Without a doubt, the size and majesty of a Tibetan Mastiff can give you a rough estimate of the expenses of getting one. However, the question begs. How much does a Tibetan Mastiff cost?
If you want to have a detailed breakdown of the expenses of having a Tibetan Mastiff, here’s a helpful article to help you decide.
The Average Cost of a Tibetan Mastiff Puppy
The price of a Tibetan Mastiff puppy bought from reputable breeders may range from $1,500 to $6,000 but can significantly increase depending on the dog’s traits and quality.
Varying factors such as bloodline, conformation, age, gender, and markings typically determine the final price of the puppy.
While the cost of Tibetan Mastiffs from reputable breeders seems unbelievably high, this can assure you that these puppies are ethically-bred and of high quality.
If the price from breeders is still not for you, a more inexpensive and nobler option is to adopt rescue Tibetan Mastiffs.
Factors Affecting the Cost of a Tibetan Mastiff Puppy
Although the price range of a Tibetan Mastiff puppy was already given, different traits of each puppy can significantly decrease or increase its price.
Knowing this, it would be helpful to know which traits of Tibetan Mastiffs affect their cost to suit your preferences at a reasonable price.
Here are the factors that affect the Tibetan Mastiff price:
Dog’s Age: In general, Tibetan Mastiff puppies cost more than older ones. Opting to get an older dog would be significantly cheaper, but you’ll miss out on their more playful puppy days.
Bloodline: Reputable breeders often show off their award-winning TMs, which plays a huge role in their puppy prices. Other than prestige, pups from these well-known parents often inherit their parents’ high-quality traits.
Registration Papers: While getting a puppy from reputable breeders assures you of quality Tibetan Mastiffs, registration papers provide your pup with extra assurance and privileges. However, this added paperwork entails more cost.
Training: Some breeders train Tibetan Mastiff puppies as early as three months of age. Although this seems unnecessary for some, this obedience training makes advanced training a lot easier for potential owners.
Appearance: If you plan to enter your future Tibetan Mastiff in competitions, you should be aware of any unique markings recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Rarer markings tend to be more expensive than common ones.
Aside from the ones mentioned above, other factors such as the breeder’s reputation and the dog’s gender can change the price tag of the puppy. That’s why you should also consult with breeders and owners of Tibetan Mastiffs.
Also, check out this video of a Tibetan Mastiff in training. You’ll get a better idea of why they’re worth their price.
Tibetan Mastiff attack - protection dog test !!! Nasledie Tibeta Russia<a href="https://youtu.be/yQB1e7sIBn0" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FyQB1e7sIBn0%2F0.jpg" alt="Tibetan Mastiff attack - protection dog test !!! Nasledie Tibeta Russia" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Tibetan Mastiff From a Rescue?
Although rare, Tibetan Mastiffs may be adopted from rescue centers and animal shelters. The price of adopting one costs around $500 to $1,000.
The cost may still be high for some would-be owners, but it’s actually a reasonable price.
While also considering the breed’s size, rescue centers shoulder the expenses of a Tibetan Mastiff, such as food, healthcare, and housing expenses.
Adopting is a great option if you have no plans on breeding Tibetan Mastiffs since you can expect rescued dogs to be neutered. Additionally, most centers also ensure that their vaccinations and health records are up to date.
While it’s evident that adopting a Tibetan Mastiff is a more practical and economical option, the best thing about it is giving a dog a second chance to have a fulfilled life.
Initial Cost of Tibetan Mastiff Ownership
You might already be aware that the cost of the Tibetan Mastiff puppy isn’t the only expense you need to prepare.
You will also need to consider other contributing expenditures to ensure your Tibetan Mastiff leads a happy and healthy life.
Listed below are the common expenses you’ll need to prepare for as you transition to being a Tibetan Mastiff parent.
Food and Treats: Since not all dog kibbles are made equal, you’ll need to find a brand of dog food appropriate to your Tibetan Mastiff. Treats are also important as you’ll be needing these for basic training. The total cost for these items is around $100 to $120.
Food and Water Bowls: Tibetan Mastiffs are among the largest dog breeds, so you’ll need food and water bowls that can accommodate their size. A pair of quality bowls will cost you around $15 to $35.
Bed: Although dogs tend to sleep on the bare floor, it is still recommended for Tibetan Mastiffs to sleep on something soft to support their massive weight. Quality dog beds cost between $50 and $200 — beds around this price can ensure your pet’s comfort.
Crate: Surely, you will need a crate when transitioning your Tibetan Mastiff to your home. Around $60 to $500 is enough to provide your woofer with a durable and large enough crate.
Leash and Collar: As with any dog breed, exercise is important. You’ll need a leash and collar to walk your Tibetan Mastiff wherever they need to be. For a quality and durable set, you’ll need around $15 to $50 to walk your TM safely.
Toys: With their massive jaws, a Tibetan Mastiff can easily chew through your furniture. Any owner wouldn’t want that, which is why it is advisable to keep them distracted with toys. Toys for their size cost around $30 to $50, but you’ll need to replace them depending on how fast your TM destroys them.
Grooming Essentials: Surprisingly, Tibetan Mastiffs shed very little despite their fluffy appearance. However, they still shed more than usual once a year. Their size will cost you between $40 and $180 for grooming essentials such as shampoos, balms, and nail clippers.
Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications: While they are still puppies, their antiparasitic medication cost is somehow cheap, ranging from $50 to $200. Additionally, some breeders use long-acting medications, which may overlap with the time of your ownership, saving you some money.
Initial Vet Visits: Upon getting your new Tibetan Mastiff, it is imperative that they first take a visit to the vet. Veterinarians usually run a series of routine tests costing around $100 to $300 to help you determine if your pet needs medical attention.
Initial Vaccine Shots: There are some fatal diseases that your Tibetan Mastiff can avoid by simply having them vaccinated. For a mere $75 to $200, you can protect your woofer from a variety of life-threatening diseases such as rabies, canine parvo, and distemper.
Neutering and Spaying: Tibetan Mastiffs from rescues are usually already neutered or spayed before adoption. However, if you get your puppy from breeders, you’ll have to have your Tibetan Mastiff neutered or spayed by a veterinarian. This simple procedure will cost you around $50 to $500 if there are no complications.
Dog License: Although not all states require you to have a dog license, it is still extremely important to have one, particularly in cases where your Tibetan Mastiff gets lost. You’ll have to prepare around $10 to $20 to register and obtain a dog license.
Microchip: In addition to having a tag, microchipping your Tibetan Mastiff serves as an extra precaution in case your dog gets lost. You can have your Tibetan Mastiff microchipped at the vet for around $40 to $60.
Miscellaneous Supplies: There are plenty of pet items you’ll encounter in the market that you’ll eventually need for your Tibetan Mastiff. Disinfectants, poop bags, vitamins, and such will cost between $15 and $30.
Given below is the breakdown of initial expenses for owning a Tibetan Mastiff:
The total cost would significantly vary from $650 to $2,445 — this is already considering factors such as your location, quality of service, and quality of items.
Annual Cost of Owning a Tibetan Mastiff
Now that we’ve run through the initial expenses of owning a Tibetan Mastiff, you will also need to consider the annual expenses throughout your furry companion’s lifespan.
Although quite similar to the initial cost, the following are the annual expenses of owning a Tibetan Mastiff:
Since Tibetan Mastiffs are considered one of the largest breeds of dogs, it’s already given that they’ll have a large appetite for food and treats. Expect to spend around $900 to $1,200 annually.
Tibetan Mastiffs need to be groomed at most weekly — your grooming kit might have been already worn out by the time your TM turns a year old. Brushes and other grooming tools cost around $200 to $500 annually.
As your Tibetan Mastiff grows up, they will need regular vet visits. Routine tests such as complete blood counts and fecalysis cost around $200 to $400. These make sure that your woofer has no underlying medical conditions.
While the list of expenses keeps stacking up, you might not consider getting insurance for your Tibetan Mastiff.
On the contrary, pet insurance significantly reduces the cost of unforeseen medical treatments despite costing $800 to $1,500 annually.
Keep in mind that Tibetan Mastiffs have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. You will have to spend a total of $2,660 to $4,850 yearly for this duration.
READ NEXT: Mastiff Lifespan: How Long Do Mastiffs Live?
Other Potential Expenses
Despite listing the expenses above, sometimes you’ll have to go off-budget to accommodate other wants and needs. Here are some of the possible items you’ll need extra money for:
Medical Treatment: No matter how well you take care of your Tibetan Mastiff, they are still subject to various diseases and medical conditions. For example, parvo, a common disease in dogs, costs between $500 and $2,000 to treat.
Grooming Services: Sometimes, when you get too busy, you won’t have enough time to groom a dog as big as the Tibetan Mastiff. Professional grooming services cost from $70 to $200 per session for this gentle giant.
Kennel Club Registration: Although this is entirely optional, kennel clubs offer a variety of perks, such as participating in certain events. The American Kennel Club offers memberships ranging from $30 to $80.
Pet Sitting: When you’re out of town and need someone to look after your TM, consider hiring a pet sitter. The average cost of this service is around $25 to $50 per hour but may change depending on certain conditions.
Training: Tibetan Mastiffs are natural guard dogs — it’s only fitting to have them undergo training. Training in boot camp kennels usually costs around $500 to $1,250 per week. This may be expensive, but you’ll get a more disciplined and obedient protection dog in exchange.
Depending on you and your TM’s lifestyle, these extra expenses may still change. That’s why it is best to invest in your pet’s health to prevent unexpected costs.
Places to Find Tibetan Mastiff Puppies for Sale and Adoption
Now, are you ready to buy a Tibetan Mastiff puppy? Tibetan Mastiffs are quite rare to find, and there are only a handful of reputable breeders.
Unlike backyard breeders and puppy mills, you’ll be sure to take home healthy purebred Tibetan Mastiffs from these trusted sources.
Check out the list below for places in the United States where you can find Tibetan Mastiff puppies for sale.
These trusted Tibetan Mastiff breeders are also registered with the American Kennel Club, so you’ll be sure they’re compliant with AKC regulations:
Noble Legacy Tibetan Mastiffs – Breeding since 2003, this breeder provides a large farm for their Tibetan Mastiffs. Although they only have a few dogs, these TMs are carefully selected before they become part of the breeding program.
Dawa Tibetan Mastiffs – Located at Yamhill, Oregon, this small hobby kennel raises their Tibetan Mastiffs near vineyards and hillsides. Despite being a hobby kennel, this breeder makes sure to provide their TMs with unsurpassed love and care.
Drakyi Tibetan Mastiffs – With over 40 years of breeding, this well-established Tibetan Mastiff breeder has developed the champion “Drakyi” line. Located in Palmdale, California, this breeder’s goal is to produce the finest and most historically-correct Tibetan Mastiffs.
If you don’t want to spend a large sum of money on a Tibetan Mastiff puppy, you can always choose to adopt one.
While the annual cost of owning an adopted Tibetan Mastiff is virtually the same as buying one, it’s nobler to give a rescued TM a second chance.
Here are some reputable rescues where you can potentially adopt a Tibetan Mastiff:
Tibetan Mastiff Rescue, Inc. – Formed in 2003, Tibetan Mastiff Rescue is the only rescue organization in the United States dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of Tibetan Mastiffs. In addition, all rescue efforts of the American Tibetan Mastiff Association were transferred to this rescue organization.
Rescue Me! – This rescue organization does not only accommodate Tibetan Mastiffs but also other breeds. For your convenience, they also list available rescues according to location.
Burt Ward’s and Tracy Ward’s Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions, Inc. – This rescue based in Riverside County, California, has been rescuing and adopting Tibetan Mastiffs since 2003. Run by a power couple, this rescue also takes in other giant breeds such as Saint Bernards and Great Danes.
To help you further in adopting Tibetan Mastiffs, check out our post about ways to find free puppies in your area. It has tips on finding dogs you can adopt for a lower price or even without a fee.
Money-Saving Tips for Tibetan Mastiff Owners
No matter how hard you try, you’ll eventually have to face unexpected costs from owning a Tibetan Mastiff. However, there are plenty of ways to cut back on spending without sacrificing your puppy’s needs.
Here are some great money-saving tips as a Tibetan Mastiff owner:
Invest in high-quality food. Most of your TM’s expenses would be on food, so it’s best to go all-out. High-quality dog food is often more filling and nutritious compared to cheaper brands. More importantly, having a high-quality diet is a long-term investment for your dog’s health that eventually pays off.
Groom your dog at home. Although professional dog groomers undoubtedly do the job faster and better, grooming your dog at home is a skill worth learning. Not only will you save on grooming fees, but you’ll also get to know your Tibetan Mastiff better.
Always check with your vet. A responsible owner always brings their pet to the veterinarian regularly. Additionally, bringing in your TM upon seeing abnormal signs allows the veterinarian to address the problem immediately — eliminating the cost of complications.
Buy high-quality pet items. Despite being more expensive at first, choosing to buy high-quality pet items such as toys is always a good move. Products with better quality tend to last longer than their cheaper counterparts, giving you the best bang for your buck.
Get customized pet insurance. Pet insurance covers a wide array of conditions to be covered by the insurance company. However, more coverage does not necessarily mean better. Only having your pet covered in cases where they are more likely to be in is a more practical option when getting insurance.
Final Thoughts
The Tibetan Mastiff is a gigantic yet gentle dog that will accompany you throughout your life. It may be intimidating to care for one due to their size, but a good plan and sufficient knowledge are enough to run things smoothly.
Knowing the facts, Tibetan Mastiffs are a huge financial responsibility. If you think you are prepared to keep a TM, make sure that you are already capable of paying for the expenses for at least ten years.
With that in mind, make sure to avoid shady backyard breeders or puppy mills, as they breed dogs solely for profit. Always get your Tibetan Mastiffs from reputable breeders or recognized adoption shelters.
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