Tundra and Tacoma, the two Great Pyrenees, checking out the borders of the fenced in chicken area. Just their presence deters any fox from getting to the birds. The dogs themselves do not have constant access inside the coop area rather around the outside of it. They do not have an instinct to eat the birds, however they (especially Tacoma) may decide to "play" with the birds if the birds are within their reach. Birds do not "play" well with 100 pound dogs as you can imagine. Tundra is less likely to try to "play" with the birds than his younger sister Tacoma. Great Pyrenees have a strong guarding instinct. They acclimate themselves to what they believe to be "theirs" and then they protect it. The dogs do not necessarily have an instinct to protect the birds themselves. They acclimate themselves to what they believe belongs on "their" property and try to keep out what they do not believe belongs. They have accepted the birds belong and are used to them being there, however the fox does not belong so they bark at it. They do not see us petting the fox and telling them the fox is "OK" so they continue to bark at it when it comes close. When Krissy the sheep came to live with us the dogs barked like crazy at her. I had to go out and tell both dogs the sheep was "OK". The dogs hesitantly smelled the sheep and after a while of me telling them she was "OK" in a calm voice they accepted the sheep. When we purchased a new car Tacoma barked at it for a week from the other side of the fence until she became used to seeing it parked in the driveway.
Little Tacoma is not so little anymore!
Tacoma and Tundra
Marsha, Peter, Amie, Tacoma and Tundra
The two Great Pyrenees, Tundra and Tacoma, do what they do best, lay back and guard what they believe to be theirs.
Tundra
Tacoma and Samson
Tacoma and Tundra, the Great Pyrenees with their herd. The Py's coats are cut short for the hot summer months.