Livestock Guardian Dogs

As more people have headed toward country living and more regulations are in place regarding firearms and predator protection laws, shooting varmints is not always practical.  Word at the local cafe is: there have been wolves and bears micro-chipped and released into the area.  The reasons given for this range everywhere from, "no, that's not true" to "restoring original wildlife population and species."  Since I don't know the real answer, and truly just desire to protect my herd and place, guardian dogs have been a wonderful solution to the problem of predators.  Whether or not there are micro-chipped bears and wolves, there are, in fact, coyotes, foxes, and wild dogs that will feast on chicken dinner and even young kid when available.  Guardian dogs definitely keep potential predators at bay.

Hank as a young pup

This past week, I witnessed something I'd never seen before.  I had no idea how truly protective of the place Hank is, until this past Friday.  Livestock guardian dog breeds are primarily Great Pyrenees and Anatolian Shepherds in this area, and the Land of Goshen is blessed with both a male and a female of the same percentages.  Hank and Babe are both 3/4 Great Pyrenees and 1/4 Anatolian Shepherd and so far . . . have maintained their platonic relationship.  I was hoping for puppies by now, but for whatever reason, none have arrived.  It could be, Hank is just too busy guarding this place.

Guardian dogs are not the same temperament as guard dogs.  Hank and Babe are both very calm and laid back when it comes to people, right down friendly, in fact.  The UPS man actually told me Hank talks with him.  Hank is quite the communicator, yet I digress.   A Brief Chat with Hank

Hank apparently views large diesel trucks in the same way he sees predators.  To see a guardian dog square off with a predator is really quite a site.  It's obvious that dog will fight unto death!  His haunches are set, his front legs spread slightly and firmly locked with his shoulders squared.  It's amazing what Abba has just put in those dogs.  No training is required, they simply know by instinct and their parent's training how to protect without being aggressive, unless . . . So far, the coyotes and foxes have not pushed Hank to the showdown, they retreat.  Hank has even caused hawks to retreat.  As to the rumors of bears and wild boars in the area . . . no sign of any on this place.

When it comes to great big diesel trucks, it's a different matter.  Obviously, due to the location of the homestead, traffic is not a regular occurrence.  I've had a couple of construction projects going which have required two different big trucks on the place recently.  I had to literally, go out and tell Hank, I had invited them and it was okay for them to be here.  He looked at me, offered a bit of an argument, then at least moved out of the path.  It was an amazing to see that huge diesel truck with a boom rig stopped in the lane because Hank was standing in his protective stance squarely head on, toward that truck.

By the time I convinced Hank to let the truck come on in, he looked at me like I was crazy, and continued make the rounds, guarding every other pasture gate.  Once the truck came to a stop where the work was to be done, Hank circled the truck while the driver, still in the cab, asked if he'd bite.  My response was, "he never has, but he does not like your truck."  The gentleman stepped on out and reached out to shake my hand.  Hank looked at him, looked at me, and walked off.  These dogs truly read the circumstances in a way that cannot be explained, but definitely appreciated.

As life continues to unfold on this preservation, I continue to be amazed at the details of creation!

And Elohim made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and Elohim saw that it was good.  Genesis 1:25