Livestock Guardian Puppies for Sale!
Excellent pups available for livestock producers in need of protection from predators. Five males and seven females available from this Karakachan/Akbash litter. These pups will grow into excellent working dogs. The sire and dam are great around people when properly introduced, and patient with children, but they are serious guardians - not pets. This is expected to be the dam’s last litter.
Pups are $450 each, or $400 each for two or more $250 each for females, and $350 each for males until January 1, 2025. If you don’t already have livestock guardian dogs working on your farm or ranch, the purchase of a pair of pups is highly recommended. Located near Ames, Iowa.
Contact Aaron to secure your pup, or to get answers to your questions, at Aaron@GoatsOnTheGo.com.
Born October 2, 2024, available for pickup beginning November 30
100% Karakachan dam, Akbash sire
Parents on site
Dewormed and vaccinated against distemper/parvo at six weeks old; distemper/parvo/lepto to be administered at eight weeks
Constant exposure to goats since birth
Introduced to electric fencing
FAQ
What is the breed mix of these pups?
The mother is 100% Karakachan. The father was purchased as a puppy from a large-scale sheep and goat ranch where several breeds of livestock guardian dogs are in use, but the predominant breed is Akbash. Based on the temperament, personality, and physical appearance of the sire, he seems to have a lot of Akbash in him.
Are these puppies registered, registerable, or “pure bred”?
No. They are a cross of several breeds from proven working genetics.
Where can I get more information about the Karakachan breed?
American Karakachan Dog Association
Aren’t livestock guardian dogs supposed to be white? Are you sure there isn’t some black Lab or border collie in there?
Many familiar livestock guardian dog breeds are white, but Karakachans are commonly heavily marked with black or liver. You can see images of other Karakachans here. This litter’s dam has a predominantly black coat with white chest and legs. Our farm has many dogs, but only one of them is an intact male — the Akbash sire of this litter.
Have the parents been used as working dogs?
Yes, both parents were bonded to sheep and meat goats as puppies on our working farm, and are used exclusively for predator protection.
Have the puppies been exposed to livestock?
Yes. The pups were born among sheep and meat goats and they have been free to roam among them.
What kind of coats will the puppies grow up to have?
Based on what we’re seeing so far, it looks like their coats will be more typical of the Karakachan breed (feathered and thick but not quite fluffy) than the Akbash (close and smooth). The dam’s coat has not required any special attention.
Should I buy one of these puppies if I don’t have livestock?
No. These are serious working dogs that need to do the job they were bred for — protecting livestock from predators. In order to do their jobs they need to live outside with their livestock all the time. If you can’t provide that work or commit to bonding the pup primarily to livestock — not to yourself or your family — then these aren’t the right dogs for you.