Summary of Experience in Summer Feeding and Management of Tibetan Mastiffs

In the Tibetan Mastiff's place of origin, the summer grasslands are lush green, the sky is azure blue, the weather is cool, and food is abundant. This is the most favorable time for Tibetan Mastiffs to recover their body condition and organ function. On the summer grasslands, Tibetan herders are busy with dairy production, and the buttermilk left after extracting butter can be left for Tibetan Mastiffs to drink freely. Summer is also the busiest season on the grasslands: Himalayan snow hares, plateau pikas, marmots, and plateau zokors are all busy breeding, and the clever, alert Tibetan Mastiff, skilled at hunting, can obtain fresh game and animal meat at any time.

At this time, for Tibetan Mastiffs on the plateau, the body condition of adult Tibetan Mastiffs recovers rapidly, their coats become glossy, and their spirits are joyful. Tibetan Mastiff puppies in a stage of intense growth also begin to show the breed characteristics and temperament of the Tibetan Mastiff. The young Tibetan Mastiffs chase one another, tussle and play, rapidly building physical strength and skills, and developing toward the stage of handsome, upright young dogs. However, in provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions outside the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the hot summer is an extremely difficult stage for Tibetan Mastiffs. After the height of summer arrives, in most areas of our country, temperatures are around 30 degrees C, or even higher. For Tibetan Mastiffs, who have always loved cool weather, a high-heat environment is almost a torment, and they will make use of even a little shade. Under high heat, Tibetan Mastiffs appear listless and lazy, have no appetite, do not want to eat, and walk unsteadily. Therefore, in China's interior, summer feeding and management of Tibetan Mastiffs has always focused on reducing the impact of summer heat on the dogs. Facilities with the means to do so can take measures such as building shade sheds, planting grass and trees, sprinkling water inside the kennels, and strengthening ventilation to create a suitable microclimate environment for Tibetan Mastiffs. In Taiwan, China, dog owners mostly install air-conditioning equipment in the kennels so that Tibetan Mastiffs can be well raised under subtropical climate conditions. At the Tibetan Mastiff Breeding Center of Gansu Agricultural University, in summer adult Tibetan Mastiffs are fed twice a day, each adult Tibetan Mastiff receives only 0.4 kg of dry matter in food per day, and sufficient drinking water is ensured, so that the adult Tibetan Mastiffs at the breeding center maintain a medium body condition; feeding is strengthened only from late summer to early autumn, achieving ideal feeding results. In summer, mosquitoes and flies breed, and food easily spoils and deteriorates, so when feeding Tibetan Mastiffs, the "four fixed" principles of fixed time, fixed amount, fixed quality, and fixed temperature must be adhered to. Feeding is maintained at 8-9 a.m. and 5-6 p.m. every day. At these times the weather is cooler and the dogs' appetite is better. The food amount for each Tibetan Mastiff must be strictly controlled, with the practice of giving less and replenishing frequently; each feeding should be finished within 3-5 minutes, and eating to about 80 percent full is sufficient. The feed given must be clean, hygienic, good in quality, and complete in nutrition, and not too hot. In the provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions from China's Central Plains to the South, Tibetan Mastiffs are now kept everywhere. In these areas, summers are hot and humid, and feeding Tibetan Mastiffs must be done by feeding each dog individually, not giving leftover food, and not mixing or sharing food dishes; otherwise, it is not only easy to transmit disease, but also goes against the habits of Tibetan Mastiffs and affects their appetite. In summer, Tibetan Mastiff diseases are mostly digestive tract diseases, caused by improper feeding and management when dogs eat spoiled or deteriorated food. If a Tibetan Mastiff is found to be sluggish, have a poor appetite, or even show symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, a veterinarian should be called for diagnosis and treatment immediately. In summer, most Tibetan Mastiff puppies are around 5 months old and are in the stage of their most intense growth and development. In the feeding and management of Tibetan Mastiff puppies, in addition to strengthening nutrition, the principle of "small amounts, more meals" should be adhered to. Feed 3-4 times daily, and the amount fed each time should preferably be finished by the dog within 3-4 minutes. Tibetan Mastiff puppies' food should ensure sufficient supply of calcium and phosphorus to meet the nutritional needs of rapid bone growth. Tibetan Mastiff puppies are greedy eaters; if allowed to eat freely, they are prone to digestive tract diseases caused by overeating. Therefore, feeding Tibetan Mastiff puppies should also strictly implement the "four fixed" principles. Observe, record, and brush them on time every day. Brushing Tibetan Mastiff puppies every day not only helps keep their bodies clean and healthy and improves the dogs' appetite, but also strengthens their recognition, understanding of, and obedience to their owners. During growth and development, Tibetan Mastiff puppies have vigorous functions and constantly engage in fighting, biting, and competing for favor, and so on. Therefore, management of Tibetan Mastiff puppies should be strengthened especially to prevent unexpected incidents. Puppies are also in the initial stage of character formation, so training is also an important part of summer work. In order to keep the Tibetan Mastiff's character under a certain degree of control, so that it will not be difficult to handle later, Tibetan herders usually begin tethering after 2 months of age, so that the puppies learn to obey their owners.