercise.
The Husky Tibetan Mastiff Mix: Health
The main inherited health issues that Huskies face include eye problems, skin problems, and issues with their thyroid. They are also prone to hip dysplasia.
The Tibetan Mastiff is also prone to hip dysplasia and is also prone to elbow dysplasia. This breed can also suffer from autoimmune thyroiditis, seizures, and canine inherited demyelinating neuropathy, which first appears in puppies aged 7 to 10 weeks, and leads to weakness, loss of reflexes, and a decreased bark.
The Take-Away Message on the Tibetan Mastiff Husky Mix
This is not an easy dog to own due to it being hard to train. Both breeds also come with a range of health issues that will be increased in a mixed dog breed. So before embarking on this journey, make sure you meet with the breeders and ask to see the health history records of the parents. Meet the parents to ensure their temperament is sound.
If you think this is the right dog for you, they certainly are stunning-looking canines!
