Sales Info – Livestock Guardian Dogs
All puppies go home with vaccinations and deworming appropriate to their age. Puppies are ready to go home after 8 weeks. We find 8 weeks is an optimal age to facilitate an easier transition to the puppy’s new home, and to allow the owners to raise the dogs in their actual working environment. Our puppies’ parents are working livestock guardians and pups are pack raised with ample loving human socialization. Pups are exposed to goats and chickens at an early age, typically at day one depending on the mom’s selection of birthing location, and pet dogs and cats are a regular part of their environment.
We agree whole-heartedly with this message from Natural Born Guardians (raising Boz and Kangal livestock guardian dogs, relatives to the Anatolian Shepherd and Akbash):
These puppies need a purpose, whether it be a herd or flock to guard, or family to interact with daily. These dogs DO NOT do well, nor do we support or condone, long-term kenneling or isolation, as it negatively affects both their mental and physical development. They are natural livestock guardians, and like all LGDs, become deeply attached to their owners and livestock, needing those bonds to develop as well-adjusted, happy, healthy dogs. [Anatolian] Shepherds are extremely powerful dogs, who require an owner that is both willing and able to care for their needs, and socialize them properly. A puppy will not be sold to anyone that is not prepared to care for this type of dog.
When at all possible, in-person pick-ups are encouraged! Shipping by air out of Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is possible when United Airline’s PetSafe travel is functioning. We can make arrangements for your puppy, and this usually ends up costing about $600, which covers the crate, health papers, and the airline charges.