Are you interested in a Tibetan Mastiff Corgi Mix? This crossbreed has the potential to be a great family dog. Both breeds have smart, independent natures. And the Tibetan Mastiff adds suspicion of strangers to the mix along with a tendency to be overprotective.
If you think you might enjoy a Tibetan Mastiff Corgi Mix, you will want a good understanding of the traits can affect the temperament of this mixed breed.
The History and Personality of the Tibetan Mastiff
Is the Tibetan Mastiff a true Mastiff? Dog historians seem to disagree. Some feel this breed is not a true Mastiff type and that early Tibetans used the term Mastiff to describe all large dogs.
Others believe that all Mastiffs descended from the Tibetan. We do know that some Tibetan Mastiffs traveled with nomads and guarded livestock. Others were used to guard monasteries.
Either way, we know that the Tibetan Mastiff was bred to be a guard dog. Although he once traditionally guarded livestock, he is a better property guardian.
The Tibetan Mastiff’s most apparent trait is his size. This is a huge dog that can weigh up to 160 pounds and be as tall as 30 inches. His thick double coat makes him appear larger still.
Surprisingly to some, he has a sensitive, gentle disposition with his family, including the children. He can be aggressive to strangers, though, because of his intense guarding instinct.
Because of that strong territorial instinct, the Tibetan Mastiff needs a lot of socialization from the very beginning. Without it, he is likely to have aggression issues anytime he perceives a stranger invading his territory.
He is also an intelligent but strong-willed dog who can be challenging to train. He needs a very firm leader to keep that mind of his own in check.
To learn more about the Tibetan Mastiff temperament, see The Tibetan Mastiff: Meet This Imposing Giant’s Temperament and So Much More.
The History and Personality of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi
There is no documented history of the origins of the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. So we don’t know how the breed came to be in Wales.
But we do know that the breed’s history is wrapped in the magical fairy lore that is so much a part of Wales. The name Corgi actually means “dwarf dog.”
It is said that the saddle pattern on his back comes from fairies who used to ride it like a horse into battle.
The Corgi is certainly fearless enough. He is also smart and strong-willed. And like the Tibetan Mastiff, he can be protective of his family.
The breed has traditionally worked as cattle herders, and they took their job very seriously. Even today, Corgis kept as family dogs still exhibit that herding instinct. They tend to nip at ankles and need to be supervised with small children.
Otherwise, though, the Corgi makes a great family dog. They are lively, loyal, and love to play. They enjoy family togetherness.
The Tibetan Mastiff Corgi Mix Temperament
We can generally expect when we cross breeds that puppies will inherit temperament and behavior traits from each parent. The ratio will be different for each puppy, though, even if they’re from the same litter.
So again, there is no way to be sure of the temperament of a mixed breed. The best tool we have is to study the typical behaviors of each parent breed and then consider the variables, or traits that they don’t have in common.
Even then, you will need to assess the individual temperament of each dog. With mixed breeds, this will be far more telling than breed temperament.
For more information about the genetics of crossbreeds, or to read about other Tibetan Mastiff mixes, check out Top 15 Mastiff Mix Breeds.
So, let’s discuss what a Tibetan Mastiff Corgi Mix temperament might look like. We’ll start with similarities between the two parent breeds and then discuss how they differ.
Similarities
- Because both the Corgi and the Tibetan Mastiff are smart but stubborn breeds, chances are good that a mix of the two will be the same.
- Stubborn as they can be, both Corgis and Tibetan Mastiffs are sensitive breeds. They both need gentle but firm training.
- Both breeds make good family dogs with their sweet, gentle natures.
- They are both alert breeds that make good watchdogs. They are both protective of their people.
- Both breeds need a moderate amount of exercise.
- They are both barkers.
Variables
- Size. We hope that no one would ever breed a male as large as the Tibetan Mastiff to a small female like the Corgi. But that said, a crossbreed would most likely be somewhere between the two parents in height and weight.
- Although the Tibetan Mastiff is good with “his” children, his intense protective instinct can cause him to be threatening to “strange” kids. Or he may be aggressive toward an adult while trying to protect a child.
- The Corgi has a lively personality and loves to play. The Tibetan Mastiff has a much more serious nature and is all work, no play.
- Though their exercise needs are roughly the same, the Corgi prefers to have a job to do. Both breeds need mental stimulation, but the Corgi especially needs to be busy. He is an ideal candidate for canine sports such as agility, rally, or best of all, herding trials.
So, what would a Tibetan Mastiff Corgi mix’s temperament be like? Based on the breeds’ similarities, we might expect a crossbreed to:
Other Differences
A major difference between the two breeds is their degree of playfulness. A crossbreed may be playful or serious, but ideally, a mixture of the two could be a happy medium.
Another major difference is their degree of friendless to strangers. The Corgi is always alert to strangers, but he’s more likely to be welcoming.
The Tibetan Mastiff, on the other hand, is territorial and suspicious of strangers. Without proper socialization, this can be severe enough with some Tibetans that it is hard to bring visitors home.
A Bit Stubborn and Challenging to Train
The intelligence and stubbornness of both breeds may make a Tibetan Mastiff Corgi mix a training challenge, though it may depend on how the genes play out. The Corgi is more likely to respond quickly to gentle, positive training methods.
Makes a Good Family Dog
Because both parent breeds enjoy family time and children, we think it’s safe to say that a Tibetan Mastiff Corgi mix is likely to be a good family dog too.
Need Moderate Exercise
If the Corgi’s genes predominate, a crossbreed may need a job to do. There’s also a good chance the crossbreed would be a good athlete. The Corgi is known for his athleticism, and the Tibetan Mastiff is faster and more agile than he looks.
Protective (Sometimes even Overprotective)
He may or may not be overprotective of children (even as he nips at their heels!), depending on how strong the Tibetan Mastiff’s protective gene is.
A Word About Crossbreeds
But first, a word of caution. Breed temperament is only a broad guide to the traits of any breed. Each dog is an individual and should be evaluated on an individual basis. Dogs that share a breed will have some traits in common, but they will also have individual temperaments.
This is especially true when we’re talking about mixed breeds. There are so many variables in mixes that the only way to know for sure what you’re getting is to assess the individual temperament of a dog before choosing one.
Please visit Guide to a Successful Dog Relationship for help on how to evaluate mixed-breed temperament and choose one that suits your family.
Tibetan Mastiff Corgi Mix Size and Appearance
In terms of appearance, this matchup could be most interesting! A large body on short legs? Or a long-legged lion-dog with a long body? Anything’s possible with these two breeds.
Height and Weight
The Tibetan Mastiff weighs up to 160 pounds and is 30 inches tall. The Corgi, on the other hand, weigh only 27 to 30 pounds and are only 10-12 inches in height.
This is obviously a huge size difference, so it’s impossible to predict Tibetan Mastiff Corgi Mix height and weight.
Colors
The Corgi can be sable, fawn, red, or black and tan. His coat can be with or without white markings.
The Tibetan Mastiff comes in many combinations of red, gold, brown, tan, gray, or blue.
Tibetan Mastiff Corgi Mix colors could be any combination of these. A cross could also have striking color patterns.
How Do You Groom a Tibetan Mastiff Corgi Mix?
Both parent breeds have easy-to-maintain coats that require weekly brushing. The Tibetan Mastiff should be bathed weekly to every six weeks at the most.
The Corgi doesn’t usually require frequent bathing, so how often you need to bathe a crossbreed may depend on the skin and coat he inherits.
Does the Tibetan Mastiff Corgi Mix Shed?
Yes! These two breeds are both heavy shedders who need weekly brushing. They both “blow their coats” once a year, and they need daily brushing then.
Is the Tibetan Mastiff Corgi Mix Hypoallergenic?
Unfortunately, no. If you’re looking for a hypoallergenic dog, please see our list of 30+ Best Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds for Allergy Sufferers.
How to Train a Tibetan Mastiff Corgi Mix
As we mentioned above, both parent breeds can be stubborn and independent. This can make them challenging to train.
The Corgi and Tibetan are both sensitive breeds, as well, so they won’t respond well to harsh training methods. Positive reinforcement is the only way to go with this cross.
With the combination of independence and sensitivity, you’ll need to find the sweet spot between firm consistency and gentle training methods, which isn’t always easy.
A Tibetan Mastiff Corgi mix will also need early socialization. The Tibetan Mastiff genes in this dog, as we discussed above, can cause a real problem in terms of aggressive tendencies. This mix will need to be exposed to as many people, places, and situations as possible while it is still young and impressionable.
Helpful Online Dog Training Resource:
The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan a world-class Dog Trainer from New Zealand is worth taking a look at. This online resource has hundreds of fun informative dog training videos that can help you learn the basics and more.
Staying Healthy
Common Tibetan Mastiff Health Issues
Common Pembroke Welsh Corgi Health Issues
- Intervertebral disc disease because of its long back.
- Hip dysplasia.
A crossbreed could inherit the genes for any or all of these conditions.
Helpful Dog Health Resource:
What is the Tibetan Mastiff Corgi Mix Lifespan?
The Corgi has a lifespan of about 12 years, while the Tibetan Mastiff’s is 12 to 15 years. You can probably expect a Tibetan Mastiff Corgi Mix’s life expectancy to be about the same.
Finding a Tibetan Mastiff Corgi Mix for Rescue or Adoption
This crossbreed is not an easy one to find. You could alert local animal shelters that you’re looking for one, but your chances aren’t good of finding one that way.
Your best bet would be to try Tibetan Mastiff or Corgi rescues. Most deal with mixes as well as purebreds.
You could also try online sources such as adoptapet.com.
The Cost of a Tibetan Mastiff Corgi Mix
The cost of a Tibetan Mastiff ranges from $1500 to over $5000 for a purebred from a reputable breeder. Keep in mind that this is a fairly rare breed.
For details check out our article on on the Tibetan Mastiff price and cost of ownership.
A Pembroke Welsh Corgi is much more affordable at $600 to $1000. However, the rarity of the Tibetan Mastiff would drive the price up for a Tibetan Mastiff Corgi Mix.
Bottom line? You should expect to spend a lot for this crossbreed.
Is a Tibetan Mastiff Corgi Mix the Breed for You?
If you’re looking for a relatively rare crossbreed that’s likely to be a good family dog, the Tibetan Mastiff Corgi Mix might be the right choice for you.
If you are leery of the sometimes-overprotective nature of the Tibetan Mastiff, you may not want to take a chance on this mix. You may have to deal with a level of training and socialization you’re not comfortable with to tame the Tibetan Mastiff’s stranger wariness and occasional aggression.
But keep in mind that there’s a lot of difference between these two breeds. You will need to assess the temperament of any individual you are considering.
As with any other crossbreed, it’s not possible to accurately predict the temperament of the Tibetan Mastiff Corgi Mix.
Calvin is the co-founder and one of the main contributors to dogtemperament.com. He has been an avid dog lover all his life. He enjoys researching and sharing great ideas on how you can avoid common pitfalls of dog ownership and build the most loving and enjoyable relationship with your dog.