Hi Reader,
I recently received a video that perfectly captures why I do what I do, despite the challenges of ethical LGD breeding.
The video came from Dave in Texas. It shows Bear and Chief—two young Maremmas from our program—expertly guarding his 55-acre ranch. Bear patrols the fence line while Chief surveys from a hilltop vantage point. The clip ends with the two dogs spotting each other and enjoying a playful romp.
What struck me most was Dave's narration—the unmistakable joy in his voice as he described how he never tires of watching these magnificent guardians at work. These dogs protect his 300-ish free-range chickens and small herd of cattle while also being cherished family members who receive daily treats, occasional house visits, and abundant affection.
Many people don't realize an important fact about Bear and Chief—they were already nine months old when they joined Dave's ranch. Within about a month, these "older puppies" were guarding all animals without supervision—a level of maturity and trustworthiness that surprised even me. They were also beloved members of the family - livestock guardian dogs and "pets".
This challenges a common misconception I frequently encounter: that only very young puppies can properly bond with new farms and families. Dave's experience proves otherwise, and I've written a full blog post exploring why puppies between 6 and 12 months might be the ideal age for many situations.
Read the Full Story: Five Unknown Benefits of Choosing Adolescent Livestock Guardian Dogs
In the blog post, I share more about Dave's journey with Bear and Chief, why older puppies can be perfect for first-time LGD owners, and how these dogs can start protecting your livestock much sooner than their younger counterparts.
Here's a video of another of our clients, whose dogs were 18 months old when they bought them. As this video shows, Athena and Cassius had no problems bonding with their new family.
Older LGDs really are the best choice for many people. We have a few select adolescent and adult Maremmas available, so let me know if you're looking for an amazing older Maremma like Bear, Chief, Athena, and Cassius.
Have you had experience with choosing an older puppy as your LGD? I'd love to hear your stories!
Take care,
Kim
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