PICTURES!!! 10/23...And the Pups turn 6 months!

[MsDeb]

They're so beautiful! And I really love hearing about their different personalities and how some are more geared toward watching, patrolling, etc. It should make sense to me since not all beagles, chihuahuas, Labs....have the same personality traits that Great Pyrs wouldn't either. But since it's a breed I've never been around (and have never been around any dogs this big) I'm feeling that old learning curve again. But I love it, love it love it!!! Since we got Finn I'm having a hard time deciding whether I'd rather have a yard full of goats or a yard full of Great Pyr's. I think @HoneyDreameMama may be on to something. More goats = more LGDs. (And this is why my husband will never be a member here. My posts would scare the bejeebies out of him. )

 

[Southern by choice]

If we were already living on our farm we would be in the truck on the way to NC to pay Eliza a visit.
Mike Eliza is a sweetheart. She was a HOLY TERROR as a young pup- I thought it was a good thing we were keeping them for training as she would have been returned within a week!
She was so BAD! LOL She is my first ad only pup to chase a chicken so young. But it is amazing, she has turned into such a great girl. She is matures more and more every week. I tell her she is my "lady". She is never obnoxious about attention, she waits so patiently. You can see the look in her eyes that she wants to please you and be a "good girl". She is very watchful and she is quiet, but when she needs to bark it is certainly no puppy bark. She is one that I look into her soulful eyes and know she is going to be an awesome girl. She is one the family will be shedding lots of tears for. Loyalty describes her best.

Thanks for the pictorial.

So glad you posted that update! I love seeing how the pups are doing. The pictures were great - especially the one with Moses 'guarding' the dogs - I loved it! Sorry about Toby and Eliza - it's tough to sell a LGD you love so much. Our operation is small enough we ended up selling our 10-month old pup Angel when we sold some of our goats. There just wasn't enough work for 3 dogs. It was perfect when she and Clyde were younger, because they weren't into full-time LGD mode and they were great playmates, but as they matured, we realized we'd need to pick between the two of them for the best fit with Miller (he's absolutely our permanent LGD)and our little farm. Fortunately, Angel went to a great home and was even with three of the goats she was already bonded to, but I still miss her.

Lol - maybe the solution is keeping more goats...more goats = more LGDs, right? If only we all had enough time, land and money to support our goat/LGD addictions!

So glad Angel was able to go with her goats. You are so right... I will have to let my DH know we need more goats! We actually know a Toli breeder that loved his dogs so much he would just keep the litters... Dogs WAY outnumbered the goats!
I worked with canines my whole life so they are actually my first love. I think I was born that way. My earliest pictures when I was a baby, our GSD was ALWAYS laying beside me, and as a toddler and up most of my family pictures are with my laying cuddled up with one of our Shepherds. I do need the land though.
I think if we ever sold Moses Callie would have to go too and vice verse. And now it seems Moses loves Tiggs too. WEIRD! Moses is not like this with "D" at all.

What a beautiful bunch of dogs. They are outstanding. Love Tiggs coloring, is he showing more brindle stripes like his daddy? Love all the pictures, thanks for sharing.

Tiggs is coming along nicely but we are watching his development closely. He is extremely heavy boned and I am a little concerned about his joints right now. I am giving it a bit of time because Toli's are kinda clunky anyway... if I am still concerned we will get him to an orthopedist- Probably do PennHIP. Parent stock is clear but with these large breeds there is still a 25% chance of hip and/ or Elbow issues. We moved him back with Callie and they LOVE each other... funny how Toli's like other Toli's! He does have a great deal of brindling just impossible to get pics of. So hard to see his real size in photos. He is giant.

They're so beautiful! And I really love hearing about their different personalities and how some are more geared toward watching, patrolling, etc. It should make sense to me since not all beagles, chihuahuas, Labs....have the same personality traits that Great Pyrs wouldn't either. But since it's a breed I've never been around (and have never been around any dogs this big) I'm feeling that old learning curve again. But I love it, love it love it!!! Since we got Finn I'm having a hard time deciding whether I'd rather have a yard full of goats or a yard full of Great Pyr's. I think @HoneyDreameMama may be on to something. More goats = more LGDs. (And this is why my husband will never be a member here. My posts would scare the bejeebies out of him. )

UH OH and LGD addict in the making!
I know what you mean... there is something so special about them ... their eyes alone. As wonderful and gentle as they are make no mistake about it... when that switch gets flipped and they go into guard mode it really is a sight to see. I thought of getting a video of what they do when a "threat" is imminent. Uh... yep reminds me every time that they are GUARDIANS!

Thank you all for the kind words. They are a joy. Toby is the one that has most surprised me. He was a late bloomer so to speak and I thought he was going to be destined for a pet home. But he has turned out great! He will need to go to a home as a second dog and get matched with a watcher. He is a better 2nd dog. He is independent but clearly needs the companionship. Of course IMO because dogs are pack animals and LGD's work best in teams I think 2 is best anyway. Kinda like goats. They do better with2 or more. LOL

Chunk is starting to take on his mommas no nonsense attitude. Lets just say we will be getting him out a good deal. Lots of TSC, Field and Stream, and Southern States trips. He is never needy but makes it clear to the other pups that HE is top pup. It is funny though when the pups tussle and "practice" guarding roles... if the growling and messing around gets a bit loud in comes momma (Amy).. those pups hop to attention... Amy just has to walk near them. Chunk is Amy's favorite too. Very interesting. Everything yields to Amy EVERYTHING! She is my baby and is the biggest love and snuggle bug. No one ever gets to see that side of her though.

 

[babsbag]

I need more land. DH doesn't know that what I am really saying is "I need more dogs"

 

[Southern by choice]

Oh Babs I go back and forth... if we end up moving within the next year or two I will want all the dogs and they will all be mature. The predator issues will be much greater. Mountain Lions, Coyote, and possibly wolf. At the same time for now it seems silly to keep all 3 pups.

I do adore them though. Yesterday we gave deer legs and bones to all the dogs. No fighting no issues. I will say though Eliza is one bold dog! Today Toby had his bone and was very content with gnawing on it... Eliza walked right up "rolled" him and took that bone right out of his mouth! Then she walked over with Toby's bone in her mouth and tried to grab Chunks. It was so funny!

Eliza is moving beautifully and as typical of a female she is the first one on alert now. She can move too! She is super fast like her daddy and she has a great bark! Sad- she puts her brothers to shame.
Of course when she does go on alert and she goes to investigate and she barks we tell her what a good girl she is... and as you can imagine she starts really showing off and has to make another round and bark. LOL Then her brothers decide "I can do that" and they all start in. All for those simple words of Good Dog!

They are all getting so big I sometimes cannot tell who is walking between my legs... momma or a pup. Such a joy!

 

[samssimonsays]

LOVE the update and wish I could give one of them a great home... Sigh. one day.