If you have goats, cattle,or sheep, you will need some type of dog to stay with them in the pasture. When we had to make this decision, we selected the Great Pyrenees and now four years later, we don't regret it for a second. Pictured second is Jake. He was our second addition and took a bit of training as he was not accustomed to working with livestock when we got him. Luckily for us we had already found 'The Dawg" pictured top. 'The Dawg' was about 2 years old when she first arrived at High Mountain Farm. She was in the pasture with cattle when we found her and completely trained. What a wonderful dog she has been. She has a great personality getting along great with people and livestock. A very gentle giant. When Jake arrived, he was only nine months old and very rambunctious. He had been chained and to this day refuses to let us touch his neck. He tolerates humans but is totally dedicated to 'The Dawg'. Occasionally, he will allow us to pet him but mostly sticks with the goats and 'The Dawg' for companionship. Jake had several bad habits but a little patience along with a short time with the shocking collar and he was fine. If you feel that the shocking collar was a cruel training tool, you should have seen the poor goats he pulled down and drug around by their legs before we got control of the situation. Now, fully grown and trained, he is the master of his world. He has never tried to leave the pasture although it would be easy for him to jump the fence if he wished. He will stand at the fence and bark at everything going by but if something comes into his domain and threatens his goats, he and "The Dawg' come unglued. Since they have been on High Mountain Farm, we have not had any real trouble with bears, coyotes or wolves bothering the goats although we know they are around us all the time. So if you are looking for a good herd dog, I strongly suggest the Great Pyrenees.
