Cuteness Overload

Farm Buddy and I went to see some Maremma puppies yesterday.  These are livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) and she thinks that she wants one.  People have very different ideas about how LGDs should be raised and utilized and, like most everything, each person thinks their way is the best. Depending on the individual needs of each farm, they may all be right.

These pups come from parents who have had a lot of human contact and are VERY friendly towards people.  They stay outside and guard the whole farm rather than just living with the sheep and this is what FB needs.  For farms with large flocks of sheep, it makes more sense for the dog to bond with and live with the sheep.  For a small, very diverse farm like FB's, it makes more sense to have a dog who will look after the whole place rather than just one aspect of it. 

After the experience we had with Buster, which did not go so well (click here and here for that story), I was very turned off by the LGD concept.  I am still very turned off by the idea of puppies who are never handled and are a danger to people.  I have to admit that after meeting these dogs yesterday, I can see how it could work out.  I am still rather skeptical, but these dogs went a long way to winning me over.  Not that it's my decision to make.

The dogs on this farm were certainly very effective watch dogs and have proven themselves to be good predator dogs, but around people, they were as sweet as could be - much sweeter than my own little shark!

This is the mother of the puppies...

She certainly won us over with those big brown eyes...

and calm sweetness.  Not too many moms with two weeks old pups would be this relaxed and cuddly with total strangers.

And then there are the puppies....

Their eyes are just starting to open.

Six girls and five boys, that's a LOT of cuteness!

Farm Buddy put a deposit down on one. 

There are plenty more available if anyone is interested in a really nice purebred Maremma LGD.  They come from imported stock and seem very sound and healthy to me.  The owner has a 12 year dog who is still in great shape and doing her job.  He has these puppies and one six month old male who is already an experienced guardian who is also available.  He has been around goats, sheep, poultry, donkeys, etc and gets along well with all of them....

Just remember, these are Livestock Guardian Dogs, NOT house dogs.  Don't be fooled by their sheer adorableness, these dogs will not be happy as house pets.

If anyone is interested, get in touch with me and and I will get you the contact info for the owner.  My email address is aerissana at gmail dot com.