Luckily, they do not need a bath very often doing so will actually strip their fur of natural, protective oils. As their ears flop over, they need to be checked for signs of infection on a regular basis. Karakachan: Livestock Guardian Dog Breed - For Love of Livestock They require a confident and experienced handler who will not allow them to take advantage or get their own way. They usually observe their herd from a vantage point, occasionally patrolling. If you want your Great Pyrenees to be a livestock guardian dog, be sure to go through a breeder who specializes in guardian lines rather than companion lines. Remember to include some raw meat as well as cooked chicken, vegetables and brown rice into his kibble and always ensure fresh, cool water is available. If you have a Karakachan as a family companion, it is incredibly important to watch their diet as large breed dogs are prone to obesity if overfed and under exercised. They have a long, thick, harsh coat in white with patches of black. A pup that has been raised by another working dog is a good investment, but will still likely need supervision either from you or an adult LGD until it has demonstrated maturity., Your email address will not be published. Will My Great Pyrenees Bark All the Time? . However, in recent years, many people have begun keeping these dogs as family pets. In fact, this is another LGD breed that is well-suited for guarding a variety of different farm animals, ranging from sheep to chicken to ducks. Their gait is a trot with a spring in their step. Theyre very similar dogs in many ways, which leads some authorities to consider them the same breed. ni; bf. Because of their history as a landrace breed, there is quite a bit of variability in both their personality/temperament and their working characteristics. They need good fencing as they are prone to expanding their territory. These sweet, intelligent dogs are huge and generally very gentle with humans and other dogs. The Maremma bonds closely to the herd and is less prone to wandering, although this does not mean you dont need fences. They are always alert, patrolling and guarding their flock. Bo. The dog is brave and loyal, dignified and powerful. They do not do well in apartments or small spaces. She loves her own . However, they can be aggressive to other dogs that are not part of the household. In Bulgaria however the Karakachan is a national treasure and the history of the breed runs deep. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When long, it should reach lengths of over 12 cms. When trained and socialized, your big dog is social, active and loving. Puppy livestock guardian dogs can learn well with a mature adult in their presence.In addition, having more than one LGD puppy at a time can be trying, even for the most experienced dog owners. This includes knee and elbow dislocation; hip dysplasia; bloat; entropion and osteosarcoma. Does the Karakachan make a good livestock guardian? During the winter season, they assisted in guarding the sheep while they moved to the lowlands. Spanish Mastiff This dog can weigh up to 220 pounds. Any perceived threat to their herd will be met with aggression. Additionally, livestock guardian dogs work to deter predators in a number of ways before engaging in any physical confrontation. In the long run the original Karakachanskoto Kuche became extinct, replaced entirely by the Bulgarian Shepherd even in places where the new breed is still called by the Kuche name. They are . It is far better to feed your Great Pyrenees smaller meals throughout the day as opposed to 2 large meals a day. He isnt the kind of dog that you think of as getting wildly excited over something, as he has a dignified aura about him. Great Pyrenees Mixes: 16 Large Pyrenees Crossbreeds - Love Your Dog Large, well-demarcated coloured spots are preferred. The breeds independent and brave nature makes them great protectors for livestock and families, and they often work well with a variety of different livestock species. Karakachans are playful and typically can be trusted around children. This mandate affected many species, including dogs. Karakachans will also need quite a bit of training. This is also true of any interactions with unknown humans or animals. Breed Guide. Be on the watch for bad odours, ear shaking or signs of pain when you touch the ear. The Bulgarian Army made good use of these dogs early in the 20th century. (females) For more on LGD breed sizes, check out my article, Livestock Guardian Dog Sizes. Komondors live between 10 and 12 years and weigh about 90 to 130 pounds. The Kangal can make a great farm dog or family guardian in addition to livestock guardian. Many were killed some of their skins were even marketed to the fur industry. But there are also a couple of dog breeds that excel at livestock protection, making them excellent assets for your farm or homestead. He is calm and gets on well with children as well as other pets in the home. However, due to their size, it is important to supervise. Great Pyrenees may grow 7 cm / 3 inches higher than Bulgarian Shepherd. Therefore, they will require a great deal of exercise in order to keep them healthy and happy. For more information on livestock guardian dog lifespans, what to expect from puppies, and how to care for older dogs, see my article, What is the Lifespan of a Livestock Guardian Dog. These dogs were so prized by the shepherds that the dogs ate first before the people. Remember this is a working breed and they need a job. They usually bonded strongly with livestock from an early age. For everything you could ever want to know about grooming Karakachans, check out my guide, Grooming Karakachans: The Ultimate Guide. They reach maturity around 3 years of age, and at this time can usually be trusted independently with a flock. If you are interested in adopting a Karakachan from a rescue, check out my article, Rescue Livestock Guardian Dogs Should You Get One? Some even have mane-like fur to protect their neck and shoulder region from the teeth of predators. There are a number of treatment options offered by your vet. Maremma Sheepdog may grow 9 cm / 3 inches shorter than Great Pyrenees. Not only will she defend human family members, she will guard and defend household pets as well. Even today, those who breed Karakachans are required to disperse their puppies to other homesteads and livestock owners to aid in the protection against predators. These huge helpers weigh anywhere between 80 and 160 pounds, and they usually live for 12 to 15 years. But, when predators approach, they become fearless and formidable defenders of their flock. Tolerant of children in their family if they were raised with them. Tibetan Mastiff This dog makes a great farm or property guard because of their desire for interaction with their family. Komondor. New York: Skyhorse Publishing, 2016. Moreover, these dogs are super strong and robust on their own.Nevertheless, some farmers and homesteaders feel better when providing their dogs with protective garments. Provide him with a good home and youll have a most splendid pet and companion. The Maremma has always been used to guarding sheep, and today even though he is looked upon as a wonderful, friendly companion dog, he also makes an excellent watch dog, being brave and courageous. Interestingly, former U.S. president, George Bush, was presented with a Karakachan when he visited Bulgaria in 2003. (males), 88-125 lbs. Additionally, unkempt dogs develop bad odors, so youll want to make sure to bathe your LGDregularly. They often prefer to make their own decisions regarding their herd and how they respond to threats. The dogs however ate a vegetarian diet of milk, wheat, water and oats. Dont be fooled by their distinctive tendrils though this breed is known for being especially strong with dense bones and lots of muscle under all those dreadlocks! Comparison between Great Pyrenees Dog and Bulgarian Shepherd Dog. Breeds 00 each. With two layers, the coat of the Great Pyrenees will need to be brushed twice a week to prevent burrs attaching to the fur and to prevent it from matting, It also gets rid of loose hair during shedding. Maremma Sheepdog may have less litter size than Great Pyrenees. The 14 Best Farm Dog Breeds: Barnyard Buddies! The Karakachan has a very large, broad head equipped with a black nose and hazel or brown colored eyes. Kate is a dog-loving content specialist with over a decade of canine-care experience. Komondor The mop dog originated from Hungary. 4 Comments. Strong and courageous, they would fight any predator without hesitation if it continued to pursue its prey. They have an intelligent and confident, yet firm almost grim expression. Maremma Sheepdog may weigh 9 kg / 19 pounds lesser than Great Pyrenees. Later generations of the Pyredoodle may shed little if at all, but earlier generations are still likely to shed somewhat. However, it is important to always check their nails to ensure they are not cracking or splitting. Both Maremma Sheepdog and Great Pyrenees requires Moderate maintenance. Livestock guardian dogs have been utilized throughout Europe and parts of Asia for thousands of years, but they are just starting to gain traction throughout North America. For more on determining how many livestock guardian dogs you need to run, see my article, How Many Livestock Guardian Dogs You Need. Some farmers utilize one LGD for every 30 to 50 sheep, while others recommend using two or three times as many. The caloric needs of Karakachan dogs will vary depending on their size and their level of activity. Native to Bulgaria, it is difficult to trace their exact origin as they are truly an ancient breed, but it is widely believed that they originated from Central Asian herding dogs. It does come with the risk of hip and elbow dysplasia as well as bloat, like any large breed dog. Some are more accepting of people visiting while others will not It is far better to feed your Great Pyrenees smaller meals throughout the day as opposed to 2 large meals a day. During the mid 1600s, the dog's numbers dwindled but the French developed kennel clubs where the dog could be bred and its numbers restored. The Karakachan is a lesser known breed in the United States. The Karakachan is a remarkably large and impressive dog, with males reaching heights of 63-75cm, while females will stand smaller at 60-69cm. While Karakachans can be more high maintenance than other breeds, they also can make the best of pets. Dohner, Janet Vorwald. Here are some of the traits that make these breeds well-suited for protecting your farm. . Karakachan Breed Information, Characteristics & Heath Problems A large dog like him can develop bloat from gulping down a large amount of food too quickly. Akbash Dog Originating from Turkey the Akbask dog is a popular choice and works well in both open range and fenced pastures. How Do Livestock Guardian Dogs Protect Your Animals? The akbash lives about 10 years and weighs anywhere from 90 to 140 pounds. They are very vocal, especially at night when patrolling. Great Pyrenees Known outside North America as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, this guardian breed originates from France and is quite popular and well-known throughout the world. They can be aggressive to other dogs. Whats the best part about having them as a part of your farm? Socialize your Great Pyrenees with other dogs and people from a young age. The dog was adopted into the court of Louis the XIV as a royal dog. Wed love to hear all about it in the comments below! He is going to cost a lot to feed, so think it through first. The long tail is set low and is thickly feathered. Most livestock guardian breeds are very independent, not needing much human instruction. K9 of Mine is reader-supported, which means we may earn a small commission through products purchased using links on this page. They are considered moderately reactive in how quickly they escalate from barking to attacking a perceived threat. Steve Savor Yacht, Articles K
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