If a husky isn’t a challenging enough breed for you, consider a husky Tibetan mastiff mix. They have one Tibetan mastiff parent and one Siberian husky parent.
These gentle giants are beautiful pooches, but they are a handful. They inherit an independent personality and strong will from their parent breeds. They can be a great choice for active families, but they are not ideal for inexperienced owners.
Here’s a quick rundown of this mix.
Quick Profile
- Other Names: Siberian Mastiff, Husky Tibetan mastiff, Tibetan Husky
- Average Lifespan: 12-15 years
- Average Height: 23-28 inches
- Average Weight: 60-120 pounds
- Coat appearance: thick, double coat, cream, black, tan, blue/gray, brown, red, black, white
- Eye Colour: Blue, brown, heterochromia
- Activity Level: Medium to high
- Grooming Frequency: Every other day, daily when shedding
- Typical Temperament: Intelligent, friendly, loyal, affectionate, gentle, difficult to train
- Daily Food Consumption: 2-4 cups dry kibble daily
- New Owner Friendly: No
- Suitable to live with children? Yes
- Suitable to live with other dogs? Yes, requires socialization
- Suitable to live with cats? Yes, if socialized early
Appearance
It’s impossible to say for sure what a Tibetan husky will look like because they will inherit characteristics from each parent. Even puppies from the same litter can look very different, based on the traits they inherit.
You usually get a blend between the two, and some common traits that are seen include the floppy ears of the Tibetan mastiff alongside the blue eyes seen in many huskies.
To get a better idea of what this pooch looks like, let’s take a look at the appearance of the parent breeds.
Husky Appearance
The Siberian husky closely resembles a wolf in appearance. They are medium-sized pooches that is slightly longer than they are tall.
They have lean, athletic bodies, and graceful lines. They have medium-sized erect ears and an elongated medium-length muzzle. They have a long tail, which they use to help keep them warm in cold temperatures.
They can have blue or brown eyes. Heterochromia, which means they have different colored eyes, is also common in the breed. They can have green eyes, but these are rare.
They have a thick double coat that is medium in length. They are typically bi-color, which means their coat has two colors. They can also be tri-color, and rarely, solid color.
Coat colors and patterns include:
- White
- Gray
- Black
- Tan
- Sable (red with black tipped hairs)
- Agouti (gray or wolf sable)
- Tan
Tibetan Mastiff Appearance
Tibetan mastiffs are well known for their large size. They have a very muscular body, and a large and broad head. Their eyes are recessed, and their muzzle is short and square-shaped. Their tail is curled and feathered.
Other than their size, their coat is their defining feature. The hair around their head is longer than the hair on their body, which gives them a lion-like appearance.
They have a double coat, which is longer than that of the husky. They are typically bi-color. Solid mastiffs are rare.
They may also have two colors with patches of white, which technically makes them tri-color.
Potential Tibetan mastiff colors include:
- Cream
- White
- Black
- Sable
- Blue/gray
- Brown
- Tan
- Red
Average Size
Huskies are medium to large pooches, while mastiffs are a large or giant breed.
This means that the size of their offspring can vary significantly, because of the size differences between the parents.
You can expect a Tibetan husky to be 23-28 inches tall, and weigh 60 to 120 pounds.
Huskies grow to 20-24 inches tall and weigh 35-60 pounds. Tibetan mastiffs grow to 23-30 inches tall, and weigh 70-150 pounds, according to PetMD.
Females will be smaller than males, like their parent breeds. However, the genes that they inherit will also play a large role in their size.
Coat Appearance
Both parent breeds have a dense, double coat. Huskies have a medium topcoat, while mastiffs have a long topcoat.
Your mastiff husky may inherit a coat like that of either parent, or somewhere in between. This means they will have a double coat, that is medium to long. They may also inherit the mane of the mastiff.
When it comes to colors, they can sport any color of their parent breeds.
Like their parents, most will be bi-color, or tri-color. However, they can have a solid colored coat as well.
Potential coat colors include:
- Cream
- White
- Black
- Sable
- Blue/gray
- Brown
- Tan
- Red
- Agouti (wolf gray)
Physical Features
Physical features can be hard to predict, like size and coat appearance, because they are a mixed breed.
They may have the square shaped head of a mastiff, or the elongated muzzle of a husky. Their eyes can be either brown, blue, or heterochromia.
They will likely have a stocky build, similar to a mastiff. However, they may be a bit slimmer. They can inherit the erect ears of a husky, or the droopy ears of a mastiff.
They can inherit the tail of a mastiff, which curls over their back. They can also inherit the long straight tail of a husky.
Grooming Guide
Grooming your Tibetan husky is a big job, particularly when they are shedding.
Regardless of whether they inherit a husky type coat or a mastiff type coat, they will need to be brushed at least 2 to 3 times a week.
They require daily brushing when they are shedding.
Tools for Grooming
Before we get into how to groom your Tibetan husky, let’s take a look at the tools you’ll need for the job.
- Slicker brush
- Undercoat rake
- Dematting tool
- Dog shampoo
- Nail clippers
Brushing Your Husky Tibetan Mastiff
You’ll need to brush your pooch frequently, usually every other day. When they are shedding, you should brush them daily.
They will shed in the spring and fall, to prepare for the changing temperatures.
A slicker brush works well for detangling and getting rid of shed hair. An undercoat rake is essential for removing shed hair and maintaining their undercoat.
If your pooch is prone to tangles, you may need a dematter tool as well.
Bathing
These pooches need bathing about once every 2 to 3 months. You can give them a bath more often if necessary, but frequent bathing can dry their skin and coat.
When they are shedding, bathing them with a deshedding shampoo can help the process be a bit smoother.
You should always use a dog shampoo, because human shampoos have a different ph, which can irritate your dog’s skin.
You’ll need to brush them well before and after bathing. Towel them dry. You can also use a hair dryer on low heat to blow their coat, or use a hair dryer designed for dogs.
Nail Trimming
Mastiffs require regular nail trimming, while huskies usually don’t.
You can expect your mastiff husky to need their nails trimmed once every 2-4 weeks.
You can use a nail grinder, or scissor type nail trimmers. Be sure to get clippers designed for large dogs.
Temperament
Both parent breeds are gentle and loving with their family. They are affectionate, and very loyal. Both breeds are stubborn, so they can be challenging to train.4
They require an experienced or confident owner. You’ll need to be calm and consistent, and use positive reinforcement. If you don’t establish yourself as the alpha early on, you’ll have a tough time with a husky mastiff mix.
The mellow attitude of the mastiff can calm the husky’s energetic temperament, while still allowing them to be playful.
Huskies are typically friendly with everyone, while mastiffs are aloof or standoffish with those they don’t know. Your pooch will likely inherit the watchdog personality of a mastiff, so socialization is very important.
They are excellent dogs for families. However, their large size means they should be well-trained or supervised around young children and the elderly.
They would never intentionally hurt a family member, but they may get excited and knock someone down.
They can live with other dogs or cats, but they must be socialized well with them. The earlier they are introduced to other furry family members, the better.
These pooches don’t do well with being left alone for long periods. If you work long hours, this may not be the right choice for you.
They can develop separation anxiety and depression if they don’t get enough attention.
This can lead them to become destructive or develop other behavioral issues.
Health
Mixed breeds are often considered healthier than their purebred counterparts, but they are susceptible to some health problems.
Both huskies and mastiffs are considered healthy breeds, but your mastiff husky is prone to several health issues.
Joint Problems
Husky mastiffs are prone to a few joint problems. One of these is hip and elbow dysplasia.
Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip or elbow joint doesn’t form correctly. This allows it to slip out of place easily.
Arthritis is also a concern for this breed. Like humans, pooches with arthritis will experience joint inflammation and pain.
Both conditions can cause pain, difficulty moving, reluctance to exercise, and limited range of motion.
Eye Conditions
These pooches are prone to several eye conditions.
One of these is cataracts, which causes a film to form over the eye, which impairs vision. This typically occurs in older dogs, but it can occur in young dogs of this breed as well.
Corneal dystrophy, which causes the cornea to become cloudy, is also a concern.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid isn’t functioning correctly (in this case, underactive).
The thyroid is responsible for metabolism, so hypothyroidism can cause unexplained weight gain, lethargy, and problems with the skin and coat.
Bloat
Bloat (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus) occurs when a dogs stomach fills with gas, food or fluid and subsequently twists.
Bloat requires immediate veterinary care, because it can be fatal within a few hours of symptoms beginning. Any dog can develop bloat, but large breeds like mastiffs are at a higher risk.
The symptoms of bloat include stomach bloating or swelling, gagging or retching without productive vomiting, severe stomach pain, and excessive panting or drooling.
You can reduce the risk of bloat by feeding your pooch several small meals a day, instead of one large meal. If they are fast eaters, get a slow feeder bowl to slow down their meal times.
You should also avoid exercising them for at least 30 minutes after they eat.
Allergies
Both parent breeds are prone to allergies, particularly skin allergies.
Skin allergies can be caused by environmental allergens, which include grass, dust, and pollen. This type of allergy can also cause sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes.
They can also be caused by food allergies, including dairy, chicken, eggs, beef, soy, and wheat. Food allergies can also cause stomach issues, including diarrhea and vomiting.
Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
Demyelinating Neuropathy is common in mastiffs and can occur in the husky mastiff as well.
It causes a change in neurological function, which causes the limbs to become weak, and affects your dog’s reflexes.
Other potential symptoms include a silent bark, muscle tremors, and exercise intolerance. The cause of this disorder is unknown.
Exercise Needs
How much exercise your pooch needs will depend on the genes they inherit. You can expect them to require between one and two hours of exercise each day.
Mastiffs need about 1 hour of exercise a day, and they don’t have a lot of endurance. They need their exercise split into a few sessions.
You must be careful when exercising them as puppies. Because they are a large breed, too much exercise early in life can cause joint problems.
Huskies, on the other hand, require at least 2 hours of exercise each day. They have an incredible amount of endurance and can travel up to 150 miles a day.
Walking is ideal for pooches who take after the mastiff. Running or jogging is a great choice if your pooch has the energy level of a husky.
In Summary
The Tibetan mastiff husky mix is a beautiful dog with a unique appearance and a gentle personality.
They are great for the right family, who has the time and energy to meet their needs.
They make great playmates and guardians for children. They are typically wary of strangers, and need to be socialized well to avoid issues when meeting new people.
They should also be socialized with any other animals in the home at a young age.
They are not a good choice for first-time owners, because they can be stubborn and hard to train.
However, once you have established yourself as their leader, they are very loyal.
Want to learn about more husky mixes? We’ve covered plenty of others:
