The LHASA-LINE refers to TMs that live in the cold area around Lhasa and coverning Ngari,Zetang,Nagqu counties and nothern Tibet.Since many other dog breeds also live in these areas and the herdsmen are indifferent to the breeding of inferior strains,crossbreeding is common.But in nothern Tibet,fine qualities of Lhasa-line TMs have been maintained due to relative seclusion of the region and the sparse habitations of the herdsman.These dogs are huge and strong and they have short hair,a big and square head and sturdy legs .The Lhasa-line TMs are mainly TIGER-like and most are black on the back and brown on the belly.
The YUSHU-LINE refers to TMs that live in an area centered on Yushu in Tibet and in Golog,Haixi,Heinan and Ma Qu Huang He in neighboring Quinhai Province.The climate in Quinhai is bitterly cold in winter and cool and humid in summer.The TMs living there are LION-like,short,with small head and narrow face,but thick coats.The Yushu-line TMs come in various colors,the pure white ones being called "xue-ao" (snow mastiff).The later are extremely rare and valuable.
The best of all TMs come from HEQU - the first bend on the Yellow River,in southeast Quinhai,southwest Gantsu and northwest Sichuan provinces.The high altitude,low temperament and stron sunlight and careful selection and feeding by local herdsman have ensured that the HEQU-line TMs are strong and sturdy,with a perfect structure and coordinated movements,wide head and short mouth.Of an aloof,proud and fiery character they are very loyal to their masters.The Hequ-line TMs are mainly TIGER-like and come in diverse colors.
EUROPEAN TMs breeding
Modern history of Tibetan Mastiff breeding is dated from the 1970s in Europe (we do not mention some previous isolated attempts to breed Tibetan Mastiff because, unfortunately, these attempts were foiled by the World War II, and there is no continuity with modern breeding). Here are a few of well known old drawings (described/shown as the Tibetan Mastiff 100-200 years ago)
Historical
drawings illustrates TM as a impressive dog of mastiff type with
overhanged lips ( bloodhound type-like), shorter muzzle, obvious lap, longer
eras, wrinkles and volitive eyelid, medium long hair and tail carried
leisurely.
The entire modern breeding was founded solely on a few imports of nomad´s shepered subvariety from Nepal, Bhutan and southwest Himalayan regions. Not until last 10-15 years, the communication and cooperation with breeders from the countries of origin of these legendary dogs, starts to operate. Our European ideas about Tibetan Mastiff are confronted with reality of breeding these dogs in the areas of Himalayas and China. Local breeding is not limited by the only type and variety as our European but naturally continues historical evolution of the breed in these areas as it was shaping for hundreds or thousands years according to demands for using individual varieties cultivated for concrete purposes from original, massive, legendary Tibet dogge, as they are described in contemporary travel reports. We can find the reference to Tibet dogge as far back as 1121 B.C. These impressive mastiffs, (nowadays called Tsang Khyi or Monastery dogs,in Asian countries, they are also regionally called Ao-chen or Zangao’s ) are very different from lighter, pastoral, working variety of Do Khyi-dogs of Nomads with whom Do Khyi were spreaded into Nepalian and Indian part of Himalayans regions and subsequently they were imported from here as well to Europe.
Example of European Do Khyi types (male Furong on left and female Cakra on right)
The European ambitions of creating an ideal type of TM does therefore not necessary harmony to the exterieur noticed in the breeds history. In September 2004 FCI published the new TM standard in which preferred if only one of variations of breed – namely lighter nomadic variation ,that is in Europe more frequented and which is appreciated here as TM ideal.In this latest FCI Standard are some of typical characteristics,well documented for authentic Tibetan Mastiffs, even designated as undesirable faults .
Males Fawara and Tyger and female Rewa are examples of Tiger-like types .
As examples of TMs with Lion-like mane can be used pictures our female Black Princess and her grandson Kong
Just mastiff´s type of these magnificent dogs became the aim for Sundari breeding.On picture are types of dogs from our litters.
In 2005 was established Club Tsang Khyi (KTK) for all fanciers and friends of this TM variety.
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