Kirislin Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 I've been aware of this dog for several years now. I pass by and sometimes see him laying in the paddock. As far as I know he has no shelter, he really does live with the sheep. One day I saw a man feeding him but I'm not sure how often he gets fed. I'm not saying that because I think this is a welfare issue, I dont think it is, this dog is a fair dinkum livestock guardian dog, the only one I've ever seen doing what it's bred for. I've always wanted to get a photo of him. Today was my lucky day. I've never even stopped my car there before today. I parked about 200mts away from him, and didn't even get out of my car, but he was instantly alert, and within about 30 seconds of me stopped he started telling me to bugger off. He's spotted me, my car was on the other side of the road from him, but he immediately took notice IMG_3138dppt by kirislin, on Flickr Ok lady, you've been there long enough, move along now IMG_3140dppt by kirislin, on Flickr be off with you! IMG_3141dppt by kirislin, on Flickr who would dare be silly enough to go in there with him on guard, not me. IMG_3143dppt by kirislin, on Flickr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lab_Rat Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Great pics of a dog doing his job!! We have a few down the road that have told me off too....Last year there was a guy & his dog cycling round Australia (Carrot & Coffee Dog)....anyhoo I stopped to say hi & give him a donation and within 30 seconds there were about 3 dogs down at the fence barking at us!! Up until then, I had no idea there where LG dogs on the property...Now when we drive by I always try and spot them....never do though, they are masters of disguise!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted October 14, 2012 Author Share Posted October 14, 2012 I was very impressed with how alert he was. When ever I drive past I always look for him, and when I see him sometimes he's flat out, seemingly sound asleep, but the instant I stopped my car today he was watching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 I was very impressed with how alert he was. When ever I drive past I always look for him, and when I see him sometimes he's flat out, seemingly sound asleep, but the instant I stopped my car today he was watching. yep thats how they work .Mine pick you up as soon as you slow down out the front of the house about half a kilometre from where we are and let me know to watch out .That dog has heaps of shelter - there are trees there .I give mine kennels and build lean to's for them but they never use them they go where the sheep go - from minus 6 in winter up to 45 in summer ,They dig a hole for a windbreak and even as pups given the choice they prefer the middle of a paddock to a nice warm kennel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Gifts Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 My sister has 2 maremma that stay at all times with the goats and 2 maremma that have ended up becoming yard dogs (protecting her and the house). I must admit I didn't ask about feeding arrangements for the ones that stay with the goats but there are other koolie mixes stationed around the property and I know they get fed so I'm assume it is all done on the same run. One of the maremma that is now a yard dog used to be with sheep but had a habit of collecting stillborn lambs and looking after them and mothering them for a few days before deciding it was a lost cause, and then eating them! She now does excellent guard duty of the chook pen though if it isn't closed before dusk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyosha Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Fantastic photos!! I love seeing these guys doing their jobs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlc Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Awww what a good boy, Is he a Maremma, he looks yellow on my mac. He just looks like he blends in in the first photo. The guy in our town who breeds them for looking after the penguins was at the last Bunnings volunteer day we went to with two of his, they are amazing and they were very calm and well mannered. I had my girls with me (for Delta) and Tully wasn't impressed with these big white mammoths. :laugh: Its nice to see them doing what they are bred to do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sausy.dog Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Great pics. I love how the sheep are just going about their business while he is carrying on! :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mixeduppup Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Safe sheep are safe. Our boy is like that, it's all good unless the people look like they're pulling up at our place, heaven forbid you come in without permission... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted October 14, 2012 Author Share Posted October 14, 2012 I was very impressed with how alert he was. When ever I drive past I always look for him, and when I see him sometimes he's flat out, seemingly sound asleep, but the instant I stopped my car today he was watching. yep thats how they work .Mine pick you up as soon as you slow down out the front of the house about half a kilometre from where we are and let me know to watch out .That dog has heaps of shelter - there are trees there .I give mine kennels and build lean to's for them but they never use them they go where the sheep go - from minus 6 in winter up to 45 in summer ,They dig a hole for a windbreak and even as pups given the choice they prefer the middle of a paddock to a nice warm kennel. Those trees are in another paddock, I dont think the dog or sheep have any shelter in the paddock but they all seem to cope. I suppose if it's good enough for the sheep, it's good enough for the dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dxenion Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Lovely set of shots. Have you thought of tracking down the owner and giving them a copy of the series? It's a beautiful set of photos that show the breed doing exactly what it was bred for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgieB Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Beautiful Pics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted October 14, 2012 Author Share Posted October 14, 2012 Thanks guys, I didn't think the photos were particularly good, as photos go, but I thought they are interesting especially for anyone who's never seen these dogs working before. Glad you like them. Dxenion it hadn't occurred to me to try to find out who owns him. I might look into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W Sibs Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 that is so awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JodyC Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Oh I live not far from this lovely dog :) I don't always see him there though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Lovely set of shots. Have you thought of tracking down the owner and giving them a copy of the series? It's a beautiful set of photos that show the breed doing exactly what it was bred for. yes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indigirl Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Love the pics Kirislin! I find livestock guardian breeds fascinating :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Great shots! He is very impressive. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smisch Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Our lakies breeder has a mareema who lives with the sheep on her property it's fasinating to see real working dogs do their job. If I remember rightly when we went to pick up amber she also had a young pup in with the poultry. She was hoping the pup would eventually teach and give the older dog confidence when being handled as it wasn't too keen on routine jobs such as fleaing and nails Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaCC Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Amazing photos! I've never seen a livestock guardian at work before, too many cows and not enough sheep back home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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