Society
Tibet's majestic mastiff
By Huang Zhiling and Zhang Ao (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-12-08 08:46
CHENGDU: People who meet Chief, a 2-year-old Tibetan Mastiff, will be impressed with his majestic appearance and large size.
With a length of 150 cm, a height of 80 cm and a lustrous and bristling mane, Chief looks more like a brownish-black lion than a dog.
Born in the Yushu Tibetan autonomous prefecture of Qinghai province, the canine is considered the country's most expensive Tibetan Mastiff by professionals because of his pure breed and robust figure.
He is believed to be worth 8 million yuan ($1.2 million). The average price of the species is between 100,000 and 200,000 yuan.
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Ever since his return to Sichuan provincial capital Chengdu, home of his owner Wu Jianchun, 39, Chief has amazed residents with his unique look and many unusual skills.
Chief used to be kept with other Tibetan Mastiffs, but because of his particular "door-opening skills", Wu has to keep him separate for fear he will set the other dogs free.
"However complicated the bolted door might be, Chief could manage to open it within 10 minutes with his front paws and teeth," Wu said.
Wu once wondered why all the dogs were outside whenever he came back home, since he remembered locking all the doors before leaving.
"I attributed it to my poor memory, mistakenly thinking I had locked the doors, until one day I saw how Chief opened doors for other dogs and helped them out," Wu said, caressing Chief's head.
Originally from the Tibetan Plateau, Tibetan Mastiffs were once furious dogs used by locals to watch their houses and herds, and there was a saying "One Tibetan Mastiff can overpower three wolves". With its strong body, it is even able to kill leopards.
Even though domesticated in the Chengdu Plain, their wild nature is unchangeable.
"An adult Tibetan Mastiff is fed more than 1 kg of dog food, together with milk, raw chicken and beef every day. They are so strong-willed and wild.
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He told China Daily that Chief is going to be a superstar in a movie - sort of.
Chosen as the prototype for the country's first Tibetan Mastiff Oriented Animation, Chief will head for Guangdong province next week so that its figure and running posture can be used as a model for the cartoon, Wu said of his pet proudly.
Wu would also like to make a documentary film on the Tibetan Mastiff and Tibetan culture.
"I have talked to the cameramen as well as the film company. What we need is adequate money," he said.
The breed serves as the seating mount for the living Buddha in legendary stories, and the dog is also part of the traditions, culture and religion of Tibetan people.
Asked whether he will trade Chief for 8 million yuan, Wu said: "Of course not.
"He's my favorite dog."
