LGD Breeds

So after we lost gunner- hubby was like no more LGD dogs. I think it was really hard on him. It has been really hard these past couple of months.. Between the coyotes and sadie in her depression and then loosing bandit..

Today before work.. we were in the yard and talking about Bandit. I said to him- that drake can go anytime- he is running out of lives.. or he can be around forever- we just never know what road life leads us down.

I said the herd is without protection right now... we have them all together to protect each other.. The neighbors just lost 2 full grown calves to coyotes this week......

Since gunner's passing we have had a lot of offers.. mostly from breeders who want to use me...heck I even had a show breeder beg me to take one of her adults so she can pass them off as working dogs..

Sadie lost her drive with gunners death.. today proved where her postion lies within our family. We let the goats out in the pasture today.. in the past sadie would stay with the herd... She didn't care.. She cleared 6 ft fence and followed the kids around.. Whereever the kids were.. sadie was there.. she ran after their jeep everything.. I looked at hubby and said look.. she lost her LGD drive.. but her heart is not with the herd- it is with those kids. She even followed them in the house.. LMFAO.. not a usual thing.. jumped on the couch and kind of said.. I am home.

He finally agreed.. Drake is not getting any younger and the truth be told.. 2 coyotes would take him out.. Sadie is a brick shit house.. she has a good aggression.. and we need her as a yard dog.. Her and drake get along.. she seems to get along with Bosco......

We have 2 major holes in our life right now. Gunner filled a huge hole- when he was around I had no worries.. now... I worry all the time about the goats and the duck.. not so much about the horses cause honeky is with them..

So he said we need another LGD dog.. all he said to me is 2 things.. we are not getting another PYR.. and we sure the hell aint getting one from alberta or saskatchewan.. we will go home and get a dog. GUnners death hit him really hard.. when we hund bandits collar on the tree, he had tears in his eyes.. gunner was his dog.. It has been an awful time at our place. We are used to loosing animals ( not that it is a good thing) but most people don't understand.. the hole they both left was huge.. not in our hearts but even our security out here has been breached.

LIke I said Bandit wasn't a guard dog- but he was my ears and eyes when I was sleeping.. He would bark his head off.. if the kids were up.. He would bark his head off.. if the dogs were barking outside.. Heck he would even growl if something bad was happening. and now my house is quiet.. it is odd.. we have so many furballs but the silence is maddening.

Gunner well you all know what he meant to this fur family...

So off I go to research a breeds.. I want a pyr- love the breed- love the personality- Hubby just can 't seem to want another one.... some people say we are crazy.. we aren't replacing the void.. nothing will take their places... but our security needs to be kept. I want to be able to let my kids play outside and not have to worry.. so Sadie will fill that roll.. nicely.. but we are still missing something... so who knows.....

Look into the caucasian ovchark

There is a guy in the states who breeds working dogs, brad anderson, he has a blog if you google him.

Sorry about all your bad luck mini

I had to google caucasion ovcharka man that's a big mean looking dog. Looks like a newf in size but marked like a shepherd

I like the Kuvaz Mini

See I can't pull myself away from the pyr breed.. Love them.. Love them..

However, I do find one breed that is interesting... to say the least..

It is an odd ball kind of dog.. looks funny.. so I think it may be a perfect fit..with our odd ball type of herd

Komondor

http://2000dogs.com/komondor.htm

who knows though.. we are not in a rush with this one.. however,,,, my heart still goes back to the pyr... they are ever so gentle with all

jamn53 wrote:

I had to google caucasion ovcharka man that's a big mean looking dog. Looks like a newf in size but marked like a shepherd

The good thing about ovcharka are that they are not a "show" breed so they are very even in temperament, they like to guard and they are good at it. They are also very weather tolerant.

The komondor looks neat to though, I don't know much about them.

I know I read somewhere a lot of negative things about the komador and their hair,just can't remember what all it said,but do know it said something about it getting wet and because of the way it was curled it didn't dry out for days and smelled really bad

I like this one.

Tibetan Mastiff

awesome yorkie.. keep it up guys..

My heart is still with a PYR.. but for the good of this place.. we need a good LGD dog... so if you can find a breed that will match what we are looking for

Has to get along with other dogs.. low prey drive for their herd.. good with kids.. easy to train and maintain.. ( however most LGD breeds are hard to train- not too worried about this point)

Need a dog that is good for winters.. and good with goats, duck, horses ect.. need a breed that doesn't think as far as they can see it is their herd like a pyr.. need a breed that will stick around home.. Pyrs tend to patrol every where.. lol

Maramas wander too far as they believe their territory is 3 1/4 sections,we had a kuvaz and I loved his gentleness with the mini horses and donkeys and because we only had 10 acres he did roam over to the other farm,but they loved it,they had goats,sheep and horses and cows,he never did more than watch over them

Mini, when I lost my previous dog, I swore I would never get a Golden Lab or Golden Lab / GSD mix. It was just too hard on me. I didn't get another dog after his passing for 9 years, and now I have this big goofy playful girl. I totally understand how your hubby feels. But in time or even with a new Pyr puppy, it will help the grieving process. Not replace just help in the healing process.

Since this new dog is going to be a working dog, I know that it's hard to raise more than one puppy at the same time. This is just a suggestion, you may want to look into getting two new puppies (male and female), then add a new LSG breed puppy to the pack in 2 to 3 years, then another in another 2 years after that. This way there will always be enough LSG dogs to protect the animals on your animals and the kids when they are outside playing.

I do love the look of the caucasian ovchark

I found this description for them

Caucasian Shepherds are typically assertive, brave, alert, strong, hardy and courageous to a fault. They are truly second to none in their bellicosity towards strangers. Unless properly socialised, they may exhibit unmanageable tendencies. They seldom have time for strangers (but will greet family friends warmly) and have extremely powerful guarding instincts. Everything and everyone who belongs to the family, including children, cats, other dogs, etc. will be regarded by this dog as part of its family and as such will fall under its guardianship. Owing to their size and nature these dogs should not be left alone with children. Aggression and dominance toward unknown dogs should be expected unless the animal has been extensively socialised at a young age and even then some unwanted behaviours may occur. This dog breed requires an owner who knows how to display strong, calm and balanced leadership and one who is willing to spend a lot of time ensuring the development of a well-balanced animal.

Bernermom wrote:

This dog breed requires an owner who knows how to display strong, calm and balanced leadership

Sorry, but this just hit me the wrong way...........visions of Mini doing her best Rambo impersonation, running rampant over fences,through pastures and trees, blasting away at coyotes.

Some fine example of strong, calm and balanced!!! :lol:

(OK, maybe 'strong')

rottnmom wrote:

Bernermom wrote:

This dog breed requires an owner who knows how to display strong, calm and balanced leadership

Sorry, but this just hit me the wrong way...........visions of Mini doing her best Rambo impersonation, running rampant over fences,through pastures and trees, blasting away at coyotes.

Some fine example of strong, calm and balanced!!! :lol:

(OK, maybe 'strong')

No offense to anyone on here who may own a caucasian ovchark, but I like the look of the Pyr 1000% more.

+1

Mini, what about a Pyrenean Mastiff?

http://www.pyreneanmastiff.org/pyreneanmastiff.org/index2.html

Its not about look but function and CO's are amazing working dogs.

I actually love the look of the CO

Bernermom wrote:

I actually love the look of the CO

me too lol

They are originally LGD's (russian) but they have also been used historically as war dogs, and they do well in protection sports like SchH. Really nice adaptable dogs.

I like these dogs... Tornjak dogs

Tornjak has a calm temperament. A typical adult Tornjak is very calm, peaceful, on first sight an indifferent animal, but when the situation demands it, it is a vigilant, a very alert watchdog. The character of Tornjak is equal to the temperament, they are not nervous and not aggressive in general, they are very tough, not demanding, and sturdy dogs. With their human family they are very emotional. When the Tornjak live in a pack they are highly social animals, and there is not any fighting between pack members. Toward strangers or other animals, as a rule, Tornjak is not emphasized aggressive. But when the situation calls upon it, Tornjak acts very determined and it can without consideration attack much stronger rivals. Shepherds used to say that a Tornjak who guards the flock is a fair match to two wolves, and a couple will encounter and chase away a bear without any undue respect. In these situations Tornjaks are very persistent.

This sounds perfect for your family and your needs Mini.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonberger