The "Pack"
Our whole pack includes more than just the three Border Collies. There are our two older dogs, Kep (BC/ Springer Spaniel) and Inez (Great Pyrenees), who are both fixed and have been with us their whole lives. And then there is Flossie... She is the daughter of Inez and Duncan, and though she was unexpected, and barely made it when she was a tiny pup, she is now a vibrant, sweet dog, badly in need of training, who is learning how to guard the farm.
All the dogs politely requesting the squirrel in the top of the tree to come down for a visit.
(Needless to say, the squirrel declined.)
(Needless to say, the squirrel declined.)
Kep (Springer Collie)
Kep is a great dog with a very friendly and loving personality. If you ever come to our farm, expect him to be your buddy the whole time you are outside if you give him any attention - unless it's too hot and he prefers to take a nap. He loves to be petted, and can actually be a little annoying sometimes constantly begging for attention. He wants to please me (usually), and knows a few little tricks (nothing really special- shaking hands, jumping up and climbing on things on command, closing doors, etc.) When he was a puppy I talked to him constantly, almost like he was a person, and he understands a lot of what I say, and especially the tone of my voice, so that he often used to do things for me if I just asked him in a normal tone, without giving a command or anything. He also would have made a great seeing-eye dog with training. Whenever I went out at night in the dark I would take him with me and send him in front to help me avoid obstacles. If I had more know-how when I was training him, and stayed consistent, he could probably have learned any trick I wanted to teach him. Now that he's a little older... I'm not so sure. He used to round up the goats for me, and was a great help with them until he got older and Cleone arrived. Then he gladly handed over his job to her, and though he still ambles out to the milk shed frequently, and even gets in on the action every once in a while when the cows are being bad, he's usually happy to lounge on the deck and let the younger dogs handle the work. He is a great blessing to our family, and we are thankful to the Lord for providing just the right dog for us!
*Kep is neutered.
Inez: Great Pyrenees
We traded three cross-bred goats for Inez when she was 11 months old, and have never regretted it. Inez is just as intelligent and sweet as Kep, but didn't have the early training he did, and displays her smarts and sweetness in different ways. She won't constantly beg to be petted, but loves it all the same. Her primary job is guarding the animals at night, and she does it amazingly well. Predators are always the least of my worries now with my goats, and the only ones she couldn't guard the chickens against were hawks and snakes (and she did her best with them, chasing them off and/ or alerting us to their presence whenever possible). She is very mellow when not defending her farm, and loves children (and adults too, but she is especially gentle with children). She can be a little stand-offish with strangers at first, but that is just because she is a Pyrenees guard dog, and wants to be sure you are a friend before trusting you. When she sees us talking to someone and obviously allowing them in our territory, she is happy to come over and say hello, if the weather isn't too hot. When it is, she prefers to take a nap under the van or deck.
*Inez is spayed.
Flossie
Border Collie/ Pyrenees
Flossie (A.K.A. Goofy) is the surprise daughter of Duncan (my first Border Collie stud dog) and Inez. She was one of an unexpected and weak litter, and sadly, was the only puppy which survived. We had to tube feed her for the first several weeks of her life, but now she is strong and healthy. (We think the reason the litter was so weakly is because Inez was 8 years old when they were born, and it was too hard for her puppies to nurse.)
Inez is getting old and we plan to keep Flossie as a farm guardian and family pet. I am working on socializing her, which is a bit of a challenge because she is extremely leery of strangers, and tries to stay just out of reach and bark at them. This is because she is 50% Great Pyrenees, and also reminds me of Duncan as a young puppy, when he was timid and suspicious of strangers. She is usually pretty good with visitors if we are outside, but she does bark, still.
She is, like her mama, a wonderful LGD (livestock guardian dog). She is usually the first one to take alarm at anything, and is very gentle and friendly with the animals. She shows some herding disposition also, but I don't encourage this since the Border collies are more than enough for all the work we need, and she has an amazing talent for herding the animals in exactly the opposite direction from where they need to go. She also loves our two cats and I believe she views them as her pets. They love her too and she may often be seen licking, gently chewing, or sleeping with one or other of them.
*Flossie is spayed.
Inez is getting old and we plan to keep Flossie as a farm guardian and family pet. I am working on socializing her, which is a bit of a challenge because she is extremely leery of strangers, and tries to stay just out of reach and bark at them. This is because she is 50% Great Pyrenees, and also reminds me of Duncan as a young puppy, when he was timid and suspicious of strangers. She is usually pretty good with visitors if we are outside, but she does bark, still.
She is, like her mama, a wonderful LGD (livestock guardian dog). She is usually the first one to take alarm at anything, and is very gentle and friendly with the animals. She shows some herding disposition also, but I don't encourage this since the Border collies are more than enough for all the work we need, and she has an amazing talent for herding the animals in exactly the opposite direction from where they need to go. She also loves our two cats and I believe she views them as her pets. They love her too and she may often be seen licking, gently chewing, or sleeping with one or other of them.
*Flossie is spayed.