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Tibetan Mastiff


Atanquin
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Okay some of you may know that I have been thinking of another dog for a while and I had decided on just another cocker spaniel,

But I have just seen the Tibetan mastiff and they are the most beautiful dog I have ever seen I am totally in love but I have one or 2 questions.

1) does anyone have one and what are like as pets

2) are tey good with other animals and dogs

3) how would they be with a dog of small size

I don't have any experience with mastiffs but I have had alot of experience with GSD's I have grown up with them.

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I don't know a lot about them but I understand they are a lot of dog in terms of their temp. I thought they were a flock guardian so they should be good with other animals if raised with them. I would look in to how much they bark as other LGD's bark a lot generally.

Hope someone corrects me if I'm wrong!

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As to what TMs are like with small dogs. My Tibetan Spaniel, Angel, was raised by a Qld breeder who owned a Tibetan Mastiff as the 'big dog' on the property that had a crowd of little tibbies and shih tzus.

I've attached a pic from a TM breeder in Portugal, who owns a Tibetan Spaniel as the 'little dog' on her property (she's on our TS international list). Click to enlarge.

Recently, I had to look up the website of the TM breeder in the US who runs their rescue service. She's highly respected.

I was very impressed with the information she gave on that site about having a TM as a pet. I'll see if I can find that for you.

post-3304-0-89737900-1327122500_thumb.jpg

FOUND: The American TM Association. Info on why a TM might be for you... but also why not. Lovely pics on that site.

http://www.tibetanmastiff.org/HTMLfiles/Breedfacts/breedfacts.htm

Edited by mita
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From what i have seen at shows wonderful dogs but you must be the right owner.

I realize this comment applies to any dog but i do believe some breeds certainly require owners whose dedication to training,socializing & establishing good rules is more required in some breeds than others & what you allow one breed to get away with could be your sorst nightmare with another .

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I've never owned one but used to groom one and OMG the hair!! :eek: He was a real sweetie and was just fine with all the other salon dogs small and large. He was an only dog at home and very well socialised though. I hope you like brushing as it takes a bit to get through all that coat. They are amazing looking dogs. :)

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If you are attracted to them by looks only, I'd say don't get one. They are not the big teddy bears they appear to be. VERY protective of their owners. Lovely dogs but not "easy" to own.

If you have your heart set on a Giant Fluffy there are plenty of others with much softer temperaments :)

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If you are attracted to them by looks only, I'd say don't get one. They are not the big teddy bears they appear to be. VERY protective of their owners. Lovely dogs but not "easy" to own.

If you have your heart set on a Giant Fluffy there are plenty of others with much softer temperaments :)

To be Honest I miss my gsd and his protectiveness :p I was always use to telling people to be careful entering the property and now I tell the dog to not be so over friendly.

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There are different levels of protectiveness though - something to think about. Do you have many visitors and people staying over? I would imagine the vet bills would be huge, as would the day-to-day costs. What do you want in dog #2? do you want it to do zoomies with your spaniel? How much care? How much exercise? Are you prepared to do all the things that are required to raise a giant puppy (can't go down too many steps, lots of ramps or lifting)?

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I spoke to an owner of one regularly as he was a client of ours, lovely dog absolutely fantastic with other dogs, well trained etc. But the owner put a lot of work into him and told me that you had to be a very very firm owner otherwise he'd push any boundaries he could! LOTS of hair to brush and around the house!

I never saw the protective side ...wouldn't want to get on their bad side though! This one was fantastic you could do anything to him.

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We have a breeder in our little town. She also has Lhasa, the big guys seem to get on well with their smaller counterparts. Yes, they do have lots of hair & need ongoing socialising, not just as pups & adolescents. Can be barky in town, I know the neighbours sometimes have issues with them & they can be heard from some distance away when they get going! Also the property is double fenced - if they happen to transgress the first fence, then they are still enclosed by the boundary fencing, likewise it is difficult for anyone to enter the property 'accidentally'. To sum up... a lot of dog & a lot of work.... & probably a lot of money, too :laugh:

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I agree there is protective & then there is protective.

Why tell your cocker off for beinmg merry ?? Makes no sense to discipline it for something that comes natural to the breed

But i didnt say I told him off just telling him not to be so excited. But not everyone likes being jumped on by a cute cocker spaniel so trying to keep him from doing that :) ;)

He wouldn't be going down any steps so that is fine he would be on 5 acres of land and I love brushing my dogs and horses so grooming is not an issue and not would be training. Only thing that would worry me is if he got on with my other animals and zorro.

Edited by Atanquin
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Need a strong leader. They can be quite wary and standoffish with strangers. Fairly independent nature and strong minded. Need LOTS of socialisation. Can be quite territorial so expect your house and yard to be WELL guarded. Can be quite vocal when they do this and you may need to watch things like fence rushing etc. They are GREAT dogs and a breed I very much respect and admire, but compared to a cocker may be quite a shock to own - VERY different and not always 'easy'.

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I dont have any experience to offer, but just wanted to say that they are The most beautiful dogs :) .....I know I could never own one though as I just dont have the personality......I have an ongoing battle with our current ridgeback, so theres no way I would dare get a more independent, strong dog!!! (LOL, sounds like Sinead O'Connor :rofl: ) I will continue to drool over pictures of them and the odd "real" one I see :) and stick with breeds I know I can handle without having a nervous breakdown :D

Good luck with whatever breed you choose, GSD or TM and remember ......PUPPY PICS ;)

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[Only thing that would worry me is if he got on with my other animals and zorro.

A Qld Tibbie breeder was at a dog show, when one of her tibbie puppies took off among the crowds of people & dogs. She searched & searched. She eventually found the tibbie puppy, sitting safe & happy between the front paws of a Tibetan Mastiff.

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Thanks for that link Mita :thumbsup: Those lists of "are you" or "are you not" suitable for a TM are excellent!! Confirms what I already knew, I AM NOT suitable to be owned by a TM :rofl:

Lab Rat, didn't you love the comment from the TM owner who said that a TM's idea of being with you, was if you were in the same country. :)

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Thanks for that link Mita :thumbsup: Those lists of "are you" or "are you not" suitable for a TM are excellent!! Confirms what I already knew, I AM NOT suitable to be owned by a TM :rofl:

Lab Rat, didn't you love the comment from the TM owner who said that a TM's idea of being with you, was if you were in the same country. :)

:rofl: :rofl: Yes!!!! You can almost see what sort of dogs they are just by the "look" on their face!! The list sounded quite like our current Ridgeback bitch!!!!! So bloody independent!!! So bloody stubborn!!! But Geeeeeez, those TM are just so damn beautiful!! Make me sigh just looking at them!! I hope to meet one, one day, but I dont think there are any in WA!

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