Re: [PyrNet-L] Pyrenees en Guarde!

["Beverly Coate" <bcoate@cwis.net>]

Ken, this kind of behavior is not at all unusual for Pyrenees.  When we have
a ewe die for what ever reason, there will be one or more dogs protect the
dead carcass until it changes odors.  I can tell you that burying it
anyplace the dogs have access to is a wasted effort.  They will dig it back
up, probably faster than you can bury it.  Once the dead animal has change
odors ours will eat the carcass.  The cleaning up of dead animals goes back
to their historical background.  With the dead carcass gone there is no
strong smell to draw predators in.


Beverly Coate  C&C Farms   Stigler Oklahoma   USA  918-967-4871
***************************************************************************
Great Pyrenees LGD's  -  Hampshire - Cotswald - Polypay  Sheep
Nubian Dairy Goats  -  LGD Rescue foster home
Visit our website at http://www.c-c-farms.com/
Look over our new Mighty Mule E-Z gate openers
http://www.c-c-farms.com/Auto_Gate_home_page.html
the Christmas present you can open all year long.
Please note we are a member of the Hero's Waggin Train
http://www.homestead.com/heroswaggintrain/
bcoate@cwis.net
ICQ #20747702
----- Original Message -----
From: Ken McNamara <conmara@oaktree.net>
To: Pyr List <pyrnet-l@gamerz.net>
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 1999 6:28 AM
Subject: [PyrNet-L] Pyrenees en Guarde!


> Hi -
>
> I'm new the list and have a story and a question.
>
> We have 2 Pyrs - female 18 months, male 12 months.
>
> We also have a retirement community for 7 sheep (past 4H projects).
>
> One of our sheep died (so now we have 6) - both dogs were very curious
> about it, sniffing, licking, etc.
>
> Then when I was burying it our female Pyr decided to stand guard over it
> - to the point of getting into the first real fight I've seen between
> our two Pyrs.  He drew blood - but she wouldn't back down and he backed
> off.
>
> She would not let the male near the dead sheep - and she laid by it the
> whole time I was digging the grave.
>
> Under normal circumstances the male does occasionally chase the sheep -
> she doen't even pay attention.  But in this instance - she wouldn't
> allow even the slightest approach.
>
> So, has anyone seen anything similiar?  Any explanation for this kind of
> behavior?  I know that Pyrs will not tolerate any predators near the
> animals the protect, but why did she turn on the male?
>
> Thanks.
>
> KenMc
> Pittsboro,IN
>
>
> To unsubscribe, send a message to esquire@pyrnet.org with
> unsubscribe pyrnet-l
> as the BODY of the message.  The SUBJECT is ignored.
>