Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Guard Dogs

A few weeks ago we went to visit a Nigerian Dwarf goat breeder.
Like all serious goat breeders I have ever met,
she had guard dogs.
This is one of them.


This is a Great Pyrenees, and guarding the flock is his life.
Most breeders will start these dogs when they are pups
with the herd or flock and leave them to bond with the
sheep or goats while having as little human interaction
as possible.
The dogs spend their day with the flock and their
nights are usually spend scouring the perimeter of the 
farm and barking.  Both of which they are very good at.


Although it is a little hard to see, there is a Great Pyrenees puppy
lying by an igloo, in the upper left part of the photo.  She had
just gotten this pup a few days before our visit.  He was beginning his
bonding with the herd.

A few years back, when we lived in Wyoming and raised a
small herd of Nubian's, I purchased a Sheep Dog/Great Pyrenees cross.
He didn't, however, bond with the goats.
He bonded with me, and I with him.


Have a great day everyone.
And be sure to check out 
Tuesday's Show and Tail
for more great stories.

10 comments:

Verde Farm said...

Love this post!!! We have a Great Pyrenees and he is exactly as you described. He barked all night last night as we heard coyotes in the woods. First time we ever heard them here at our farm. Ours has bonded with us too and we love him so much!!

texwisgirl said...

They are such astute beauties! Love that photo of you and yours tho!

Angela said...

Welcome to Tuesdays' Show & Tail! Great post! I just love how majestic the Great Pyrenees looks in your picture! That is the whitest dog I've seen! Thanks for sharing with us this week! Hope you'll come back next week!

Tuesdays' Show & Tail!
Angela

Farmer's Wyfe said...

What a cute dog you had! :) My sister-in-law has 2 Great Pyrenees to guard her sheep flock. The male is a real guard, but the female got a little too attached to my father-in-law; she's always escaping.

Liesl said...

That picture of you and your dog is so cute! Love the fact that he didn't bond with the goats but with you!

Kathleen From Eggs In My Pocket said...

These dogs are used quite commonly in our area as well for goats. They are great companions. Blessings,Kathleen

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I have a friend that shows Great Pyrenees. They are such beautiful dogs!

Kritter Keeper at Farm Tails said...

i have always wanted a pyr but i don't have perimeter fencing all around the farm. would love to have several and let them roam the farm to keep the coyotes out.

Vera said...

I loved that big "ole" dog !!

Robbie said...

I love the pic!! But it makes me miss him.....