Thinking about my next breed and would likes some opinions...

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Its shocking how smart these dogs are and how much they understand you and what you want from them. I swear sometimes they are human! If Mooshi agrees with something or likes what you are asking of her she picks it up in seconds, if she doesnt agree there is no way she will do it for anything.

 

[broccolini]

You two are making me all excited for our puppy.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Its shocking how smart these dogs are and how much they understand you and what you want from them. I swear sometimes they are human! If Mooshi agrees with something or likes what you are asking of her she picks it up in seconds, if she doesnt agree there is no way she will do it for anything.

Exactly!

You two are making me all excited for our puppy.

Lol! It appeals doesn't it? They're not for everyone, by any stretch, but oh gosh, is it ever what I wanted out of a dog!

 

[broccolini]

Lol! It appeals doesn't it? They're not for everyone, by any stretch, but oh gosh, is it ever what I wanted out of a dog!

And they're fluffy.

 

[ruthcatrin]

That too!

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

I completely understand your excitement broccolini but be prepared for a super smart dog, that doesnt strive for or need affection but does need love and respect on their level. If you take the time to really understand them you will never know another dog like them. They are absolutely amazing and astounding at times. Smart doesnt begin to describe a TM. But not smart like a dog who will do obedience at competition level or dancing to music that would be an insult to a TM. But smart like they understand every word you say and obey you purely because they respect you.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Oh, for an example of the difference between individual dogs: if we are off the property Apollo will not usually try to take the fight TO the other dog/threat, he will instead plant infront of me and warn off. Only if the threat continues to approach will he take it further. If we are at home and something invades his territory all bets are off though and he WILL drive the invader off.

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Interesting! Moo would have gone in both guns blazing. BUT what this really says is both dogs will protect if called for. One will be a little more laid back than the other but both will do what is natural to them when the time comes. Ruth you are lucky that Apollo will stand back and block off, its taken a lot of hard word to get Moo to this point. When it comes to home protection though it sounds like we are singing from the same hymn sheet.

 

[ruthcatrin]

I suspect Apollo's a generally softer temperment than Moo, I think I prefer his reaction though, as I'm generally less likely to be trying to restrain 100+lbs of dog from killing the neighbors toy poodle lol.

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

I love that you call her Moo! LOL. Maybe he is a little softer in termperment, I would consider Moo medium to hard but not as hard in some areas as say a Fila, but much more than your average dog. Always there is an exception but she has certainly been hard and constant work, Im sure you agree any new TM owner should be prepared for either end of the spectrum. Moo's mother was an amazing guard dog. When we went to see the puppies for the first time my husband forgot our bag. So we turned around and went back, maybe 5 minutes later...Mike turned up at the gate and the breeder yelled 'get your arms back'. Jenna, Moo's mummy was there in an instant. It didnt matter we had just been there, she was doing her job. Moo's sire is an American import...Drayki Dark Lord. Anyway, yeah she is a hard nut...but my hard nut.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Oh definetly. Its hard to predict what that "little" ball of fluff is going to be like down the road. To many factors!

Drayki huh? Now I have to go look at pedigrees, they could be cousins!

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Check my spelling tho please, you know how useless I am and without her papers in front of me i cant promise 100% spelling. But her dad pet name is Haydes. He is Drayki (sp) Dark Lord, she is a Showbull Tibetan Mastiff, dam pet name Jenna...yeah I know her pedigree 10 years but I have to go dig it out. LOL. Sire imported to UK. Negative points grey on grey breeding (washout). Positive points amazing health testing and history/pedigree.

 

[ruthcatrin]

I knew what you meant anyway lol, this him? http://www.tibetanmastiffinfo.com/pedigree/details.php?id=3858

Theres some same dogs in their pedigrees but their several generations back.

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Thats him! Now what I want to know is why there is no listing of Showbull Mu Di Xie (mooshi) when she came from a litter of 12!

 

[ruthcatrin]

Its all owner (or occasionally breeder) done. Feel free to add her in!

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

If i consider breeding her in the future then maybe, Until then not important to me, for now she is companion.

 

[metaldad904]

You 2 are really making me give a closer look towards TM's now lol. I really appreciate the feedback! I have been leaning towards a CO for awhile but with the way you talk about TM's i'm going to check'em out a bit more and seriously think about it. Are there any other LGD's i should consider as well that i haven't mentioned?

 

[ruthcatrin]

You might look at the Kuvaz, or the Anatolian Shepherd. In general ANY of the LGD will guard and protect, will have good and bad sides similer to the TM, some more than others. The Great Pyrs have been getting a bit over bred lately, if you were to go that route I'd recommend working lines only. Some of the LGDs are better than others for family situations though. Take a closer look at the LGD link I posted. Some of their links are broken, the site's not been updated in a bit, but the info is good.

 

[CanadaTosa]

[video=youtube;Ckc9Dvue4sA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ckc9Dvue4sA[/video] These are my Tosas (and little Bulldog) alerting to someone standing outside. Will they attack someone? No idea, but someone would have to be totally mentally incompetent to give them a chance

TM's, beautiful dogs, but I hate grooming and fur all over the place, and don't like really "barky" dogs which I associate as a LGD/shepherd trait.

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

A TM is definately a barky dog!