My program began in 2010 when we got our first livestock guardian dog. Over the years I have learned so much and I have found that there are things that have been lost or that I desired more in a livestock guardian dog. After talking to fellow farmers, I set out on a journey that could bring about those things that I and many others seemed to desire. I also took the time to speak with other very well seasoned breeders both in LGDs and also other breeds to gather as much information about how to go about my plans. Over the years I have also included many well known and very well accomplished dog trainers as well. I took all of the information in that I could from so many sources before setting out on this journey. My focus was on these specific traits and not on a breed specifically, because at that time there just didn't seem to be a breed that fit what I wanted.

One desire which obviously isnt a priority but it was still something that was discussed and since it is a short explanation Im going to mention it first. Color, again far from a priority when it comes down to it, but still a desire nonetheless. I wanted a colored dog vs a white dog.

The next and certainly a more important trait was a heavy but not a massive dog. I wanted the dog to be of a decent size to handle what it needed to but I wanted substance vs height. I wanted a larger boned dog that was medium-large size. I wanted the dog to have a presence about it without being so large that it taxed farmers epically to feed and keep. I also wanted a nice broad head with well placed ears on a thick substantial body.

Another majorly important trait is that I wanted a medium length coat. Many people in my area and other places hated the demanding nature of most of the heavy coats was just too much. Either the dogs just dealt with it and the farmer would tend to the mats that formed eventually. Or the farmers would gripe about having to manage it. Over the years coats just were not considered much, it seemed and many if not most breeds have or had horrible coats that needed heavy maintenance. A medium length coat that shed on its own and was easy to manage just made sense.

On the other hand the coats that were short just couldn't handle the colder weather as well as the dense coats. So if you wanted an easier coat to manage then you were then in the boat where you really had to monitor your dogs through the winter. We all know that the LGDs surely don't know when to go inside and out of the weather! And on the reverse again those heavy coats really struggled in the summer which lead to many getting shaved just to make it through the heat. (Not getting into if that is good to do or not, fact is it was and is done.)

Probably the most significant thing that I set out to do is to see if I could alter the maturity age on these guys. Lets face it the teenage behavior of these guys will drive you mad sometimes! In my program I monitored my litters and I made a specific effort in picking out the dogs that were mature early. When I bought dogs I had specific things that I looked for. I was very focused on those calm old souls and the dogs that had more work ethic than they knew what to do with early on. The pups that cared more for their work than they did me even at a very young age. I wanted to try and breed for an earlier maturity and harness those wonderful traits that make these dogs so wonderful.

Now I dont want to imply that this means that these dogs are perfect, or that every dog to date that I have bred is perfect. Breeding for things like this takes time. It takes patience. And sometimes it means really getting down and dirty with your genetics and with the dogs. But this is a real goal and one that in my last couple breedings I think I have really made some strides in. And it will continue to be a major focus of mine with any dogs that I bring in or retain.

My goals in my program are why it is imperative that I retain dogs and really get familiar with what it is that Im breeding. I have held back dogs from nearly every single litter. I have visited many more. And I love the updates, good or bad, that I get from people. Any and all information that I can gather from the dogs I breed will help me make better choices moving forward with my vision.

Yes we love our livestock guardians but at the same time these dogs are working animals. No one enjoys having to wait years on end to have their dog mature and be fine to work without your near constant supervision. These dogs are an investment. They are your insurance and waiting years to have them do what they were intended for is inconvenient. We all undertake it because we know the outcome, but think about it if it took less time to get a reliable guardian and just how wonderful that would be!

The ultimate package in a livestock guardian dog for me and many others who helped me to get where I am today is a dog of substance throughout without excessive leg or height. A dog with a medium length coat that fills in nicely with an undercoat for winter and sheds out beautifully almost maintenance free for the summer. And a dog that matures at a faster rate than 2-3 years of age. I have made this a passion and I will make it a reality.