Meet Leo: A Big That Becomes One Of The Family (Leos) are big, have lots I, but a couple dedicated breeders found 25 of hair and require attention. They aren’t for of them. The men also started an offi cial everyone. But for people who love the breed, breed registry. An American club organized no other dog comes close. in 1985. Leonberger “We embrace the hair. They live in the In 1997, three Leonberger dogs played the dogs vary in house and want to be part of the family. role of “Buck” in the movie, “The Call of the color from They’re amazing family companions,” Wild: Dog of the Yukon.” “lion-yellow” to explains Beth O’Connor, who lives with “I saw a photo of a Leonberger in a book, red-brown and two and is president of the and I thought it was the most beautiful dog have dark faces. Males have a Leonberger Club of America, which has I’ve ever seen,” O’Connor says. Without any lion-like mane 1,100 members. “They are amazing in terms background for buying a purebred dog, she of hair on the of their ability to read and understand their drove 6 hours to meet with a breeder in Los neck and chest. people.” Angeles for a 3-hour interview. Getting to Dark facemasks are a main characteristic know a breeder is key, O’Connor says, noting of the dogs which grow to 28 to 31 1/2 in. tall she has developed lifelong friendships with at the withers. The breed has a double coat, the breeders of her dogs – and with other and the male has a lion-like mane of hair on members of the club. In addition to their friendly, loyal nature, all over the country and internationally who his neck and chest. They vary in color from Puppies from good breeders range from Leos do well in obedience and agility trials, own Leos,” she says. “It’s about the joy of “lion-yellow” to red-brown with black tips $1,800 to $2,500, and it’s important to take water rescue, draft work and therapy work. having a dog in your life that is part of your on their coats and a little white hair on the time to learn if the breed is right for you, They make good watchdogs and bark when family.” chest and toes. Despite their size (150 lbs. or O’Connor emphasizes. The Leonberger Club someone knocks on a door, for example. But She recommends people interested in more) they run with an even, balanced gait requires breeders to conduct several tests they are not aggressive by nature. the breed contact the organization for more that leaves an impression of effortless power. before selling puppies – including those that They definitely require training and information and to fi nd respected breeders. The breed goes back to 1846 in Leonberg, check the hips, eyes, thyroid and for a rare attention, and some have higher energy levels Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, . It’s suspected that Landseer, Saint neurological disorder. Life expectancy for than others, O’Connor says. She adds that Leonberger Club of America, P.O. Box 203, Bernard, Pyrenean Mountain and other dog Leos is 8 to 10 years. Leos that reach 12 years the breed seems to attract a certain kind of Pinehurst, Mass. 01866 (ph 916 743-4501; breeds were used to create the breed. are affectionately given the Grey Muzzle people. [email protected]; www. Leonbergers were nearly wiped out in WW award. “I’ve met some of the most giving people leonbergerclubofamerica.com). Bear Dogs Keep Predators At Bay Livestock Guardian Dogs When Karen Zimmerman and her family From The “Old Country” moved to northeast Washington State, they “Dear Mr. Wolf: Meet Your Match”. females are 29 to 33 in. tall and average 115 shared their new home with bears, cougars We spotted that headline in an ad in a recent to 150 lbs. The Turkish Boz excels in defense and coyotes. A niece and her family, two issue of Range magazine. The advertiser: against large predators such as wolves, daughters and their families, and Zimmerman Cinco Deseos Ranch of Winnemucca, mountain lions and bears. They’re extremely and her husband moved into four separate Nevada, which says it offers “serious devoted to their owner and make superior houses on 210 acres in a remote valley livestock protection for serious predator family and home protection dogs. In Turkey surrounded by national forest. Zimmerman problems”. they’re heavily used to guard sheep. was concerned about potential problems with Males sell for $1,200 to $1,700; females area predators. Spanish Mastiffs for $1,300 to $2,500. Breeder’s pick of litter Spanish Mastiffs originated in . Males “We learned that the National Park Service pup (male or female) sells for $2,700. uses Karelian bear dogs as protection,” says range up to 38 in. tall and weigh up to 260 Zimmerman. “We bought two females and lbs.; females range up to 35 in. tall and Pyrenean decided to start breeding them to provide Pyrenean Mastiffs originated in Spain and other families with that same protection.” weigh 130 to 180 lbs. although some males Karelians were bred for hunting bear can reach 200 lbs. Unlike most large guard in their native Finland. “When we moved here, we used to see bear, cougar and coyote tracks everywhere in the valley,” recalls Zimmerman. “Now we never see tracks, and we’ve trained the kids to never go anywhere without having one of our dogs with them.” Zimmerman sells her puppies for home and family protection, as well as to ranchers Karelian bear dogs range from 19 to 23 who want to protect livestock. Zimmerman in. high and weigh 44 to 50 lbs. They have says one of her customers trained his Karelian distinctive black and white markings. to be a bird dog. An experienced trainer, he jump on training as soon as we should have.” said the Karelian was the most amazing dog She says the dogs are naturally very weigh up to 220 lbs. They have a noble he had ever seen. independent minded and can be aggressive bearing and detachment, and are extremely “Many of them are used in search and and headstrong. Zimmerman says owners courageous, regal, and alert. They are not rescue,” she says. “They are great at that, need to be loving but in control, and the dogs overly affectionate, have a calm bearing, too.” need to be trained to be submissive. are never hyper, and are very protective and She describes Karelians as being intensely “We have chickens and horses, and area suspicious of strangers. They’re friendly and dogs, which can be aloof, the Pyrenean loyal, protective and territorial. They also are ranchers bring cows to graze on the national accepting only after introduced, although Mastiff has an extremely affectionate, loving, very energetic and need daily exercise or they forestland,” says Zimmerman. “The dogs some never let their guard down. They have people-oriented temperament making him will get bored. are fine with them and children as well, a loud, low, rumbling roar of a bark. Loose an ideal choice for the small, family-run Zimmerman says the dogs need room to especially when introduced as puppies. They skin hangs in folds from the head and neck. hobby farm or ranch as a combination roam and are predisposed to range around the can be aggressive to other dogs that come into Prices range from $800 to $1,500. livestock guardian and family companion. local territory, not simply stay by buildings. their area.” A jovial breed, very protective of its stock, As a result, predators learn to stay away. Karelians are a compact breed, ranging property and family, yet very aggressive “In the spring, bears leaving their dens from 19 to 23 in. in height and 44 to 50 lbs. when threatened. Suspicious of strangers will sometimes come into the valley,” says in weight. They have distinct black and white until introduced. Zimmerman. “The dogs will tree them and markings. Males and females sell for $800 to $1,200. bark to let us know. Once a person arrives, Zimmerman keeps four females and a Breeder’s pick of litter pup (male or female) the dogs are easy to take away so the bear male, breeding two females every 6 months. sells for $1,500. can leave.” Puppies are priced at $600 for those from The ranch also sells several lower-priced She notes that the dogs should be placed two females registered through the Universal Livestock Guard Dog crosses including with new owners as young as possible. She Kennel Club. Puppies from the two females Turkish Kangals crossed with Anatolian/ likes to have her puppies in their new home registered with the Maremma and Great Pyrenees crossed with within 6 to 8 weeks of birth. are priced at $700. Great Pyrenees/Polish Tatra. “Around 6 weeks, they start to bond Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Aspen Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Brenda with the people around them,” explains Valley Karelian Bear Dogs, P.O. Box 574, Turkish Boz M. Negri, Cinco Deseos Ranch, Winnemucca, Zimmerman. “It’s also important to start Colville, Wash. 99114 (ph 509-684-8031; The Turkish Boz originated in the Urfa Nevada (ph 775 931-0038 or 775 623-6292; training them young. We knew nothing about [email protected]; www.avbeardog. mountains region of Turkey. Males are 32 [email protected]; www.lgdnevada. the breed when we got our fi rst two and didn’t com). to 38 in. tall and average 140 to 240 lbs.; com). 10 • FARM SHOW • vol. 36, no. 1 • www.farmshow.com • www.bestfarmbuys.com • [email protected] • 1-800-834-9665