tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579242589372209341.post859504546359962129..comments2024-03-27T14:11:11.317-07:00Comments on Foothill Agrarian: More Observations about Livestock Guardian DogsFlyingMulehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08319140214676274456noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3579242589372209341.post-29099316210468269332017-04-05T12:34:56.020-07:002017-04-05T12:34:56.020-07:00Could be you are not buying from the right breeder...Could be you are not buying from the right breeder. The way LGDs are raised, in combination with their bloodlines (good, bad, ugly), makes it or breaks it, Dan. I have a huge success rate with my dogs now working in over half the USA and in Canada. And heck yah, they cost way more than $300 a pup for the purebreds. But they also earn their keep, and have saved stock from predators for countless customers. They have been called "the best there is" and "bombproof" by many. You don't find that typically in $300 bargain basement dogs. But then I also recognize my way of running my LGDs and raising them in a large pack is different than most. Most don't understand it. But those that get it will tell you, it brings out the best in the dogs, because they are pack animals. http://spanishmastiff.blogspot.com/2017/03/pack-raised-livestock-guardian-dogs.html I spent time around legendary horseman Tom Dorrance and grew up learning about horsemanship from his followers the Marvels who I lived with and worked for in Nevada and Idaho. The same principles Dorrance uses with horses, I use with my dogs. Understanding that they too have feelings, and are not disposable tools, is paramount for success and I think you get that. I know the country you ranch in and have many customers up there who have all told me the prevailing thought up there seems to be "hands off, don't touch the dogs, buy cheap, dump if they don't work, etc". These dogs need to be kept stimulated mentally and feel bonded to their stock, the land, their owner, to return any such loyalty expected from said owner. Having said that, I encourage you to keep asking questions and soul search. Yes it does come down to dollars to a point but there is more to this than that, as well. And the owner/operator cannot expect the dog to do all the work, and solve all the issues - it's a teamwork kind of deal. Thanks for your post.Brenda M. Negrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01286290075169347984noreply@blogger.com