The Tibetan Mastiff known as 'Dogs-Khyi in Tibetan, reflects its use as a guardian of herds, flocks, tents, villages, monasteries and palaces, much as the Old English Bandog (also meaning tied dog) was a dog tied outside the home as a guardian.
However, in nomad camps and in villages, the 'Dogs-Khyi is traditionally allowed to run loose at night.
This dog is known for its loyalty and has been used as a nomad dog for thousands of years.

The guardian type from which the modern Tibetan Mastiff breed has been derived was known across the ancient world by many names.
Bhote Kukur in Nepali as bhote means someone from Tibet and kukur means dog.
The Chinese name for the breed is Zàng áo (Cantonese: Tzong ngou), meaning "Tibetan Mastiff-dog".
In Mongolia, this dog is called a bankhar.

The name Tibetan Mastiff is a misnomer; the Tibetan Mastiff is not a true Mastiff.
The term "mastiff" was assigned by the Europeans who first came to Tibet because it was used to refer to nearly all large dog breeds in the West.
Early Western visitors to Tibet misnamed several of its breeds: The "Tibetan Terrier" is not a terrier and the "Tibetan Spaniel" is not a spaniel.
A better name for the breed might be the Tibetan Mountain Dog or, to encompass the landrace breed throughout its range, the Himalayan mountain dog.
The Tibetan Mastiff known as 'Dogs-Khyi in Tibetan, reflects its use as a guardian of herds, flocks, tents, villages, monasteries and palaces, much as the Old English Bandog (also meaning tied dog) was a dog tied outside the home as a guardian. However, in nomad camps and in villages, the 'Dogs-Khyi is traditionally allowed to run loose at night. This dog is known for its loyalty and has been used as a nomad dog for thousands of years.
The guardian type from which the modern Tibetan Mastiff breed has been derived was known across the ancient world by many names. Bhote Kukur in Nepali as bhote means someone from Tibet and kukur means dog. The Chinese name for the breed is Zàng áo (Cantonese: Tzong ngou), meaning "Tibetan Mastiff-dog". In Mongolia, this dog is called a bankhar.
The name Tibetan Mastiff is a misnomer; the Tibetan Mastiff is not a true Mastiff. The term "mastiff" was assigned by the Europeans who first came to Tibet because it was used to refer to nearly all large dog breeds in the West. Early Western visitors to Tibet misnamed several of its breeds: The "Tibetan Terrier" is not a terrier and the "Tibetan Spaniel" is not a spaniel. A better name for the breed might be the Tibetan Mountain Dog or, to encompass the landrace breed throughout its range, the Himalayan mountain dog.
Tibetan Mastiff