The Tibetan Mastiff is a mammal belonging to the genus Canis within the family Canidae, order Carnivora. Tibetan Mastiffs come in a wide variety of coat colors, including black with a yellow belly, solid black, reddish-brown, apricot, pure white, and wolf-gray. The head is broad, massive, and powerfully built; the eyes are expressive, medium-sized, and typically brown or hazel in color; the chest is broad, while the loins are long and well‑developed. The paws are large, equipped with dense fur between the toes, and the claws are tightly sheathed. The tail is of medium length and naturally curled upward. The Tibetan Mastiff derives its name from its origins on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau in China, where it is primarily found in areas inhabited by Tibetan communities.