Opinions Please

[MyFather'sSheep]

My family lives on 12 acres with another family. They have ~12 goats and a Pyrenese. We have ~6 sheep and were going to get an Anatolian to be with them at all times. We were told not to get the Anatolian and that they would get another Pyrenese to run free and gaurd the whole property. We do not feel like our sheep will be protected because 1) the Pyrenese is accustomed to staying with their goats and 2) with ferral dogs, coyotes, and bobcats, we don't think response time will be fast enough with just the two of them running 12 acres with two seperate herds. We think even with the two Pyrenese gaurding the whole property, we need an lsg to stay with our sheep. Are we being unreasonable?

 

[Baymule]

Your sheep need your dog. That's my opinion. But you do have to respect the landowners.

A lot depends on the terrain of the property. Is it flat and can be seen from corner to corner? Is it hilly, cut with deep gulleys that you can't see into without standing on the edge? Since this is not your property, is there a reason that the landowners only want their breed of dog on the property? Are they afraid of mixed breed puppies? You may not want to rock the boat, if there is a squabble over dogs, do you have somewhere else to move your sheep? Do the land owners live on the property, do you?

Asking questions to better understand your situation.

 

[Rammy]

Are your sheep and thier livestock in the same pasture? Id go ahead and get the Tolie if your livestock are not in an area thier dog would protect yours.

 

[Southern by choice]

If they will be running together you will need to make sure they get along.

What @Baymule said.

IMO that is too much land for 2 dogs.

 

[Rammy]

Maybe three or four dogs?

 

[greybeard]

My family lives on 12 acres with another family. They have ~12 goats and a Pyrenese. We have ~6 sheep and were going to get an Anatolian to be with them at all times. We were told not to get the Anatolian and that they would get another Pyrenese to run free and gaurd the whole property. We do not feel like our sheep will be protected because 1) the Pyrenese is accustomed to staying with their goats and 2) with ferral dogs, coyotes, and bobcats, we don't think response time will be fast enough with just the two of them running 12 acres with two seperate herds. We think even with the two Pyrenese gaurding the whole property, we need an lsg to stay with our sheep. Are we being unreasonable?

Whoever owns the property usually gets to make the rules unless there is a legally binding partnership/contract of some kind. Loose family farm endeavors often result in disagreements. btdt.

 

[SonRise Acres]

I guess my first question is, what type of agreement do you have with them? Do you have a lease or other contract? If so, do they allow you to have dogs? If so I would provide a dog for your livestock. If not, you are at their mercy.

 

[MyFather'sSheep]

Thank you for your replies. Both families live on the land and both herds are seperate. There are lots of trees on this land, only the center few acres are cleared. There is maybe an acre or two between the two groups. These are our close friends, so we could have another conversation about it, but I want to make sure our concerns are valid before attempting another conversation. He said his dogs have to be the dominant dogs on the property in case we leave. We explained that the dynamics of dog packs are such that even if the dominant dogs leave, others will take their place. We have had a Belgian Malinois out here with us, so we were surprised by this decision. Our biggest issue is that we have lost birds from the dogs from a neighboring property and we are much closer to that property than where they are.

 

[Rammy]

Id say if your fences are separate to keep each in their properties, Id get a dog to protect your flock. Since you have already lost livestock to stray dogs, a LSG seems appropriate.

 

[Latestarter]

Without a lot more detail on the "living arrangements" between you and the other family that owns/lives on the land, there's no real way to answer or help you.

Fencing should be your first and primary line of defense IMHO. LGD's might benefit you, but to be "told" what you can and can't have and all the other stuff you intimated... Gosh... just not sure about all that. Could be the downfall of a friendship if not handled well. The LGD's really need to possess/own their field and the animals they are protecting. That's what they do. There really should be dogs with each group, not one or two dogs having to cover separate groups that may be at opposite ends of the property. Since you just got the sheep, the existing LGD's being with goats, may or may not accept the sheep as part of their flock/herd to protect...

You're kinda between a rock and a hard place. Hope you can get it figured out in a workable fashion amenable to all involved.