A Group of our Pyr pups!

GREAT PYRENEES
GUARDIANS OF THE FLOCK ®1996 Highlands

by Karin Graefe

There has been growing interest in many breeds as livestock guardian dogs. Commonly this has been due to the fact that ranchers are becoming desperate to find a way to protect their livestock from predators. Many states have prohibited the use of animal traps, poison and guns in controlling predators. Coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, bears and roaming dogs can all play havoc with a ranchers flock. Most killings usually take place at night or very early in the morning when the coast is usually clear for the perpitrator. Needless to say that quite often it will be a few neighborhood dogs looking for a challenge that will run the sheep to the point of exhaustion. A livestock guardian dog can be on duty twenty four hours a day and will remain alert to the possibility of attack.
The Great Pyrenees has long been a friend to the rancher and is often referred to as being the gentlest of guard dogs. It is often merely their prescence and strong bark that will deter any attack. A Pyr will often chase the intruder but not so far lest he become separated from his flock exposing them to further danger. Coyotes will work in pairs or more to draw a protector away from the flock allowing the other to track down the evenings take.
The thought of a stock dog may often bring to mind the herding breeds such as the Australian Sheepdog or Border Collie whose job requires the rounding up and penning of the livestock. Herding dogs rely on signals, both verbal and hand, from their handler and as a rule are not usually left alone with the sheep. The Great Pyrenees does not run circles around the stock, barking, nipping and forcing them to go forth. Instead you will see the Pyr as a calm, collected and routinely orderly dog moving slowly so as not to disrupt the flock and working without handler interaction. However, no matter how easy going the Pyr may seem, never underestimate his ability to spring into action at the first sign of possible danger to the flock.
The Great Pyrenees is adaptable to a variety of terrain and climatic conditions doing especially well in colder regions due to its thick insulating coat. Pyrenees may spend many of the daylight hours on the ranch dozing, but despite their calm exterior will prove to be a force not to be trifled with if provoked. They are wary of intruders be it both human or animal. He will spend time patrolling the perimeter of his pasture and marking areas with his urine, a message that predators will interpret as a NO ENTRY warning. Should his warning go unheeded by the predator the Great Pyrenees will attack! This large dog has been bred for centuries to protect many a flock from wolves and definitely has the instinct and stamina to deal with just about any intruder. Guarding behavior is greatly instinctive in the Great Pyrenees. Certain dog breeds are chosen for their responsiveness to humans but the guarding breeds posess the ability to act independently while working. This trait has made them quite stubborn and unresponsive to verbal commands.
Training a Great Pyrenees for livestock protection means that it should be primarily raised with that which it is to protect. If it is sheep then the dog should be placed with the sheep when it is first removed from the litter. Not only does the puppy need to get used to the sheep but also the sheep must become accustomed to the pups presence. A good beginning place for a young pup would be in a small enclosure with some orphan lambs. If the pup becomes rough with the lambs then it can be placed with larger lambs that will not tolerate such roughhousing. The pup must be watched carefully and corrected for any rough attitude toward the sheep. It is much easier to correct a Pyr pup than to correct an adult already set in his ways! Some basic obedience training is required to enable an owner to handle the Pyr. It is not uncommon to find that most working dog owners discard formal obedience classes lest their dog should become too socialized with other canines. However the Pyr should learn to walk on a leash since there will be times when you may need to restrain the dog. Knowledge of some basic commands is vital since the owner must be able to catch the dog at times. It is common for a larger breed of dog to mature at a slower pace therefore puppy antics may not disappear until the dog is often older then one and a half. The average pup will begin fully working between six to nine months of age.
The time the Pyr spends with the sheep or livestock should not be interrupted by handling or petting from his owner. It is more important that he develop his bond with the sheep since the sheep will seek protection from the dog during a situation of danger. This is not to say that 'no' human company should be allowed. Great Pyrenees have exhibited a desire for human companionship and once bonded with the sheep will still come to his owner for affection or treats. Too little human contact can cause the Pyr to become shy and fearful of people. In such a case the dog will be more difficult to handle for physical exams and harder to control. Although Pyrs work well as a team it is best to begin with one pup and get him working with the livestock first. Later on you may choose to add another pup or younger dog and can use your first working Pyr to help train the 'new arrival'. Consider the pasture areas that need to be patrolled when deciding on how many dogs you will require to guard successfully. Wide open, flat areas can usually be adequately guarded by one dog. The presence of brush, trees, ravines and hills will undoubtedly require the services of more than one dog.
Livestock guarding dogs are hardy animals and even in the case of severely bad weather may not use a dog house or shelter. Pyrs usually prefer to sleep where they have full view of their surroundings. Shelter should still be provided in pastures as the dog will regard this area as his own territory and be more likely to remain here. A self-feeder should be positioned in a non accesible area to the sheep. The dog must have food readily available if he is to perform successfully as a guardian.
If your Great Pyrenees is to become a protector of animals then it would make sense to try and purchase a pup raised around animals. Look for the strongest and most independent pup in the litter as he will probably carry these traits into adulthood. Try to view both the parents to get an idea of their temperament. Also importantly, make sure that they have been certified free from hip dysplasia which can be hereditary in litters. All vaccinations and wormings should also be completed.
A Pyr destined to become a livestock guardian must posess certain characteristics. Firstly the dog must be trustworthy and must never injure or harm that which he is to guard in any way. Although he may be at times incredibly aggressive toward intruders who may enter his pasture, he must be able to differentiate between a ranch hand and a rustler. There will be times when humans will need to cross his path to care for the stock and this will need to be accepted. As a guardian his first charge is to his flock and he must be extremely attentive toward it. A wandering Pyr will not be able to perform such a task successfully. It is necessary that a guardian have a protective and courageous nature. A Pyr will often protect newborn livestock as fiercely as it would defend its own pups. A high degree of intelligence is a necessary trait in order for a guardian to investigate a situation and decide on the correct course of action. This must be accomplished without human intervention. The Great Pyrenees does indeed posess such a quality!
In 1986, the University of Idaho surveyed approximately 400 people using livestock guarding dogs. Reports were based on 763 dogs, 95 percent of these being the well known guarding breeds, Great Pyrenees, Komondor, Akbash, Anatolian and Maremma. Success rates among the breeds were not so indifferent but definite behavioral differences were apparent. More Komondors bit people than did Great Pyrenees and fewer Great Pyrenees injured livestock than did Komondors, Akbash or Anatolians. The survey further showed that there was no difference in performance between males and females and both made excellent guardians. There was no decrease in a neutered males ability to guard better than an intact male. Neutering, although not detrimental to a guarding dog, would be beneficial. A female in heat can be a problem due to the fact that she will attract other dogs and this could add to a predator problem. If the female is kenneled during her heat periods and whelping she will not be out protecting the flock. Neutering may lessen the chances of roaming tendencies in males and also in some females.