* NEWS*
At this time, we have no puppies or working dogs for sale.
November 29, 2007 (SOLD)
This female has been actively working independent of adults on young livestock and poultry for two months. She is trained to hot wire and electric netting.
September 9, 2007
The puppies' have received their vaccinations, wormings and vet check. They are ready to go to new homes! (note--there are only females available from this litter)
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July 29, 2007
The puppies' eyes are open, they're mobile and vocal.
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July 14, 2007
And now we know where the tern "dog pile" comes from. Here are the puppies at ten days. No one has opened their eyes as of yet, but they are definitely growing.
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The puppies have arrived!
On July 4th, Dora, our purebred Great Pyrenees Livestock Guardian Dog whelped a fine looking litter of uniquely marked pups. Although many of the markings will fade as the dogs grow their adult coats, some will remain badger-marked. The bitch has badger markings while the sire is all white. The pups will be available in mid to late August.
El Jefe, our working LDG AKC Great Pyrenees stud.
For anyone who keeps livestock in a predator prone area, a Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD) is a must. These dogs have been used for centuries to protect herds and flocks throughout the world and continue to be paramount to the success of both large and small scale agricultural operations in the twenty first century.
We chose the Great Pyrenees for the Painted Hand Farm. Other LGD breeds include the Anatolian Shepherd, Akbash, Maremma, Komondor, Tibetan Mastiff, and Kuvasz.
Originating in the Pyrenees mountains which borders France and Spain, these large dogs were bred by the Basque to protect their livestock from large predators.
Territorial by nature, the Great Pyrenees is a working dog who closely guards this range from predators--both four legged and two legged. Often called "gentle giants", the Great Pyrenees can be trusted with small and young animals as well as children.
There are two categories of livestock guardian dogs--the all-purpose farm dog and the working LGDs. The first is a dog that has been well socialized with humans and tends to stay in close proximity to the home/barn area. He is comfortable with assorted types of livestock and people. The second is a dog that has been raised exclusively with stock and can be left alone, sometimes for months at a time, to guard flocks from predators. This dog is not a pet.
Great Pyrenees do well in both environments.
The Great Pyrenees of Painted Hand Farm is a working farm dog. El Jefe (Spanish for The Boss) lives with our goats, poultry, yak and horse. He was born among goats, however, in his 6 to 16 week stage, he was house trained and kept in our home. At 16 weeks, Jefe was placed with our does and their kids. Now he spends his time with both does and bucks as well as near the rest of the animals on the farm.
El Jefe is a registered AKC Great Pyrenees male with badger markings. His Sire is Magnum Max Buckeye and his Dam is Snowbear Max Alexa, both of MAX Boer Goats in Lykens, Pennsylvania.
Bred by Ashling Farm in Kentucky, Dora is our AKC Great Pyrenees female with prominent badger markings.
Both dogs come from working stock and are working LGDs themselves.
All litters are whelped in the pasture exposing them to the sounds and smells of livestock from birth. They are socialized with a variety of species including cows, goats, horses, and fowl.
Dora and her 2006 litter as Jess, the cow and the goats look on. (NOTE-the green spots is a livestock grease pencil that marks them as they are vaccinated and wormed)
What our customers say about our dogs
"He has been such a joy for us. Wonderful personality, a good guard dog. He has his flock of chickens that he watches."
--JP & Donna, New Hampshire
"Ariel is doing really well. She is such a sweetheart and does a great job taking care of her herd."
--The Lawson Family, Pennsylvania
"I just love this guy! He is so laid back."
--Don, Maryland
"It's so neat to watch their instincts at work around the sheep already. It's amazing how gentle these dogs are. Thanks so much for my girls!"
--Jackie, New York
"Thanks much for these wonderful girls!"
--Lisa & Ken, Pennsylvania
"He was a good investment. I haven't lost anymore lambs to predators since I got him."
--Levi, Pennsylvania Sheep Farmer
"Your breeding has produced some fantastic and intelligent puppies. Every place we go with them, the win over everybody's heart."
--Robbin & Kerry, New Jersey with their Therapy Dogs
