The Tibetan Mastiff is one of the oldest breeds in existence and has been used for guarding livestock since ancient times. The first known written record of this dog was found in an Egyptian tomb dating back to 1600 BC.
In fact, it is believed that the Tibetan Mastiff originated from the Chinese city of Changzhou during the Han Dynasty (206 AD – 220 AD). The dogs were originally bred for their ability to guard against thieves who would attempt to steal animals from the owner’s property.
Today, these dogs are sometimes still used for this purpose. However, the Tibetan Mastiff also makes for a great companion animal because of their intelligence, loyalty, and their gentle nature.
With this in mind, we are going to be looking at whether the Tibetan Mastiff can be considered a hypoallergenic breed, as well as what some common dog allergies are and how to avoid them.
The Tibetan Mastiff
Tibetan Mastiffs are a large dog breed with a long body and short legs. They weigh between 100 and 150 pounds and stand about 20 inches tall. They have a thick, dense, and curly outer coat which helps protect them from the cold weather. Their coats come in various colors including black, brown, tricolor, white, cream, etc.
As well as having a wooly coat type, Tibetan Mastiffs have a double coat made up of a soft undercoat and a hard topcoat. This type of coat allows them to stay warm when outside, but also keeps them dry.
The Tibetan Mastiff breed is very intelligent and they are trainable dogs that require daily exercise due to their size and active lifestyle.
They are a breed that is known for getting on well with kids, and other animals, as well as for being good watchdogs and excellent family companions. But can they be considered hypoallergenic?
What is a Hypoallergenic Dog Breed?
Hypoallergenic dog breeds tend to have less allergenic proteins than other breeds. These proteins are usually associated with dander, saliva, and skin flakes.
When you think of hypoallergenic breeds, you probably think of cats more than dogs. Cats don’t produce a lot of these proteins, so they are considered hypoallergenic. Dogs do produce these proteins though, in two types specifically.
These protein types are called albumin and globulin. Albumin is a water-soluble protein, while globulin is insoluble. Both of these proteins are present in both cat and dog hair.
Albumin is typically the most abundant protein in a dog’s coat. It is responsible for keeping the moisture levels in your dog’s coat balanced. Albumin is also important for maintaining the integrity of your dog’s skin.
If there isn’t enough albumin in your dog’s coat, then it will become too dry. This could lead to itching or even rashes.
Globulin is another type of protein that is common in dog hair. They help keep your dog’s fur healthy by helping to prevent bacteria and parasites from entering through the pores. They also make your dog’s hair softer and thicker.
If there is not enough globulin in your dog’s coat, then it may feel rough and brittle.
So, if you want to find out if your dog is hypoallergenic, then look for breeds that contain low amounts of albumin and globulin in their coats.
Different Kinds of Allergies Prevalent in Dogs
Dander
Dander is basically dead skin cells that fall off of your pet when they shed their coat. Dander tends to contain a lot of oils and fats, which can cause allergies.
You should always wash your hands after handling your dog’s fur, particularly if you find that you get reactions after touching their dander.
If you find yourself sneezing or coughing after being around your dog, then you might want to consider getting them groomed more often to safely remove the dander.
Saliva
Saliva is another common allergy trigger. Your dog’s saliva contains enzymes that help break down food. Saliva can also contain allergens like lipids and mucus.
Be sure to use a hand towel when cleaning your dog’s mouth, and don’t let them lick you on the face to avoid any saliva coming into contact with your skin.
Skin Flakes
Your dog’s skin flakes contain the same allergens that you find in dander. Because of this, you need to be careful when grooming your dog.
Try using a soft brush instead of a hard comb, and use a dog shampoo that doesn’t irritate your dog’s skin. Lastly, make sure to use gloves when washing your dog.
Allergies
If you suffer from allergies, then you know just how irritating it can be to deal with them! Thankfully, there are ways to reduce the severity of your symptoms if you are an allergy sufferer.
You can do this in a number of ways, such as avoiding certain allergens, eating healthy, and exercising regularly.
Are Tibetan Mastiffs Hypoallergenic?
The answer to this question depends on what you mean by hypoallergenic dogs. For example, some people believe that hypoallergenic means having fewer allergens. Others believe that it means having fewer proteins, whilst some believe that it means having less dander.
In reality, allergic reactions occur because of an overreaction to one or more proteins found in the environment. Therefore, even if your dog has fewer proteins, it can still produce enough proteins for you to react to.
When it comes to the Tibetan Mastiff, it does not appear that it is a hypoallergenic dog breed based on the information available. However, many people who own Tibetan Mastiffs can do so without their allergies being aggravated too badly.
In terms of the amount of hair that the breed sheds, it appears that the average Tibetan Mastiff sheds around 1 third of its total body weight each month. This is slightly higher than the average amount of hair that other breeds shed, but it is still much lower than the amount of hair that some breeds shed.
As far as the number of allergens that the breed produces, it appears that the Tibetan Mastiff produces similar amounts of dander as other breeds. However, since they shed so little, it is possible that they actually produce less dander than other breeds.
When it comes to the amount of saliva that the breed can produce, the Tibetan Mastiff will produce approximately half the amount of saliva as compared to other breeds. However, this isn’t necessarily bad news for those who have allergies due to saliva being a cause of allergies for some, as we mentioned.
Although the Tibetan Mastiff is not considered a hypoallergenic breed, it does appear to be relatively free of allergens compared to other breeds.
How To Reduce Allergens In Your Dog
There are several steps that you can take to reduce the number of allergens in your home that can be passed on to your dog and lead to allergies. Here are some tips:
Keep Your Home Clean
Keeping your house clean will remove any dust mites that may be present. Dust mites love to live in places where there is a lot of clutter, so if you want to keep your house cleaner, you should vacuum frequently and thoroughly. Vacuum every room at least once per week.
Use An Air Purifier
An air purifier is another way to help keep your home clean. It works by removing particles from the air. These particles include pollen, pet hair, and dust. When you run an air purifier, it removes all the particles from the air and helps prevent your dog from inhaling these particles.
Wash Your Dog Regularly
Washing your dog regularly will remove any allergens that he picks up outside, but make sure to keep a good balance when it comes to how often you bathe them, as washing them too much can be detrimental to the natural oils in the coats that keep them healthy.
Make sure that you use a shampoo that is specifically designed for dogs, which can be found online or at your local pet store.
Don’t Allow Your Dog To Sleep On Furniture
If you allow your dog to sleep on the furniture, they could pick up allergens that are present. Some of these allergens could be passed on to you, but they could also end up being inhaled into your dog’s lungs, which can cause them to develop asthma.
Get your dog their own bed and wash it regularly to keep both you and your canine companion happy and healthy!
Final Thoughts
Whilst Tibetan Mastiffs are not entirely hypoallergenic, they do tend to produce fewer allergens than most other breeds. If you follow the above advice, you should avoid having problems with your dog developing allergies.
So if you or a family member has been diagnosed with allergies, a Tibetan Mastiff isn’t entirely out of the question, so long as you are careful!
