LGD breed discussion.

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Wolf-Kim

Wolf-Kim

Songster
11 Years
12 Years
Jan 25, 2008
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I know there are several breeds of LGDs. The more popular being Great Pyrenees, but there are also Maremmas, Anatolians, and some Mastiffs.

I would like to open a discussion about the different types of breeds, pros, cons, and pictures.

I am not currently in the market for LGDs, but that's not saying I won't be in the future.

Thanks!
 
MAREMMA SHEEPDOG:

This is a classic European flock-guarding dog, probably a close descendant of the great, white Eastern sheepdogs that slowly spread across Europe over 2,000 years ago. The Karabash and Akbash sheepdogs of Turkey, the Kuvac of Slovakia, the Kuvasz and Komondor of Hungary, and the Pyrenean Mountain Dog of France are all included in its blood. The ancestors of the Maremma evolved to become smaller than their fellow herd guardians while retaining the independence and aloofness of their heritage. Although it is now seen regularly in Great Britain, this breed is still rare in other countries outside Italy. It is strong-willed and not easy to obedience train, but makes a super guard. Its Country of origin is Italy.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/maremmasheepdog.htm


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What are the main differences between the Maremma and the Great Pyrenees, besides origin and task.

I just imagine that different breeds have different personalities and strategies. I may be wrong.

What made you choose Maremmas, instead of the other breeds?
 
Maremmas are just a little smaller, and have SLIGHTLY thinner coats.
The Pyrs I've seen around here really seem to suffer in our hot Summers

My first LGD was a 3/4 Maremma/ 1/4 Akbash cross .

His name is Bigfoot, and he weighs about 150 lbs
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As I got more sheep and needed more dogs, I decided to get registered animals to be sure of the ancestry.

Right now I have 6, including 2 that are just over 2 weeks old.
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I dont think the breeds vary a lot in how they do thier jobs, but the Pyrs have a reputation for wandering afar, and the Anatolians are considered more agressive.
Of course, each individual will be different even within the same breed
 
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Hey Kim, Take a road trip BFF is about 30 min from Richlands. and what 30 from Kinston? You can get a dog and they said they want to trade us a turkey for one of those fat sheep.
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Steve

I can't have another pup right now! Besides I don't have adequate fencing for a wanderer, heck, I don't even have livestock that need guarding yet! All we have is horses, chickens, rabbits, quail and dogs. The chickens, rabbits and quail are all penned up.

Funny you should mention it though, because someone just a couple roads away from us is selling Maremma pups and it's probably what inspired me to start this thread.

I'll have a couple of GSDs some day, just not yet. It will be after we move and have some livestock that need to be guarded.
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-Kim
 
Just 3 GSD that watch the kids and house for now.
Eventually they will have Chickens... and I will get into herding for fun at a place nearby.

But Man are there some other herders I would love to have!
Canaan, Mudi, Cão de Castro Laboreiro...

Most people that I run into when I take my dogs out only think police dog. But the German Shepherd Dog is so versatile. They can pull, herd, protect, companion, track/search. They have their genetic defaults as does any breed but with selective breeding they can be minimalized. Also finding what you want to do can help to narrow down a particular line. Shedding would be a con as they can shed pretty bad. Some are slow to mature so they take a dedicated owner to teach them.

My female is a melanistic stock coat.
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My boys are sable long coats.
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I ended up choosing a Pyr because:

1) Found to have the least number of aggression problems with people. I thought I saved the paper with those statistics, but presently I can't find it.
2) Great heavy coat to protect them from the cold.
3) Darn wonderful disposition
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Fluffy

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Jim
 
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