Tibetan Mastiff is an ancient dog breed, originally from Tibet. Being shepherd dogs, they are very serious about their protective duties.
They are quite popular for taking their master’s command very seriously. They are usually very calm around family but can get territorial with strangers.
If you are planning to get Tibetan Mastiff, it is better to be fully ready with the responsibilities it comes with. This powerful yet light-footed dog is often not recommended for 1st-time pet owners in India as they require a lot of proper exercise, training, diet, and grooming.
So what’s the price of Tibetan Mastiff in India?
Tibetan Mastiff puppy in India costs around ₹80,000. Their price can go as high as ₹1,50,000 in some cities.
Where to get a Tibetan Mastiff puppy in India?
There are four possible ways to get Tibetian Mastiff in India. Let’s read further to know which way suits you better.
Puppy Mills
Puppy Mills is not at all a recommended place to get any dog. Dogs in puppy mills live in horrifying conditions and the female dog is just treated as a puppy-making machine.
They are often kept in wooden cages with no proper food or medication.
Also, the puppies are separated from their mother quite early, resulting in a lot of nutritional and genetic disorders.
You can get a Tibetan Mastiff puppy at a mill for 60 thousand, however with additional medical expenses; it may cost you more eventually.
Pet shops
Pet shops are no better. Puppy Mills sends their pups to sell at shops. So the dogs do come with the same issues as that in puppy mills. They are typically separated from their mother early for display which can lead to nutritional deficiency and aggressive behavior. Ideally, a Tibetan Mastiff puppy should be 45-60 days old before separating from his/her mother.
Tibetan Mastiff in pet shop can cost around 60,000 INR to 2, 00,000 INR. Usually, the healthiest pup will be the costliest. If you are getting a pup from a pet shop, then please verify its source first. Always look for a puppy who has been properly vaccinated.
It is also better to get the health certificate of their parents to eliminate the possibility of common diseases.
Breeder
Certified breeders often are a better way to get a dog, but the dogs are expensive compared to pet shops or mills. If you are looking for a purebred dog, this is the only way of getting it. Do have a thorough check of the breeder before buying the puppy.
Get to know who the pup’s parents are and obtain pedigree and KCI papers. You can also have a look at medical records. Make sure the pup is not separated from the mother early and has been given his 1st dose of vaccination. The cost of the puppy will vary according to the bloodline. It can start from a lakh.
Adoption
While it is difficult to get a Tibetan Mastiff puppy for adoption, there are dog shelters that have adult dogs for adoption which are usually abandoned or left by the breeders. While slightly difficult to handle, working along with shelters, you can get a proper dog with guidance and training.
Adopting is an amazing option if you are open to the idea of bringing an adult dog home and helping a dog in need.
Online
In this modern world where you can buy almost anything online, you can purchase a healthy, good quality puppy too. But be aware of scams, there are tons of fake and inauthentic websites that claim to sell pure puppies but they don’t.
So only buy puppies from authentic sources. Here are some of the popular websites for buying puppies online in India.
The Expense of Tibetan Mastiff
Buying a puppy is just the beginning cost. Before buying any dog it is always recommended to look at other expenses.
Tibetan Mastiff has a heavy coat and is a mountain dog, so a house with an air conditioner is recommended for the dog. They are shepherd dogs by origin; hence they require a proper play/ walk time.
Tibetan Mastiff owners have noticed their dogs walking around at night and sleeping throughout the day.
The Vet and Vaccine
We recommended getting your pup checked by a vet after buying to get a proper health analysis. The Tibetan Mastiff will need some extra attention during its puppy years. 3 to 4 vet visits annually are recommended. This included vaccination and deworming.
Considering the huge coat of this breed, they might require regular flea examination.
Along with regular vaccines, a Tibetan Mastiff dog may require additional vaccines, depending on its activity level.
If your dog is going to spend a lot of time outdoors, especially hiking or camping, it is recommended to ask your vet for a flea-tick preventive pill/ injection for proper flea and tick control.
If you are keeping the dog frequently in a kennel, a kennel cough vaccine is a must.
For a middle-aged Tibetan Mastiff, you might need to get them to check for blood work to avoid common genetic disorders. As they grow older, they have a high chance of suffering from other health issues like hip dysplasia. The treatment cost for the same will vary according to the vet.
If you are getting your dog spayed/neutered, the cost will vary according to the place you are living at. It can cost you anything between 8,000 – 15,000 for the surgery and an additional cost of 2000 for post-operative care.
If you prefer laparoscopic surgery, the cost of the surgery will be higher than normal. It usually starts at 16,000. Laparoscopic surgery is a less invasive neutering process, with less pain for the dog and a significantly reduced recovery time than classical open abdominal surgery.
If you are looking for the ideal diet, there are a few factors to consider. First, your dog will require a proper amount of exercise and diet to be healthy. Maintaining a healthy weight is important.
Tibetan Mastiff is known for piling on pounds, you have to consider the right amount of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients according to your dog’s size.
Cost of Food
If you are planning to keep your dog on a home-cooked meal, make sure to determine the exact number of calories required. A proper diet should consist of biologically apt protein and healthy fats.
So a home-cooked diet will be a mixture of ground bone, meat, and vegetables. If you are deciding to feed a kibble diet, choose the right one with the proper amount of nutrients.
A basic diet for a Tibetan Mastiff puppy will cost you 2000 INR per month.
The cost will increase as the dog grows. If you decide to feed top-notch to your dog it can even cost you around 6000 INR per month. It is a delicate breed that can easily fall sick from stress or bad food.
So table scraps are a complete no-no for this breed.
Cost of training your dog
The most important thing to consider about this breed is that it is a working dog that loves to be around people. Due to its large size, training this breed can be challenging but also very essential.
The most significant part of training is socializing. Tibetan Mastiff is known to be the master’s pet but can be aggressive around strangers.
They love to be around siblings, but there is a high chance that they tend to be overly protective of them. So make sure to socialize your dog in its early stages. It is a general rule to be calm and patient while training any dog, the same goes for Tibetan Mastiff too.
A properly trained dog is a happy dog. We highly recommended hiring a well-learned trainer for his puppy training. This breed of canine is very calm inside but can become bored without proper physical and mental stimulus. Boredom can often lead to destructive behavior.
It is recommended to have a word with your trainer regarding the same and have mental as well as physical playtime for the dog daily. The training cost is highly variable on what you want out of training and how qualified your trainer is.
In India, it usually starts from 5000 INR per month and goes up to 15,000 INR per month.
Grooming Cost
The cost of maintaining a proper coat is typically a huge concern for the owner. Professional groomers provide services of spa, brushing, trimming, teeth cleanup, ear cleanup, and eye cleanup. They also provide special styling if you require it. The price of the services will change according to the size of the coat.
Grooming for Tibetan Mastiff starts from 1000 INR per session. It varies largely depending on the size of your dog, the coat of your dog, and the services you want. If you are someone who would prefer to take care of grooming at home, you can expect 1 session a month. It is recommended to invest in some proper grooming equipment. You have to brush their fur daily, especially in shedding season, to remove their dead hair and keep the coat healthy.
Other costs
Other costs of having a Tibetan Mastiff can include treats, a dog walker, travel expenses, accessories, and toys. It is recommended to invest in a good quality leash and collar for your pup.
As the dog grows older, it is advisable to shift to a harness from a collar. A basic collar will cost you 150 INR. A good quality dog harness for a large dog will cost you from 1200 to 2000 INR.
Which dog doesn’t love treats right? Treats costs vary highly depending on the quality of treats. Tibetan Mastiff usually loves raw food and dehydrated treats.
Tibetans Mastiff owners often spend on toys that can help avoid boredom to them. It is recommended to spend on better quality toys since they last longer.
The cost of toys varies depending on the type and quality of the toy. It usually starts from 200 INR and can go up to thousands.
Typically, treats can cost 300 INR per month, but it differs according to how much you feed your dog.
Being a large dog, regular walking is necessary. Dog walking can be an additional cost and the cost will vary according to the area. It is better to do thorough research of the walkers around and then decide.
Regarding travel, even if you do not travel that frequently, there will be some occasions throughout your dog’s lifetime, when you have to travel. Being a large dog, it may not be practical to travel with him everywhere. A dog boarding with AC, the cost is no less.
So it is better to do proper research onboarding around you. If you are traveling with your dog, in India, it can either be by your car or the First AC compartment in trains.
A good dog boarding charges around 800 INR per day. The cost may increase depending on the place of the boarding, size, and activities they provide.
Final Thoughts
Owning a Tibetan Mastiff is not a simple deal, but the fact that the dog is amazing cannot be denied. They have a distinct character which makes them more special.
Having said that, it is not recommended for a first-time dog owner. While Tibetan Mastiffs are considered to be one of the costliest dogs in the world, they will surely bring joy to your life due to their instinctual behavior of protection and loyalty.
