Big Dogs of Tibet and the Himalayas

A century and a half ago Tibetan mastiffs were first imported into England, and only three decades ago to North America. During the Chinese Cultural Revolution these remarkable high altitude livestock guardian dogs were nearly annihilated, but they have recovered and now are in high demand. Today, thousands of these dogs are found around the world, promoted by many breeders, raised as pets, guardians and faithful companions, and recently as show dogs. Several have scored high marks at international dog shows.

This is a book of discovery of the exotic and relatively rare breeds of big dogs from Tibet and the Himalayas: the Tibetan mastiff, the rare KyiApso, the Himalayan mountain dog, and the least known, Tibetan hunting dog, the Sha-kyi.

Both personal account and assiduously researched history, this book is an important study that all big dog owners will want to read and own.

Don Messerschmidt, award-winning author and anthropologist, is an Himalayan specialist and an authority on Tibetan mastiffs (TMs) from the 'Roof of the World'. He has spent over four decades studying them in their natural setting and their places of origin. Dr Messerschmidt has raised, trained, shown, bred and photographed Tibetan mastiffs.

Don's writings about Tibetan dogs have appeared in Dog World, Rangelands and ECS Nepal magazines, and in The Himalayan Times and various dog club newsletters.