The Sheepdog

This is our Great Pyrenees dog named Big Boy.  Great Pyrenees is a really old breed of dog that has been used as a livestock guardian dog around the Pyrenees Mountains between Southern France and Northern Spain.  It was bred to specifically guard sheep on the steep slopes of the mountains.  They are nocturnal dogs by nature.  Tricia and I, and our neighbors, unfortunately, can vouch for this characteristic.  Although very gentle, lovable dogs, they are known to be quite aggressive with predators of the animals/flocks that they guard.

Big Boy

Here you can see the old boy in action, alert, looking out for hawks, possums, raccoons, and any other predator that might want to feast on our chickens and cows. He looks proud of his role in protecting the defenseless - a noble dude indeed.  The night watchman has clocked in and is on duty!

Don't mess with me, critters

He'll bark his head off at cats, other dogs, or people walking on the road as well.

The cows don't like him much even though he takes care of them

Sheep dogs.  This reminded me that I once read an article in which the author postulated that people fall into 3 categories:

1. Sheep dogs,
2. Sheep, or
3. Wolves

In all of humanity, there are those who protect, those who need to be protected, and those who prey on others.  I realize it may not be nice to think of people like that, but it is worth thinking about.  Which one are you?  Or can we fall into all 3 categories (even the wolf, unfortunately), depending upon the situation and time.

It sounds nice to be a sheep dog, doesn't it?  The title of sheep dog is one we probably all would want to attain.  The protector.  The guardian.  Stronger, smarter, and able to protect those of lesser stature or those not naturally assertive or with no proclivity to be aggressive.  However, being a sheep dog takes focus, perseverance, and sacrifice. One must be constantly vigilant, alert, and ready to act should danger appear.  

I bring this up because I want to show you a problem we've been having repeatedly. I'll show you two pictures and then I'll explain.  See if you can guess what's happening.

What is that white stuff caught in the barbed wire?

Who damaged the perimeter fence around the pasture?

Answers:  That's Big Boy's fur in the barbed wire and Big Boy is the perpetrator who damaged our fence.

Big Boy, our livestock guardian dog, has become bored with his task of guarding the flock and living within the confines and responsibilities that that position involves. He's begun to jump the fence, damaging it in the process, and goes on maneuvers. He leaves his post, going AWOL from his sworn duties to roam across busy roads, through neighbors' yards, presumably to visit 'lady friends.'  This is not good.  When he is off of his post, the defenseless animals are vulnerable to attack.  We will call and call and he ignores us and only returns much later in the night.

I thought about this problem and how to solve it.  As the picture shows below, we have him cabled to a stake that allows him a 60 foot area in which to roam.  We've set that up around our chicken area, but really, if a smart predator comes in, he can just devour those that are outside Big Boy's range.  Not good. Additionally, I want him to have freedom to roam within his area.  I've also begun to look into purchasing/installing an invisible fence, which involves laying down a wire on a perimeter and giving Big Boy a collar to wear.  When he approaches the perimeter, a shock is administered.  But I need to read reviews and check pricing.  Hmmm... I wonder if this would work on teenagers?  I kid...  I kid!

The tie that binds

In one final thought: the sheep dog story of Big Boy, I think, has some relevance to our lives, if I think about it.  In those areas where WE are the sheepdog - parenting, or in our jobs, or in our Christian walk, for example, do we ever lose focus, get distracted, and leave our charges unprotected against the wolves? Politically speaking, it seems as if there are some who we elect to 'protect us' that unfortunately quickly get distracted, sometimes even teaming up with the wolves to fleece 'the sheep!'

Bottom line: in guarding a flock of chickens (or a group of people) it takes constant watchful observance and dedication to the task.  It is a huge responsibility and one not to be taken lightly as lives and livelihoods are at risk since there are predators out there looking to make your flock (or you) prey.

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1 Peter 5:8

New King James Version (NKJV)

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.