Question about Great Pyrenees LGD

[Howard E]

My mom got talked into one of these to protect her cats from Coyotes. Was raised from a pup, but now that dog is mostly grown she is roaming around a bit farther than is liked, but has developed another curious habit. She is bringing in dead coons. As many as 4 to 5 per week.

Is she likely out hunting and killing them or finding them? Hopefully not the later as that would indicate a pretty serious disease problem in the neighborhood.

 

[HappyDuckie]

GP's are known to wander. I would say your dog is killing them, not just finding dead ones and brining them back. I wish mine would kill coons!

 

[centrarchid]

Those here at work kill them and sometimes bring the carcasses up to gate. He have lots of raccoon here. I have not seen roadways where racoons would be killed at that rate for any time and be in the range a dog would roam.

 

[Howard E]

She splits time between my mom's house and another set of houses 1/2 mile away. Is bringing dead coons to both. Area is not trapped or hunted, so has a high population of coons, possums and coyotes to name a few. Bobcats seen on game cameras. Deer by the bushel. Has not yet tangled with a skunk, but that is possible.

Has also developed a nasty habit of chasing cars. Saving grace is this is on a seldom traveled rural gravel road.....so she is getting away with it for now.

 

[Geena]

In either case, finding or killing, I would make sure the dog is up to date on it's rabies, distemper and leptospirosis vaccines as these diseases can be transmitted by raccoons.

*only trying to be helpful, not trying to tell anyone what to do

 

[Meg-in-MT]

My mom got talked into one of these to protect her cats from Coyotes. Was raised from a pup, but now that dog is mostly grown she is roaming around a bit farther than is liked, but has developed another curious habit. She is bringing in dead coons. As many as 4 to 5 per week.

Is she likely out hunting and killing them or finding them? Hopefully not the later as that would indicate a pretty serious disease problem in the neighborhood.

Interesting behavior. I wonder if this is typical for a Pyrenees? I thought of them as keeping predators away by chase or just their presence, but I didn't know they'd try and take them all out!

I have a friend that bought a Pyrenees/Maremma pup recently to protect their cats from coyotes, as well. I'm curious to see how she turns out. It sounds like she showed some aggression after a bop on the nose from her owner. Eight weeks seems pretty young for that.

Hopefully your moms dog sticks to raccoons and not car tires.

 

[EJn]

I owned great Pyrenees and yes they are known to be wanderers. They are great dogs though and will protect your flock and family to the death. At the same time they are gentle Giants. Mine loved the cats even when the cats hated her lol. Other times when they were cold they would ball up in her long hair and go to sleep.
I never had an issue with her and I wish she was still around

 

[Howard E]

Her killing varmints is less worry than her finding deado's laying around. That would be indicative of a disease outbreak or something, which would not be good.

She has also brought in the remains of a deer carcass. Also find piles of sticks and assorted other chew toys she finds and brings to the yard to play with.

 

[50-45-1]

Does your dog have something other than cats to stand guard over. A flock of chickens, goats or cows?
I only ask because these dogs a usually tasked watching over a group or barnyard full of animals.i dont know that a couple cats would be a challenging "job" for your dog.
He may be roaming and finding other things to occupy his time unfortunately.
Hope you can curb this behavior, they are such special dogs!

 

[Percheron chick]

Also find piles of sticks and assorted other chew toys she finds and brings to the yard to play with.

This made me laugh. I would let my Akbash patrol at night. Over the years she collected an assortment of squeeky toys and ropes from the subdivision down the road. When I moved, I tied the toys to the fence by the trailhead at the end of my driveway. I sure that made some walkers scratch their head.