Second LGD ... are either one of these prospects?

[lilhill]

I currently have a wonderful Great Pyr with my herd. Daisy is about 5 years old and loves her goats. Even a bird landing in the pasture is not safe when she's around. My herd has grown to close to 30 Nigerians now and I think I need to get a second dog for Daisy to help train in case something ever happens to her (Heaven forbid!)

One I have located is about a year old, neutered male whose previous owner was a little boy. His mom moved to another state and left Nanook with a friend and never came back for him.

The next one is a year old female. All that was said about her was that she loves attention and loves to play but meant to be a sheep/cattle dog. I don't think she was ever in with sheep or cattle, but will find out if I decide to look seriously at her.

I haven't contacted either one of these folks until I decide which one would be most likely to fit in with Daisy and the herd. Any ideas on adding one of these to our farm?

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

We've just started our first LDG adventure so I don't have advice, just Good Luck!!

 

[cmjust0]

One I have located is about a year old, neutered male whose previous owner was a little boy. His mom moved to another state and left Nanook with a friend and never came back for him.

The next one is a year old female. All that was said about her was that she loves attention and loves to play but meant to be a sheep/cattle dog. I don't think she was ever in with sheep or cattle, but will find out if I decide to look seriously at her.

What breeds are they, and have ether had any experience with goats...or any livestock at all?

 

[lilhill]

They are both Great Pyrs. Other than the female being "meant to be a sheep/cattle dog" that's all I know yet. I am just starting the hunt and found these two, so until I actually call and talk to the people, I don't know.

 

[ksalvagno]

Maybe you need both.

I have no LGD experience but good luck with your search. I hope you find what you are looking for.

 

[Roll farms]

Same-sex groupings of LGD's are generally a bad idea. A boy / girl combo works best....I've read that AND experienced it....Tried 2 males together, twice....they always fight eachother for dominance.

Haven't tried 2 females together but I've read they can be even worse.

Unless you can keep them seperated (which would defeat the purpose of one training the other), I'd go w/ a male.

 

[savingdogs]

If they are already too people oriented they will not make good guardians. They might both be a little old unfortunately, unless they have already had a good start. They need to be really bonded to livestock, not people. I've rescued a lot of dogs and I had one or two that were the right breed, but not the right personality. They did not care about livestock because they had already lived in the house and would not have stayed with a herd.

 

[ladyfarmer10]

You may have to go with a pup.My great pyr. would not tolerate another adult of either sex.

 

[lilhill]

Still working on trying to find the right one. A friend also told me that two females would fight if put together ... soooooo. Besides, neither one of these have any livestock experience, so gonna pass on them. Usually there are tons of GP's for sale with at least some livestock experience.

The one I have now, Daisy, was 13 months old when I got her and she was raised with goats. Guess I'm trying to find another Daisy so it may take a while.

 

[helmstead]

Kelly (flightsoffancy.com) has a male pup raised with goats available...I know she's in GA but it's not all THAT far.