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Fierce sheepdogs alarming tourists in SW Colorado
AP via Freedom Communications, Inc. ^ | January 29, 2012 | staff reporter

Posted on 01/30/2012 9:35:38 AM PST by Daffynition

SILVERTON — Turkish sheepdogs prized for their fierceness are raising concerns they may be a little too tough for the southwest Colorado communities where ranchers are using them.

The Akbash dogs weigh up to 120 pounds and are especially aggressive toward animals near the sheep they guard. But that can include hikers and other backcountry tourists, prompting debate about whether the breed should be regulated.

The Durango Herald reports that Silverton town trustees met last week to discuss Akbash conflictsU.S. Forest Service officials, sheepherders and outdoors enthusiasts have also entered the debate over regulations surrounding the use of the breed.

(Excerpt) Read more at gazette.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Health/Medicine; Outdoors; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: doggieping; govtabuse; liberalfascism; lping; muslimsheepdogs; tyranny
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To: stormer

“The land isn’t leased, the grazing rights are.”
then I guess no matter how cute the dogs are if they really are threatening tourists with aggressive behavior
instead of just barking as I suspect they are. barking to tell the ontruders to stay away from their flock

the dogs will lose.
Bery tough situation for the ownders who lose so much money everytime a sheep is killed.
If they have “ grtazing rights” is that confined to a particluar area? could they put up signs?


101 posted on 01/30/2012 1:12:39 PM PST by RWGinger (Simpl)
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To: Paladin2; stormer
Why don't the ranchers use some clever graphics to manage their herds?


102 posted on 01/30/2012 1:16:29 PM PST by Daffynition (When I was a chiId was told that anybody could become President; I'm beginning to believe it)
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To: brytlea

>Probably taken from the AKC standard, and he probably reads from that too, so yes, right on. :)<

The Akbash is neither in AKC recognized breeds nor in the Foundation Stock Service. Being a valuable working dog, I doubt the keepers of its pedigrees want to open up the Pandora’s box that is breeding for a physical standard.

Livestock guardians must possess certain behaviors. If the sire and dam are not specifically chosen for the characteristics that make the dog an effective LGD, it will become yet another big white breed of dog and nothing else.

Anatolian people are already seeing what happens when they do not work their breeding stock.

Lots of pertinent info at this Anatolian specialist’s website:
http://www.luckyhit.net/


103 posted on 01/30/2012 1:17:39 PM PST by Darnright ("I don't trust liberals, I trust conservatives." - Lucius Annaeus Seneca)
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To: Daffynition

Who would be reluctant to feed their sheep dog?


104 posted on 01/30/2012 1:27:37 PM PST by Paladin2
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To: Man from Oz

The pit bull itself should not be blamed. Go after the breeders. They are the ones that are messing up the breed by breeding too much aggression into the lines. They are the ones that should be held accountable along with people that don’t know how to handle them or shouldn’t have them.


105 posted on 01/30/2012 1:30:19 PM PST by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
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To: Daffynition

The dog has a job. Let them do it. We have a Great Pyrenees down from us. He just plays and plays with my 27 lb dog. They have a lot of fun.


106 posted on 01/30/2012 1:32:11 PM PST by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
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To: DesertRhino

bfl


107 posted on 01/30/2012 1:36:55 PM PST by Brad’s Gramma (PRAY for this country like your life depends on it....)
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To: Brad's Gramma

lmacc


108 posted on 01/30/2012 2:06:10 PM PST by DesertRhino (I was standing with a rifle, waiting for soviet paratroopers, but communists just ran for office)
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To: DesertRhino

LOL!!!

(what does THAT stand for???)


109 posted on 01/30/2012 2:24:56 PM PST by Brad’s Gramma (PRAY for this country like your life depends on it....)
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To: freekitty
Our neighbor Herbie on the lake in NH had a massive Great Pyrenees named Jocko; when the kids were little he would hitch Jocko in a harness and hitch a wagon to the contraption. Jocko would proudly pull the boys up and down the dirt road, with the kids squealing in delight.

The kids were more interested in going to the lake, not for the swimming, boating, fishing, as they were to see Herbie and Jocko. Good memories. Beautiful animal.


110 posted on 01/30/2012 3:01:09 PM PST by Daffynition (When I was a chiId was told that anybody could become President; I'm beginning to believe it)
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To: Brad's Gramma

You first,, what does your “bfl” mean?


111 posted on 01/30/2012 3:10:16 PM PST by DesertRhino (I was standing with a rifle, waiting for soviet paratroopers, but communists just ran for office)
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To: Darnright

Oh pardon me.


112 posted on 01/30/2012 3:26:50 PM PST by brytlea (An ounce of chocolate is worth a pound of cure)
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To: Daffynition
Cut it out!

Stop now!

Put a pic of the muzzie Zer0 on the board to scare the animals.

113 posted on 01/30/2012 3:37:30 PM PST by Paladin2
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To: DesertRhino

Bump for later! (my abbreviation for, you know, “place mark”)

Your turn...

;)


114 posted on 01/30/2012 3:43:35 PM PST by Brad’s Gramma (PRAY for this country like your life depends on it....)
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To: Daffynition
That dog looks a lot like this one.
115 posted on 01/30/2012 4:19:54 PM PST by Paladin2
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To: Paladin2
Sure does! We can blame the Romans....http://www.flockguard.org/akbashbreedapart.htm
Little is known about the ancient origins of the Turkish Akbash Dog or its white guarding cousins. There are, however, clear historical reasons to link the Turkish Akbash Dog to its Hungarian, Italian and other relatives. Cynologists argue over whether the Akbash Dog was the progenitor of the other white sheepguarding breeds of Europe and whether the Romans brought the Akbash Dog from Asia Minor to Italy. However, it s clear that the white sheep guardians have existed as distinct breeds in their own countries for many centuries.

There is limited translated literature available that refers to the ancient dogs of Turkey. We do know that Evliya Celebi (1614-1682) recorded in his Seyahatname (Book of Travels) that the 17th century Ottomans recognized two distinct breeds of agricultural guard dogs. He briefly described both breeds and noted that they were used as livestock guardians.

Two distinct breeds of agricultural guard dogs still exist in Turkey today: the Akbash Dog and the Kangal Dog. While there is some controversy over whether these two dogs are separate breeds, history clearly shows that Turkey supported more than one breed of sheep-guarding dog for centuries. Some people believe that the Akbash Dog and the Kangal Dog are color or regional variants or one all-encompassing Turkish sheepdog breed. However, differences in conformation and temperament of the Akbash Dog and the Kangal Dog indicate that each deserves separate breed status. The Kangal Dog, esteemed as "the National Dog of Turkey," is supported by government breeding programs and export restrictions, and is considered by the Turkish people as an endangered species.

A KANGAL dog...


116 posted on 01/30/2012 4:44:27 PM PST by Daffynition (When I was a chiId was told that anybody could become President; I'm beginning to believe it)
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To: Daffynition
"The calm, quiet demeanor of the Akbash Dog, necessary to its integration with sheep and other livestock, is also greatly appreciated by its human family. The breed is easily housebroken, learns quickly and often adapts well to the home environment. Although independent in nature, the Akbash Dog is usually sensitive to firm, verbal reprimands and responds well to moderate praise. Training is relatively easy during the formative years, but correcting bad habits in adulthood is often more difficult. "

thnx for the link.

Now I have another breed for future acquisition.

117 posted on 01/30/2012 4:54:46 PM PST by Paladin2
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To: SuzyQue
And, who exactly, picks up that tab?

The city who wants to prevent the sheep raiser from using dogs to protect his sheep.......Sorry, I thought I made that clear.

118 posted on 01/30/2012 4:58:36 PM PST by Hot Tabasco (The only solution to this primary is a shoot out! Last person standing picks the candidate)
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To: Darnright
Kool,

Sounds like a good dog to have around.

"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livestock_guardian_dog"

119 posted on 01/30/2012 5:01:30 PM PST by Paladin2
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To: SuzyQue
And, who exactly, picks up that tab?

How would you suggest this farmer protect his herd from grizzlies?

120 posted on 01/30/2012 5:09:42 PM PST by Hot Tabasco (The only solution to this primary is a shoot out! Last person standing picks the candidate)
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