Great Pyrenees

[ratkinso]

Hi all, I live in Houston, Texas and am wanting to get a LGD, am wanting a Pyrenees, but am wondering if it is too hot. I do see others that have them here, but that doesn't mean it is good for the dog, or do you recommend another dog? My thought was maybe a Blue Heeler or Australian Sheperd... Have chickens currently, but plan very soon to get some goats (nigerian dwarf), thinking of putting a mini donkey in with the goats for a little extra protection. We do have coyotes, also a wife that wants to feel comfortable for when I am gone.. we are city folk, just moving to the country on 30 acres... plan to get some cows next year as well... any opinions and/or advice would be great.

Thanks,
Randy

 

[SheepGirl]

To my understanding, blue heelers and australian shepherds are herding dogs, NOT livestock guard dogs.

If you can't have a long haired breed like a GP, my next thought would be a short haired breed like an Anatolian.

 

[Southern by choice]

Sheepgirl is correct. The dogs you mention are herding dogs not Livestock Guardians.
Anatolian may be a better choice.
If you are considering a mini donkey then don't get the dogs. LGD's do not need help. They also do not mix well with donkeys. If you are trying to find something to protect chickens please understand LGD's will take a long time to train for poultry...you will lose chickens.

 

[Straw Hat Kikos]

I agree too. GP's I don't think would be a good choice due to the heat and only get one, a donkey or LGD.

 

[goodolboy]

Sheepgirl is correct. The dogs you mention are herding dogs not Livestock Guardians.
Anatolian may be a better choice.
If you are considering a mini donkey then don't get the dogs. LGD's do not need help. They also do not mix well with donkeys. If you are trying to find something to protect chickens please understand LGD's will take a long time to train for poultry...you will lose chickens.

X2

 

[ratkinso]

Hmmm... so then Anatolian or mini donkey... donkey I would think would be cheaper, but Anatolian would work better??? I plan to cross-fence a 2.5 acre area in the middle of the 30 acres, for living area, inside the living area I plan to have the chickens and cross-fence an area in that for the goats as well... that way they are all secured by fence around 30 acres, then fence around 2.5 acres, then fence around each of their areas, with a shed for each to go into at night for further protection... dog would roam the 2.5 acre area mostly, so could keep donkey away from dog... dog serves dual purpose of people protection, for my wifes comfort when I am not home.... maybe a better choice than donkey is llama? or are they as bad with dogs? Wife is wanting an alpaca, do they work the same as llama? We already have two chihuahua's, but doubt they would be much help with the coyotes They will be my alert to grab a gun...

 

[Southern by choice]

I know people have different experiences but it usually is the same thing... llamas tend to want to kill the dogs.

I prefer dogs. We have 4 LGD's 3 pyrs and 1 anatolian. They are in 2 teams. They patrol the fenceline are always on guard and deter the predators before they come into the fencing.

All the goat farms here use Pyrs and the few that have cattle have donkeys... the problem is the coyotes etc come into the field then get stomped, already posing a risk when there is a pack of 3-5 coyotes. Usually inflicting bites etc before they are stomped. The dogs never let them in the fencing to begin with.

A cattle farmer here..a few miles away from us had his whole farm quarantined after 3 of his cows died from rabies... another farm's donkey died of rabies.

Donkeys and llamas can be great guardians yes, but IMO nothing beats a guardian dog.

 

[goodolboy]

I agree Southern. The most I've ever seen dead on our place is a possum. The coyotes just don't cross the fence with the dogs there. We run two teams of three, but we have two large farms. The dogs scare them off BEFORE they're a threat.

 

[Straw Hat Kikos]

Alpacas do not guard and actually they need to be guarded. Llamas guard but like donkeys they do NOT protect poultry at all. Most of the time they kill them. Also they don't see small animals such as raccoons and opposums as threats and they do not kill them which will be your biggest killer of poultry so a dog is by far your best choice.

 

[ratkinso]

Thanks for all the GREAT information. I guess that settles that, need me two Anatolian's.... Don't want just one, ever since getting two chihuahua's and seeing their interaction I feel it is important to have two of them.. though I'm guessing that they will eat as much as a horse... wish I could get the Pyr, as I have read on this site that the Anatolian tend to be high strung, but I just couldn't do that to the poor guy... I have also read on here, with Anatolian, two females would be best... or one male and one female and have the normal two litters of pups or is that going to attract the coyotes too much?? And if we decide on Alpaca's I guess they can just run with the goats and no worry with the dogs and Alpacas..