Chow Chow vs Tibetan Mastiff

A Chow Chow
Photo: Gabrielle Costa lbrto
A Tibetan Mastiff
Photo: Alexandr frolov

Side by side

Chow Chow
Tibetan Mastiff
Adult weight
20–32 kg (45–70 lb) (breed club figure)1
Males 41–68 kg (90–150 lb); females 32–54 kg (71–119 lb) (breed club figure)2
Height
No sourced figure
Males 66–73.7 cm; females 61–68.6 cm3
Lifespan
Median 12.1 years4
Median 13.3 years4
Fully grown
11 months, both sexes5
13 months, both sexes5
Group
Spitz & primitive6
Pinschers & molossoids7
Coat
Double coat or short coat6
Double coat7
Shedding
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
A brush once a week
Exercise
A moderate amount
Health
Inward-rolling eyelid (far more likely); Skin melanoma (far more likely)8,9
No sourced figure
Class
Watchdog
Watchdog

Which suits you

Size
The Tibetan Mastiff is much larger: about 49 kg (107 lb) as an adult, against 26 kg (58 lb) for the Chow Chow.
Lifespan
In UK vet records the Tibetan Mastiff lives longer: a median of 13.3 years, against 12.1 for the Chow Chow.
Temperament
They differ most on voice (Chow Chow: quiet; Tibetan Mastiff: very vocal) and on intelligence (Chow Chow: easy-going, simple routines; Tibetan Mastiff: learns readily, likes games).
Alike
Both are rated the same on affection: likes its own space.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Chow Chow
Spitz & primitive · Medium

In temperament it is reserved and independent: devoted to its own household, aloof with strangers and seldom demonstrative. It is often compared to a cat for its cleanliness and self-possession.

Tibetan Mastiff
Pinschers & molossoids · Giant

The Tibetan Mastiff has a guard's temperament. It is independent, reserved with strangers and strongly territorial, and is often at its most alert and vocal after dark, when such dogs were traditionally let loose to patrol.

The Chow Chow page →The Tibetan Mastiff page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Chow Chow
Tibetan Mastiff
Activity
Happy with modest walks
Happy with modest walks
Intelligence
Differs
Easy-going, simple routines
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Needs an experienced owner
Needs an experienced owner
With people
Chow Chow
Tibetan Mastiff
Affection
Likes its own space
Likes its own space
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Decides for itself
Decides for itself
Around the home
Chow Chow
Tibetan Mastiff
Sensitivity
Average
Average
Voice
Differs
Quiet
Very vocal
Prey drive
Chases; needs managing
Chases; needs managing
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour10. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home11,12.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Tibetan Mastiff grows to the heavier adult, about 50 kg against the Chow Chow's 26 kg.
Chow Chow
Tibetan Mastiff
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More comparisons

Compare the Chow Chow with
Chow Chow vs SamoyedChinese Shar-Pei vs Chow ChowChow Chow vs Shiba InuAlaskan Malamute vs Chow ChowAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·