Ripley is a female Great Pyrenees, a breed known for their gentleness toward and instincts to guard livestock. While my daughter's goats have thus far managed to fend for themselves, my chickens were not so lucky, and after the great Massacre of Summer 2005, I wanted to do more to secure the rebuilt flock than deck screws, wood, and chicken wire.
After some months of research, during which I looked at different breeds of working dogs, my choice came down between a Pembroke Welch Corgi (I worked with one in a play many years ago, liked the dog, and was pleased to learn it was a herder) and the much larger Great Pyrenees. I decided to go with the Pyrenees because it was more practical as a guardian that would live with the flock. Careful monitoring of the classifieds in the
Farm and Dairy newspaper (and their website) led me to a 10 week-old female whose parents lived on the same farm and whose father worked guarding sheep and ducks.
And why did I name her Ripley?
- "What's your dog's name?"
"Ripley."
"Ripley?"
"Believe it or not."
- I'm hoping she takes after Ellen Ripley - and hates Aliens (i.e., possums, raccoons, and coyotes) - and keeps them away from our flocks and herds.
- And maybe if she is smart enough, I could refer to her as The Talented Miss Ripley.
