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ORDERING GUARDIAN DOGS

What is a Trained Guardian Dog?  We will define a "trained guardian dog" as a dog that has been taught to stay with the stock, walk on a leash, protect its food and is ready to begin work with the kind of livestock for which it has been trained.  All Possum Hollow Guardian Dogs are ASDCA registered Anatolian Shepherds or UKC registered Akbash and are purchased from Possum Hollow.  Outside dogs may be enrolled in our other training programs.

What is a normal purchase price for a trained Guardian Dog?  Dogs trained to stay with cattle are usually $1000-$2000.  Dogs trained to stay with sheep or goats are usually $1500-2500.  Dogs with lots of experience and talent will usually cost more...if you can find one for sale.

Why would I order a dog instead of just buying one?  Good trained guardian dogs are not easily found.  Ranchers with good dogs rarely sell them.

What will be the price if I order a Guardian Dog?  The price of your guardian dog will be determined based on the overall value of the dog (breed, gender, color, etc.) and the type of livestock it will be required to guard.  Dogs working with weaker livestock such as poultry, lambs and kids will require more training time and therefore cost more.  Most ordered dogs will be within the same price range as that given above.  The price will be established when you order your dog.

How do I order a Guardian Dog?  To order a guardian dog, call us and see what dogs we have available for the program.  We will also help you to determine which of our available dogs/puppies would best suit your situation and needs.  Once you have selected your guardian dog you will be asked to pay a deposit of 50% of the total price.  $800 of the deposit is nonrefundable.  The balance of the price will be due when you pick up your dog.

How long will I have to wait for my Ranch Dog?  That depends on which dog you select.  If you select a dog that is already started and is mature enough to handle a heavy work load the time required will be shorter than if you select a pup that requires time to grow and mature before starting serious work.  The price of your trained dog will be the same regardless of your selection of pup or adult dog.

When do I get my dog?  This is determined by you.  You decide how much training you want your dog to have before it joins your family.  Until then your dog/puppy will remain with us and be cared for as if it were our own dog.  Care includes all regular vet expenses and board.  We will give you a rough estimate of how long we expect it to take to get your dog trained.

What if I have never owned a guardian dog before?  This is not a problem.  If you follow the instructions you will be given, you should have no problems.  We also have a book on CD that is available for additional information and knowledge.  For more information about the book go to LGD BOOK.

What if I don't like my Guardian Dog when I come to pick it up?  If you do not like your dog when you come to pick it up, you may elect to trade it for a dog of equal or lesser value for the same price or you may trade up for a dog of higher value and pay the balance.  If you prefer to start over with another dog, the price will remain the same and your previously paid deposit will be applied to the new dog with the exception of the nonrefundable $800.  

Which dogs are available for this program?  Any dog that is listed on the Started/Trained Guardian Dogs page or any puppies listed on the LGD Puppies page are eligible for the Guardian Dog program.  This includes puppies that are planned but not yet born.  No outside dogs or puppies will be accepted into this program.

What other options do I have to get a Possum Hollow Guardian Dog?  Wait and take your chances that a trained dog would become available or buy a puppy or started dog and pay for monthly training ($250/month).

If you think this program would work for you, contact us at

828-429-6388 or info@possumhollowfarms.com .