Tibetan Mastiff vs. Wolf: Strengths & Weaknesses

Ever looked at a Tibetan mastiff and wondered what would happen if it were to fight with a wolf? Or which one was scarier? 

A look at both these animals can scare a weak person, yet while one is wild, another can be a pet; which of these two should I avoid, and which can be my pet? 

This article is about the Tibetan Mastiff vs wolf; ultimately, you will know which one to be downright scared of and which you can bring home and keep as your pet. 

	Tibetan Mastiff	Wolf
Classification	Domestic animal	Wild animal
Lifespan	10-14 years	6-8 years in the wild
Size	24-26 inches at the shoulder	26-32 inches at the shoulder
Weight	70-150 pounds	40-150 pounds
Diet	Omnivorous, commercially produced dog food	Carnivorous; deer, elk, moose, etc.
Habitat	Domestic settings; adaptable to various environments	Forests, mountains, grasslands, and deserts
Behavior	Independent, protective, reserved, intelligent, stubborn	Pack animals, territorial, hunting instincts
Temperament	Loyal, devoted, wary of strangers	Intelligent, cunning, aggressive
Training	Trainable but stubborn	Not typically domesticated, but can be trained in some cases
Health	Prone to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and bloat	Prone to mange, rabies, and distemper
Legality	Legal to own in most countries	Illegal to own as pets in most countries

So, you see, while one is a guard dog, another is an apex predator, and you cannot give it a step into your home without getting the law involved. While one is more independent and very protective of its owner, the other wants its herd, 

Yet at the end of the day, both animals are intelligent and powerful. Despite this, both are prone to their own set of health issues. There are weaknesses and there are strengths in both. 

Tibetan Mastiff vs Wolf: Where Do They Come From?

As the name suggests, the Tibetan Mastiff mainly originated from Tibet. It was bred by local nomads who needed an animal to guard their sheep and cattle from wolves and other predators. 

From here, it began to spread to the rest of China and, from there, the other parts of Asia. 

Some say that this breed has been domesticated from the wolf. The history of the wolf, however, could be more precise. 

However, they say that the oldest wolf is called the Canis Lupus and is the first gray wolf in the world, known to have emerged in Eurasia before moving on to other parts of North America. 

And that is how we have the animal that we know as the wolf today. 

Tibetan Mastiff vs Wolf: Similarities & Differences

Now, all this talk about the Mastiff and the Wolf would have led some to still wonder about the similarities and differences, so here is some information to make it easier for you. 

Similarities

Let us start with the similarities. The following are some of the characteristics you will find in both the Mastiff and the Wolf. 

Strength

Both are strong animals with a powerful bite force, which they will not hesitate to use when defending themselves from intruders or predators. Both are fearless in a fight with high chances of winning. 

Diet 

The Mastiff and the wolf both like to eat meat. 

Coat: 

Both animals come with thick furs that make for majestic skin. 

Lifespan 

Both animals live for an average of ten to twelve years. Yes, the wolf, when cared for, is known to live for as long as the Tibetan Mastiff.

Training – 

Surprisingly, even the wolf, like the Mastiff, can be trained to behave. Like the Tibetan Mastiff, they, too, come with a high level of intelligence and excellent learning abilities. 

Adaptability

Both these animals show exceptional survival skills when adapting to a new place or habitat, though the Mastiff may need more help from his owner. 

Differences

And while the two have a lot in common, it is almost impossible to ignore the glaring differences, which we shall look at here.

Domestication 

The Tibetan Mastiff is a domestic animal that one can breed at home. Unlike the dangerous and hungry, it can guard your house and protect your flock, home, and family, which is more of a herd hunter than a family guard. 

The Physique

The wolf is much leaner than the Tibetan Mastiff, known for its broad chest, muscular shoulders, and sturdy legs. This means it is much more agile than the heavier Mastiff. 

Temperament

Unlike most believe, the Mastiff is calmer and can be gentle when trained. But not so the wolf, known for its aggression to the extent that it threatens humans. 

Diet 

While both like meat, the Mastiff has fewer nutritional needs, unlike the wolf, who is always hunting for the protein and fat he needs. The former will even do with a little bit of milk and cheese that you provide him.

Read More: Tibetan Mastiff Vs Lion: Who Would Win?

Can Tibetan Mastiffs Co-exist with Wolves?

It’s hard to say now that we know how powerful they are. In other words, we are still determining who would win in case there is a fight between the two, which is also probable. 

Let’s just put it this way. The Mastiff and the wolf cannot be friends, so don’t try to bring these two animals together. 

Tibetan Mastiff: Strengths & Weaknesses

While the Tibetan Mastiff is known for being one strong dog, it is not exempt from its own set of weaknesses. 

Strengths

Let’s begin by having a look at its strengths. 

Good Pets

You can bet on that. Not only are these dogs trainable but also loyal and devoted, fiercely protective of their owners, and exceptional when it comes to guarding your house. 

Easy Maintenance

This dog has meager grooming needs, so that you can spend little on its fur and other personal stuff with time, effort, or money. 

Quick Learners

These dogs are brilliant and respond to training with great ease, not just when it comes to being gentle and friendly but also things like potty training and understanding when you are busy. 

Low Energy

Yes, this can be a strength when you are a busy woman with a dog at home, for this little (sorry, big one) will not demand too much through mischief or playtime. 

He will cooperate. 

Weaknesses

Okay, now for the weaknesses; read on.

Their Size

Yes, they will take up a lot of space in your house, so be ready for this. And let us remember the fact that he is territorial. His area is his, and he will be distraught with anyone stealing it from him. 

Temperament

You cannot experiment with his patience; he will let you know when he is angry. Yes, they can be aggressive, so don’t mess with him. And hey, they can be loud too. Howling is how they communicate what they feel. 

Health

Sadly, this dog is prone to various health issues, so while you may not be spending much on his grooming, be prepared to spend a significant amount of time and energy on this.

Coat

A mastiff’s fur can be a weakness, especially during certain times of the year. 

These dogs shed a lot in the spring, so be prepared to see a lot of hair around the house at this time of the year. 

And yet, with all these weaknesses, one can’t accept that the Mastiff is still adorable, which most people would welcome without a second thought into their home. 

Wolf: Strengths & Weaknesses

And now, with that, we come to the wolf. Let’s have a read to explore some of his strengths and weaknesses. 

Strengths

Let’s begin with the strengths again, shall we?

Pack: Wolves are faithful, but we are still determining if this quality can be directed toward humans. They are more loyal to the pack they belong to, forming strong bonds with each other and always walking together. 

Energy: Wolves are hardworking creatures and can hunt for long hours to get their food, putting up with some of the most demanding environmental conditions and fighting almost anything that comes their way. 

Communication: One of the wolf’s biggest strengths is that he can howl and use it to the fullest. Did you know that a wolf has over 20 different types of howls? And this is how he effectively communicates with the other wolves. 

And that is all we can say about the wolf, ending with the fact that their strength mainly lies with their being in a pack. 

Weaknesses

And with that, we see the wolf’s weakness, which we shall now see individually. 

Diet: A wolf cannot survive with just a little, so they hunt for large prey. Often wolves starve to death as a result of this. 

Fear of Humans: Thankfully na, but don’t take a chance, for they are physically strong and can crush us with a blow. So, it is only reasonable that they generally move away at the sight of us. Don’t appease them. They are not dogs. 

And that is all. By this, one can conclude that wolves are genera; ly strong animals that do not come with too many weaknesses. 

Tibetan Mastiff vs. Wolf: Fighting Style

You see, wolves are more hunters than protectors. Unlike the Tibetan Mastiff, who fights to defend and protect his owner, they fight to kill and eat. 

The Mastiff is brave and will stand up to the wolf without fear, but we cannot confidently say that it will win without any scratches or even alive. 

Tibetan Mastiff vs. Wolf: Who Would Win in a Fight?

True, the Mastiff is more muscular and robust, but all this comes to nothing before the sharp teeth and claws of the relatively lean wolf, which he won’t hesitate to put on when his victory is at stake. 

So, now you can only gauge who is more likely to win. 

Is There a Dog More Powerful Than a Wolf?

The kangle, though a dog, is known to be more potent than a wolf, with a firm bite force of 743 psi. Close to that are the Causacian Shepherd, Tosa Inu, 

Boardboal, and the Bandogs, both of which could, in a fight, defeat the giant wolf. 

These are just a few of the many on the list. Suffice it to say that there are dogs that are more powerful than the wolf. It’s just that the Tibetian Mastiff is not one of them. 

Final Thoughts

Hard to say that the Tibetan Mastiff will always win over the wolf in a Tibetan Mastiff vs Wolf fight, isn’t it? And now, if you love this breed of dogs, it is hard to love the wolf, isn’t it? 

The sad part is we do not find the Tibetian Mastiff in large numbers today, thanks to all the overbreeding that soon led to many health issues among them, further leading to a loss of genetic diversity. 

Perhaps it’s not so sad that the wolf is an endangered species too. That way, we can make this place safer for dogs like the mastiff that you love and that are sadly not as strong as the wolf. 

Frequently Asked Question: Tibetan Mastiff vs Wolf

Now that you have read all about the Tibetan Mastiff vs wolf, why not spend a little more time to look at a few FAQs?

How Strong Is a Tibetan Mastiff?

He is not as strong as the wolf, but yes, he is strong, so don’t mess with one. This dog can slaughter a lion with just a few blows. There, now you know how strong he is. 

Is a Tibetan Mastiff Stronger Than a Wolf?

Often the size of this creature can contribute to this misunderstanding, but no, the Tibetian Mastiff is physically not as strong as the wolf. If the two were to fight, the latter, though leaner, stands more highly at a chance to win. 

Can a Tibetan Mastiff Kill a Wolf?

Instead, it is the other way around, so don’t send your poor dog to fight with one. 

A wolf is an animal known for fighting, unlike a Tibetan Mastiff, which is merely used to fighting with intruders in the family. See the difference. 

Which Dog Can Kill a Tibetan Mastiff?

Yes, some dogs are more robust than the Tibetan Mastiff, but these are very few. The Cane Corso, Kangal dogs, Caucasian Shepherd, Bandog, and the Boerboel are some names you have on the list.