Neighbor's dogs...

[ScoobyRoo]

I want one. I always wanted a German Shepard but I like Ivan!

 

[cmjust0]

We have a white GSD and Ivan....trust me, you want Ivan.

(...we love all our dogs to the point of doubtful sanity, but for livestock protection, I'd always advise going with a true LGD...)

 

[Melissakins]

Just be careful he doesn't get too many mats as they can start pulling on the skin and make a tender/sore area on him....My Newfies and my Retriever x get mats real bad under their ears.

He's GORGEOUS. I'd run too if I had a big boy like him chasing me

 

[boxermom]

Sorry if I'm being ignorant. LGD? Large guard dog? Is Ivan a specific breed or mutt? He's beautiful. Is he in the house at all or always outside?

 

[vstoltzfus]

LGD is a livestock guardian dog. He is a Sarplaninac, or a Yugoslav Shepherd Dog. And I think I need one, too.

 

[PortageGirl]

Quote:
LGD = Livestock Guardian Dog and I thinkthe OP said he is a Sarplaninac which is from Central Europe, Yugoslavia I think.

I gotta say don't discount your BC either! I had a 1/2 BC 1/2 Australian Shepherd that defended our property from a very large, (as in oversized) Doberman, and then me from a Pit Bull, though the PB was rather young, he was big enough to be dangerous and a nasty piece of work! The thing belonged to a neighbor who didn't keep properly, and it came to our house to look for trouble. He was stalking towards me all stiff legged and looking nasty, I'm not at all afraid of dogs, but this one threw me for a loop! My AS/BC came flying after him and tackled him, rolling him off his feet and proceded to decorate his hide for him. By then I was able to grab a shovel and that dog went running for his life.

With two intruders, yeah, the BC alone would have had trouble, but with your LGD they'd have managed I have no doubt. BCs are quick and nimble... they rarely stay still long enough to get a grip on. They have a very good idea about what is 'theirs' too and defend it.

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
His tail's fairly well matted right now, and his hindquarters tend to mat a bit when he's in his winter coat.

My wife decided to go brush him one day this spring when he was blowing his coat.. He'd never been brushed before, but the big goober just laid down and went to sleep like "aaaaah, that's nice!" When I got home there was such a huge pile of doghair in the barnyard, it looked like he'd exploded.

All the mats came out with the winter coat, but he's diligently putting them back on now. I don't worry too much about it.. My thinking is that it would actually be quite a bit harder for something to tear into his hindquarters if he's matted up a little.. For all I know, it could be a defence mechanism.

I should also add that it's really only the outside of his hind legs and just up on his hips that ever get matted.. The rest of him stays nice and tangle free, save for a nice sticky mud clod here and there.

You have chickens and other livestock. You sure it's "mud"?

GOOD boy, Ivan! He is beautiful and smart!

 

[boxermom]

Just googled the sarplaninac. Ooo... beautiful dog.

 

[Orpstralope]

I've got a 1/2 golden/1/2 english setter and he is the best for my birds. Luckily he has the instinct not to bite but to muster and they all love his company, even the roo! I'm jealous of Ivan though, he seems like a great pup!

 

[cmjust0]

Quote:
We have two himalayan cats and that happens to them....have to cut the mats off.

It really SUCKS. Cat's don't like haircuts.