Tibetan Mastiff Grooming

At first glance you may take the shaggy, bear-like Tibetan Mastiff for a high maintenance dog-- or one that requires a lot of effort to groom. The truth is, the thick double coat maintains itself as long as you can commit to regular brushing. If you get your hands on this rare breed you should be able to complete the Tibetan Mastiff grooming at home yourself, if you'd like. The duties you'll need to consider for this breed are:

• Brushing (several x's per week)
• Bathing (as needed)
• Nail Care (monthly)
• Ear Care (monthly)
• Dental Care (daily-weekly)

Grooming a Tibetan Mastiff coat is fairly simple, yet extremely important. Unless your climate is very cold, your pet will blow its undercoat during the summer. Baths are only recommended on an as-needed basis.

Brushing your Tibetan Mastiff several times per week with a slicker brush will help to remove dead hair and prevent future tangles from forming. Once you've brushed them with the slicker brush you will want to use a wide-tooth comb to locate and loosen any tangles or matts. If you come across some knots that can't be combed you may need to use some detangling spray or a bit of conditioner.

This robust, hardy breed has a coat that doesn't need any special cutting or styling. As mentioned previously, several times per week brushing will keep their coat looking great. Some owners mistakenly think that heavy coated dogs need to be clipped or sheared in the summer to keep them cool but this is not the case! A member of this breed will shed his/her dense undercoat in the summer and the only help they need from you is regular brushing. A shaved Tibetan Mastiff will lose the vibrancy of the coat color along with the protection a natural coat provides from dirt and weather.

In addition to its coat, your Tibetan Mastiff will need regular maintenance in other areas.

• Teeth: Just like a human's, Tibetan Mastiff teeth need regular brushing to reduce the buildup of plaque and tartar, and to minimize bad breath. Use a regular toothbrush to brush the dog's teeth 2-3 times per week--but be sure to use canine toothpaste, as the kind made for humans can make dogs sick if they swallow it.
• Ears: If your Mastiff's ears aren't cleaned periodically, they'll collect dirt, grass, and other debris, and even get infected--which could lead to hearing loss. Clean the dog's ears monthly using canine ear cleaning solution (available at pet stores or online). Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions, and always use cotton balls (never Q-Tips!) to wipe out any excess solution.
• Nails: If Tibetan Mastiff nails click on hard surfaces, it's time for a trim. Use standard clippers to cut the nails as close to the toes as possible--but take care not to cut them too short! Doing so can cut into the nail's quick (the blood vessel running through it), making the nail bleed and be painful.
• Toe Hair: The hair between these dogs' toes can get pretty long--and if it does, the hair will get extremely dirty and even cause infections. Use scissors to trim the hair short if needed.
• Paw Pads: Tibetan Mastiff paw pads can become dry, cracked, and tender--in part because they bear the brunt of the dog's considerable weight. The condition is worse if the dog walks or runs a lot on hot asphalt or snow and ice. Apply canine paw pad moisturizer (again, available at pet stores or online) to the pads weekly to keep them soft, moist, and healthy.