The dogs mentioned in the original quote maybe "Bhotiyas" which are a regional variation of the breed, they take their name from the Bhotiya community who are nomadic traders and shepherds who traditionally traded with Tibet( Till the borders were sealed after the wars in the early sixties). There is a brief description of the variations/breeds influenced by the TM on this page: http://www.sarastibetanmastiffs.com/breed.shtml#breed Regards, Yaj.