Born: July 26, 2024 | Male | Current Weight: 80 lbs | Expected Adult Weight: 120-130+ lbs
At Prancing Pony Farm, we believe the source of your livestock guardian dog is the single most important decision determining whether your experience will be a blessing or a curse. That’s why we’re excited to introduce you to Aspen, a promising young guardian from our carefully bred Maremma lineage.
A Foundation Built on Health and Genetics
Aspen’s parents have undergone comprehensive health testing, including PennHip, OFA, and DNA screening. This isn’t just an extra step we take—it’s fundamental to developing dogs who can work effectively for years without being sidelined by preventable genetic conditions.
When you invest in a puppy from health-tested parents, you’re minimizing the risk of the heartbreak and expense of your dog developing hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and other hereditary conditions that often force working dogs into early retirement.
Temperament and Training
Aspen shows a naturally balanced temperament—mostly calm with occasional bursts of energy typical for his age. He’s slightly reserved when first meeting strangers (a valuable trait in a guardian) but becomes friendly once he’s comfortable with you.
His training foundation already includes:
- Basic clicker training
- Manding (politely requesting attention)
- Targeting behaviors
- Voluntary eye contact
- Sitting for attention
He walks well on a long line and harness and has experienced various environments beyond his home territory. While not crate trained, he’s accustomed to spending time in kennels for feeding.
Livestock Experience
From birth, Aspen has been raised alongside goats, developing the proper respect and protective instincts needed in a guardian. His experience extends to horses, mini horses, mini donkeys, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and barn cats—giving him valuable exposure to the varied livestock he may encounter in his working life.
Currently living with goats, he requires minimal supervision with livestock at this stage of his development, which is appropriate for his age. His behavior around livestock continues to mature and develop under proper guidance.
Socialization and Adaptability
Beyond livestock, Aspen has been extensively socialized with children of different ages and has had exposure to non-Maremma companion dogs and cats. This broad socialization creates a well-rounded guardian who can adapt to the realities of farm life, including visitors and other animals.
While Aspen will need time to adjust to a new environment, he has the confidence and foundation to make this transition successfully. His adjustment would be smoother if placed with a partner he already knows, though he could thrive as a solo guardian in the right situation with proper support.
Born: July 26, 2024 | Male | Current Weight: 80 lbs | Expected Adult Weight: 120-130+ lbs
At Prancing Pony Farm, we believe the source of your livestock guardian dog is the single most important decision determining whether your experience will be a blessing or a curse. That’s why we’re excited to introduce you to Aspen, a promising young guardian from our carefully bred Maremma lineage.
A Foundation Built on Health and Genetics
Aspen’s parents have undergone comprehensive health testing, including PennHip, OFA, and DNA screening. This isn’t just an extra step we take—it’s fundamental to developing dogs who can work effectively for years without being sidelined by preventable genetic conditions.
When you invest in a puppy from health-tested parents, you’re minimizing the risk of the heartbreak and expense of your dog developing hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and other hereditary conditions that often force working dogs into early retirement.
Temperament and Training
Aspen shows a naturally balanced temperament—mostly calm with occasional bursts of energy typical for his age. He’s slightly reserved when first meeting strangers (a valuable trait in a guardian) but becomes friendly once he’s comfortable with you.
His training foundation already includes:
- Basic clicker training
- Manding (politely requesting attention)
- Targeting behaviors
- Voluntary eye contact
- Sitting for attention
He walks well on a long line and harness and has experienced various environments beyond his home territory. While not crate trained, he’s accustomed to spending time in kennels for feeding.
Livestock Experience
From birth, Aspen has been raised alongside goats, developing the proper respect and protective instincts needed in a guardian. His experience extends to horses, mini horses, mini donkeys, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and barn cats—giving him valuable exposure to the varied livestock he may encounter in his working life.
Currently living with goats, he requires minimal supervision with livestock at this stage of his development, which is appropriate for his age. His behavior around livestock continues to mature and develop under proper guidance.
Socialization and Adaptability
Beyond livestock, Aspen has been extensively socialized with children of different ages and has had exposure to non-Maremma companion dogs and cats. This broad socialization creates a well-rounded guardian who can adapt to the realities of farm life, including visitors and other animals.
While Aspen will need time to adjust to a new environment, he has the confidence and foundation to make this transition successfully. His adjustment would be smoother if placed with a partner he already knows, though he could thrive as a solo guardian in the right situation with proper support.
Born: July 26, 2024 | Male | Current Weight: 80 lbs | Expected Adult Weight: 120-130+ lbs
At Prancing Pony Farm, we believe the source of your livestock guardian dog is the single most important decision determining whether your experience will be a blessing or a curse. That’s why we’re excited to introduce you to Aspen, a promising young guardian from our carefully bred working Maremma lineage.
A Foundation Built on Health and Genetics
Aspen’s parents have undergone comprehensive health testing, including PennHip, OFA, and DNA screening. This isn’t just an extra step we take—it’s fundamental to developing dogs who can work effectively for years without being sidelined by preventable genetic conditions.
When you invest in a puppy from health-tested parents, you’re minimizing the risk of the heartbreak and expense of your dog developing hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and other hereditary conditions that often force working dogs into early retirement.
Temperament and Training
Aspen shows a naturally balanced temperament—mostly calm with occasional bursts of energy typical for his age. He’s slightly reserved when first meeting strangers (a valuable trait in a guardian) but becomes friendly once he’s comfortable with you.
His training foundation already includes:
- Basic clicker training
- Manding (politely requesting attention)
- Targeting behaviors
- Voluntary eye contact
- Sitting for attention
He walks well on a long line and harness and has experienced various environments beyond his home territory. While not crate trained, he’s accustomed to spending time in kennels for feeding.
Livestock Experience
From birth, Aspen has been raised alongside goats, developing the proper respect and protective instincts needed in a guardian. His experience extends to horses, mini horses, mini donkeys, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and barn cats—giving him valuable exposure to the varied livestock he may encounter in his working life.
Currently living with goats, he requires minimal supervision with livestock at this stage of his development, which is appropriate for his age. His behavior around livestock continues to mature and develop under proper guidance.
Socialization and Adaptability
Beyond livestock, Aspen has been extensively socialized with children of different ages and has had exposure to non-Maremma companion dogs and cats. This broad socialization creates a well-rounded guardian who can adapt to the realities of farm life, including visitors and other animals.
While Aspen will need time to adjust to a new environment, he has the confidence and foundation to make this transition successfully. His adjustment would be smoother if placed with a partner he already knows, though he could thrive as a solo guardian in the right situation with proper support.
Is Aspen Right for Your Farm?
The ideal home for Aspen would provide:
- Secure fencing
- Ongoing positive training
- A clear working role with livestock or a qualified companion home
- Regular human interaction
- Ideally, another compatible guardian dog (though not essential)
Investing in a properly bred, health-tested Livestock Guardian Dog means investing in peace of mind. As predator pressure increases due to urban sprawl, having a reliable guardian like Aspen protecting your livestock and family becomes not just a convenience but a necessity.
Reserve Aspen
If you’re interested in bringing Aspen home to your farm, we encourage you to contact us to begin the reservation process. Our puppies are in high demand, and we carefully match each one with the right home to ensure success.
