Boone
1/2 Spanish Mastiff x 3/8 Pyranean Mastiff x 1/8 Akbash
We have always taken a proactive approach to preventing depredation of our livestock and LGDs have been key. When wolves showed up in our county, we knew we had to step up our game. As much as we loved our Maremma based dogs, we were concerned that they would not have the size or power to handle a confrontation with wolves. Boone was purchased from Bonnie Dawn in Idaho to meet this new challenge. He has not disappointed. Boone is a massive dog, yet despite his great size he is incredibly athletic. He moves with ease and can be lightning fast when needed. He's been 100% reliable with the livestock from day one. He is simply put a rock-solid dog in every aspect and well deserving of stud dog status on our ranch.
Kit
Luke x Jessie
Kit was our keeper puppy from Jessie's last litter. Kit has proven to be everything we value in our breeding program: exceptional guardian instinct, very strong bond, early maturity, athletic and fiercely protective but very stable. Kit is a swift, alert and agile dog, quick to respond to any threat. At the same time she is deeply loyal to the flock. Kit has been actively guarding full-time since she was just six months old. Kit has more than earned her place as a permanent part of our guardian pack.
June
Kit x Buck
(Maremma x Anatolian x Akbash x Great Pyrenees)June was our keeper daughter from Kit's first litter, sired by a fellow rancher's outstanding proven stud dog, Buck. June is a little lighter and more active than our other dogs, but she doesn't let her smaller size deter her. She is always the first dog running toward the threat! June, with the help of her mother, killed her first coyote at just 11 months old! She has more than proven her worth on our ranch.
Zeb
Boone x Emma
Zeb is our keeper son from Emma's last litter. We held him back to maintain the marvelous close guardian style qualities of the Maremma that we love so much, while adding the extra size and power of the mastiff genetics. Zeb was truly a dream puppy. He's been working on pasture since just four months old and is ALWAYS with the sheep. He has been rock-solid with the sheep from day one and is a proving to be a very capable protector.
Aspen
Central Asian Shepherd x Spanish Mastiff x Maremma x Akbash
Aspen was purchased from Janet McNally of Tamarack Lamb & Wool in Minnesota as part of our onging effort to raise dogs that will stand up to wolves. Her mother is multiple generations of proven Tamarack breeding and her sire is from the renowned Cat Urbigkit of Wyoming, both breeders whose dogs are successfully fending off wolves on a regular basis. Aspen is already showing excellent instinct with the sheep and we expect her to be a formidable protector as she matures.
Emma
Purebred Maremma
Emma was our third Maremma from Finder Hampshires. She is a neice to Jessie and Mae and like her aunts, has proven to be a wonderful, devoted protector. She spent her first summer learning from the older dogs and her second summer guarding our commercial flock on leased mountain pasture where she succesfully kept them safe from a rather determined family of black bears. She is the friendliest and most outgoing of our dogs but always alert and one of the first to sound an alarm. Emma is now approaching senior dog status on our ranch. Emma is the mother of Zeb.
Mae
Purebred Maremma
Mae is our current "old lady." True to her breed, Mae is a close guardian, staying very near the sheep at all times. Mae is affectionate and appropriately submissive to the sheep, yet is confident when dealing with potential threats. She is highly protective of her flock, readily confronting any predators that threaten. She has proven to be a very valuable asset to our farm. While Mae is aloof toward strangers, she loves children and is quite friendly with our family.
As a Maremma, Mae is moderate size, weighing around 90 lbs, and grows a thick winter coat that fully sheds in the spring with no grooming. Maremmas are fast and agile runners and one of the most effective guardian breeds according to long-time shepherds.
Foundation Dogs
Luke
Anatolian Shepherd x Great Pyrenees
DeceasedThe Anatolian/Great Pyrenees cross has a reputation for being superior to either of its parent purebreds. The cross tends to lack the wander-lust of the Pyrenees while being less aggressive than the Anatolian. In addition, the cross has a medium length, easy-to-maintain coat that, while offering plenty of protection during cold weather, does not require extensive grooming like the Great Pyrenees. Luke fits this description perfectly. He never roams. He is reliable with the sheep and trustworthy with our children, but is a fierce defender. Utterly fearless and quite powerful, we've witnessed Luke on numerous occasions chasing coyotes out on pasture. Luke is what we describe as a "patrol dog," regularly working a perimeter around the flock, always returning the flock after his patrol is done. He is a serious, effective guardian. He was selected from working parents in Indiana.
Jessie
Purebred Maremma
Deceased
Jessie comes from working Maremma breeding in Kansas. Maremmas are known for their close guarding style and their parental attentiveness to their stock. True to her breed, Jessie is ALWAYS with her sheep. She is the most nurturing of our dogs, being particularly fond of babies, whether they be lambs or puppies. She is mild tempered, but ever alert to notice and respond to anything out of the ordinary. Jessie stays close the flock at all times. Especially good during lambing season, Jessie is keenly watchful of the newborns, while maintaining a respectful distance from protective new mothers.
The Maremma coat, while long, lacks the thick, fine undercoat of the typical Great Pyrenees. It does not mat or hold mud or burs and requires little, if any grooming, yet still offers plenty of protection to freezing cold temperatures in the winter.
