The Tibetan Wolfhound is a cross of two very distinctive breeds, prized for their abilities to stand guard and protect, rather than their affectionate nature or easiness of companionship. Both considered ancient breeds, the Irish Wolfhound and Tibetan Mastiff have historical accounts of fighting and hunting side by side with their masters.
The Tibetan Mastiff is a large, big-boned, powerhouse of a dog bred in the mountains of Tibet, and believed to be descended of wolves earlier than other dog breeds, thus retaining primitive characteristics. Despite the name, the Tibetan Mastiff is not strictly considered a true mastiff. Bred to be independent and make quick decisions away form its owner, the Tibetan Mastiff is an intelligent animal that will ably and fearlessly protect what it is charged to protect.
The Irish Wolfhound, one of the tallest known breeds, was for a long time the provenance of Irish nobility. One of the sighthounds and bred for hunting wolves (hence their name), the ancient Irish Wolfhound is to believed to have died out around the 1800's, and the modern breed revived around the late 19th century with the help of mastiff type dogs, the Great Dane and the Deerhound.
