Livestock
Guardian Dog
We
try to utilize natural methods
of production as much as possible.
To that end, we decided to get
a LGD (Livestock Guardian Dog)
to protect our stock from predators.
After
much research, we decided on a
Great Pyrenees. We obtained a
3 month old puppy, Mala, and trained
her to guard the goats and other
stock. This was a learning experience
for both her and us. There are
so many differing opinions on
how to proceed. I think our best
advice is that purebred LGDs just
have it in their blood. We were
so amazed with Mala and her abilities
that we decided to get a male
pyr to live with our Bucks.
Great
Pyrenees-
These
dogs take their name from the
mountain range in southwestern
Europe where they long have been
used as guardians of the flocks.
In the United States they are
called Great Pyrenees. In the
United Kingdom and on the continent
of Europe, they are known as the
Pyrenean Mountain Dog. In their
native France, they are Le Chien
de Montagne des Pyrenees or Le
Chien des Pyrenees.
The
Great Pyrenees is a very large
dog. It ranges in size from around
25-32 inches at the shoulder.
In weight it ranges from 85-140
pounds. It is white with markings
of badger, gray, or varying shades
of tan and has a long, flat, harsh
protective coat.
The
Great Pyrenees originated in the
Pyrenees mountains of Europe which
form the border between France
and Spain. They were developed
by the Basque people to protect
their flocks from predation by
bears and wolves. The dogs have
been used for this purpose for
over a thousand years.
References
& Links
GPCA
http://clubs.akc.org/gpca/gpcabreed.html
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