How Much Does a Tibetan Mastiff Cost? (2024 Updated)

With its majestic lion-like appearance and size, combined with its rarity and amazing origins, you cannot help but want to get a Tibetan Mastiff to adore. But first, you need to find out the true cost of owning a Tibetan Mastiff.

Like with other breeds, the cost of its grooming, training, essential tools, and other miscellaneous expenses will have to be taken into consideration so you can responsibly allot enough budget for your dog.

This article contains all the expected expenses when you get a Tibetan Mastiff and where to find one so you can be ready.

How Much Does a Tibetan Mastiff Puppy Cost? 

Tibetan Mastiff puppies bought from a reputable breeder cost anywhere from $1,500 to $6,000. They can be expensive since their breeding period occurs once a year between December and January. In addition to that, the price may significantly increase depending on the dog’s traits and qualities.

As mentioned, the price will depend on several factors. Puppies tend to be more expensive. In addition to that, females are more expensive than male dogs as they can be bred to produce more puppies since these are rare. 

There are also some coat colors that are rarer than others which makes those more expensive than others. Lastly, a Tibetan Mastiff with a champion lineage will also cost more.

If you are having doubts because of the price of dogs from breeders, you may want to consider a cheaper option— adopting rescued Tibetan Mastiffs from shelters or rescue centers. 

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Tibetan Mastiff From a Shelter?

Seeing Tibetan Mastiffs in shelters or rescue centers is rare but not impossible. The price for adoption ranges from $500 to $1,000. 

Some may think this is expensive even for adoption, but considering the rarity of Tibetan Mastiffs, this is actually a good deal.

Adopting dogs from rescue centers and animal shelters is also great for those not planning to breed their dogs. Rescued dogs are almost always neutered and are also up-to-date with their vaccinations.

Aside from being economical and practical, the best thing about this option is giving a rescued Tibetan Mastiff a second shot at a loving home.

First-Time Expenses of Tibetan Mastiff Ownership

Of course, expenses do not stop when you buy or adopt them. You will need to be prepared to care for them daily. 

You will need to take into account the expenses to ensure that they will be cared for and loved the way they deserve and need. Such is the responsibility of a good pet owner.

If you are looking to own a Tibetan Mastiff, here’s a list of what to expect as initial costs:

• Food and Treats: You need to invest in dog kibbles and treats that are appropriate to their needs. Although unresponsive in food-driven training, it will still be great to reward them with treats once in a while. The total cost is around $80 to $150.
• Food and Water Bowls: Due to their massive size, you will need size-appropriate food and water bowls. A great pair of food and water bowls will set you back around $15 to $40.
• Toys: Tibetan Mastiffs are energetic. To prevent unwanted incidents of furniture chewing, you need to provide toys for your pup. Toys for their size amount to $30 to $100 but can increase depending on how quickly they can destroy it.
• Beds: Although most dogs sleep on the bare floor, it is still recommended that Tibetan Mastiffs get a bed that can accommodate their size and weight. These beds can cost from $50 to $300.
• Collars and Leashes: Just like any dog, Tibetan Mastiffs require exercise through walking or running. To ensure their safety, you need to get durable collars and leashes, which can set you back $15 to $50.
• Crates and Carriers: You may need crates not just for transport but also for helping your Tibetan Mastiff adjust to their new home. These crates and carriers mostly cost around $60 to $500.
• Grooming Essentials: Despite their fluffiness, they only shed moderately. However, when temperatures rise up, they shed their undercoats which require shampoos, balms, and nail trimming tools amounting to $50 to $200.
• Initial Vet Visits: When you first get a Tibetan Mastiff, it is important to have them checked up on by vets. Veterinarians will run a routine check that costs around $100 to $500.
• Initial Vaccine Shots: Most fatal diseases can be avoided by simply having your dog vaccinated. For $50 to $300, you can protect your big floof from diseases such as rabies, canine parvo, and distemper.
• Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications: Antiparasitic medicines are mostly cheaper when the dog is young, only ranging from $40 to $300. Some reputable breeders even give them long-acting medicines for these conditions, saving you money.
• Neutering or Spaying: Rescues are mostly neutered or spayed prior to adoption. However, if you get them from breeders, you will have to get them spayed or neutered, which costs around $50 to $500. 
• Microchipping: Unexpected situations can happen, and your dog might get lost, especially when in a new area. Microchipping ensures that if lost, they can be identified and given back. It will set you back $40 to $60.
• Dog License: Not all states require a dog license; however, it is still advisable to get your license sorted in case your Tibetan Mastiff gets lost. Obtaining a dog license will cost you $10 to $20.
• Other Essentials: There are plenty of items that need to be thought of, such as poop bags, vitamins, disinfectants, and storage containers for the kibbles and treats. These will probably cost $30 to $80, depending on what other things you think your dog will need.

If you want a full breakdown of your expected cost as a first-time Tibetan Mastiff owner, here’s a summary:

All in all, you should expect that the initial cost of owning a Tibetan Mastiff will set you back $620 to $3,150. This already considers the quality of the service or products you will use. 

Also, take note that the costs summarized above are just estimates. Some factors may increase the costs, such as pet insurance, frequency of professional grooming services, professional dog walking, and other external services. 

To better understand why professional grooming services might be needed, look at this video of a fluffy Tibetan Mastiff being groomed:

Annual Cost of Owning a Tibetan Mastiff

Caring for a dog is a long-term responsibility. Now that you know the initial costs to expect if you get a Tibetan Mastiff, you need to find out the expected annual expenses when you get this dog.

Just like the initial cost, here’s a summary of what to expect for the annual cost when you get a Tibetan Mastiff:

Your Tibetan Mastiff will require routine veterinary care. This can help detect early signs of illnesses and ensure that they can be treated as early as possible. Routine vet visits will cost you $200 to $600 annually.

I also recall how a friend benefited greatly from his pet insurance for his female Tibetan Mastiff. He was hesitant at first since it meant a monthly cost, but he ended up saving thousands of dollars when his pet suffered from mastitis in the latter part of its pregnancy.

This may cost you $800 to $1,500 annually. but the benefit you’ll get when an unforeseen illness falls on your pet will be something that will spare you from the high costs of pet hospitalization, especially emergency care.

Tibetan Mastiffs have a long life expectancy of around 12 to 15 years. Throughout these years, expect to spend $2,850 to $6,250 annually.

Other Potential Expenses to Consider

Although we try to plan and take into consideration all expenses, there will still be times when you have to go out of the budget. 

Here are some potential expenses to watch out for when owning a Tibetan Mastiff:

• Dog Training: Tibetan Mastiffs are inherently intelligent guard dogs in nature, but they do not respond to either conventional or food-driven training. You may need help from professional trainers, which can cost around $500 to $1,250 a week. Note that it might take months of training.
• Sudden Medical Treatments: Although you try your best to protect your Tibetan Mastiff, some illnesses can still develop. For example, canine parvo and canine distemper can cost around $500 to $2,000 to treat.
• Pet-sitting: You may need to leave your home and travel for days at a time, and you might want to hire a pet-sitter to ensure your Tibetan Mastiff’s safety. The average cost is around $25 to $30 a day. 
• Grooming Services: Sometimes, you may need to have emergency grooming which you won’t be able to handle even though you want to. This will cost you around $70 to $200 per session.
• Pedigree Registration: Although optional, registering your dog’s pedigree helps preserve your dog’s lineage. Some kennel clubs offer complementary services when you are registered, and there are also events for them. This will set you back around $30 to $90.

These extra expenses will still depend on your dog’s current condition. That’s why it’s very important to take care of your dog and attend to its needs.

As for the extra expenses that are unavoidable, you should set aside a specific budget for these.

Best Places to Find Tibetan Mastiff Puppies for Sale and Adoption

Now that you know not just the expected initial cost but also the expected annual cost, do you think you are ready to purchase a Tibetan Mastiff? If yes, read on.

It is important to be mindful and only purchase dogs from trusted and reputable breeders. Avoid puppy mills and backyard breeders. 

Since Tibetan Mastiffs are indeed rare, there are only a few trusted breeders that offer them.

Here are some reputable breeders who will ensure you take home a healthy Tibetan Mastiff Puppy:

• American Kennel Club (AKC) Marketplace – The AKC Marketplace lists down breeders that are AKC-registered and follow proper breeding standards. Since they practice proper breeding, they produce healthy and high-quality puppies.
• Noble Legacy Tibetan Mastiffs – Listed by the American Tibetan Mastiff Association (ATMA) as the only member-breeder with over 25 years of experience in breeding, they have earned an AKC Breeder of Merit and are also a participant of the AKC Bred with H.E.A.R.T. program. They have heated/cooled kennel barns and huge yards for their dogs. They currently have eight Tibetan Mastiffs on their farm, which includes senior dogs.
• Dawa Tibetan Mastiffs – Located south of Portland, Oregon, Dawa Tibetan Mastiffs have an AKC Breeder of Merit. They raise their dogs in vineyards and the hills. They intend to provide new generations of sound dogs with authentic Tibetan Mastiff bloodlines.

If you want to opt for adoption, here are some Tibetan Mastiff adoption options:

• Tibetan Mastiff Rescue Inc. – Formed in January 2003, this Delaware corporation is the only rescue organization in the United States dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of Tibetan Mastiffs. This is where all rescue efforts of the American Tibetan Mastiff Association were transferred to.
• Adopt a Pet – Founded in 2000, Adopt-A-Pet has already assisted over 15,000 animal shelters, adoption agencies, and rescue groups in rehoming more than 200,000 pets in North America. Aside from providing a platform for prospective pet owners, Adopt-A-Pet also assists current pet owners who are looking to rehome their own dogs. 
• Petfinder – Founded in 1996 and owned by Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, Petfinder has already facilitated around 20,000,000 pet adoptions. They screen the adoption centers listed on their websites, helping potential adopters across North America.

There are a lot of choices whether you want to adopt or shop for dogs. You just have to do your research well and only get Tibetan Mastiffs from reputable adoption and rescue centers as well as breeders.

Money-Saving Tips for Tibetan Mastiff Owners

As you already know by now, caring for a Tibetan Mastiff can be very expensive. However, there will be many ways to help you save money in the long run without sacrificing the quality of care you provide.

Here are some tips to save money for Tibetan Mastiff owners:

• Invest in high-quality food. Tibetan Mastiffs do not require any special diet. They only need high-quality food, which can either be commercial or homemade, as long as supervised and approved by the vet. Investing in high-quality food helps maintain good health and prevent health problems; thus, owners won’t have to spend money on medical emergencies.
• Maintain routine vet visits. Tibetan Mastiffs are relatively healthy as a breed, but there are some conditions to watch out for. Routine visits help owners detect illnesses early which helps avoid further complications leading to more savings in the long run.
• Invest in durable and quality accessories. As a pet owner, investing in durable and quality accessories such as food bowls, collars, and leashes will help you save money in the long run. It will lessen how frequently you replace your dog accessories.
• Invest in pet insurance. By getting pet insurance, you can lessen the impact of expenses brought about by sudden emergency vet visits. Pet insurance covers various illnesses and can assist you during emergencies.

If you want to lessen your Tibetan Mastiff’s expenses, you might want to try the tips highlighted above. Following these tips may be costly at first, but it will be worth it at the end of the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is a Tibetan Mastiff So Expensive?

The Tibetan Mastiff is expensive because of their pure bloodline, rarity, and origins. They are so rare that in 2013, it was reported that there were only around 5,000 Tibetan Mastiffs registered in AKC, with only between 1,000 and 2,000 dogs alive during the time of the report.

Is the Tibetan Mastiff the Most Expensive Dog?

As of 2023, it was reported that it is only the fourth most expensive dog in the world, with the Samoyed knocking it off the top spot.

To know why Tibetan Mastiffs are so expensive, watch the video below:

Are Tibetan Mastiffs Legal in the United States?

The Tibetan Mastiff is legal in most states in the United States, but they are banned in a few municipalities and counties such as Wapato, Washington, and Abbotsford, Wisconsin, which banned all types of mastiffs. 

Final Thoughts

The Tibetan Mastiff has a majestic lion-like appearance and a long, interesting origin. Taking care of one is definitely not cheap. 

If you have your eyes set on this specific dog breed, it will be best to examine whether your lifestyle and budget can handle it. 

Hopefully, this article helped you put things into perspective in terms of financial readiness to get a Tibetan Mastiff. If you think you can handle the financial side, then maybe this lion-like floof is really for you!

Feel free to share your thoughts on the cost of the Tibetan Mastiff in the comments below. Or are you already planning to bring home your own Tibetan Mastiff soon? Let us also know in the comments!