Are Tibetan Mastiffs Hypoallergenic? Care & Grooming Tips

The Tibetan Mastiff is a giant dog breed that has an intimidating look but an amazingly sweet personality. They have a shiny coat that can come in a variety of colors, such as black, brown, red/gold, sable, cream, and blue/gray. But is this breed hypoallergenic?

The truth is that Tibetan Mastiffs are not hypoallergenic, so they aren’t ideal for those who struggle with dog allergies. But if allergies aren’t a concern, these dogs make excellent pets when properly trained and cared for. Here’s more information about the Tibetan Mastiff’s coat and how to care for it in case you find yourself spending time with this dog or owning one yourself.

A Bit About the Tibetan Mastiff’s Coat

Tibetan Mastiffs have beautiful medium-length double coats that tend to shed moderately throughout the year. Their coats are designed to keep them warm in extremely cold weather, so the bottom coat tends to stay in place while the outer coat does most of the shedding. However, these dogs usually have one heavy shedding season a year, either in the spring or summer.

During this heavy shedding season, most of their undercoat is shed to make room for a new protective layer. Therefore, owners can expect that hair will get everywhere in the house at this time. Extra grooming during this time can help keep things under control, but it’s virtually impossible to not have hair all over the house. This is why Tibetan Mastiffs are not considered hypoallergenic.

How to Groom a Tibetan Mastiff Throughout the Year

Grooming a Tibetan Mastiff is not that time consuming or stressful, except maybe during their heavy shedding season. Even then, there is no need to head to a professional groomer’s place, as you should be able to handle the work yourself. A weekly brushing session outside and a bath when necessary should be enough to keep this dog’s skin healthy and their coat in good shape. In between bathing sessions, you can use a pet-safe dry shampoo.

During the heavy shedding season, owners should brush their Tibetan Mastiffs outside daily and administer baths weekly to keep shedding to a minimum. If the dog spends a great deal of time indoors, two daily brushing sessions might be necessary. Even though these dogs are fluffy, their coats don’t typically get matted if they are brushed regularly. Offering a dental treat during brushing sessions is a great way to multitask while making the experience enjoyable for the dog.

The 6 Hypoallergenic Dogs That Might Be a Better Fit

If you decide that the Tibetan Mastiff is not for you due to allergy reasons, there are other breed options to consider that are just as lovable:

Final Thoughts

Tibetan Mastiffs are intriguing dogs and can make great pets. Unfortunately, they won’t be ideal for households where people with dog allergies live. If allergies are not a concern, though, grooming is moderately easy and well worth the effort, as it helps keep shedding bearable throughout the year, especially during their heavy shedding season.

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Featured Image Credit: Olga Aniven, Shutterstock