"Summer"

and

"Beau"

Summer is on the left and Beau is on the right

Our Great Pyrenees Livestock Guardian Dogs

Summer (DOB 6/23/03) and Beau (DOB 5/5/05) are an integral part of our alpaca ranch operation.  They are our second line of alpaca protection and defense against predators...the first being the property perimeter fencing.  In our area the primary predators are coyotes and there is the possibility of local dogs.  Although we have never spotted or heard of mountain lions in our immediate geographic area, that is also a possibility.

Summer and Beau were purchased from Dan and Paula Lane of Bountiful Farm in Oklahoma. (www.bountifulfarm.com). I was searching for a specific LGD package and they had exactly what I was looking for.  When I contacted Paula I explained I was looking for an adult spayed female that had experience guarding livestock and a younger (preferably puppy) male.  In my limited experience with dogs I found that females are perfect for training younger dogs.  Paula had the perfect package!

Meet Summer

Summer is a great blend of all of the attributes I wanted in a LGD working on a ranch that is open to the public.  She knows her primary job is to be "on duty" 24/7 and protect the alpacas. At the same time she is approachable and friendly to visitors.  Having never owned a LGD, it is fascinating for me to watch her "work."  She is respectful of the alpacas...giving them their space yet staying close enough to protect. She also has a very sweet disposition and willingly accepts the attention we give her.  She doesn't dig (I understand that some Pyrs do) and doesn't seem to be the least bit interested in digging out of the pasture. 

Summer learned her job while guarding goats at Bountiful Farm and easily  transferred her skills to the alpacas.  She doesn't "challenge" them in any way.  I have seen her retreat when dams think she has gotten too close to their cria.  We had a bored cria (who didn't have anyone his own age to play with) who kept running after her until she came to a fence or corner then he would turn and run away...expecting her to chase him.  He would stop and look at her as if to say, "aren't you going to play?"  Of course, she didn't. He let up on that game when a cria his own age came to stay at the ranch!

I am so pleased we found Summer. She is a valuable member of our ranch team.

Meet Beau (or "BoBo" as we call him)

Beau is the puppy that was matched up with Summer.  Again, Paula did an excellent job in selecting just the right puppy to be trained by Summer.  He was put in with her when he was about two months old and stays by her side -- most of the time.

Beau is learning about being respectful of the alpacas space and particularly how protective the dams can be if they think he has come to close to their cria.  He learned that lesson quickly when one of our dams charged him and sent him flying when she thought he was too close to her cria.  Now, he gives them plenty of room as he moves around the pasture.

He too passed the bored cria "why won't you play with me" test.  I understand that at this age, the puppies may participate when they think a game of chase is underway.  Even when the crias are playing, and you know it must be hard for a youngster like him not to join in, he keeps his distance. 

Right now Beau is Summer's shadow and playmate.  At just a little over two years old (in 2005), Summer likes to play.  They often engage in their own little game of chase and general rough housing..always out of the distance of the alpacas "space".  It is fun to watch them tearing around the pasture, just like the crias. Time passes quickly, and soon Beau will be a full-fledged, fully functioning LGD.  I love this picture of him "guarding" his alpacas!

Summer and Beau in April 2006

As you can see, Beau is growing up (he is the middle picture and on the right in both pictures).  You can also see that Summer is still "on the job."

Livestock Guardian Dogs

There are several different breeds that are excellent LGDs.  Our personal preference is the Great Pyrenees.  If you are interested in learning more about these dogs, following are some links to excellent resources.

Bountiful Farm

Great Pyrenees Club of America

Livestock Guardian Dog Association

Contact information

530-620-6033

email

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Website created and maintained by Dianna Jordan