Pilbara Guardian Dogs

Ringer

Ringer joined my guardian team as a 3 year old, coming over from QLD where he guarded goats more recently but also cattle in his first year. Unfortunately, due to the crippling drought, the goats had to be de-stocked but he has stepped up beautifully into his new cattle guardian role.

I've had a few realisations along the way of thIs guardian journey. The first of which is kelpie comfortable does not correlate to Maremma comfortable, so looks like I'll be making a whole new dog box 6 inches taller for my ute to accommodate these gorgeous creatures.
These dogs have such incredible personalities & winning over such a guarded animal like this beautiful fella who had such an upheaval to his life makes you feel like you've won lotto.

The eyes on this dog are the most stunning brown I have ever seen, I'm pretty sure he will just hypnotise any intruders into doing his bidding by purely gazing at them. Sure works on me.

Watching my Maremma's interact with the calves & be accepted as part of their mob is truly one of the most fascinating things I've had the privilege of witnessing. I'm so glad I've got this guy here to help show the kids & I the ropes.

Angel

One of the sweetest dogs I've had the privilege of knowing, she loves everyone, rendezvousing as a house dog any time she finds a door ajar. She takes her self appointed job as guardian of the homestead area very seriously & if you happen to catch her taking a moment to rest during her night shift, she takes it as an almost personal affront, heading off barking madly like she was always in mid pursuit. Though she seems more effective at keeping away sleep than the kangaroos from the lawn & has been a complete cattle guardian fail, she is a lovely addition to our station & a firm favourite of everyone who meets her.

Rafael

Rafe is the cruisest dog I've ever had. He's a laid back goof who loves people, second only to how much he loves the kelpies. He has bonded well with the weaners & lives up at the yards with Ringer, venturing down to the house on occasion to visit on his own or with his calves when they find an open gate. I put a tracking collar on him one night & tracked him doing 15kms feeding out with his mob...no wonder he's tired some days. This boy has taken to his guardian role like he was born to it, which he was. It's incredible to watch him interact with the cattle & I look forward to learning the ropes with him as he matures.