Crane Creek Karakachans

11/08/2024

Crane Creek “puppy”! celebrating year one. He will become a better and better guardian (and steal even more of your heart).

🐾 Coming up on a year with our first Livestock Guardian Dog, and I finally understand what words alone could never convey. I spent years researching LGDs, thinking I was prepared. But no amount of reading could truly capture how remarkable these dogs are until I experienced it myself.

From retrievers to herding dogs and hounds, I thought I’d seen loyalty, intelligence, and love in so many forms. But LGDs are in a league of their own—more loyal than any retriever, more cunning than any herder, and more affectionate than any hound I’ve known. Even as he’s still growing and learning, he’s already shown such depth of instinct and commitment to protecting our farm.

For anyone who has or knows an LGD, you’ll understand—it’s only something you *feel* once they’re a part of your world. 🐕❤️

11/04/2024

I love getting a message like the one below!!

Hello! This is (Crane Creek) Thor’s owner Summer and I would like to get on the list for a pup from this springs upcoming litter! We have decided Thor needs a buddy to be with him and his goat friends. We just love him so much and he is doing fantastic with the goats and chickens!!

10/01/2024

Crane Creek Hope (left) and Crane Creek Jazelle (right), pure Karakachans, enjoying their “walk”! We need rain badly.

09/28/2024

Crane Creek Koza!

Time to brag on this boy (who turned 1 year old a few weeks ago!) Koza has been doing an amazing job this past week keeping the predators at bay. Every night he has been busy warning off the coyotes as they have been moving in closer to the farm recently. I also noticed a racoon that showed up in one of the horse pastures recently, but Koza has been effective at keeping it from moving much closer.

A couple of days ago, a coyote was messing with Koza - every time he would recall to me, the coyote would yip at Koza, who would then run back out and shoot off some warning barks. Koza listened well to me while also maintaining his focus on the coyote.

Because of his busy nights, Koza has been sleeping all day long. I will feel much better when Koza has a buddy out there with him and he isn't alone. Soon!

09/22/2024

This is Crane Creek Violet, pure Karakachan. She is 3 yrs old spayed. Great working dog. Has lived with sheep 100% of her life. Working on a rotational grazing sheep farm in Kansas. Looking for a good working home with sheep.

Violet will approach handlers for affection and food. Easy to care for her but she prefers to be with the sheep and will only seek affection briefly. One of the best dogs I’ve ever had.
Contact Jacqueline Smith +1 (816) 824-7784 or [email protected]

09/20/2024

Crane Creek Clyde (half Karakachan, half Maremma, 6 mo) with some of his Vizsla friends! Thank you Kathleen W for such a wonderful photo! 💕

08/28/2024

Crane Creek Lenna. Thank you Hollie A for keeping in touch and giving Lenna a wonderful life.

08/26/2024

Crane Creek Clyde, Karakachan x Maremma, born 7 March 2024 loves his snake says Kathleen Weller. (And thank you for the great photo).

Toys and games are great for stimulating and occupying livestock guardian dogs!

From “Training Support for Livestock Guardian Dogs” see Guide 2 Myths about Livestock Guardian Dogs on Facebook. Please join this excellent group!

One common idea surrounding LGDs is they shouldn't play with toys or be encouraged to play certain ways. People say:
"Stuffed toys teach them to play rough and kill stock."
"Playing tug teaches them to keep things from you."
"Playing chase or fetch teaches them to chase stock."
"Squeaky toys teach them makes things screech is fun, so they will terrorize the stock."
These statements couldn't be further from the truth! I'm not sure where these ideas started or why but LGDs are smart enough to tell the difference between toys and living creatures. Toys and games are a wonderful way to help them direct their energy onto more appropriate objects. If they are chasing, they want to run! Go play fetch with them or go on a run or hike with them. Redirect their playfulness rather than trying to squash it. The need for play will be there whether you want it to be or not so better off harnessing it through toys. Granted, many LGDs do not particularly care for toys which is common amongst many primitive breed but if your dog likes a Kong, stuffed toy, rope, or whatever it may be, let them have fun!

08/26/2024

Crane Creek Koza!

With a heat index of up to 110 expected tomorrow, I am excited to share that for the first time ever, the farm house now has central AC. Koza still lives on and off in the house and outside - spending his nights patrolling the farm from the porch and most of the days while we're home outside as well. However, I am relieved for him that he can catch some z's in the comfort of the cool house now. This boy is definitely made for the cooler weather so these hot days really take it out of him.

Despite the heat, he won't turn down a walk in the pastures with me. He was looking mighty dapper this evening while we checked on the horses. 🥰

08/21/2024

Crane Creek Clyde, born 7 March 2024, Karakachan x Maremma, loving some blueberries and pool time today. Thank you so much Kathleen Weller for the awesome life this puppy has!

08/18/2024

Crane Creek Lexi, born 7 March 2024, Karakachan x Maremmas, is surveying the yard from the best seat in the house! What a lovely view and photo. Thanks so much to Samira in NC.

08/18/2024

Crane Creek Koza. Good boy!

08/17/2024

First time for these pullets outside today and Crane Creek Koza did such a great job with them!

Alexandra Flick: you’re doing a wonderful job with Koza!! My praises to both of you.

08/11/2024

From Samira in NC
The interior measurement of under this table is 30” by 30”, however when I am working at it, it is the only possible place on the house to sit 😂

I (Crane Creek Karakachans) 💕 these livestock guardian dogs!! Give your beautiful dog(s) some extra attention today!

08/07/2024

Crane Creek Lexi (born 7 March 2024) and Jimmy “recharging” in NC. 💕 Thanks to Samira for the great photo!