Wanting a TM...Is it right for me?

[Quinten]

Hey my name is Quinten, new to the forum. I have been researching TM's for awhile now. I would like to own one at some point in my life. While in Afghanistan, I took a liking to a TM that lived right outside our Combat Out Post. I have noticed they are a very unique breed. Rather than only basing my research on plain text etc, I figured it would be smart to ask a few actual owners that really know what the breed requires and needs to have a positive life. I am not dead set on getting one, I would like to have one, that being said if it is not the dog for me I will look for something else. I have had Siberian Huskies my whole life, they are a dog of their own as well, that is why I take warning from everyone saying a TM is not for everyone. I also realize that a dog can not be judged completely on their breed. The owner plays a bigger role in my opinion. A few of my main concerns that I am not getting solid answers for is 1) Generally how protective are they? Like tear anyone's face off that I may have over to visit protective, I cannot have a dog that would viciously attack someone on site every time, again I realize it is dependent on the dog itself, I just have family over for holidays etc. 2) The dog would primarily be kept in a 1 acre fenced back yard, along with inside the house, with walks and dog park visits as well to help exercise and stimulate the dog. 3) Do you guys think they thrive better in an environment with 1 or 2 TM's. I appreciate any replies I get, I would appreciate complete honesty, I do not want to have a companion I can not meet the needs of. -Quinten

 

[ruthcatrin]

Individual dogs vary, like you said. However, in general, a well socialized, well trained, TM will allow INVITED house guests into the house IF you (or other household members) are there to let them in. They will NOT allow non-household members into the house if there isn't a household member there to approve it. Even if they know the house guest. Apollo will allow my inlaws into the house uninvited because we trained that from day one. Although he ADORES my BIL and his family he won't allow them in if I or my husband isn't there.

Dog parks can be iffy with these guys. With the right dog, in the right dog park, with the right other dogs they can be fine. However....if they decide the park is theirs they WILL defend it from all comers. Also, these guys (as a breed) have less than perfect recall and response to other vocal commands, and frankly dog parks are a bad idea when your dog isn't responsive to vocal commnds. In addition these dogs do NOT give the same body signals as most other dogs before they decide they aren't going to put up with "that shit" any more. "snapped with no warning" is the common term, its not entirely true, they DO give warning, but its much subtler and less obvious and its SHORT. In many cases You only have about a 1/2second to recognize the warning and intervene before they WILL lunge/bite.

Otherwise an acre property would be fine. Mooshi's Mummy has far less than at and makes up for it with long walks.

One or more dogs will vary. Some are fine as individuals some aren't. Apollo turned out to be a fairly social TM, so we got another dog. HOWEVER, as a breed, they have problems with same sex aggression (especially with other large dogs). Its by no means a hard and fast rule, both my dogs are male and Apollo's sister lives in a household with another female with no problems. But many breeders will not sell a pup into a household containing a dog of the same gender unless the puppy buyer can prove themselves able to manage that sort of problem. Please note that spaying/neutering the TM frequently doesn't change the same sex aggression.

 

[Quinten]

Okay, I appreciate the response, helps a lot, any other big behavior issues/traits out there that any owners would like to let me know about? I have read over all the common knowledge ones in breed descriptions etc.

 

[ruthcatrin]

They're highly independant, and stubborn. And you're probly reading that and thinking "but so are huskys!" but TMs do it in a way thats different from anything but another LGD or primitive breed.

There is essentially no drive to please their owner. There is essentially no food or treat drive. Forget about toys. Praise is cool but is so NOT a driving factor.

Their sole goal in life is to have someone, or something, to guard and to guard and protect it. They've been bred for centuries to do just that, with NO human intervention or training. They don't care if YOU might prefer they didn't try to drive off the trash pickp truck, that truck is stealing THEIR OWNER'S STUFF DAMMIT! (Apollo hates the trash truck)

If they decide you are their person (and your family and property theirs to guard) they will generally deign to do what you want. And if you're well bonded they may even allow you to indicate if something is or is not a threat, but only MAY. They FIRMLY believe that only they can tell what is and is not a threat.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Plus they're insane problem solvers. These dogs count, and work tv remotes, door handles are nothing....

 

[ruthcatrin]

Btw (because its late and I had a long week so its probly not obvious) thank you for taking the time to do your research properly. I have no problem answering any question you ask and I know the other TM owners here will say the same when they wander by!

 

[Quinten]

Appreciate it guys! Its nice to get some info from subject matter experts, first hand. Wish there was a way I could give back.

 

[looby73]

Hi, I'm fairly new to TM's myself (previously had an Akita) and have 2 boys 20 months and 8 months.
From my experience of living with the breed so far.....
No-one is getting anywhere near our boundary without us being alerted. Generally if we invite people in, no issues. Hades (the youngest) doesn't really care for strangers and doesn't like to be petted by people outside the family. Zeus (the oldest) is more tolerant but could take it or leave it most of the time.
Zeus has learned to be a little more selective on what he deems to be something that needs our attention but Hades hasn't got there yet and barks like someone is trying to break in when they walk by the house!
They LOVE each other and Zeus is very good at letting Hades take his chews and toys from him (too much sometimes!). They are generally fine with other dogs, excited and pulling to get to say hello half the time. The last few months, Zeus has taken a dislike to the odd dog, generally other males and generally if they're a medium - large size (for some reason he HATES black labs). They both adore little dogs, especially pugs.
Their recall is pretty abysmal, they decide if and when they are going to do something and in their own sweet time. Hades is still pretty food driven but I expect that will wear off fairly soon.
They are definitely a handful and not for everyone but they are always pleased to see us and I certainly feel safe when I'm home alone

 

[ruthcatrin]

By listening and learning and making an honest assessment as to whether you can handle that sort of dog you are giving back!

Dispite being a fairly rare breed the number of dogs that the national TM rescue has been handling in the last couple years has skyrocketed. And thats not counting the dogs that the breeders themselves take back and rehome when the first home doesn't work out. Seeing someone doing their research and LISTENING is a HUGE plus IMO.

 

[Quinten]

I have read about the high number of rescue dogs, I think I am going to go that route, Trust me I love the true bond you get with a dog from raising it as a pup, but considering how loyal these guys tend to be I just feel bad for them being mistreated or betrayed by an unfit owner. I have contacted a two programs just with inquiries about how their programs work and questions about the breed, one told me up front that I was unfit to own a Tibetan Mastiff just because I have never owned a guard dog breed which I found offensive. But I am not stopping due to one opinion, I am still continuing to understand and know the breed more and more every day, and find myself liking their qualities more and more.

 

[Quinten]

Also the community is awesome, I have looked over most threads on this forum, everyone is helpful and has no problem helping each other out.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Are you in the US?

 

[Quinten]

Yes, I live in Colorado

 

[Armistead]

My wife wont give a rescue TM to anyone. Much depends on the rescue itself and the home you can provide for it. You're getting a dog as is with it's habits and personality. Many rescues were mistreated, not socialized and can be a handful for a new owner. We have a few that came from a large farm that learned the role of a typical TM, not a house dog. It will take a few weeks just to get a grown rescue comfortable around you and a new home. It's habits may be so ingrained that you can't change the dog without breaking it's will.

I started working with the 8 at the kennel. It was a slow process. First, I was introduced to each one outside it's home space, no problems, they sniffed and ignored me. I then stayed in a locked pen when they came outside to their runs to potty. Some sniffed and went on, a few stood and barked at me, one tried to get at me so much it that it stirred all of them in a frenzy so I had to leave. This process went on for a week or so. It took 3 weeks before I went inside their kennel space and was allowed to let their doors open. It can be a lil nerve racking to have a TM come running up on you to check you out, but they finally are ignoring me in their space. A few I get along with well, can play, pet, feed, a few others ignore me. One doesn't like me or any man, but does well with the girls there.


Just know what you're getting if you look at rescues. Yes, many were more house dogs and do much better with people, but many aren't and have numerous trust issues. The friendliest acting dog we have towards people will attack other dogs on sight. In fact, it once snapped a large Rott's neck and killed it in less than a minute. It can never be around other breeds than itself.

My advice is get a pup that you can train as it grows. If you decide a rescue, you better know what you're getting. The one program that refused you may have done you a favor, while you might find it offensive, it may have been the proper decision.

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

^^great post^^. TBH I couldn't see Mooshi being able to bond with anyone else if I ever had to give her up. Not only would it break my heart but it would destroy hers. She cant stand being in someone else's home for more than 5 minutes and that is with me, I just cant imagine what she would be like if she was left there for good. She tolerates going to my inlaws and that is because she has been taken there from 8 weeks of age, she would hate being left there all day. If my inlaws or anyone else dog sit for us its in our home, not because of Bear my Akita but because of Mooshi. When I breed her the stud will come to me rather than Mooshi go to him, because she wont be comfortable going there and being left there. Moo does not have SA but she is tightly bonded to me and my husband and my Akita. Hope this helps.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Working with an adult rescue would be hard. On the other hand I can appreciate the impulse to want to rescue. Im going to suggest contacting Susie @ Himalaya TMs (I'm at work and don't have the link but if you google himalaya tibetan mastiff virginia it'll get you her website). I k now last time I talked to her she had a few adult dogs in need of perminant home. Now, I have no idea if any of them will be appropriate for a first time owner, but Susie's an awesome resource anyway.

 

[dheepakh]

will tm suit a hot and humid climate. Even if it is kept as an indoor dog, will that be ok provided there is shade and water. Please help!

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

I would say no but I also know that there are a few good breeders in hotter climates (India for example), I would suggest you contact them to find out about how their dogs cope with the heat. I know my girl doesn't like the heat, she completely loses her coat and now that the weather is turning colder she is much happier to be laying outside in the gusty wind probably day dreaming of the snow that wont be too far in to the future.