How do I train a Great Pyrenees to guard my
animals?
You
don't. They either have the instinct or they don't. Your goal
is to give them the proper environment for their instinct to
work. That is why you will hear breeders say "Make sure you
get a pup from a breeder who has the working parents." Working
dogs aren't on the front porch, they are with the
livestock.
[ Back To Top ]
How much do they
eat?
Not as much
as you think. We have 5 dogs on full feed. They eat when they
want. They will go through about 75# to 100# per
month.
[ Back To Top ]
Are your dogs
registered?
Yes, they are registered with the AKC and carry some of the finest pedigrees
in the country. That doesn't make them a better guard dog. However, they
do look like Great Pyrenees and have the right breed characteristics as
well as great instinct! Don't settle for less.
[ Back To Top ]
Where are you
located?
A few
miles south of Lexington, Kentucky.
[ Back To Top ]
Is there a difference
in the personalities between a male &
female.
Not
much. The females seem to bark a little more to me. As far as
a guardian goes I think both work well. I will also say I
think the best guardians are spayed/neutered. The reason I
make that statement is they are available 365 days a year. If
you have to deal with heat cycles you are going to loose the
use of them for about 3 or 4 weeks. By the way, if your
neighbor's dog comes in heat, your male may go for a
visit!
[ Back To Top ]
Do they get along
with other animals including cats?
They do as long as they are raised
together. I have sold dogs to people who have used them with
sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, alpacas, swans, chickens and they
have worked out well. Just don't put them with a ground hog.
They hate them.
[ Back To Top ]
Will a rescued dog
work as a livestock guardian?
It depends if it was raised with people or
livestock. If it was raised with people, chances are it has
bonded to humans. Bonding is the key to these dogs. Much of
that takes place in the first 16 weeks of life. I'm not saying
a rescued dog won't make a great pet but your odds are not
very high as a livestock guardian.
[ Back To Top ]
How long does it take
for them to become a guardian?
I see their instinct kick in at about 10 -
14 months of age. However, I don't consider them a guardian
until they are around 2 years old.
[ Back To Top ]
How much does a puppy
cost?
Ours are $500 for guardians and pets. These are sold with limited registration
and on a spa/neuter contract. Breeding dogs with full registration for
$1000.
This includes an Avid chip and Avid registration, as well as a health guarantee
for one year provided the dog has been fed properly and been
vaccinated by a veterinarian as recommended in your area. We also guarantee
the dog to work with livestock as long as they are provided the right
environment. We provide ongoing support to help with any issues that may
arise. We also guarantee the dog not to have hip problems from genetics
defects.
When weighing the cost, think about how much your best livestock is worth because Murphy's law says that they are the ones that will be attacked by predators. Also remember you normally get what you pay for.
[ Back To Top ]
|
