Working Dogs - Maremma

by Carla Amonson
(Evansburg, AB)

We had Pyrenees, but did not have as much luck with them as we have had with our two Maremmas. The last year we had the Pyr we lost 17 lambs.

Since getting the Maremmas, we have not lost a single lamb to predators, even though there are three packs of coyotes within close proximity of our farm.

They are currently managing 200 head of hair sheep in open fields as well as a 50 acre piece that is straight bush, and I have seen coyotes in it. Our boys are feral, though once caught, can be handled on a leash. I have never had any problems with them being aggressive towards anyone that is in the field with me.

We are very careful with our border collies when we send them out to gather sheep, as the LGD would seriously injure them if they did not see us. But, they are not cat killers, they let our 3 cats come and go in their pen as they please and even let them eat the dog food without incidence.

One thing that I did find very interesting with them was that Schmuland, the older male was raised with goats, and Jed, the younger male, was raised with wool sheep. Schmuland always stays with the hair sheep and Jed always stays with our few wool sheep, no matter where the groups are on the property. (we have a quarter section, and the wool sheep will not graze with the hair sheep).

This works perfect for our situation. The wool sheep went to my father in law's for the winter, and Jed was without his flock. He stayed home, with Schmuland though. And, when we separated the lambs off into a separate pen to grain before Christmas, Jed stayed with the ewes. But, the coyotes started digging at the fence, and Jed jumped the fence, and now he lives with the lambs.

Both these boys are worth their weight in gold, and we would never sell them. Nobody should be in the business without guardian dogs!