SigMT

Great Pyrenees Close proximity to neighbors and roads was a concern for Tom and Virginia McMillan when they decided to purchase a livestock guardian for their flock of Columbia ewes. ey had tried llamas before, but found they were not consistent or reliable. "We had one really good one and one that wasn't good at all," says Tom, who has 75 years of experience in raising sheep along Beaver Creek, southwest of Lewistown, Mont. e McMillans need livestock guardians to protect their sheep from coyotes and occasionally bears. Nine years ago, the McMillans decided to give guard dogs a try. ey purchased a Great Pyrenees pup. "Dolly was only 7 months old when we got her," Virginia recalls. "She was wild - we couldn't pet or catch her - but, she stayed with the sheep." Over the years, Dolly became more tolerable of the people around her and the sheep. "We try to get more people-friendly guard dogs because we have neighbors so close around," says Tom. "She doesn't mind the neighbors, but she doesn't like shooting. She'll take the sheep away during hunting season." Great Pyrenees are very intelligent dogs. "ey offer good protection," says Tom. "ey aren't aggressive, but have a don't-get-close and don't-touch-me aitude." e dogs get aached to the sheep; Tom says Dolly will get depressed when they ship lambs. "She has her favorite lambs," he explains. "When we take her lambs away, she will go off in the field alone for a day before coming back to her ewes." SiG MT 42 Dolly, a Great Pyrenees guard dog, stands in front of her Columbia ewes, protecting them from any perceived threat that may arise on the McMillan Ranch near Glengarry, Mont. Rancher Tom McMillan has 75 years of raising sheep near Glengarry, Mont., and has been using guard dogs to protect his Columbia sheep from predators like coyotes and bears. Photo: Sara Young

• Cover