[Jacob-list] guard dogs/family dogs

[Robert May]

THREE YEARS AGO WE PURCHASED A 50-50 AKBASH/MEREMA
FEMALE PUPPY FROM A BREEDER IN NC.  HER NAME IS ABBY.
WE PURCHASED HER WHILE ATTENDING THE MD SHEEP & WOOL
FESTIVAL. ABBY'S BEEN WITH OUR FLOCK SINCE WE BROUGHT
HER HOME.  SHE NOW WEIGHS +/- 110 LBS--A BIG WHITE
DOG, BUT SOMEHOW MANAGES TO KEEP HERSELF "CLEAN".

ABBY KNOWS THAT HER "JOB" IS TO GUARD THE FLOCK, BUT
SHE HAS A WONDERFUL DISPOSITION WITH OUR FAMILY,
INCLUDING GRANDAUGHTERS AGES 5 AND 3.

ABBY IS AGGRESSIVE IF OTHER DOGS COME ON OUR PROPERTY,
BUT NOT SO WITH "HUMANS".

SHE'S BEEN AN ABSOLUTE JOY.

REGARDS,
BOB MAY
SWAYZE INN FARM
HOPE, NJ

--- SKimbro <sheri at eldoradohoney.com> wrote:

> Hi all,
> 
> This time I'd like to start a discussion about dogs.
>  We are getting a dog but haven't yet decided what
> breed best fits our needs.  I thought I'd poll the
> group and see what you guys have, what has worked
> with you and what hasn't.  
> 
> Let me tell you what I have and what I need/want and
> then let your suggestions fly.  I have 2 boys, 10
> and 8, so young but not little.  We have llamas,
> sheep, goats, chickens and cats.  (Retrievers are
> out, we figured they'd bring us a chicken on the
> door step daily,,,no thanks.)  We've read really
> good things about the Pyrenees and Anatolians.  But
> we also are considering a German Shepard because we
> are familiar with the breed and know what to expect.
>  We've also read about the Swiss Mountain dogs
> "Swissy's",,,,,those sound alot like the other to
> breeds (pyrs and AS).  We want a dog that will guard
> but will also be a family pet.  Is that a realistic
> expectation?
> 
> Any thoughts would be great.
> 
> Sheri Kimbro
> Ranch Abella
> Shingle Springs, CA>
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