Eriphos Farm

"Where Every Animal Is Special"

Great Pyrenees

Our Great Pyrenees are used as guardians for our livestock. They are extremely important to the farm, where they take their job very seriously. Our dogs guard everything from rabbits to poultry to goats and sheep. Originally, we looked for dogs that portrayed a longevity in the field while maintaining a working lifestyle. We also chose our dogs for their size, looks, and most important, temperament and guarding ability. All of these factors make our puppies excellent livestock guardian dogs, farm perimeter patrol, great family dogs, or even obedience prospects.

 Our dogs are slightly reserved to strangers but will come up if we are at ease with the visitors. However, if we are not home, we have been told that they will only allow people that they are quite comfortable with. This perfect combination allows us to trust them with welcome visitors to our farm, while knowing that our animals are always protected against predators, four and two legged.

The dogs are always up-to-date on vaccinations, heartworm preventative, de-worming, and have OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) certified hips and elbows. All dogs over 4 months old are microchipped to insure their safety. 

Puppies

Our puppies receive only the finest care from the minute they are born.  The puppies are considered part of our family even after their new family takes them home. They are named the day the are born and are weighed immediately. We take all measures to ensure that receive plenty of human socialization as well as animal socialization.  The puppies are weighed weekly and a report is updated.  With three children (ages 21, 18, and 12) the puppies definitely get the required interaction.  The youngest child is home schooled, so someone is always home with the puppies.   Having goats, sheep, miniature equine, ducks, guineas, turkeys, chickens, cats, rabbits ensures that they have plenty of animal exposure.  We take them to Dr. Sculley in Hannibal, MO, who specializes in large/giant breed dogs. There they receive a 12- point puppy check, including subluxation of their joints to check for early signs of dysplasia. An echocardiogram (ECG) of their hearts is also included.  The puppies are ready to go to their new homes at eight weeks. We carefully match each family/job to the puppy.

Our Rescues

As owners of Great Pyrenees, we feel a deep need to help this breed as much as possible. Besides educating the public about this breed, we also rescue abused, neglected, and/or homeless Great Pyrenees. These are dogs that would be destroyed otherwise. After we complete all necessary medical treatment (vaccination, spay/neuter, etc) we begin basic training, focusing on manners and livestock exposure.  When we feel the dog is properly evaluated to see where the dog is best suited and completes any medical treatment, we put it up for adoption to the right forever home.