Livestock Guard Dog
A Good LGD is worth it's weight in Gold
Short Summarized History
They come from the mountain region of France, Hungary, Turkey, Asia, and Italy traveling in the open protecting their masters and herds from large predators, even bears. Shepherds were isolated to their various regions so the dogs were developed literally by the eliminates. Occasionally when shepherds met they would trade and mingle, so technically most of the livestock breeds have parts of the other breed to make up the particular breed named after the region where it is from,, but for the most part they are 2000 years pure to their region.
Training
Livestock guard dogs should be taught basic commands such as “come,” “sit,” and “stay” and learn to walk on a leash and stand for a medical examination or a quick check in the pasture. They should also learn to tolerate people and the other farm animals, they should not be treated as a pet. They should remain outside with their herds. As pups they should learn that a pen is a pen and not something to tear up. Kennel training is also a good idea, which teaches them to stay inside of fences. Watch the dogs and do not allow the dogs to play with the goats or sheep. You need to develop an alpha status, not by being cruel but by being firm, it doesn't take them long to figure out your the boss when you say "no" if you've developed this respect. It is OK to pet them on occasion giving them attention but you need to limit it and not create pets or you will loose this respect, and they will try to demote your status.
I do not worry so much with sit things shake, roll over, or play dead..I do demand that they respond to the word "NO", usually my change of voice causes them to take notice.. Bandit my first male was a bit more of a challenge, he refused to back down and would try to trip me up when i walk among the goats. I started swinging a bucket or feed pan to keep him out of my space. I worried a bit and called a man at a Great Pyrenees rescue and he gave me a piece of advice that changed our relationship 100% . Many of us either have children or are someones child that have had someone glare at us or we them when we are angry at them.. and we will do this to our dogs when they misbehave our of habit ,, it is now time to change that habit,. Other breeds <like my sheltie> will usually back off when just being stared at,, but not the LGD. the stare/glare in doggie language means ""GOOD DOG"" WoW is right,, a break through in my relationship with my dogs, and i felt like an alfalfa.
DO NOT STARE at your LGD when you are disciplining it.
SAY NO THEN LOOK AWAY
The first time I did this I was skeptical too, surly something so simple would not work, but it did, Sophie my first female was playing with a chicken and I did just that said no and turned away, to shun her and she sat down looking at me with a question in her face. then got up and walked away..
Leash training is also important as well as pen training, I have learned this the hard way. From early on they need to learn that a pen is a pen and they need to stay it in without getting out. If not they will climb, dig and squeeze through absolutely everything. Leash training is important if your taking one to a pen or the vet, you need control.
Another area common to LGD's is their desire to jump on you, this must be stopped very early on and not encouraged. I have seen alot of pictures where the owner allows this but in an moment the owner could get hurt. not to mention this give the dogs status over you, and you loose valuable control.
My Dogs
My Dogs
My dogs are 100% LGD, but made of of many parts, the greatest percentage being the Great Pyrenees. My first female is believed to be a mixture of Gr Pyr (sire) Akbash/Komodor (dam). I then brought in a male that was 7/8 Gr. Pyr with 1/8 Anatolian Shepherd. So that matting brought me Ziva my current female which I discribe as 3/4 Great Pyrenees. 1/8 Akbash1/8 Komador and a pinch of Anatolian Shephard. We brought in a new male Nanqu who is 100% Gr Pyrenees. I will describe my pups as 100% LGD which equal 7/8 Great Pyrenees. My future pups may or may not show some characteristics of their grand and great grandparents form the dams side. But the important part is that they will be born and raised with goats, they will smell goat, from the moment they are born, and the first thing they see when they open their eyes is goats. We have a high population of Coyotes they will learn to protect their charges from their parents at a very early age.
I also have free ranged chickens, turkey, duck, guinea, cats, there are cattle in the fields, and horses. The pups will be exposed to these as well. I know I feel alot better sleeping at night when i know my dogs are working and alert. Many times i have forgotten to lock the chicken house at night and everyone is ok in the morning. I have not had a raccoon opossum or skunk attack since I have brought my first dogs home. I did however have one neighbor dog attack my rabbits, I only had Ziva at that time, and she was very heavy pregnant, due at any time, she was still between the dogs and the goats protecting both her unborn and the goats. I wont leave her along again if I can help it. So please consider at least 2 maybe even 3 dogs. Then you should not have any problems.
Male LGD's range from 27-32 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 160 pounds. Females are a bit smaller but are still giant-sized dogs. The breed is always white but may have tan or badger gray markings, especially on the head. These spots usually fade to a near white. My pups may or may not have short hair from the Akbash, may or may not have double dew claws of the Great Pyrenees. Some of Ziva's litter mates have been very big and long bodied of Akbash.
My dogs are 100% LGD, but made of of many parts, the greatest percentage being the Great Pyrenees. My first female is believed to be a mixture of Gr Pyr (sire) Akbash/Komodor (dam). I then brought in a male that was 7/8 Gr. Pyr with 1/8 Anatolian Shepherd. So that matting brought me Ziva my current female which I discribe as 3/4 Great Pyrenees. 1/8 Akbash1/8 Komador and a pinch of Anatolian Shephard. We brought in a new male Nanqu who is 100% Gr Pyrenees. I will describe my pups as 100% LGD which equal 7/8 Great Pyrenees. My future pups may or may not show some characteristics of their grand and great grandparents form the dams side. But the important part is that they will be born and raised with goats, they will smell goat, from the moment they are born, and the first thing they see when they open their eyes is goats. We have a high population of Coyotes they will learn to protect their charges from their parents at a very early age.
I also have free ranged chickens, turkey, duck, guinea, cats, there are cattle in the fields, and horses. The pups will be exposed to these as well. I know I feel alot better sleeping at night when i know my dogs are working and alert. Many times i have forgotten to lock the chicken house at night and everyone is ok in the morning. I have not had a raccoon opossum or skunk attack since I have brought my first dogs home. I did however have one neighbor dog attack my rabbits, I only had Ziva at that time, and she was very heavy pregnant, due at any time, she was still between the dogs and the goats protecting both her unborn and the goats. I wont leave her along again if I can help it. So please consider at least 2 maybe even 3 dogs. Then you should not have any problems.
Male LGD's range from 27-32 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 160 pounds. Females are a bit smaller but are still giant-sized dogs. The breed is always white but may have tan or badger gray markings, especially on the head. These spots usually fade to a near white. My pups may or may not have short hair from the Akbash, may or may not have double dew claws of the Great Pyrenees. Some of Ziva's litter mates have been very big and long bodied of Akbash.
Behavior
some of the behaviors that i have watched and learned to appreciate.
I am still learning their pack behavior, I enjoy being outside watching them. When Sophie and Bandit were here, Sophie was the perimeter dog and Bandit would stay behind with the goats, but if something would cross her boundary she would bark in a certain way and Bandit would dart out of here like an arrow to offer her help. sometimes they would come home covered in blood others not. She would religiously check the boundary many times a day. My Current female is also the current perimeter dog. She still checks the boundaries but chooses to stay closer to home. Nanqu is pretty much stuck to the goats with glue, he rarely ever leaves them except to eat. I am planning to add another female to the mix. not real sure where she will fit but I'm sure there will be a post for her. UPDATE...the new female fits perfectly
When the first pair were here I noticed that Bandit was the first to eat, then Sophie, Bandit was agressive towards his pups at the dinner plate, they each learned to sit and wait to eat when he was finished.. Bandit received a skull injury when his father turned on him over a meal and i honestly think this caused some un acceptable behavior making him a bit aggressive, and i could not keep him from killing cats ..so.. I didn't want to part with Sophie but the new owners wanted her to go with Bandit and he now has a home in Colorado
My current male has impeccable manners , he is a joy to be around and breath taking to watch as he protects his herd out in the open. In this pair it is Ziva that eats first while Nanqu lays down and waits until she is done. He is kind to all of the animals, it hurts his feelings to hear the word no, it doesn't even have to be directed to him. If he hears NO he retreats what ever he was doing eating, playing etc. He is a kind soul. Because my dogs guard a homestead, I allow them to great company. And I encourage them to be well behaved with people. I can not imagine life with out these dogs and do what I do (raising Nigerian Dwarf Goats)
I am still learning their pack behavior, I enjoy being outside watching them. When Sophie and Bandit were here, Sophie was the perimeter dog and Bandit would stay behind with the goats, but if something would cross her boundary she would bark in a certain way and Bandit would dart out of here like an arrow to offer her help. sometimes they would come home covered in blood others not. She would religiously check the boundary many times a day. My Current female is also the current perimeter dog. She still checks the boundaries but chooses to stay closer to home. Nanqu is pretty much stuck to the goats with glue, he rarely ever leaves them except to eat. I am planning to add another female to the mix. not real sure where she will fit but I'm sure there will be a post for her. UPDATE...the new female fits perfectly
When the first pair were here I noticed that Bandit was the first to eat, then Sophie, Bandit was agressive towards his pups at the dinner plate, they each learned to sit and wait to eat when he was finished.. Bandit received a skull injury when his father turned on him over a meal and i honestly think this caused some un acceptable behavior making him a bit aggressive, and i could not keep him from killing cats ..so.. I didn't want to part with Sophie but the new owners wanted her to go with Bandit and he now has a home in Colorado
My current male has impeccable manners , he is a joy to be around and breath taking to watch as he protects his herd out in the open. In this pair it is Ziva that eats first while Nanqu lays down and waits until she is done. He is kind to all of the animals, it hurts his feelings to hear the word no, it doesn't even have to be directed to him. If he hears NO he retreats what ever he was doing eating, playing etc. He is a kind soul. Because my dogs guard a homestead, I allow them to great company. And I encourage them to be well behaved with people. I can not imagine life with out these dogs and do what I do (raising Nigerian Dwarf Goats)
Slide Show .. Below
Kelsy Lentz
"We have one of Cordula s pups that was born 2 years ago. Highly reccomend her pups. Great protectors and very gentle!"
"We have one of Cordula s pups that was born 2 years ago. Highly reccomend her pups. Great protectors and very gentle!"
Debi Roberts
"Trust me all, you want dogs from Cordula Schmidt.
Excellent guardians.💞"
"Trust me all, you want dogs from Cordula Schmidt.
Excellent guardians.💞"