Tibetan Mastiff vs German Shepherd

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.

Born guardians, the German Shepherd’s best trait is their intense, unwavering loyalty to their families. (There’s a reason they make some of the best police dogs.) The fearless breed has also been known to put themselves in harm’s way before they let a family member get hurt.

Not surprisingly, friendliness is not the German Shepherd dog breed’s strong suit. They can be aloof, and you definitely have to earn their trust. Naturally wary of strangers, a German Shepherd will default to “guard dog mode” if they believe their family is in danger.

Early social interactions with kids, babies and other animals is also important if you want your German Shepherd to be well-behaved around guests. With the proper education, this easy-to-train pup can be a great family dog.

German Shepherds are born talkers. They will bark when they’re bored, and they’ll bark to alert you if something isn’t quite right. But training and exercise can help curb a lippy pup and keep their barking to when you need it the most.

These dogs are incredibly smart, and they are at their best when they have a job to do, whether working as a police or military dog, doing tracking or search and rescue, serving as a guide dog or at home practicing scent work or solving puzzles for a treat. And when they’re with their family, German Shepherds will let their silly side show as they flip their toys in the air and roll around on their backs.