Do Khyi
Temperament:
With the Do Khyi you own a dog with an independent personality. In the circle of people, whom he trusts, he feels particularly well. This dog is a vigilant, loyal and loving companion. He needs family connection. Therefore he is not suitable for kennel keeping. Strength, endurance and strong nerves characterize the self-confident Tibetan.
Characteristics
The Do Khyi is a large Tibetan breed dog. Alternatively, it is also called Tibetan Mastiff. Males reach a shoulder height of at least 66 cm, bitches grow to at least 61 cm. The weight is on average about 60 kg.
The Do Khyi is bred in different colors, solid or brindle. The colors are black, fawn, blue, brown, red or tan. In some dogs a small white spot on the chest or white markings on the toes are possible.
The coat of the Do Khyi is smooth, long and stocky. It has a dense undercoat. In spring a coat change takes place. Thereby also the uppermost skin layer is shed. It comes to the formation of dandruff. So if you notice that your dog is dandruffing, you don't have to worry.
The dog is large and strong, almost square built. His tail is curled over the back. The head is broad, the bite very strong. The laterally hanging ears are relatively small.
The Do Khyi is a loyal and reliable family dog. He is alert and shows strong territorial behavior. He learns quickly, but is quickly bored. The Do Khyi builds an intimate bond with his owners. Character-wise, he is rather headstrong. He is not easy to train, therefore not a beginner dog.
Do Khyi does not need a lot of exercise or dog sports. It is enough for him to run around in the garden. If he is busy, he behaves quietly in the house.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
When your Do Khyi is about half a year old, you should switch from puppy food to food for adult dogs. Most breeders provide detailed advice on healthy dog nutrition in advance. Puppy food, which is usually recommended by the breeder, has a higher energy density. This ensures that the puppy can grow quickly and healthily.
After about half a year it is time to reduce the energy density of the feed. Despite its size, the Do Khyi can manage with small portions of food. This is because the Do Khyi's metabolism has a lower energy requirement than some other dog breeds. It is very important to make sure that the food is of good quality. Despite the small portions, your Do Khyi must be supplied with all important vitamins and minerals.
Feeding smaller portions not only keeps your dog's digestive tract healthy, it also reduces the risk of life-threatening gastric distress.
Do Khyi care
The dense coat of the Do Khyi must be brushed regularly. Usually once a week is enough. Only during the coat change in spring you should brush your dog daily. During this time, you must also expect increased occurrence of fur residues and dander of your dog in the apartment.
Particularly matted fur can be additionally processed with a special comb. When grooming, you should not forget to pay attention to the paws. Fur can often accumulate between the pads. If dirt is deposited here on the fur, it can be very painful for the dog.
You can trim your dog's claws as needed. If you do not have the confidence to do this yourself, the vet will be happy to help.
Frequent washing and shampooing is rather harmful for the dog in the long run. Therefore, you should do this only in exceptional cases.
The ears should be checked at regular intervals and cleaned if necessary. It is the same with the teeth. With a special dog toothpaste also the Do Khyi gets used to the regular dental care.
Suitable accessories
In any case, the Do Khyi needs a permanent place to sleep in the house. Here a large dog mat or a large dog basket is suitable, in which a mat lies.
A water bowl and a food bowl are part of the basic equipment as for any other dog.
Collar and leash or a running harness should not be missing.
For coat care, the Do Khyi needs a good brush and a special anti-felt comb. A mild dog shampoo may be needed for exceptional cases. A dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste, as well as claw scissors are recommended.
Origin & History
The Do Khyi is one of the oldest dog breeds in Asia. Originally he comes from the Tibetan Himalayas and Transhimalayas.
The shepherds in Tibet used him mainly as a guard dog to protect herds of animals and caravans. For this purpose, the Do Khyi was tied to a wooden trunk, from which its name developed. Translated, Do Khyi means "tied dog".
Through the travels of Marco Polo around 1270, this dog breed also became known in Europe. Buddhism also passed down numerous legends about the strength and bravery of this dog. These were recorded in thankas and paintings.
Due to the remote location of the Himalayas, the genes of this dog breed remained almost unchanged until today.
