Colorado

[P-Funk]

Although I spent a summer working @ a kennel in Boulder and have been around dogs my entire life, I'm not familiar with Norwegian Elkhounds. I'll have to look that up. If they have a taste for foxes I'd be all over it. Send me a post, Thanks, Preston.

 

[pogo0685]

If you want a german shepherd thats a good choice, they use them as Guide dogs and they are awesome dogs and very very smart, but I think there are much better dogs for the job of protecting the ranch. I myself would use a well trained pitbull (I have 2 1/2 of them and I love this breed, if trained well and treated with respect IMO you will never find a better dog), most people however would not like my first choice so my second choice would be any of the livestock guardian dogs, I think at least 9 families around my house have these dogs of one breed or the next, they are used to protect sheep, goats, chickens, kids, I see them out with the horses and cows, they seem to be everywhere out here...

 

[wsmith]

Norwegian Elkhounds are one of the oldest Nordic breeds. They have been used in Scandinavia for thousands of years for many purposes, including hunting of moose (Elg in Norwegian; ElgHund means 'Moose-dog'), deer and bear, and as general purpose farm dogs. They are natural herders and great watchdogs, but not that great when it comes to guarding... just give them a treat and you are their buddy. Mine HATE coyotes, and also hate the neighbor's cat who sits at the end of the drive and taunts them. They are always on the lookout for rabbits and prairie dogs. We don't know how they are around chickens, but we had one while I was growing up and he did fine around chickens. He knew better than to chase them. Once they know how other animals fit in to the "pack" and they know their own place, things generally go fine. I am looking forward to getting the chickens next year and introducing the dogs. Hilde, our intact 4 year old female will be fine I think. The other spayed female, Tyra, is a little on the flighty side (a puppy mill rescue); sweet but goofy and somewhat ADHD. They are medium build dogs maturing at about 40-50 lbs, varying shades of grey fur and a tail that curls over the back. I don't think there's anything cuter than a Norwegian Elkhound puppy.

The only registered breeder near us willing to provide a male wants about $800.00 for stud fees.

 

[corancher]

I don't think there's anything cuter than a Norwegian Elkhound puppy.


How about these Great Pyrenees puppies. We have two Great Pyrenees livestock guardians. They do a wonderful job.

 

[Vitesse304]

Quote:
$800 isn't unreasonable for stud fees, considering you would probably be selling the litter at $500-$1000 per puppy.
Maybe offer him pick of the litter.

 

[P-Funk]

My favorites have always been Laboradors. Not the brightest in the world but very sweet. Whatever dog was to move in would have to behave around the Budgies that fly around the house all day. There are also saddlebreds, cats, and of course chickens running around. The GP looks like a beautiful dog. Thanks Pogo and WS for the info. If you know of anyone who would like to give their LGD a wonderful home please keep in contact. Thanks again.

 

[Vitesse304]

Quote:
Sorry, but I think you are looking for 2 different things...

1. A Livestock Guardian Dog or LGD. These dogs are meant to live outside with your goats, sheep, or livestock. They bond with the herd and will protect them. They don't come inside, nor do they make "good" pets because they have a job.

2. A German Sheperd is a companion animal, not to say it wouldn't make a good LGD, but generally they are single owner dogs, bonding with one person in the family.

Also, LGD's aren't cheap. Good ones with pedigree can be anywhere from $500 to $800, and you can't treat it like any other puppy that you would get. It needs to stay outside and bond with the animals, not you...
Pyrenees seem to be the most popular, and you can usually find someone retiring theirs after liquidating or downsizing their herds.

Just remember that a companion animal won't make the best LGD and vice versa!

 

[wsmith]

Quote:
pyrs are awesome and very cute as puppies, but those little grey/black fur balls that cock their heads to the side are too much!

This was Hilde as a puppy...

This is Hilde and Tyra now

HIlde is the one with the rattlesnake bite scar above her left eye.

 

[P-Funk]

That's the cutest dog in the world! If her puppies would protect my birds, well, $ isn't an issue.

 

[corancher]

Oh, they are adorable.

Vitesse304

It seems you may have some of your information on livestock guardians from the old school way of thinking. Our Pyrenees are very happy to be pets as well as guards for the livestock. Ours are house trained and come in the house if they desire. They prefer to be out most of the time, however it is not uncommon to have one or the other sleeping on the kitchen floor during the day hours. When night fall comes then they are on their jobs and will only be in when we insist because the weather is just too nasty for them to be out. These dogs are friendly greeters of visitors and adore children.

I do believe and know from my own experience that you can have LDG that can guard livestock and also be wonderful and loving pets. I wouldn't have it any other way.