Was thinking of rescuing/adopting adult Anoltolian? PICTURES ADDED

[fastrnrik]

I have a few questions and looking for some opinions and insight. I have come across a nice looking Anotolian. He is fairly local (couple hours away) A rescue group has him in a foster home. They pulled him out of a kill shelter and do not know his history. They say he is super sweet, good with kids, dogs, cats, etc, etc, which is fine, but I am more interested in his attitude towards small livestock such as goats, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, etc. One of my questions to you guys who are experienced with LGDs is how much of it is instinct vs training? The reason I ask this is that we have hunted wild hogs for many years and I have been breeding and using my own catahoula leopard dogs for nearly 20 years. Granted, I consider myself to be good with dogs, but these catahoulas we have need very little in the way of actual training to do their job. They instinctively know what to do and when, and with a little fine tuning, they are ready to do their job. I know nothing about LGDs, and I didn't know if they were similar in their drive to the "job" that their breed is known for? I realize buying an adult dog from a foster home is a total crapshoot, so I guess I'm looking for opinions and insight. I like the idea of saving a dog from the pound and we are looking for a LGD so it's kind of a win/win on the surface, however I would hate to go through the time & expense to adopt him and have start eating goats & ducks. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Sugarbushdraft]

**I do not own any LGDs, this is just some info I've picked up from stalking **

LGDs work in a way, they bond with their flock. They naturally want to defend 'their goats'. To bond a LGD with a flock, you let them sleep out with them, and such. Not sure if you can bond a full grown LGD to a new flock, but thats for experts to comment on. The 'training' LGD's need, is not to kill animals. Mostly birds. They might need training not to chase goats, or kill birds. Typically they naturally will attack things that threaten 'their flock', so they don't really need training there. So, If it would ME, I'd be so-so on this b.c. I'd be worrying about bonding the dog to the new flock.

Best of luck!

 

[Stubbornhillfarm]

My personal opinion; you already know the possabilities. You seem very aware of what the different outcomes could be. Just as with your hunting dogs, the "protective" drive of the LGD is instinctual. You will have to give any dog, wether it be a rescued dog or a pup "supervised" time to bond with their flock/herd. And then continue the supervision until you are positive that they are ok with the animals. That is the trainning. Correct improper behavior, praise good behavior.

I would introduce him slowly to your different animals and see how he reacts. I am guessing you will find out very quickly if he has been in charge of birds, etc. You also have to be aware that even if he was in charge of birds, "his birds" were used to him and most likely not all flighty and in a panic when he was around. Your birds, may very well act all scared and flighty, which is an invitation to play chase. Again, just something that you will have to closely supervise for a time period.

As you say, it is a crap shoot. You just don't know why he was surrendered/abandoned. He could be an amazing LGD, or you could be getting a dog that is a great family pet. As long as you are content with either one of those possabilities I would say go for it.

 

[Alice Acres]

As the previous poster mentioned - this dog may be great with HIS home stock (going on the assumption he has been a working dog)...but that does not mean it will automatically apply to your stock. Unless he has had the opportunity to get used to changes in stock and adapting this way, it is still going to be a process. So guess what I'm saying is, even if you were buying some great, super well trained LGD, you still are going to have a transition process anyway.

If you meet the dog, like him and want to bring him home, I would 1st suggest you have a Plan B set up for him if it doesn't work out. That would be the fairest to both your family and for the dog. If you can't figure out a Plan B , then I would really hesitate to get him.
Good luck!

 

[fastrnrik]

Thank you for the input. It's very helpful. I was going to call about the Anotolian today, but got busy. In the mean time I ran into a guy I know at a jiffy store this afternoon who has a Great Pyrenees/Maremma for sale. She is about 10 - 11 months old. He has raised her from a puppy and she is a working LGD. She is a BIG girl too LOL. I'm going to see her Sunday. I still haven't forgot about the Anotolian though.... It bugs me that a dog like is in a rescue. Knowing myself I will probably end up with him too. I've driven 12+ hours one way to save dogs before. Yes, I'm a sucker LOL. So, does anyone have any input on the Great Pyr / Maremma cross? I have read a lot about the Great Pyr, but have never heard of a Maremma. I looked them up online and they seem to a great LGD like the others. Thanks again for all the help.

 

[Southern by choice]

Maremma's are also great LGD's. The mix of mar/Pyr is very common here, mostly because there really are not a lot of Maremma around so often they are crossed with the pyr. Very similar in appearance, type, etc. You see that with the Kuvasz too.

Well.... ya know if she is already a guardian AND you do get the Anatolian (hint hint) she will teach him some of the right ways! LGD's IMO work so much better in teams. You will still have to acclimate her to her new herd/flock etc.

When I can figure how to do pictures (by myself) I will post pics of our LGD's "playing", but in their "play" you see how each dog has it's job in taking down a predator. Very interesting to see in how they play their roles out. One always takes out the back leg, grabsand pulls, then the male pyr will come over the back and his whole mouth will be over the spine, between mid back and the rear. The shepherd always goes for the throat. Amazing! Yet they are all gentle and great with people, each other and all the "pets". Most of the time we never get to see how these dogs work as a team because they are usually doing their job at night or generally out of your sight.

 

[fastrnrik]

I have been looking up the great pyr's and maremma online and they seem to look fairly similar- white or blonde-ish colored. The dog for sale here is black with a little white. He says its a rare color? Is that correct? In all my looking I can't find a black one. Not to say it doesn't exist, I just haven't seen it anywhere. The actual dog- appearance, coat, build etc looks like the other LGD's, just the color is different.

I understand about them working as a team. The catahoulas we had worked VERY well as a team! I have seen them work together to catch countless 300 + lb wild boars, and literally break & tear coyotes in half. It awesome to watch any working dog work. Several years ago we had some local meth heads breaking into our shop and offices (our business is up near the road, house & farm in the back). They hit us several times and the local cops were no help. So one night I happened to see lights up by the road and a car park in the shadows out by the gate. I quickly loaded three leopard dogs in the golf cart and slipped through the woods to the shop area, and I was well hidden in the dark treeline. Two white trash meth heads jumped the fence and ran to the shop (about 200 yards wide open area). I let them go and watched them break into one of the work trucks. The dogs were ready to roll, but they are well trained and will not move until they are told to and will not sound off until they are baying and/or catching. So the thieves came out with several tools, construction lasers, etc. When they got halfway to the road (100 yards from shop and 100 yards from their car, point of no return!) I put the leopard dogs on them. The two male dogs caught the bigger thief- one hit him high and one hit him low and took him down. The female dog took the smaller guy down. The two male dogs were stretching and trying to tear the ol boy apart, so I called them off and let them play with the smaller guy for a minute. I called the dogs off and watched the robbers now shredded, bloody, and without their loot straggling to their car. When I looked at the scene with all the blood & mess, I noticed a small handgun laying on the ground. Apparently one of the tweakers dropped it while getting shredded. Thankfully I had the working dogs to handle it. Always wondered what happened if I had went up to confront them by myself. Anyway, I called the cops (yet again) and they found the guys in the hospital and arrested them. I've not had any more problems since then LOL

 

[Alice Acres]

I have been looking up the great pyr's and maremma online and they seem to look fairly similar- white or blonde-ish colored. The dog for sale here is black with a little white. He says its a rare color? Is that correct? In all my looking I can't find a black one. Not to say it doesn't exist, I just haven't seen it anywhere. The actual dog- appearance, coat, build etc looks like the other LGD's, just the color is different.

I understand about them working as a team. The catahoulas we had worked VERY well as a team! I have seen them work together to catch countless 300 + lb wild boars, and literally break & tear coyotes in half. It awesome to watch any working dog work. Several years ago we had some local meth heads breaking into our shop and offices (our business is up near the road, house & farm in the back). They hit us several times and the local cops were no help. So one night I happened to see lights up by the road and a car park in the shadows out by the gate. I quickly loaded three leopard dogs in the golf cart and slipped through the woods to the shop area, and I was well hidden in the dark treeline. Two white trash meth heads jumped the fence and ran to the shop (about 200 yards wide open area). I let them go and watched them break into one of the work trucks. The dogs were ready to roll, but they are well trained and will not move until they are told to and will not sound off until they are baying and/or catching. So the thieves came out with several tools, construction lasers, etc. When they got halfway to the road (100 yards from shop and 100 yards from their car, point of no return!) I put the leopard dogs on them. The two male dogs caught the bigger thief- one hit him high and one hit him low and took him down. The female dog took the smaller guy down. The two male dogs were stretching and trying to tear the ol boy apart, so I called them off and let them play with the smaller guy for a minute. I called the dogs off and watched the robbers now shredded, bloody, and without their loot straggling to their car. When I looked at the scene with all the blood & mess, I noticed a small handgun laying on the ground. Apparently one of the tweakers dropped it while getting shredded. Thankfully I had the working dogs to handle it. Always wondered what happened if I had went up to confront them by myself. Anyway, I called the cops (yet again) and they found the guys in the hospital and arrested them. I've not had any more problems since then LOL

Oh, that is most excellent!!!

 

[Bossroo]

I have been looking up the great pyr's and maremma online and they seem to look fairly similar- white or blonde-ish colored. The dog for sale here is black with a little white. He says its a rare color? Is that correct? In all my looking I can't find a black one. Not to say it doesn't exist, I just haven't seen it anywhere. The actual dog- appearance, coat, build etc looks like the other LGD's, just the color is different.

I understand about them working as a team. The catahoulas we had worked VERY well as a team! I have seen them work together to catch countless 300 + lb wild boars, and literally break & tear coyotes in half. It awesome to watch any working dog work. Several years ago we had some local meth heads breaking into our shop and offices (our business is up near the road, house & farm in the back). They hit us several times and the local cops were no help. So one night I happened to see lights up by the road and a car park in the shadows out by the gate. I quickly loaded three leopard dogs in the golf cart and slipped through the woods to the shop area, and I was well hidden in the dark treeline. Two white trash meth heads jumped the fence and ran to the shop (about 200 yards wide open area). I let them go and watched them break into one of the work trucks. The dogs were ready to roll, but they are well trained and will not move until they are told to and will not sound off until they are baying and/or catching. So the thieves came out with several tools, construction lasers, etc. When they got halfway to the road (100 yards from shop and 100 yards from their car, point of no return!) I put the leopard dogs on them. The two male dogs caught the bigger thief- one hit him high and one hit him low and took him down. The female dog took the smaller guy down. The two male dogs were stretching and trying to tear the ol boy apart, so I called them off and let them play with the smaller guy for a minute. I called the dogs off and watched the robbers now shredded, bloody, and without their loot straggling to their car. When I looked at the scene with all the blood & mess, I noticed a small handgun laying on the ground. Apparently one of the tweakers dropped it while getting shredded. Thankfully I had the working dogs to handle it. Always wondered what happened if I had went up to confront them by myself. Anyway, I called the cops (yet again) and they found the guys in the hospital and arrested them. I've not had any more problems since then LOL

Oh, that is most excellent!!!

X2 !!! With well trained dogs like yours... why are you worried about some mere predators ? Since this dog is in a shelter and in their " expert" opinion exhibits a " rare color " I would suspect that it may be just another x-bred mongrel (that they are trying to unload for a huge "adoption fee" or "donation" )and may not be well suited as a LGD. ( example: one of my son's friends in town whent to a shelter and adopted ( $$$) what they were told was a "purebred Pug " ... turns out to be a Boxer x ? ).

 

[Southern by choice]

There is no way the black and white dog is a Maremma/Pyr. There is definitely something else there.

Your dogs did an excellent job in doing their job! Sad thing is now in this crazy culture the bad guys always get the break and the dogs end up getting taken away and killed. Glad reason was in your favor!