Sam's Icelandic Sheep Farm, llc

Predation on our farm is one of the concerns that we attempt to address. It is an ever
working, evolving, learning system that we have experienced with success and failure. To
that end we constantly repair perimeter fence, install electric fencing when and where we
can, but mostly, we rely on our LGDs (Livestock Guardian Dogs.)

These are breeds that are 1000's of years old or more, who were used by shepherds of
the olden times. They are usually white, but many breeds range in colors from white to
black. They come from France, Italy, Turkey, Hungry, Czech, Russia, Tibet, and other old
world countries where sheep and goats were a mainstay of the farmers.

Contrary to most people's understanding, these guardian dogs of old were NOT left alone
in the field to manage their flocks. There were always the one or two shepherds in the
expansive pasture of those olden times. Those dogs had human companionship and guidance
as they protected the flock.

Now, we have the majority of farmers with part or full-time jobs off the farm in order to
make ends meet and keep their farms. This leaves these noble beast alone, and without the
human companionship that the dogs crave and need, and let's not forget the master's
guidance when needed. I don't know for a fact, but I assume that many more guardian dogs
'made the grade' back then compared to those that 'make the grade' now.

I spend a lot of quality time with my dogs on a daily bases, but I do not live in the fields
with them. I do not work off the farm; this farm is my chosen, full-time job. So to a
certain extent, our dogs have it better than most, but it's still not up to the quality of
what these dogs had in times past. After almost 18 months of raising and training our
guardian dogs, I have lots more appreciation and understanding of their needs and how it
fits in with my needs and my farm. (I'd like to mention that it was a woman who raises &
re-trains Maremma LGDs that I learned the most from. She put me on track to raising
these wonderful animals. Just wish I'd run across her sooner. Thanks Jackie!)

Our experience has left us with 3 LGDs, who are very bonded with their Shepherdess and
their livestock.They work together and against all 4-legged and 2-legged 'visitors.' We
enjoy "2-legged" visitors, but you must call ahead so we can chain up any dogs not behind
electric fencing.

In addition to LGDs, we also have a stock dog, Missy. She is our Border Collie. She has a
mix of another stock breed, but you would never know it to see her, or watch her work.

Our dogs are named after the characters in the cartoon strip Peanuts. We have a Lucy,
Olaf & Molly, the LGD's. And Missy, of course.

Here are some photos of our dogs. Enjoy!