RAPHA RIDGE FARM

Our dogs Kyra and Moshe are both Akbash-Maremma cross and are an essential part of our farm. They are working dogs and spend their time in the barn and pasture with our goats, sheep, and chickens.

 

Livestock guardian dogs are used as a solution to coyote issues as they are very possessive of their domain and wards, even known to fight to the death in defense of their flock. Coyotes are aware of a Guardian dog’s domain and will respect that boundary marked out and patrolled by the Livestock dogs. 

 

The Akbash breed comes from western Turkey. One of the most beautiful dogs, the Akbash is known for elegance, power, speed, agility, and stamina. The Akbash are able to patrol huge tracts of land and have very keen eyesight. Mature males stand 29-32 inches at the shoulder and weigh about 120 pounds. Females are usually smaller with finer features standing 27-30 inches and weighing around 90 pounds. Dogs can have long or medium long coat with a plumed tail. The Akbash is a rare breed introduced to North America in the late 1970s. 

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The Maremma Sheepdog originates from two types of dogs found in Italy, the Maremmano dogs of the Maremma Plains and the Abruzzese from the Appenine Mountains of central Italy. These dogs stand 24-29 inches and weigh 65-100 pounds. They are white but may have some shading of ivory, lemon, or pale orange. Working best in farm situations, the Maremma sheepdogs have proven effective for protecting sheep, goats, and other livestock from predators. Maremmas have also served as estate guardians in the past. (Breed summary adapted from Livestock Protection Dogs by Orysia Dawydiak & David Sims)

 

Our female dog, Kyra, has been working on our farm for the past 6 years and has been highly effective in protecting our livestock and pasture. She has a submissive temperament and is obedient to her owners. Our male dog Moshe was a recent addition to our farm in early 2018 and is now over two years old. Puppies born on our farm have been introduced to livestock (goats,sheep,chickens). They have begun their training by being exposed to livestock with their mother as she patrols the pasture.

 

Another litter is on it's way ready for their new farms in November 2020! Sold at eight weeks old, these pups are ready to begin training on their new farm. Although these dogs have natural guardian instincts that will mature over time, pups require careful training to bond to livestock, respect boundaries, and learn obedience. These pups are not sold as pets but as potential working dogs requiring a large property or farm and a job to keep them satisfied. 

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Pups born on our farm are now hard at work throughout Ontario and beyond! Check out the map below and please contact us for more information.