Colorado Mountain Dogs

In 2020 we were getting ready to move across the country - from Florida to Oregon. We were leaving our farm with all the barns that kept our goats and chickens safe at night. Our requirements for livestock guardian dogs seemed a very high bar to reach - we have horses, goats, chickens, cats, our dog and a toddler. And then there would be a new property without any of the infrastructure needed for a farm. And the neighbors were a complete unknown.

We only have 14 acres and while our property is quite remote - we knew introducing guardian dogs to neighbors was going to be a tough sell. We needed exceptional guardian dogs.

That's when we learned about Colorado Mountain Dogs. We needed dogs that have been intentionally selected for temperament, intelligence, guarding abilities, and small farm suitability.

We found a farm in Colorado with a litter of puppies who would be weaning age and a female who was turning 1, so we added a stop to our move and picked them up and brought them with us on our drive west.

We didn't do everything right. We didn't have fences, or barn, or GPS collars. Our goats hadn't been raised with dogs and viewed them as a threat that should be killed. It seems a strange thing to say, but in order to fully integrate the dogs into the goat herd we have had to wait until our oldest does, who were extremely dog aggresive, have died.

Even with all the challenges, we have been awed at how extraordinarily intelligent and adaptable these dogs are. We have real threats here including bear, bobcat and cougar that the ladies have been guarding against. Adding Ember last year was like adding the keystone to the top of an arch. He is the strong, calm presence that calms anyone's anxiety. He shows us all how to be fiercely protective, present and loving - all at the same time.

Find more information about Colorado Mountain Dogs at their website or Facebook group.