Quote:
Absolutely not true!
Yes, SOME breeders of LGD breeds do breed only for show, and the Great Pyrenees is the one LGD breed I can think of that has really started to be split into show vs. working lines. I have 2 Anatolian Shepherds, both are from a "show" breeder who is very concerned with preserving the correct working temperament of the ASD in addition to producing healthy dogs that meet the standard. She is very well known in the breed, and has done a great deal with importing foundation stock, starting the ASDCA, getting the breed AKC recognition, etc. She places dogs in working, show, and companion homes based on their temperament and what the puppy buyer is looking for. Both of my girls are successful working guardians and successful in the show ring, additionally, because they come from a long line of fully health tested lineage, I have much less worry about them developing hip dysplasia or any other health issues common to the breed.
My beef about breeders of strictly working dogs is that many of them don't health test and in large/giant breeds like the LGD breeds that is a recipe for disaster and huge vet bills down the road. My advice would be to either find a working breeder that health tests and can prove it (show you the OFA/PennHip certificates) or a show/working breeder that can also show you proof of health testing. You may pay a bit more for the pup, but in the long run, you're saving yourself a lot of vet bills and stress. A good breeder will be able to tell you what you can expect of your pup based on their parents and assessment of the pup's temperament.
With all that being said, poultry are probably the hardest livestock to train any LGD breed to bond to and guard because everything about them screams PREY! It is best to get a pup that has been started on poultry already and/or from a line of dogs that successfully work poultry. and it will take some supervision and training on your part. My girls were started on poultry as young adults and took to it pretty quickly, the only thing they really had to be taught was the birds were fragile and not play things. They have never intentionally tried to kill a bird and now are out 24/7 with them. From everything I've been told, the best LGD breed for guarding poultry is the Akbash, they have more of an instinct to protect the birds and are easier to train to bond with them. I can't speak from experience on that, but I've heard it from several poultry breeders that use LGD and from some Turkish friends I've made through the ASD community.
I am currently looking for a third ASD to bring in strictly as a working dog, but it will come from either the breeder of my current 2 girls or another breeder she has recommended that breeds for both show and working traits. There are several litters of Anatolian puppies on the ground right now and more on the way from reputable breeders of show and working dogs. If you're interested, you can contact me by PM for more info or go to the
ASDCA website.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a167/ChSkyeTerrier/Anatolians/rileyfirstpt.jpg
Sakarya's Light Up The Skyes "Riley", a show AND working dog (professionally handled by Brenda Lee Combs)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a...0245464736532_560731531_8738094_1240432_n.jpg
Sakarya's Get A Life "Sinsi", show AND working dog (you can see some of her chickens in the background and Riley is the lump behind her)
Amen Sister (female I am assuming)
Yes this is what I am looking for in a breeder. I live in farm country and the breeder I have bonded to works her dogs and shows them. One of my first questions was if she had her dogs health certified. Especially in the hip areas. Yes was her answer and she gave me the website of the OFCA? is that right, anyway the health certification site and the names of her dogs and told me to go look up all the certifications.
All the talk of how LGD do not listen and can not learn is contradictory to what my breeder has accomplished. She took 17 dogs to championship in one year. They listen in the ring so saying they cannot learn is puzzling to me. It takes the right person. I do not need my dogs to obey commands to please me but knowing the breeder does this and it is in the line I am looking at makes me more comfortable.
There is one thing I need to get straight about this purchase of these dogs before I decide on this breeder. I want to be able to breed them to get additional LGD for my homestead. She has a male she would like to breed the female I am looking at to. I think if I am purchasing this dog for a large sum of money I should only have to give her one pup (the pick of the litter) What is your opinon on this. I believe we will have co-ownership. If this is the case should I be paying a fee for the dog?
She sounds like a very good breeder. The co-ownership thing scares me though. Co-owning a dog with someone you don't know can be dangerous. I have heard horror stories like you would not believe!! Ask to see the contract that you will be required to sign. That's the only way you will know if you will be permitted to breed your dog. If she co-owns, she can refuse to sign the litter registration if she chooses to. She will probably require that you only breed after you have OFA certified your dog and possibly will require that the dog at least have points towards championship. No problem with those stipulations. But as the co-owner, she also might have the right to decide what stud you use every time you want to breed. This is all just speculation though. But do NOT enter into a co-ownership situation without seeing the contract and getting someone else to look at it to make sure it's fair to you.
Now regarding this breeding she wants to do. I don't think it's fair for her to get pick puppy. Normally if you hire a stud, the stud owner does not get first pick. They might get 2nd pick but not first. But again....this whole co-ownership thing could come into play. Just be careful what you agree to without someone else looking at it.