I need information on guardian dogs.I wanted an Anatolian but was told they will kill my cats,small dogs and chickens when they get older. Bettie

-- Bettie Ferguson (jobett@dixie-net.com), July 20, 2001

Answers

If you will go to "Predator FAQ" you'll find some good info on guard animals, including different breeds of dogs. I don't believe any breed of well bred guard dog would be a problem with your other animals. It's all in the training and socializing. There's probably lots of webpages for each of those guardian breeds, I'd check them out. At herding trials(different than guarding)we see lots of breeds of dogs, even Rottwielers and Pit bulls that are great with stock. It's all in the breeding and your willingness to put the time and effort into them. Hope this helps, :-)

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), July 20, 2001.

Bettie, I have a 6 yr old female Anatolian. She does kill kittens out in the barn, but was taught this by a Scottie that we had. She does know to leave our pet cat alone, though, because I told her to in a stern voice. Don't be afraid to get an Anatolian puppy. If they are raised with dogs and cats, and are well socialized, I don't see a problem. Well, one; my dog will repel female dogs, but not males, because she was raised with other dogs. I can't say enough good about Anatolians.They have ruined me for any other dog. They are intelligent, beautiful, and are tough enough to deal with just about anything. Just be sure that you are willing to provide a life-time home. They deserve nothing less. I have chickens too--not a problem.

-- Judy C. Vaughan (whileaway3@cs.com), July 21, 2001.

I have an Anatolian. I bought him from this site! I too am spoiled and will never have another breed but Anatolains. I just bought my second puppy. She comes in August.

Now to the killing cats, small dogs and chickens...No. He was raised with them. He is now 1 year old and loves all the animals, though he still wants to chase the white rabbit that thinks he is 'free willy' and runs all over the hills. Can't blame the dog, he just wants to put him back into his cage...so do I!

His first kidding, he was there. He helped the doe clean off the baby and I had to explain to him that that was not his! At 1 year old he is still a puppy and I still have alot to learn!

I have to keep the doors locked cause he knows how to open them...if he would just learn how to close them behind him I would be happy.

-- westbrook (westbrook_farms@yahoo.com), July 21, 2001.

Bettie, I am glad to see Anatolian owners respond to your question. I am soon to be a proud owner of a 10-month old rescue Anatolian mix, Clements. Her background is unknown but she was placed in a farm environment, and the following is a report I received on her behavior:

Clements didn't even move when a chicken ran past her face, when she saw the ducks she went over and sniffed them and then went to see the donkeys who she then licked!!!! She also licks cats even though one of ours clawed her right in the nose. All in all I think she liked the mini donkeys the best of our animals she kept going over to them to see what they were doing and even sat there and watched them till I took her inside.

Check out some of the Anatolian/guardian sites at Yahoo. I find the Anatolians to be extremely protective, and it appears their personality is standoffish, possibly aggressive to strangers. Suits me so long as she protects my goats! I look forward to getting her.

-- Marsha (CaprisMaa@aol.com), July 22, 2001.

Bettie- We raise and train working farmcollies for farmwork; homesteads; for companions to disabled; for pethomes with elderly; and for families as nurturing, guardian companions to children. They are very gentle, beautiful, have easy- care coats, are capapble thinkers, hardworking and suitable for herding; pest control; guardian; companionship; 'couch potatoes'; etc. If you would like to learn more about the history of the working farmcollie breed, please visit the many groups who are making an effort to restore this breed to popularity. The sites below will take you to many groups involved in this work.

http://home.att.net/~HWCA/index.html (Highland Working Collies Association)

http://www.foxcreekfarmcollies.org

Hope this helps. If you are interested in who is breeding pups at this time, nationwide, we can provide that information for you. Email me at either of the addresses below: caitlyn@foxcreekfarmcollies.org or HWCA@att.net

Cait Johnson

-- Caitlyn Johnson (caitlyn@foxcreekfarmcollies.org), January 16, 2002.