History of Misha - our Great Pyrenees LGD.
Misha means Bear. He was born at Goat & Llamas Farm in the State of Tennessee.
He was surrounded by and accustomed to poultry, cats and smaller house dogs as well.
Exact environment what I was looking for!
Misha's parents were pure Great Pyrenees, who's serving as Livestock Guardians for aforesaid farm.
Here they are, most recent picture: Pavanne & Peyton
He was surrounded by and accustomed to poultry, cats and smaller house dogs as well.
Exact environment what I was looking for!
Misha's parents were pure Great Pyrenees, who's serving as Livestock Guardians for aforesaid farm.
Here they are, most recent picture: Pavanne & Peyton
CLICK on images to ENLARGE
At the age of 10 weeks Misha came to us! He was transported by private carrier to near-by town. I went to pick him up and the first thing he did, he helped himself to a puddle of rain water from the pavement. My thoughts were; self sufficient dog at such a young age!
There he is at the first day, when I pick him up:
There he is at the first day, when I pick him up:
Thanks to a wonderful lady I have so many pictures. She was updating me on a pups progress, on a parents history...
All together it was the most pleasant transaction and I gained a friend! We corresponding till this day.
All together it was the most pleasant transaction and I gained a friend! We corresponding till this day.
Pup On a Job
Growing Up
Misha never made us any trouble. He was growing and maturing beautifully….Running the pasture alongside with goats and poultry.
Today he looks and behave like a fully matured dog, although he is only little over 1 year old.
His temperament was and still is very sweet and mellow; He is having generous and compassionate nature
toward any other animal/resident at my property.
He is not getting angry when cat, chicken or other of our dogs are trying to eat from his bowl.
When I’m giving him a treat, he is taking it from my hand so delicately!
His teeth never touch my hand!
I can pull his hair out (when brushing), I can trim his nails and he is just laying there quietly.
He is also not a big barker. He barks only when really necessary.
But don’t be fooled – he can chase predator with lightening speed!
I observed him twice: one day he was chasing a raccoon and he did this with out one single bark.
Other day some strange dog came to our property. Misha jumped from his "day sleep" and chased him silently, but the speed was something I have never seen before!
It took him about 3 seconds to make it the distance from the house to the main road.
The poor/strange dog was running for life! I didn't have a time to take a picture of that happening,
but I did managed to take few pictures from the "racoon killing" action :) He was about 3 months old then...
Today he looks and behave like a fully matured dog, although he is only little over 1 year old.
His temperament was and still is very sweet and mellow; He is having generous and compassionate nature
toward any other animal/resident at my property.
He is not getting angry when cat, chicken or other of our dogs are trying to eat from his bowl.
When I’m giving him a treat, he is taking it from my hand so delicately!
His teeth never touch my hand!
I can pull his hair out (when brushing), I can trim his nails and he is just laying there quietly.
He is also not a big barker. He barks only when really necessary.
But don’t be fooled – he can chase predator with lightening speed!
I observed him twice: one day he was chasing a raccoon and he did this with out one single bark.
Other day some strange dog came to our property. Misha jumped from his "day sleep" and chased him silently, but the speed was something I have never seen before!
It took him about 3 seconds to make it the distance from the house to the main road.
The poor/strange dog was running for life! I didn't have a time to take a picture of that happening,
but I did managed to take few pictures from the "racoon killing" action :) He was about 3 months old then...
Guarding Our Goats and Chickens
Our goats think that Misha is their mother; they crying terribly when he is out of their site.
Since we got our LGD, we have no loses to our chickens. I'm not even closing coop door for the night any more (as I used to).
I'm sure that some predators are attempting to come in, because at night I do hear Misha and Milenka barking from time to time. Sometimes I hear their voices deep in woods, away from home - meaning they chasing predators away, where they belongs :) Many times they come on a morning smelly as skunk and all muddy. There is a creek about 1/4 mile away in woods and all kind of wild life is coming there to drink. There must be the place where my LGDs goes into gear :)
They also bringing all kind of tropheas; bones, hides and storing by the house. My property looks like some kind of poachers live here ~lol~
This Video was made through the window glass from the house and 6x Zoom, so it's not the sharpest.
I just want to show you appropriate behavior of LGD. How gentle the GP is with the goats.
Notice how Billy goat is bothering him & GP is either ignoring or correcting on needed basis.
On the very end of this Video, Billy pushed little too far & GP increased correction accordingly.
This is one of the many good traits in this dog. We don't teach them this, they just know!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qacJ5VIzgdY
Since we got our LGD, we have no loses to our chickens. I'm not even closing coop door for the night any more (as I used to).
I'm sure that some predators are attempting to come in, because at night I do hear Misha and Milenka barking from time to time. Sometimes I hear their voices deep in woods, away from home - meaning they chasing predators away, where they belongs :) Many times they come on a morning smelly as skunk and all muddy. There is a creek about 1/4 mile away in woods and all kind of wild life is coming there to drink. There must be the place where my LGDs goes into gear :)
They also bringing all kind of tropheas; bones, hides and storing by the house. My property looks like some kind of poachers live here ~lol~
This Video was made through the window glass from the house and 6x Zoom, so it's not the sharpest.
I just want to show you appropriate behavior of LGD. How gentle the GP is with the goats.
Notice how Billy goat is bothering him & GP is either ignoring or correcting on needed basis.
On the very end of this Video, Billy pushed little too far & GP increased correction accordingly.
This is one of the many good traits in this dog. We don't teach them this, they just know!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qacJ5VIzgdY
Guarding his human Family
Misha is also very affectionate with children; they can poke him, pull him, lay on him, run with him on a leash...
He just love them unconditionally! He is walking grand-daughter to school bus every morning. He is so big and she is so small in comparison - he walks like a lion next to a child....
In these pictures below, you can see our long driveway; this is what I was talking about, when he was chasing the "visitor" dog and made that distance in couple of seconds.
He could be very funny too, he makes me laugh many times :) For example, trying to fit in the chair (last picture)
Although pettable and humanized for handling purposes, they are not pets! They don't feel good being in the house for longer then 10 minutes. They need vast terrain to patrol and by using their skills, due the job they know best.
He just love them unconditionally! He is walking grand-daughter to school bus every morning. He is so big and she is so small in comparison - he walks like a lion next to a child....
In these pictures below, you can see our long driveway; this is what I was talking about, when he was chasing the "visitor" dog and made that distance in couple of seconds.
He could be very funny too, he makes me laugh many times :) For example, trying to fit in the chair (last picture)
Although pettable and humanized for handling purposes, they are not pets! They don't feel good being in the house for longer then 10 minutes. They need vast terrain to patrol and by using their skills, due the job they know best.
To summarize; He is exact replica what is described in Encyclopedia:
The Great Pyrenees dog conveys the distinct impression of elegance and unsurpassed beauty combined with great overall size and majesty.
He has a white or principally white coat that may contain markings of badger, gray, or varying shades of tan.
He possesses a keen intelligence and a kindly, while regal, expression.
Exhibiting a unique elegance of bearing and movement, his soundness and coordination show unmistakably the purpose for which he has been bred, the strenuous work of guarding the flocks in all kinds of weather on the steep mountain slopes of the Pyrenees.
In nature, the Great Pyrenees is confident, gentle, and affectionate.
While territorial and protective of his flock or family when necessary, his general demeanor is one of composure, both patient and tolerant. He is strong willed, independent and reserved, yet attentive, fearless and loyal to his charges both human and animal.
The Great Pyrenees dog conveys the distinct impression of elegance and unsurpassed beauty combined with great overall size and majesty.
He has a white or principally white coat that may contain markings of badger, gray, or varying shades of tan.
He possesses a keen intelligence and a kindly, while regal, expression.
Exhibiting a unique elegance of bearing and movement, his soundness and coordination show unmistakably the purpose for which he has been bred, the strenuous work of guarding the flocks in all kinds of weather on the steep mountain slopes of the Pyrenees.
In nature, the Great Pyrenees is confident, gentle, and affectionate.
While territorial and protective of his flock or family when necessary, his general demeanor is one of composure, both patient and tolerant. He is strong willed, independent and reserved, yet attentive, fearless and loyal to his charges both human and animal.