Empty Cup Ranch

Thor is our young Akbash Livestock Guardian Dog. After loosing our turkey hen and some chickens to coyotes we decided we had better 'hire' a livestock guardian. There are a few options available when it comes to guarding livestock, such as llamas, donkeys, and dogs.

Llamas were a definate no as they hate Neil (so he says). I would love a donkey but with close neighbors and the very close proximity of the sheep pen to our bedroom window that was out as well. So it came down to finding the right Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD). We spent time researching the different breeds that have been bred for hundreds, and some cases thousands, of years for this specialized job. 

It was a tough decision but from the information available online we choose the Akbash. Now even tougher was finding one!

By happenchance there was an old ad online for Akbash pups in the Kootenays. We called the number and although they had sold the pups long ago they did have an 8 month old male pup that the breeder had kept for himself. Thor was born in a chicken barn and raised with poultry and sheep, as well as children and other dogs. To our great luck and fortune he decided to let us purchase Thor...and he just happened to be coming over to Creston in a few days!

We have had Thor for a couple of months now and he is just perfect for us. He is very friendly to people, but raises all heck if a coyote comes near. Every day he gets better at his job, and we are amazed at his intelligence. Thor knows his job, needs minimal guidance from us, and has a pure gold heart. He spends his nights patrolling the field around our farmyard, and sleeps nearly all day.