Is the Harrier Better than the Tibetan Mastiff as a Pet? Answer…

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Harrier Versus Tibetan Mastiff: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Harrier and for the Tibetan Mastiff. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Harrier or the Tibetan Mastiff.

Harrier versus Tibetan Mastiff

Harrier versus Tibetan Mastiff: Overview

A very important difference between the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Harrier is a medium-sized dog while the Tibetan Mastiff is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Harrier belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

On the other hand, the Tibetan Mastiff belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Harrier versus Tibetan Mastiff: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Harrier to the Tibetan Mastiff based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff

Factor Harrier Tibetan Mastiff
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 14 years
Height 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder 2 feet to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 4/5 1/5
Easy To Train 2/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Weight 45 to 60 pounds 75 to 160 pounds
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Price Range No Data $1500 – $3000
Average Price No Data $3190
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 183 135

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Harrier in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Tibetan Mastiff. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Harrier is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Tibetan Mastiff is 77 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Harrier is a better pet than the Tibetan Mastiff. So, you should get the Harrier!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff

    Below is a list of where the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff are most different:

  • Harriers are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle. However, Tibetan Mastiffs are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Harriers are very friendly towards strangers. However, Tibetan Mastiffs are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Harriers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, Tibetan Mastiffs have low exercise needs.
  • The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff

    The Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff are most similar:

  • Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff are not easy to train.
  • Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Tibetan Mastiff

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff.

    Harriers weigh 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Harriers are 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Tibetan Mastiffs weigh 75 to 160 pounds when fully grown. Tibetan Mastiffs are 2 feet to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Harrier versus Tibetan Mastiff

    The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Tibetan Mastiffs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Tibetan Mastiffs is 12.0 years.

    Tibetan Mastiffs live longer than Harriers.

    Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Tibetan Mastiff

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Harriers and many Tibetan Mastiffs are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Harrier named Bailey that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Harriers like Bailey on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Harriers, Tibetan Mastiffs are also available for adoption. For example, Mav is a Male Tibetan Mastiff that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Tibetan Mastiffs like Mav that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Also, Beau is an adorable Male Tibetan Mastiff on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    You can find more Harriers and Tibetan Mastiffs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Tibetan Mastiff

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Tibetan Mastiff is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Tibetan Mastiff is 135 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Harrier is 183 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Harrier

    Popularity of Harrier

    Popularity of Tibetan Mastiff

    Popularity of Tibetan Mastiff

    Year Harrier Popularity Rank Tibetan Mastiff Popularity Rank
    2013 173 132
    2014 181 135
    2015 183 133
    2016 186 135
    2017 183 153
    2018 189 131
    2019 186 128
    2020 190 140

    Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Tibetan Mastiff

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Tibetan Mastiff is prone to more genetic health problems than the Harrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Tibetan Mastiff than for the Harrier.

    2 health tests are recommended for Harrier while 4 tests are recommended for the Tibetan Mastiff.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Harriers and in Tibetan Mastiffs.

    Harrier Health Problems

    Harriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Harrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Harrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Harrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Harriers for:

  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Harriers here.

    Tibetan Mastiff Health Problems

    Tibetan Mastiffs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Tibetan Mastiff puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Tibetan Mastiff puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Tibetan Mastiff breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Tibetan Mastiffs for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Tibetan Mastiffs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Harriers and Tibetan Mastiffs

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Harrier Breed is Hips problems.

    This is because the Harrier ranks 76 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 375 Harriers, 58 of them had Hips problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Harriers, and how common these diseases are in Harriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Hips problems: Rank 76 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Tibetan Mastiff Breed is Thyroid problems.

    This is because the Tibetan Mastiff ranks 15 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 196 Tibetan Mastiffs, 18 of them had Thyroid problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Tibetan Mastiffs, and how common these diseases are in Tibetan Mastiffs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Thyroid problems: Rank 15 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 27 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 61 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Harrier and in Tibetan Mastiff and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff:

    Disease Harrier Rank Tibetan Mastiff Rank
    Hips problems 76 out of 198 dog breeds 61 out of 198 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 15 out of 115 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 27 out of 144 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Tibetan Mastiff

    Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Tibetan Mastiffs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Harriers shed more than Tibetan Mastiffs?

    Harriers shed moderately.

    Tibetan Mastiffs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Tibetan Mastiff

    Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tibetan Mastiffs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Tibetan Mastiff?

    Harriers are very easy to groom.

    Tibetan Mastiffs are very easy to groom.

    Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Tibetan Mastiff?

    Harriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Tibetan Mastiffs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Tibetan Mastiffs?

    Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Tibetan Mastiffs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Tibetan Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Tibetan Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Tibetan Mastiff

    Harriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Tibetan Mastiffs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Tibetan Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Harriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Tibetan Mastiffs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Tibetan Mastiff?

    Harriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Tibetan Mastiffs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Tibetan Mastiffs?

    Harriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Tibetan Mastiffs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Tibetan Mastiffs?

    Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Tibetan Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Tibetan Mastiff?

    Harriers are not easy to train.

    Tibetan Mastiffs are not easy to train.

    Is the Harrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Tibetan Mastiff?

    Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Tibetan Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Harrier or the Tibetan Mastiff?

    Harriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Tibetan Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Harrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Harrier:

  • American Foxhound (82 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Tibetan Mastiff vs American Foxhound.
  • Black and Tan Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Tibetan Mastiff vs Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Black Mouth Cur (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Tibetan Mastiff vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bluetick Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Tibetan Mastiff vs Bluetick Coonhound.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Tibetan Mastiff

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Tibetan Mastiff that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Tibetan Mastiff:

  • Bernedoodle (71 percent match with Tibetan Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Bernedoodle.
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (70 percent match with Tibetan Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Harrier and how the Tibetan Mastiff compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Harrier and of the Tibetan Mastiff to other breeds:

    Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Harrier versus Tibetan Terrier     Harrier versus Boxerdoodle     Harrier versus Newfoundland     Harrier versus Bloodhound     Harrier versus Azawakh     Harrier versus Boxer     Harrier versus Akita Chow     Harrier versus Cairn Terrier     Harrier versus Border Collie     Harrier versus West Highland White Terrier     Harrier versus Sheepadoodle     Harrier versus Kooikerhondje     Harrier versus Chi-Poo     Harrier versus Miniature Pinscher     Harrier versus Skye Terrier     Harrier versus Welsh Terrier     Harrier versus Japanese Chin     Harrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Harrier versus Japanese Chin     Harrier versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Harrier versus Greyhound     Harrier versus Frenchton     Harrier versus Boxerdoodle     Harrier versus Shiranian     Harrier versus Bouvier des Flandres     

    Tibetan Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Tibetan Mastiff versus Kai Ken     Tibetan Mastiff versus Boykin Spaniel     Tibetan Mastiff versus Kishu Ken     Tibetan Mastiff versus Affenhuahua     Tibetan Mastiff versus Welsh Terrier     Tibetan Mastiff versus Pomeranian     Tibetan Mastiff versus Akbash     Tibetan Mastiff versus Korean Jindo Dog     Tibetan Mastiff versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Tibetan Mastiff versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Tibetan Mastiff versus Puggle     Tibetan Mastiff versus Borzoi     Tibetan Mastiff versus Lakeland Terrier     Tibetan Mastiff versus Beaglier     Tibetan Mastiff versus French Bulldog     Tibetan Mastiff versus Miniature Pinscher     Tibetan Mastiff versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Tibetan Mastiff versus Akbash     Tibetan Mastiff versus English Setter     Tibetan Mastiff versus Plott     Tibetan Mastiff versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Tibetan Mastiff versus Puli     Tibetan Mastiff versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Tibetan Mastiff versus Spanish Mastiff     Tibetan Mastiff versus Maltipoo     

    Conclusion: Harrier versus Tibetan Mastiff. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Harrier and the Tibetan Mastiff better suits you and your family.