Official LGD Owners Thread!

[heritagebirds]

I'm not an owner at this point, but does anyone have a Castro Laboreiro? The CAO looks very tempting, also. Those are the two I am leaning towards right now...but I LOVE the Great Pyrs. I need one very tolerant of kids(human) LOL. Also I have a stallion, probably two, as long as the youngin' still has great conformation... I need a dog that wouldn't challenge them...any thoughts? Oh, that and the birds and cats... Am I asking too much? Thank you.

 

[Funky Feathers]

German Shepherd!

 

[cmjust0]

Big difference between a shepherd and a guardian. I don't mean to nitpick, but I'd hate to think of a lurker thinking of getting an LGD going "Oh, hey, I didn't know I could just get a [GSD/Border Collie/Aussie/Etc]!"

Could be HUGE trouble..

And I say that as a guy who owns an LGD as well as a GSD and two BCs.. There really is a huge difference...indeed, they couldn't be more different in terms of temperament.

 

[Funky Feathers]

I didn't mean to decieve anyone. But we got her for that purpose, and she does think of our birds as family, and she does protect them. No more coons & foxes since she got big.

 

[yoker]

I've been researching LGD in the hopes of purchasing one in the future. I'm leaning toward the Great Pyrenees.

I really think the CMD is gorgeous and a fantastic guardian, but I'm concerned about the balance of protection and temperament. National Geographic did a segment on them and it's clear that it requires a specific type of owner to work well with this type of dog.

I believe that guy doesn't understand how to handle even a mildly aggressive dog, much less than one like that. I'm surprised the breeder would let the dog go to a suburban home like that. That type of dog is much better suited to wide open spaces and less human traffic. I encourage anybody considering this breed to really study up on it and ensure they are really capable of handling that kind of dog well. You will not be able to have people over unless you are meticulous about socializing the dog with friends and neighbors. It can be very isolating to have a dog like that.

Thanks for posting that video. I love Big dogs and Guard Dogs. I really love the Great Pyrs. and the Maremmas. keep posting.​

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Hey Bear Foot...are Maremmas 'bonded' type dogs like GPs that move as part of the herd

They tend to stay where they can at least see the sheep.
That's the thing a lot of people don't realize about TRUE LGD breeds.

Many think because their "yard dog" barks at strangers and chases stray animals away, that it's "guarding" their animals, when in reality it's guarding the TERRITORY.

A REAL LGD will go where the animals go, and not care about anything else​

 

[harryg6167]

Quote:
Many think because their "yard dog" barks at strangers and chases stray animals away, that it's "guarding" their animals, when in reality it's guarding the TERRITORY.

Not always true.
The dog I have now is not considered a LGD by any means(except by me) I have had her for 4 years now
and raised her up with the chickens. Here where we are we have all sorts of predators and have
yet to lose a chicken except by natural death.
She stays with the chickens all day and sleeps not far away from them at night. Have watched her herd the
chickens and guineas back to the pens when they are out and a stray or stranger comes up.
Yard dog, maybe but you couldn't give me another dog to replace her. And I do know this is an
exception not the norm.( just as I have seen LGD's that were not worth wasting a bullet on.)

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Here where we are we have all sorts of predators and have
yet to lose a chicken except by natural death.

Your dog is guarding the territory.

If your chickens were to leave your property, I'm betting your dog would stay home.
My Bloodhound used to do the same thing, but that doesn't make him a true " livestock guardian" dog.​

 

[cmjust0]

I agree with Bear Foot about 95% on this, and I think the other 5% is probably just a difference in symantics.

Our LGD doesn't guard the goats, nor the chickens, nor his territory per se...he guards himself. Everything around him is effectively under guard by simple virtue of the fact that he's around it. Were he to be in the same enclosure alone...no goats, no chickens...and strange dogs or people approached the gate, he'd run to the gate and greet them with a menacing display.

Now, the reason I bring up the symantics is because I know some folks call that temperament "territoriality." And, frankly, when you see a LGD patrol a fenceline or run to the gate to challenge a threat, it's difficult to argue over whether it's a result of a wary dog with fear-aggressive tendencies or straight-up territoriality. More importantly, the difference wouldn't amount to a hill of beans anyway -- the end result is exactly the same. In other words...who cares?!?

Make no mistake, though...In my opinion, Bear's absolutely right in expressing the notion that effective livestock guardianship temperament doesn't carry with it the requirement for the dog to believe itself a lamb, sheep, goat, calf, chicken, or any other livestock animal. What it requires, in short, is to be wary and alert, fear-aggressive and/or territorial, and to have a completely arrested prey drive. That's it.

In fact, I'd go so far as to say that a true LGD should have the capability of being set loose in a junkyard to guard salvaged cars and be equally effective as it would be guarding goats, chickens, cattle, or anything else..

Ivan would, for sure. No doubt in my mind.

I have a feeling Bear Foot's Maremmas would, too..

Am I right, Bear?

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

In fact, I'd go so far as to say that a true LGD should have the capability of being set loose in a junkyard to guard salvaged cars and be equally effective as it would be guarding goats, chickens, cattle, or anything else..

I never really gave much thought as to how they would act if they didnt have animals to bond to.
It's possible they would show some territorial traits in that situation.
It's hard to imagine them being as devoted to an inanimate object as they are to a new born lamb.

They are certainly smart enough to learn most anything a person is willing to train them to do​