Cowboy - It Doesn't Get Better Than This!

[babsbag]

I love reading about Cowboy, I can tell he is well on his way to being a great LGD. Mia is with the goats all day every day now, but she has one little kid that she loves a little too much (as in kid is a good playmate...not). When I'm not in the vicinity they get separated but the rest of the goats she is good with. I showed my DH a picture of Cowboy and he decided that Mia needs to make a airplane trip for a conjugal visit. I can't believe how much they look alike.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

@babsbag Glad to hear that Mia is coming along, lol. I think it's even more rewarding when they've been a little challenging and then they start to "get" it and fulfill their role in life.

Mia needs to make a airplane trip for a conjugal visit.

Ya know, I need to talk to Cowboy's breeder because I think, maybe, one of Cowboy's siblings may be in CA. That would be cool! I'll try to remember to contact her this week.

Cowboy never fails to bring a smile to my face. He is so cool! I could just smooch him every time he gives me that "what" look? He looks just like a kid whose been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

Only within this last week has he really been using his voice and oh wow. If I were sneaking around in the dark and heard that bark/snarl I would high-tail it out of the area as fast as I could. When he was running to get between me and the pigs, I nearly fell OVER! He sounded absolutely FEROCIOUS. He's usually such a goofus that to see him so serious about moving those pigs away from me was just phenomenal.

SBC you are soooo right about him wanting to "help" with everything. I can't get my hands on a goat without him being right under my/their feet. If I'm worming or giving anything orally, he tries to lick it right out of their mouth, lol. I had to tie him up the other day when I was doling out Replamin to some of the does. He was absolutely distraught that he couldn't help.

Maddie isn't quite as 'hands-on' with her goats as Cowboy is. She tends to guard from a distance. If there's a problem she is right there handling it, and she can be quite gentle and loving - like the time a kidding doe was having a problem. But, Cowboy is right up in the middle of everything the goats do. I think they are turning into quite a team.

 

[babsbag]

That would be great to see if there is a relative out here. I really don't have any dog helpers but I ALWAYS have another goat helper so I'm good. It is truly rewarding to watch them grow up successfully.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I really need to do a post about..

"The Helpful Anatolian"

yes, you do!

 

[NH homesteader]

This site has totally convinced me I want an Anatolian. Pyrenees are not my (and my family and my farm's) style.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I took off the shock collar. So, instead of jumping a fence today - he simply jumped through the barn window to get from one area to the other, lol. Imagine my surprise when I'm behind the barn and he comes flying through the window, lol! Thank goodness it was OPEN!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

This site has totally convinced me I want an Anatolian. Pyrenees are not my (and my family and my farm's) style.

I don't think you can go wrong. Now - I've gotta say that I looove my Maddie girl (the pyr), but there is a world of difference in the way my two work. Best part of it all - is that they both have the same end objective - they just go about accomplishing it in a different way.

 

[NH homesteader]

That is very cool to have two dogs with different styles. As he gets older you'll have quite the team!

I know all dogs can be barkers but Pyrenees are pretty bad. And my inside dogs are dumb and would bark back all the time! I couldn't handle it. We have one down the road that barks all night long. They'd probably have bark battles all night!

 

[Southern by choice]

This site has totally convinced me I want an Anatolian. Pyrenees are not my (and my family and my farm's) style.

I don't think you can go wrong. Now - I've gotta say that I looove my Maddie girl (the pyr), but there is a world of difference in the way my two work. Best part of it all - is that they both have the same end objective - they just go about accomplishing it in a different way.

That is very cool to have two dogs with different styles. As he gets older you'll have quite the team!

I know all dogs can be barkers but Pyrenees are pretty bad. And my inside dogs are dumb and would bark back all the time! I couldn't handle it. We have one down the road that barks all night long. They'd probably have bark battles all night!

Truly this is why I have LOVED this litter from Callie/D -Anatolian/Pyr They truly have been exceptional.

I also think dogs reach their potential by what their owners put into them. Great dogs are developed.

As far as barking. Our pyrs have NEVER been incessant barkers. We have had to work more with the Toli's than our pyrs. The Toli/Pyr crosses haven't been too bad.

@NH homesteader - All our Pyrs are far more OBEDIENT than ANY of our Toli's.

FEM- LOL ... you know how Pete will go over if we call him right? Well 6 months or so ago (maybe longer) when Silver was out front the shutters to the barn were open. I was out front doing something with the goats Silver was IN the barn. From a dead standstill he went BOOOIIINGGG right over the window opening 4FT high. He reminded me of Tigger from Winnie the Pooh.

I was a little nervous moving Silver to a back field where he couldn't see anything and we couldn't see him.... I thought for sure I might deal with him getting out.
Not once has he even tried. And he could go over the 4ft fencing in a second.
Gotta say... I am so glad he has never tried... and a little surprised to tell ya the truth.

Callie when she is serious has a fierce bark. Tiggs... sounds like his nuts are in a vice. As far as bark the deeeeeeep guttural sound of our Pyrs are way more intimidating.

Today we had to bring "Beast" up from his field to pen breed our Kiko Doe. Tiggs NEVER wants to come out of his field. OM Goodness... he actually TRIED to get past us getting out of the gate. He and Callie both! He was so distraught at us taking Beast out. I do wonder if because the last time we took one of his bucks away the buck didn't come back. He was very upset about that. Maybe he thought Beast was being taken away too.

 

[babsbag]

@NH homesteader , they are all different and not all Pyrs bark. I have Francis who is a 75/25 Pyr Toli cross and he is not a barker at all. I also have Sigueme that is a messed up mix of LGDs... Anatolian, Pyrenees, Ovcharka, Akbash...she is not a barker either. Before Francis I had a Pyr/Maremma that barked at falling stars, and falling leaves, and everything in between. He drove us all crazy. Unfortunately there is no way to know what you will get until you get them. I would just plan on puppyhood during good weather so you can spend time outside with them at night if needed. Sometimes they just need to be told that it is all ok.