Great Pyrenees, Property listed as Ag, and "city" neighbors

[CelticOaksFarm]

Hi Erin,

My pups (pictured in my avatar) are Great Pyrenees and wouldntbtrade them for world. They need a fence though or they will wonder. Just their nature to patrol and no fence leads to a large area. I hope you don't have these same issues when you move.

 

[Bubbles_erin]

Quote:
Good to know. I am not sure if I can convince my hubby, he is not a big dog person and we do not want any indoor animals. And I know part of the land is still unfenced, but hopefully we will put up some more fencing when we move as we have little kids and would like to make sure they do not get into the creek that is right behind our future house. The house needs a lot of work, being 100 yr old house, but we are excited about the country and the difference it will make. We live right now next to dogs that bark constantly, so I understand the annoyance (they have 3 and like I said bark non-stop sometimes, and we are close), but it sounds like yours bark when necesary, nothing wrong with that. I personally, would like the peace of mind your dogs (and other LGDs) would bring, knowing that predators are less likely to come around. Some people just dont get it I guess...The most noise I hear when we are working on the house, are the cows and roosters, and I actually love to hear it. Doesn't bother me in the slightest. I hope I am a good city transplant

My hubby is from Mexico, so he is used to the more rural lifestyle...but wanting to move the country was my idea...and then this house came along...for half the rent

.....and it has land.....and did I mention half the rent

...just a perfect God send

hoping we move before our May rent is due here at our current house

have to get the house done, the coop, goats will need a place....etc....a lot to do...oh and the garden....busy busy....

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

The difference here is MY dogs are not pets, they are working dogs doing a job they were bred for. Not some random lab, chow, what ever breed staying out barking all night.

This is usual and customary farm practices, and listed as such by the USDA. It is my right to protect my farm animals in this manner per Right to Farm act. Everything here is Ag land, nothing residential. The neighbors letting their dogs run loose is against current laws, even for our zoning.

If we were not a farm we couldn't leave a dog outside to bark the night away. My dogs only bark when they believe there to be a threat. This includes four and two legged predators/trespassers/trouble makers.

Please concider reading up on the duties of an LGD before lumping then up with the barking fluffy and fido.

Quote:

 

[tnchickenut]

GP are great dogs, but it is in their nature to lightly "woof" all night. It's also best for their mental state to live outdoors 100% of the time with their livestock... so tell your hubby they won't be indoors. lol. They are more interested in staying with the chickens, goats, ect ect than watching TV with you.

Also, yes, they need a fence. Never seen a GP without one because they will attack ANY threat to their livestock... which includes humans. The only time I was scared of a dog was a GP. I was working for the Census and HAD to go up to the door of the place. The owner wasn't home, but two GPs came running from the goat field and climbed the fence and jumped into my window of my car. I rolled the window up a bit and tried to get out of there. If I was out of the car... I would have been bit. And for the record, I wouldn't sue or call the law if I did.... I understand that the dog was doing it's job. I just was trying to do mine.

Point is, the neighbor shouldn't be throwing stones in a glass house. Yes, they are two different issues but one hand washes the other. People who complain about things should follow the rules to a "t" and letting your dog run is bad form. And if you have the legal right to own a GP and it is contained to your yard... then they can get used to the "woofing". I got a dog breeder for a neighbor and another dog hoarder even closer. On any given night I can hear about 200 dogs barking... plus my own 3 that I got barking back. I don't complain... they are dogs. The don't know you are sleeping. They know something that shouldn't be there is there... and thank God they tell you. I can't tell you how many times the neighbors dog told me to get up and look that something wasn't out there at my chickens.

And I know it is different in CA... but around here you don't have to register your dog... I don't think I know of one person who does... except breeders maybe. Also, if I took my neighbors dog after trapping it to the pound... the pound would most likely fine ME and give it back to the neighbor. They don't appricate being drug into neighborhood wars when they have real strays and mistreated animals to worry about.

Now, you could chain it and make them come get it... after a few times of that they may keep it contained.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

We have to get year license for dogs and cats. All four cats both GP and our house dogs all have them. We treat for fleas and do heart worm preventative as well as vaccinate. not one of our animals runs loose ever. No need for it.

 

[lizardz]

The difference here is MY dogs are not pets, they are working dogs doing a job they were bred for. Not some random lab, chow, what ever breed staying out barking all night.

This is usual and customary farm practices, and listed as such by the USDA. It is my right to protect my farm animals in this manner per Right to Farm act. Everything here is Ag land, nothing residential. The neighbors letting their dogs run loose is against current laws, even for our zoning.

If we were not a farm we couldn't leave a dog outside to bark the night away. My dogs only bark when they believe there to be a threat. This includes four and two legged predators/trespassers/trouble makers.

Please concider reading up on the duties of an LGD before lumping then up with the barking fluffy and fido.

I understand your dogs are working dogs - however, they were originally bred to be used for large flocks/herds who were pastured on large plots of land/free ranged, not for a few acres with people in close proximity. We, unfortunately, have several people around here that think that because they have 5 acres and two goats, that they need a LGD or two. If you have a large plot of land and numerous animals to protect, I have no problem. It just seems that LGDs have suddenly become the "it" dog for everyone to have if they have the smallest piece of land.​

 

[lizardz]

Also meant to say that I do not support the neighbors allowing their dogs to run loose - it is totally irresponsible both for the sake of the neighbors and their livestock/property and for the sake of the dogs.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Our land is split by a sand road, I can see it from my kitchen, but it is still on the other side of the road. Thus the dogs to stay with the herd when they move to the far pasture. We have 4 goats, with 4 more coming this spring and 2-4 more in fall. We have problems with bobcats, panthers, fox, hawks, coons (and all the other small pests) as well as boar and coyote. Our girl preferrs to stay in the near field closer to the coop and our male will go sit at the farthest back corner he can find.

Our shelters are mostly open air because of the temps and humidity here so no true way to lock everyone up behind doors. We do have a weaning stall for the youngest goats, but it would not do for the older/larger. Again our right to not build a barn so large that we loose field space. Plus with hurricane risks open air works better.

 

[BigDaddy'sGurl]

FL chickens, you do not need to justify owning these dogs, in my opinion. No offense, Lizardz, but if someone lives in an area where they have the multitude of predators that this person obviously has but only owns even just one chicken, it is their right and a good choice to own an LGD. Goats and chickens ARE livestock. GPs are livestock guardian dogs. It doesn't matter if she has one acre or a hundred. Dogs, especially intelligent ones like GPs are highly adaptable to changing conditions, and so long as they have lots of exercise they do well wherever they are. Her dogs are doing what they are supposed to be doing and the area she lives in is zoned agricultural, not residential so her dogs are by rights the protectors of her livestock. Also it sounds like she makes money on her animals...if my animals were a source of income then I too would do whatever it took to protect them...even purchase a couple of LGDs even if they barked once in a while at night. Again, just my opinion.

 

[terrilhb]

BigDaddy'sGurl

I agree