[Jacob-list] herding dogs

[Mary Hansson]

Cate,
 
I work with the rescue program here in the Carolinas and take dogs that have come from all sorts of situations that are thought potential "working" dogs to test them out.  So far in the 6 months I have been doing this work, we have placed 2 dogs, and rejected 2-3 more.  I currently have one that we expect to be a super guardian dog---and he is just a year of age.  He is VERY YOUNG to be so mature!
 
I have owned Great Pyrs for much of the time I have had sheep.  My personal opinion is that if you have 1 sheep, you don't have too few sheep for a good guardian dog.  Domestic dogs are our biggest problem where I am located.  Coyotes and bear in other places.....
 
As Kate has warned, the dogs go through a hellish period of time during their "teen" period.  We have adopted one that is learning in the ram group----and she is finally getting to the point I can trust her SOME DAYS in with the rams.  She is going to be 2 years old this fall and has improved tremendously since I got her at 13 months.  Most of the time, she gets to run off steam and play with our other dogs and snooze in her palacial doghouse.

Many of these dogs don't get finished with their teen period until they are a full 2 years of age.
 
Dogs go to rescue programs for any number of reasons.  Here in the Carolinas we seem to have bright people.  One dog was chained out as a training dog for pit bulls----they train pit bulls to kill dogs by chaining up relatively non-aggressive dogs and baiting the pit bulls with them.....KIND.  There is 1 dog that is 11 months old in rescue right now----had pups and was dumped at the shelter.  I have had one here that was raised in a puppy mill for the first 10-11 months of his life in a dog crate where he ate, pooped, peed, etc.....he lives in luxury now guarding sheep, chickens, and a single woman.
 
In short, the chance at a RESCUE OF 4 MONTHS OF AGE being an animal you can just turn in with your sheep is just about nill.  If you are willing to work with him/her, get spayed/neutered immediately, and learn about the quirks of these dogs, then go for it.  Nothing is better than a good Pyr............
 
There are a couple great websites for livestock protection dogs.  Catherine De La Cruz is the nation's expert on Great Pyrs and between her two websites and the one done by Beverly Coate in OK, you should find more information than you will process in a day's reading.  Find the sites, bookmark them, and keep going back.  
 
Gather a network of people that know something about the dogs and talk to them when you are having problems.  Every shepherd has a slightly different style when working with the challenges that arise.  Some are downright cruel and others are truly savy.
 
Mary Ellen



Mary Ellen Hansson, MEd, RD, LDN
ISeeSpots Farm
Jacob Sheep:  Lambs, adults, wool
www.iseespots.com
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