Eriphos Farm

"Where Every Animal Is Special"

Great Pyrenees Rescues

Please read the following information about our rescue program, then scroll down for more information about individual available dogs.

Our Program

    We feel a deep need to help this breed. Too often, people will get a puppy and turn it out with their livestock without proper or adequate training. Untrained young puppies, only meaning to have fun, can wreak havoc on a flock of chickens or a lamb crop.  We get calls about these dogs occasionally and welcome them into our home so they can be rehabilitated and adopted to a forever home. Sometimes these dogs just need their energy directed to an acceptable channel, and others need medical care. Rarely, the dogs have been abused or neglected and mostly need groceries, patience, and lots of love.

    We are a Missouri State Department of Agriculture licensed dog rescue. This means that potential adopters can be assured that we:

    Because our rescue dogs live in our home with our personal dogs, it is impossible to separate the expenses incurred by each dog; therefore, we are not a 501(c)3 (not for profit). As such, we are required by the State of Missouri to charge a 5.975% sales tax on all rescues adopted.

Medical Care

    First, we evaluate the dog for their medical history and physical/emotional/mental health. Every dog must be spayed or neutered and be microchipped. They are heartworm testing and treated, if necessary. They are vaccinated, dewormed, and started on heartworm/flea/tick prevention. Any other medical care is of course provided when necessary. Our local vet is able to conduct most of the treatment, but we also use the University of Missouri and several specialists around the state when called for.

Training

    We work with the dogs to determine if they will be livestock guardians or house pets. Since we have goats, sheep, rabbits, poultry, equine, and cats, these dogs are socialized to all types of animals. We take all measures to ensure the safety of our livestock while training the dog to guard different species.

    We teach the dog basic manners, such as not jumping on people or animals. We believe that every dog, whether it is a livestock guardian or a house dog, should be able to walk on a leash with ease and be able to be cared for appropriately. This means that we expose them to baths, car rides, vet's offices, crating, and stays in the house.

Adoption

    After the dog has completed all of its medical treatments and we feel it can successfully integrate into a new home, the dog is available for adoption. The dog is not "completely trained." Dog training is a continuous process that takes place over the entire life of the dog. Your rules are likely different than ours and it may take some time for you to teach them to the dog. Our goal is to take a "throw-away" and turn it into a dog that you can turn into your family companion or athletic partner.

    Adoption fees vary based on the dog and medical treatments.

Our Requests for the New Owner

    As per our contract, we expect our new dog owners to provide a loving forever home. We expect owners to provide a quality food (please ask us for recommendations and consult with your veterinarian), shelter, veterinary care, training, and lots of love. Before getting your dog, you should make an appointment for a well-dog check with your veterinarian (our contract requires this initial visit to be within two working days of pickup). For house dogs, we HIGHLY recommend that you sign up and complete at least one round of training classes. Regardless of your personal ability to train dogs, structured, weekly classes offer much opportunity for support and socialization.

    If you are, at any time or for any reason, unable to keep or properly care for the dog, we require that the puppy be returned to us. The dog is not to be sold, given away, traded, turned over to rescue/pound, euthanized, or otherwise disposed of without our knowledge. Although we do our very best to avoid situations where the new owners must give up their dog, we understand that lives and lifestyles change beyond our control and will make arrangements to get the dog.

    We ask that you please contact us with any concerns, comments, or questions about the dog. We want to provide you with a well-started dog and help you train that dog to be your treasured companion.

We reserve the right to refuse sale to any potential adoptor for any reason.

This is our adoption contract, please click to enlarge and review

   ADOPTED Samson     

"Sam" is a wolf grey marked male born May 1, 2008. He is a big boy weighing 97 pounds. Sam came to us after his first two homes didn't work out. His first home used him as a livestock guardian for goats. He was good at his job but his companions were wanderers so they all lost their home.  In his next home he was a family companion and lived indoors. He did well at this but was pushing through the fence and wandering when he became bored outside. This didn't go over well with the subdivision. He doesn't climb or jump fences or even really dig but he will push is way through a gate if possible. He does stay inside electric livestock fence.  He is fine with poultry, cats,  and all types of livestock (ducks, turkeys, sheep, goats, mini equine, alpacas). He is currently loose with our pyrs in our pasture with no problems. He is also housebroke and crate trained. He does best in a solid plastic crate. He tries to push through the door on a wire crate. He gets nervous in the car but will get in and doesn't get car sick. All in all he is a sweet boy that is would make a great livestock guardian or family companion with a secure gates. He has all his vaccinations until 10/10, is microchipped, dewormed, has been heartworm and tick panel tested. He was negative for all and started on preventative. He is also neutered and ready for his forever home. Sam's adoption fee is $300 ($317.93 including 5.975% Missouri state sales tax). 

Samson has gone to his new home in Linneus, MO where he will be guarding chickens and lambs.