Annapurna the Tibetan mastiff, only sort of actually a bear
@SummerJackel what’s she like as a personality? The only things I’ve ever heard about Tibetan Mastiffs are all the negative pit bull stereotypes and that can’t be entirely or even mostly true.
@Leucrotta none of this should be taken as negative. They are the traits that define an ancient, precious breed. Pur's parents were from China; he's the first generation of his line living in the US as a house pet.
I take a lot of care in his socialization, but he's lots of work and a bit of a pain in the butt...I have to be really careful with houseguests, for instance. The pandemic didn't help; he thinks it's GREAT that people don't get within 6' of me.
@Leucrotta He is also impossibly sweet and tender. He likes to fetch his rainbow tribble with soft, sweet eyes, leans reassuringly, loves the people he accepts, is great with the horses, is the best canicross/skijoring dog, faithful, beloved.
On pretty much all dog metrics: delicate social and training needs, specialized behaviors, significant grooming, physical size and strength, prey drive, he's about as much dog as you can get.
He's a sacred responsibility and a big cool silly dude.
@Leucrotta ...oh and oc most pit bull sterotypes are total bulleshite, but any variety of bull-and-terrier derived dog is easier to train and handle than a TM, but honestly so is anything XD
@SummerJackel that’s what I meant, everyone tells you pits are mean savage badasses and most I’ve met aren’t so I figure mastiff stereotypes are about equally false. Also I apologize for misgendering the mastiff.
@Leucrotta hee hee nw, 'Annapurna' is technically a female name, and Pur does not care about pronouns. He's v confident in his masculinity <G>
I think some stereotypes accrete around truth, but honestly all the specialized breeds are better with handlers who understand their specialty and need or enjoy living with it.
There's a lot to be said about pit terrier discourse --- 'they're monsters' and 'they're total sweeties' annoy me equally --- but so much there is really about racism.
@Leucrotta Always happy to answer questions! Purna is a magnificent creature and the love of my life, but must be handled with great care. The breed is a primitive, indigenous protector, profoundly suspicious, defensive and wary. Pur can be cuddly and playful one moment, then hears something outside and is instantly ready to defend his people and livestock from leopards, bears or an incoming army. They are independent and obstinate, the kind of brave that comes of being deeply concerned.