Considering an LGD and have some questions

[Pearce Pastures]

I am starting to really consider LGD shopping and have a few questions for those that have bought/adopted and raised them before

So far, and correct if I am wrong, here is what I think I should be looking for so far after reading up on this. I should look to get a male and a female pup, from different litters, to raise together. They should be fixed, and it sounds like getting their dewclaws removed is in order to prevent later issues.

1) I have been getting a feel for where I might get a two pups. I have two routes that I see---I could find a few breeders or I could adopt from a pup from one of the many shelters in my state. I have found several Pyrenees and Anatolian pups through Petfinder, and I am fond of using shelters. I do see that many recommend a breeder and I am wondering if anyone could give me some insight into making this first choice.

2) How young of a pup should I be looking to get? I have the patience and am willing to spend the time to train these, but I do not want to attempt to train-out bad habits---how old is too old then?

3)If I begin to actually go visit animals, what do you look for in regards to health and temperament in a pup? For example, when we selected our mix breed, we noted that she was less jumpy, was quiet, and did not seem to play bite much. But she is a pet and not a working animal so I am not sure what I should be looking to observe in a potential LGD.

4) And it does seem that the GP and Anatolian come up quite a bit as good LGDs. Do you have a preference for one over the other and why?

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/24559556

 

[B'Orion Farms]

I'm no expert, but did a LOT of research and such before I got my LGD GP puppy. I almost adopted a 4 year old, but it would have been too expensive to go get her. She was already trained and living with goats and chickens. She was located on the border of Arkansas and OK and is very likely still available if you're interested. I got my puppy from a breeder that raises only LGD's and only paid $100. She's purebred but not papered. I got her at 7 weeks. She is now almost 6 months old. I know I should have gotten two, but didn't. I did lose two chickens from her "playing" with them, so no more free ranging chickens unless I am there to supervise. She's been pretty easy to train, but you know that if you get puppies, you'll have to closely supervise for at least a year, at least. Hope this helps

I am starting to really consider LGD shopping and have a few questions for those that have bought/adopted and raised them before

So far, and correct if I am wrong, here is what I think I should be looking for so far after reading up on this. I should look to get a male and a female pup, from different litters, to raise together. They should be fixed, and it sounds like getting their dewclaws removed is in order to prevent later issues.

1) I have been getting a feel for where I might get a two pups. I have two routes that I see---I could find a few breeders or I could adopt from a pup from one of the many shelters in my state. I have found several Pyrenees and Anatolian pups through Petfinder, and I am fond of using shelters. I do see that many recommend a breeder and I am wondering if anyone could give me some insight into making this first choice.

2) How young of a pup should I be looking to get? I have the patience and am willing to spend the time to train these, but I do not want to attempt to train-out bad habits---how old is too old then?

3)If I begin to actually go visit animals, what do you look for in regards to health and temperament in a pup? For example, when we selected our mix breed, we noted that she was less jumpy, was quiet, and did not seem to play bite much. But she is a pet and not a working animal so I am not sure what I should be looking to observe in a potential LGD.

4) And it does seem that the GP and Anatolian come up quite a bit as good LGDs. Do you have a preference for one over the other and why?

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/24559556

 

[Straw Hat Kikos]

Yes, I would recommend two dogs too. They always work better that way and won't destroy things do to being bored.
Yes, different litters for sure.
Yes, one of each sex is good too.
Fixing them is debatable. It depends on your situation and your future plans.

1. I really am not a huge shelter person. I highly recommend finding a farm that raises them and get them from a farm, not from a shelter. Shelters are too iffy as far as that goes.

2. There are pros and cons to a pup or an older dog. If you need one now then a bigger dog is best of course. If you can it may be better to get a younger one so you can teach your ways. You also have poultry so that may play a part in your choosing.

3. Honestly I really can't help a ton there. Southern may be able to help though. She would be best to talk to there.
I chose Callie because she came over to me and fallowed while all the other pups ran away so I wasn't really able to look at the others. lol I did get ahold of one tough and when I grabbed her she screamed. I set he down, picked her up, she screamed. Anytime someone picked her up she screamed and wanted to run away. That is a no go for me.

4. Oh boy. I love my Anatolian and they will always be my first choice. I do have to say that I got it in my head that that is what I wanted long before I ever had one. That plays a part. Honestly though, imo ALL LGD breeds will do a great dog and will excel at it. I love my Anatolian and I love the Pyrs. I would only recommend one over the other depending on your situation. The temperament is different with the dogs (in some cases) and for one you may want a male but for the other a female. It all depends on what you are looking for in the LGD.

btw I really want to get an Akbash one day. I think they are really neat. Well and the Kengal, and the Maremma, and the Tibetan Mastiff. Those are all my favorites. haha

 

[CocoNUT]

Two dogs! (If you can swing it!)

I agree with Straw on the shelter pups. Although they need loving homes...when working with livestock (& poultry)...you want to KNOW their background and exposures. You want pups from working parents...or pretty darned close if you can. For temperment, KNOWING (for sure) the breed and background of the animal helps tremendously! I've grown up with mutts all my life (except ONE dalmation - YUCK!) and they're wonderful dogs. Until we got our Shar, I didn't realize how 'bred in' some of the tendencies of "known" breeds can be! She has a great and steady temperment, and a natural talent for her job. Training is needed, but EASIER due to her natural inclinations. All dogs are smart and capable of being LGDs...there are MANY people here who can attest to that; however, if you want a KNOWN result...getting dogs/puppies with KNOWN histories and exposures makes training easier. It would be a greater challenge to deal with turning someone's "house Pyr" into an outside LGD - and a LOT of rescues REQUIRE they be INDOOR dogs (trust me, I've been looking!). Nevermind if the dog has been abused, neglected, underfed, never trained, etc.

Before our dog, I never really understood why people were so obsessed with "pure breed" dogs/cats etc. Especially if they're just pets - with no specific 'job' other than love! Now that I have a dog breed that was bred for a purpose...and I use her for that....I wouldn't want anything else! And like most LGD partners (they own you...more than you own them)...I have a GREAT respect for the breeds...especially mine....and a great LOYALTY towards them as well. I would love to rescue a few...however...I would do it with the understanding that they would not necessarily be 'rescued' to work for me....

Good luck!

 

[Straw Hat Kikos]

Two dogs! (If you can swing it!)

I agree with Straw on the shelter pups. Although they need loving homes...when working with livestock (& poultry)...you want to KNOW their background and exposures. You want pups from working parents...or pretty darned close if you can. For temperment, KNOWING (for sure) the breed and background of the animal helps tremendously! I've grown up with mutts all my life (except ONE dalmation - YUCK!) and they're wonderful dogs. Until we got our Shar, I didn't realize how 'bred in' some of the tendencies of "known" breeds can be! She has a great and steady temperment, and a natural talent for her job. Training is needed, but EASIER due to her natural inclinations. All dogs are smart and capable of being LGDs...there are MANY people here who can attest to that; however, if you want a KNOWN result...getting dogs/puppies with KNOWN histories and exposures makes training easier. It would be a greater challenge to deal with turning someone's "house Pyr" into an outside LGD - and a LOT of rescues REQUIRE they be INDOOR dogs (trust me, I've been looking!). Nevermind if the dog has been abused, neglected, underfed, never trained, etc.

Before our dog, I never really understood why people were so obsessed with "pure breed" dogs/cats etc. Especially if they're just pets - with no specific 'job' other than love! Now that I have a dog breed that was bred for a purpose...and I use her for that....I wouldn't want anything else! And like most LGD partners (they own you...more than you own them)...I have a GREAT respect for the breeds...especially mine....and a great LOYALTY towards them as well. I would love to rescue a few...however...I would do it with the understanding that they would not necessarily be 'rescued' to work for me....

Good luck!

Well said. I agree completely.

 

[Southern by choice]

A messed up LGD is a dangerous dog and will not be a LGD.

I just posted under coofee cow's post you might want to take a look.

Also, no you do not remove the dewclaws. Spay/neuter well, I'll pm you on that one when I get a chance. There is a great deal more you should know about the process. M/F age etc. Most of the general public have no idea physiological consequences in spaying. I'm not against spaying by the way. Just the wreckless way it is done and has been promoted at the expense of the bitch.

2 dogs- different litters -YES

I love the Kuvasz, Kangal, Anatolian, and yes PYRS
Tibetan Mastiffs as working dogs are hard to find in the states and honestly I just don't think most people can handle them. I have had experience with the anatolian and Tibetan Mastiff, Kuvasz. But I own Pyrs, and "Callie" lives here too!

 

[EllieMay]

Two dogs! (If you can swing it!)

I agree with Straw on the shelter pups. Although they need loving homes...when working with livestock (& poultry)...you want to KNOW their background and exposures. You want pups from working parents...or pretty darned close if you can. For temperment, KNOWING (for sure) the breed and background of the animal helps tremendously! I've grown up with mutts all my life (except ONE dalmation - YUCK!) and they're wonderful dogs. Until we got our Shar, I didn't realize how 'bred in' some of the tendencies of "known" breeds can be! She has a great and steady temperment, and a natural talent for her job. Training is needed, but EASIER due to her natural inclinations. All dogs are smart and capable of being LGDs...there are MANY people here who can attest to that; however, if you want a KNOWN result...getting dogs/puppies with KNOWN histories and exposures makes training easier. It would be a greater challenge to deal with turning someone's "house Pyr" into an outside LGD - and a LOT of rescues REQUIRE they be INDOOR dogs (trust me, I've been looking!). Nevermind if the dog has been abused, neglected, underfed, never trained, etc.

Before our dog, I never really understood why people were so obsessed with "pure breed" dogs/cats etc. Especially if they're just pets - with no specific 'job' other than love! Now that I have a dog breed that was bred for a purpose...and I use her for that....I wouldn't want anything else! And like most LGD partners (they own you...more than you own them)...I have a GREAT respect for the breeds...especially mine....and a great LOYALTY towards them as well. I would love to rescue a few...however...I would do it with the understanding that they would not necessarily be 'rescued' to work for me....

Good luck!

Well said. I agree completely.

x2

I agree!
I was able to get two pups (Grt Pyrs) from a breeder who raises chickens and sheep, and then a bit later I got my Kangals from another breeder who raises sheep and cattle. They all came from working farms with parents onsite.
I'm so glad I went that route (as opposed to shelters) because I now have awesome working guardian dogs.
I have always felt people should support the local animal shelters, but when it comes to getting a dog for a "purpose," the shelters will not be your best bet.
It'll be hit or miss that a shelter dog will do what you want (and mostly miss).
A dog from a farm with working parents is what you would be looking for.
If you're looking at puppies, you don't want one that is timid and shy and hides in the corner.
Obviously, you'll look for any signs of illness as well.
It doesn't really matter male/female; although most prefer one or the other.
I prefer males since they tend to grow larger and seem to bond stronger. (that's my opinion)
You will invest a lot of time in training; and the training will mostly consist of watching and discouraging behaviour that you do not want on your farm.
For instance, I have chickens, so I had to discourage my dogs (when they were pups) from playing or chasing chickens.
If I had no chickens, I would not discourage them from chasing birds.
It's a journey that you will enjoy.
And the rewards are priceless; it's a wonderful feeling to allow your herds to roam through their pastures and not have to worry about them at all being killed by a predator.
Good luck!!

 

[Stubbornhillfarm]

Some are saying, "do not get litter mates."

Why would that be? Just curious.

 

[redtailgal]

While I am not speaking for anyone in particular, I have heard it said that litter mates are more prone to be aggressive with one another.

I have never seen anything to back that up. In fact, I have worked with and trained litter mates several time (not in an LGD setting, though), and never seen any more aggression than with non litter mates.

I wonder if this litter mate aggression is the train of thought here. If so, I'm curious to hear of the EXPERIENCES (not theory) of others that have dealt with it.

 

[EllieMay]

I DID buy littermates and have absolutely NO problems.
I liked the fact that they were littermates because they were already comfortable with each other and not have any issues with dominance.
When I introduced them to the livestock, they seemed to grow apart being more interested in different roles.
One dog enjoyed being upclose and personal with the livestock (licking and cleaning and sleeping with the livestock).
The other dog seemed to enjoy patroling the perimeter of the fence more often.
They're both awesome dogs and have developed their own guardian techniques.