MARYLAND THREAD!

[Anna Lee]

Also when the time comes Dogs XL often has Great Pyrenees in need of homes.

 

[SunnySkies]

I'm sort of leanng to a Maremma, slightly smaller, perhaps not as barky, maybe not as inclined to try to roam as a GP. A friend has an Akbash and speaks highly of him, but they are quite large. One of my clients had a GP some years ago, delightful dog. Was not an LGD though and had failed as one, so she got him though a rescue. She said most of the GP rescues are full of failed LGDs, so I'm not sure about adopting and trying to retrain a rescue, kwim.

 

[Makendo]

I've had flock guardians all my life - 55 years. Maremma, Kuvasz, and Cuvac. The thing you have to do to be successful is raise them from a pup with the flock. If you raise them in the house, they will guard it and the people in it, but not the flock. It takes training! They bark at night to communicate with a partner as they have been deployed in pairs to guard flocks for centuries. But even a single dog will bark at night as part of declaring territory, and warning to sneaky critters.

 

[Anna Lee]

We may have just lucked out with ours, who is a Great Pyrenees Sheppard mix we got from Dogs XL as an adult, but she has been wonderful. All 3 of our dogs quickly caught on to the idea (as adults) that the chickens belong to us and should be protected just like they protect the house, yard, our disabled son, etc. I agree though that training a dog from a young age would be more likely to work.

 

[Maligator Love]

I think the Pyrenees have been messed with to much. They have been over bred to fit in to a breed standard. I would prefer a working dog from working lines if I were to get a GP. I was thinking about trying out a cane corso as a LGD. The only problem with cane corsos is they are not fit for the winter, so i will need to make accommodations. I have a pit and a malinois that are very good with the chickens but they can not stay out all night because they will chase the fox and abandon the flock. I am thinking of a maremma, slovak cuvac, anatolian or an akbash. My problem for these breeds is location. I have no idea were to get them and importing is expensive.

With a true LGD it is better to get a puppy and treat them just like the livestock. Most dogs if trained correctly can be guardians but still want human interaction. My pit will go sit with the chickens and curl up with the chicks but at the end of the day she wants to come inside and sit on the couch with her shoes. I know a GP breeder in Georgia that has minimal contact with his dogs and treats them just like the goats and they do a fantastic job of keeping the wild life away.

Anyone know a good farm dog breeder in or near MD?

 

[Anna Lee]

I agree that the best bet is training them young for whatever it is they need to be able to do. Two of my dogs do prefer to be with us at night. The Great Pyr mix has to be coerced in once the chickens are locked up tight at night and we don't want her out barking all night at deer. But we may well have just lucked out with her.

 

[SunnySkies]

These folks raise LGDs in MD, but that is all I know.
http://www.wagonwheelranch.org/guarddogs.htm

My friend got her dog (wonderful guy, doesn't bark, just kills all predators that come in the yard by himself) from someone in VA as a puppy already started on poultry and goats.

 

[FeatheredFreind]

Hi Marylanders! I am hoping to find some fellow fanciers that live in or near Washington County that would be interested in increasing their flock. I have several hens that have just turned 1 year old and are laying great and are very spoiled and healthy. I have 2 of about 10 different breeds. I love my birds and would like to see them go to a lovable home. I have way too many eggs and am just wanted to decrease my flock some. I had 4 hens go broody over the winter so I have way more than planned. If interested please let me know. Thanks.

I realize this is an older post. Figured I'd take a chance that you may still have some laying hens? Must have friendly disposition, as I have three children. Thanks

Just now saw your post. I have some younger pullets if you are interested. Roos too of coarse. I have available buff orpingtons, Dixie rainbow, barred rock, silkies, naked necks, and a few bantams.

 

[bellachicks]

I'm a veterinarian. I see the disaster that happens far, far too often when people get a dog, cat or whatever and don't think ahead. The stakes are too high for me to do that to an LGD.

We have trapped before and caught a lot of coons at the barn we used to board our horses in, but AC took them in that county; apparently every county is different.

I didn't see him this evening, but we will see.....

Ah if you're a veterinarian then you know what you're doing!
Me, I'm just a layperson who does animal rescue. I see it too. Our own personal dog we adopted b/c he was abandoned, then deemed unadoptable and he ended up in a Sanctuary setting in West VA that was not good for him. We adopted him and we love him as he is for all the good and the hard and we are happy to be his forever home.

 

[bellachicks]

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/26382363

Hero is a four-year-old livestock guardian who found his way to rescue because the farm he lived on did not have adequate fencing. He doesn't require anything special...just a fence to keep him safe. He is not an escape artist and his energy level is overall very low. Hero is an easygoing boy. He gets along well with dogs and has been with livestock. Hero is kennel trained and ready for a responsible, loving forever home.
All Great Pyrenees require a fenced in back yard. If you have questions about the breed or our adoption policies and procedures, please go to our website at www.agprescue.com. It will also have our adoption application.