Tibetan Wolfhound Information – Everything You Need To Know

The Tibetan Wolfhound is a friendly dog breed and constantly tries to impress its owner. This is a hybrid dog breed and is an independent and intelligent dog.

This article will go through several aspects of the Tibetan Wolfhound, such as its characteristics, diet, history, temperament, and much more.

Tibetan Wolfhound’s History

The parents of the Tibetan Wolfhound are the Tibetan Mastiff and Irish wolfhound. The Tibetan wolfhound is an extremely rare breed, so there isn’t much information about them. However, the Tibetan Mastiff is an ancient dog breed closely related to the wolf.

Experts agree that the Tibetan Mastiff is a Molosser type dog, and many dog breeds today are directly related to the Tibetan Mastiff.

In the United Kingdom, the Tibetan Mastiff was introduced by King George the Fourth. Currently, the breed is recognized by the Kennel Club. The Irish wolfhound is a tall, grey-colored sighthound heavily featured in Irish folklore. The wolfhound is used to scare off predators and is part of the Kennel club’s hound category.

Tibetan Wolfhound Characteristics

The Tibetan Wolfhound is a large-sized dog and is part of the ‘Giant’ group. At maturity, the Tibetan wolfhound can weigh more than 200 pounds. The bone structure of the Tibetan wolfhound is solid and sturdy, and it has ruff fur around the neck.

The dog may also develop red or black markings. Usually, the Tibetan wolfhound has a red-colored coat, it has floppy ears, and the tail is short and curled over the back. The coat is thick and rough, and the undercoat is typically dense.

How Big Can A Tibetan Wolfhound Get?

The average weight for the Tibetan wolfhound is about 90 to 150 pounds (40 to 69 kg). The average height of the Tibetan wolfhound is 28 to 35 inches (71 to 90 cm).

How Long Can A Tibetan Wolfhound Live?

The average lifespan of the Tibetan wolfhound is 10 to 14 years.

How Much Does A Tibetan Wolfhound Cost?

The Tibetan wolfhound is an expensive breed, as the price can be as low as $ 1800 and as high as $ 5000.

Tibetan Wolfhound Personality/Temperament

The Tibetan wolfhound’s personality matches its massive size. The Tibetan wolfhound quickly forms a deep bond with its owner, and the dog becomes extremely protective of its family, especially kids. However, the dog cannot be trusted, as it can willingly attack strangers.

The Tibetan wolfhound is an excellent watchdog. If you don’t socialize the Tibetan wolfhound at a young age, they become aggressive and problematic adults. Even trustworthy Tibetan wolfhounds require constant supervision due to their size and strength.

Tibetan Wolfhound’s Nutrition

Tibetan wolfhounds typically eat different proteins such as egg, meat, and fish. You can feed this dog breed high-protein dog food. If you have an obese Tibetan wolfhound, you can feed him dog food for weight loss.

Instead of a protein diet, you can feed commercial dog food to your dog. However, ensure that a quality brand produces the food. Try giving the Tibetan wolfhound American natural dog food.

How Do You Groom A Tibetan Wolfhound?

The Tibetan wolfhound needs average grooming, so you don’t need to hire a professional. However, you should regularly brush the dog’s coat with a dog brush to reduce shedding. The eyes and ears of the dog should be cleaned frequently to avoid infection. To clean the dog’s ears, please use dog ear cleaners.

Bathing and nail trimming can also be helpful, but you don’t need to do them daily, just once every few weeks.

Activity Levels of the Tibetan Wolfhound

Even though the Tibetan Wolfhound is a large dog breed, it only requires moderate exercise. You should give the Tibetan wolfhound roughly thirty-minute walks daily. However, the dog requires a large space to live, preferably in the backyard.

Health Concerns for Tibetan Wolfhound

Unfortunately, the Tibetan wolfhound suffers from several health conditions. If you plan to keep a Tibetan wolfhound, you will have to pay hefty medical bills. The sensible thing to do would be to get the dog insured at a young age. These are a few health conditions that affect the Tibetan wolfhound:

• Elbow Dysplasia
• Hip Dysplasia
• OCD (Osteochondritis Dissecans)
• DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy)
• Bloating

Let’s briefly discuss each health condition

Bloating

Since the Tibetan wolfhound is a deep-chested canine, it is prone to bloating. In bloating, the stomach inflates with liquid and gas. This buildup of gas and liquid in the stomach can lead if organ failure if left untreated. The signs of bloating are the enlarged abdomen, panting, and restlessness. Once the signs are visible, there is no time to waste; immediately take the dog to the vet.

Hip Dysplasia

If hip dysplasia is left untreated, it can lead to arthritis long-term. While hip dysplasia in dogs can be managed through medication and lifestyle changes, it inevitably becomes unbearable for the animal. Poorly formed hips can reduce the mobility of the dog. The dog is so weak that it needs to be put down in some cases. However, surgical treatment for hip dysplasia also exists.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)

This is a heart condition in which the heart’s walls stretch and become weak. The heart increases in size and pumps blood in the body inefficiently. This condition can lead to heart failure, and dogs affected by DCM will pant and cough constantly.

ECGs, chest x-rays, and echocardiograms are used to diagnose the condition. While no cure exists for DCM, some medications can prolong the dog’s life and relieve symptoms.

Elbow Dysplasia

This condition is a group of orthopedic health issues usually occurring inside the dog’s elbow. Since elbow dysplasia isn’t clear enough on the x-ray, the doctor will need to conduct a CT scan on the dog to examine the elbow’s condition properly.

Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)

Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) is a health condition that typically affects large-sized dog breeds such as the Tibetan wolfhound. This condition can occur in the shoulders, joints, and elbow. While small lesions typically heal with time, through conservative and rest management, an arthroscopic procedure is required to eliminate the cartilage for larger lesions.

Breeds Similar To a Tibetanpei Spaniel

• Tibetan Mastiff
• Tibetan Spaniel
• Irish Wolfhound
• Mountain Mastiff
• Weiler Dane
• Neo Daniff

Recommended Reading:

• Best Dog Food
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Sources

• hepper.com
• dogzone.com
• dogfood.guru
• wagwalking.com