Anatolian Pyrenees puppy

[Nicci0110]

You have the choice of telling the owners that you will come back when the puppy is 12 weeks old. Bring a collar for the one you want, if you have chosen one. These large breeds are known for having large litters. They aren't easy to find homes for.

Maybe not where you are but I just placed a deposit on the only male. She wanted me to take him that day and I told them I couldn't. They told me I could wait one additional week

 

[BuffNumber14]

I used to show Shelties for a breeder. I LOVE their intelligence! My horse would let my Sheltie trot alongside him but never my large breed dogs. Horses know the difference between skilled herding dogs and goof balls. I've never had a Sheltie around chickens, good to know your experience!

My sheltie similarly is great with the chickens once they are bigger than chick stage (where he does want to play with them and needs to be discouraged).

He and the rooster scan the skies very effectively for predators and the sheltie can spot an eagle, hawk or falcon at a phenomenal distance and gives a different, urgent bark, head pointed exactly at the predator.

I have a command and reward for him, "GOOD EAGLE!" and it reinforces that instinct.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

My Sheltie, Sammy, was barking at the back door today like a crazy man but did not go out. It's his "Timmy's in the well" bark where he wants to alert me that something's going on outside that needs my attention. When I looked I saw three or four dogs harassing a bull in the neighbor's pasture. All three of my dogs were at my feet so I locked them up then ran out to yell at the dogs. They paid me no heed but then the cattleman's helper drove up and the dogs scattered. I can only imagine what might have happened if he had not arrived when he did. But ... good Sammy! He does make a good alert dog.

 

[BuffNumber14]

My Sheltie, Sammie, was barking at the back door today like a crazy man but did not go out. It's his "Timmy's in the well" bark where he wants to alert me that something's going on outside that needs my attention. When I looked I saw three or four dogs harassing a bull in the neighbor's pasture. All three of my dogs were at my feet so I locked them up then ran out to yell at the dogs. They paid me no heed but then the cattleman's helper drove up and the dogs scattered. I can only imagine what might have happened if he had not arrived when he did. But ... good Sammy! He does make a good alert dog.

Good boy Sammie! I'm beginning to think that shelties are natural guardian dogs in fact.

Copper says hello and keep up the good work.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Good boy Sammie! I'm beginning to think that shelties are natural guardian dogs in fact.

Copper says hello and keep up the good work.

Well I'm a little prejudiced. But they can certainly sleep in the house at night when the chickens are locked up in the coop and be a pet as well as a guardian. And they don't roam like some of the giant breeds. You still have the hair and grooming, though, but not as much. Their biggest drawback is the barking, tbh.

 

[AL-Lisa]

I'm considering this breed for chicken protection. They are 8 weeks and raised with chickens and goats. Do I start this tiny puppy outside or kepe it inside until older? What's best? Any suggestions?

I have chickens, Guinea and Heritage Turkey and have had/do have both GP and Anatolian. I love these breeds. I've not had them as a mixed breed but suspect they compliment each other. Both breeds are wonderful dogs but do get large and both love to roam. I've never had either of them harm my flock nor ever found them dangerous or aggressive to people in the least. I have had Male Turkey attack a dog during breeding season. Barking at night, especially as adults is something you have to accept as normal for both breeds. Its what they do.

As puppies they will want to play and chew and your flock could be squeaky toys if the puppy is board. Their Mom teaches them to NOT do this. The puppy needs to bond with you and the flock, something else the Moms usually teach. You will have to fill that roll, which is a time consuming task. You cant skimp on it. Use a kennel in the coop for the puppy at night. It will facilitate the bonding with the birds. Keep the dog with you during the day AND you supervise it with the chickens, teaching it what is okay and what is not. Provide and teach it what chew toys are okay. Give those toys in kennel. This will take weeks but is worth it.

If you don't have fences, make sure you put a tracker on your dog. I use FI and LOVE it! Worth every penny! Satellite tracking helps in rural areas where internet is a problem. I think all dogs should be chipped. Its not expensive. I do both.

 

[Nicci0110]

I have chickens, Guinea and Heritage Turkey and have had/do have both GP and Anatolian. I love these breeds. I've not had them as a mixed breed but suspect they compliment each other. Both breeds are wonderful dogs but do get large and both love to roam. I've never had either of them harm my flock nor ever found them dangerous or aggressive to people in the least. I have had Male Turkey attack a dog during breeding season. Barking at night, especially as adults is something you have to accept as normal for both breeds. Its what they do.

As puppies they will want to play and chew and your flock could be squeaky toys if the puppy is board. Their Mom teaches them to NOT do this. The puppy needs to bond with you and the flock, something else the Moms usually teach. You will have to fill that roll, which is a time consuming task. You cant skimp on it. Use a kennel in the coop for the puppy at night. It will facilitate the bonding with the birds. Keep the dog with you during the day AND you supervise it with the chickens, teaching it what is okay and what is not. Provide and teach it what chew toys are okay. Give those toys in kennel. This will take weeks but is worth it.

If you don't have fences, make sure you put a tracker on your dog. I use FI and LOVE it! Worth every penny! Satellite tracking helps in rural areas where internet is a problem. I think all dogs should be chipped. Its not expensive. I do both.

Omg your post was so helpful! Everyone has been so negative. I planned to keep him inside at first since I work full time. I planned to take him outside with the chickens every day after work for an hour or so. Sitting with him and the chickens. He was great at his breeders home in leaving the chickens guinea goats and turkey alone. He seems to be a lazy little thing. Very floppy and sweet. Very mild mannered also. He is the only male left after the owner decided to keep the other male. He is who I would have chosen anyway. He is the biggest in the litter as well. Dad is anatolian and mom is pyrenees. I hope he picks some manners up from my elderly beagle who is the absolute best behaved dog I've ever owned. Let's the chickens lay on her bed with her when one is inside for injury. I also have parrots who she is amazing with. She is a beagle with zero prey drive. Very lazy. Doesn't bark at all. So I think some inside time with her will be great. I'm having him chipped a week after I bring him home. I already scheduled the appointment. I'm going to check out the GPS you suggested also now.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Good luck with him! Keep us posted on his progress, and - pictures will be awesome!

 

[aart]

Everyone has been so negative.

Don't take it too hard. Most folks here don't understand LGD's and just want to talk about their dogs. Sometimes you've just gotta scroll past the flotsam.

 

[BuffNumber14]

Well I'm a little prejudiced. But they can certainly sleep in the house at night when the chickens are locked up in the coop and be a pet as well as a guardian. And they don't roam like some of the giant breeds. You still have the hair and grooming, though, but not as much. Their biggest drawback is the barking, tbh.

View attachment 4044690

What a beauty! Here is Copper with Titan the rooster and some of the hens: