Chow Chow vs Tibetan Mastiff

Not ones for being overly affectionate, these aren’t your average people-pleasing, one-of-the-pack dogs. Chows are generally quiet and naturally well-behaved, though they can be stubborn at times.

Chow Chows are super clean, easy to potty train and won’t fill your place up with a strong dog smell—traits admired by everyone. Not only that, they’re low maintenance when it comes to exercise, which balances out their need for grooming. Also, these pups are ready to protect your space.

Because of their protective nature, Chow Chows can take time to warm up to strangers. (They are often considered the cats of the dog world.) While their personality is not inherently aggressive, their protective, reserved natures and natural scowling expressions can sometimes be mistaken for signs of aggression. Things will go a lot smoother when introducing your pet to new people if you signal everything’s OK by making the first move and initiating the greetings, letting your dog follow your lead. If you start socializing and training your Chow Chow puppy early, they can make great family dogs and can even get along with other dogs in the home. That said, if you have cats, it’s best to find a dog more accepting of felines than the Chow Chow.

Wondering if Chows are a good fit for homes with kids and babies? This independent breed usually does best with older family members who understand that Chow Chows typically don’t enjoy being held or cuddled.

Tibetan Mastiffs are independent introverts who tend to be wary of strangers but are loving and loyal to their people. Though personality can vary from one dog to the next, these dogs tend to be headstrong guardians who often think they know what’s best and view themselves more as equal partners than pets.

Without proper socialization from the time they’re a puppy, a Tibetan Mastiff will become aggressive toward strangers and other dogs. But with plenty of exposure to different people, pets and situations throughout their lives, they’ll be more accepting, though still aloof and standoffish, reserving their affection for loved ones and their aggression for predators.

Pet parents need to be diligent about working with their pup to prevent biting tendencies brought on by resource guarding, territoriality or overprotectiveness. They have a bite force of 500 pounds, stronger than that of an American Pit Bull Terrier or German Shepherd, so even a playful bite could do major damage.

Tibetan Mastiff puppies can be taught to get along well with children and other pets when raised with them, but as adults, they may be less accepting of new dogs or other people’s children, so you probably won’t be able to entertain a lot of house guests with one of these dogs around. And their sheer size and strength make it risky to allow even well-socialized Tibetans to be around young children, cats or small dogs.

Their bossy natures make them a bad fit for obedience competitions, and they’re not built for agility or speed. But give these dogs some sheep, goats or cattle to guard, and watch them excel. Guarding livestock is hardwired into their DNA, and they’re at their best and happiest when they’re allowed to be watchful protectors over their domain.