LOL I'm not sure if I should respond here or not--As my Tessa is awaiting DNA results to see if she is a TM mix.
I was not trying to adopt a TM, I adopted a rottie-retriever mix, & I have experience with rotties, danes, shepherds & various big mixes of the same.
However, I've never had any experience with an independent breed, let alone a TM, I am used to big velcro-people pleasing dogs.
My girl is super mellow, & her temperament was so strange for a puppy, I was sure there was something wrong with her.
Ended up here because another member saw a pic & suggested I learn about TM'd because she looks TM & acts like one too.
My pooch was born in January as well, & I adopted her at 11.5 weeks old.
She was like an old dog, not much puppy play or puppy enthusiasm, not much interest in toys, did not engage me for play until recently.
But--she has the patience of no dog I have ever experienced.
I mean she is so different, if she ends up not being TM, I'm gonna be at a total loss for what to think, because so far, everything the TM members have described is just like my girl.
Stubborn is an understatement. I've never had to redirect on the same issue so many times with any pooch, puppy or adult.
She is *not* stupid, far far from it, she knows every single thing I have taught her, but chooses to do other things.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the independent thinking aspect, this is the most difficult for me.
They also get bored-easily.
As far as destructive, well all large breeds are destructive when they are teething & jaw is settling, so I was prepared for that.
What is different for Tessa is that I have a hard time finding things she enjoys chewing, she gets bored even with things she likes & also this leads to her being destructive--it's different than just teething & chewing for the sake of chewing to relieve the pressure.
I have to keep an eye on her more than any pooch I've ever had due to the boredom factor.
She can not be trusted for a 2 minutes alone, in a baby gated room, so even if I have to pee, she's gotta come with me, & well, they have a habit of laying down & not wanting to get up-so it's frustrating if you gotta go pee & there's 50-60 pound of pup who doesn't want to move.
Outside of the house, she's a total angel, which is the polar opposite of how things worked with any other pooch I've had.