“It is an important part of Tibetan Mastiff ownership to
BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN
SOCIALIZING PUPPIES and to expose the youngsters to new situations and new people.”
and loving with children if introduced to them when they are puppies. So, let’s discuss the downside of Tibetan Mastiff ownership. This inde- pendent breed simply does not come when called. No amount of training will change their fundamental inde- pendence. TMs are too intelligent to be left with nothing to do, so they may become destructive or hyper vigilant on their home property resulting in aggres- sion towards strangers. Temperament is a subject for a separate article all togeth- er. Objectively the temperament of the Tibetan Mastiff is one of the primary reasons that they are not shown more often. They seldom display a “show atti- tude” and are generally indifferent to people other than their family. While they are usually devoted to the people they live with, they are frequently aloof and sometimes will not allow themselves to be touched or handled by strang-
ers. Their guardian characteristics can make them unreliable in the show ring and so many fanciers choose to forego exhibition of their dogs. It is an impor- tant part of Tibetan Mastiff ownership to be actively involved in socializing puppies and to expose the youngsters to new situations and new people. I mentioned that understanding the people who love the Tibetan Masti ff is a key to understanding the breed. Having been involved with TMs for over twen- ty years I can say that the best owners for this breed are: sensible, stable, level headed, patient, consistent and inde- pendent. Expectations for the Tibetan Masti ff owner will have to be realistic given the primitive guardian nature of the breed. Th ose of us who love them do so in spite of the special challenges they present but also because they are without parallel as canine companions and natu- ral guardians and protectors.
BIO Susan Och-
senbein has owned Tibetan Masti ff s since 1992 having exhibited and bred only this breed for more than twenty years.
Her old dogs and young dogs share her secluded farm with herself in Chesapeake, Virginia. Susan is an AKC Breeder of Merit, exhibitor, AKC judge and Inter- national judge for the Tibetan Masti ff . Since 2008 she has co-bred with world renowned Saras Tibetan Masti ff s in India and the United States. Th ey have bred top winning owner handled Grand Champi- ons and International Champions. Susan may be contacted via himala- yatm@susieo.net.
“WHILE THEY ARE USUALLY DEVOTED TO THE PEOPLE THEY LIVE WITH, they are frequently aloof and sometimes will not allow themselves to be touched or handled by strangers.”
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