Last Updated on June 1, 2026 by Kim Crawmer, KPA CTP, LFDM
The True Cost of "Affordable" Livestock Guardian Dogs
You Really Can't Afford an "Affordable" Livestock Guardian Dog
Finding a Trustworthy, Loyal Livestock Guardian Dog Isn't Easy
Finding a trustworthy, loyal Livestock Guardian Dog isn't easy. Maremma Sheepdogs are one of the best forms of protection for your beloved and valuable farm animals and make devoted family companions.
Unfortunately, not all breeders know how to produce dependable livestock guardians who are safe with families. You may end up with a dog unsuited for either job. A breeder who neglects socializing their puppies with livestock makes training more challenging than it should be—the dog could hurt or kill the animals it's supposed to guard. A puppy not socialized with humans could become fearful and aggressive.
Breeders who neglect health testing may produce puppies with devastating health problems, causing unexpected vet bills and affecting your dog's ability to do its job.
Sadly, many breeders are just looking to make a quick profit, often under the guise of producing "affordable" puppies. New Maremma owners don't have the experience to raise and train their puppies without the support an experienced breeder should provide. When problems arise, the "affordable puppy" breeder is nowhere to be found.
Below are some issues you should watch out for when choosing a breeder:
- The breeder doesn't do any health testing, particularly no PennHip or OFA testing to screen for Hip & Elbow Dysplasia.
- The puppies' parents do not live with and actively guard livestock and may not be from working stock.
- While under the breeder's care, the puppies are exposed to little to no livestock, making training difficult for their future owners.
- The breeder neglects to socialize puppies with people and novel experiences, causing possible fear or aggression.
- The breeder has no dog training experience. They use or recommend aversive tools instead of real training.
- Breeder offers little to no ongoing customer support, leaving the owner to figure things out on their own when problems arise.
You, Your Livestock, and Your Family Deserve Better, and We Can Help
What Makes Our Maremmas Different
Working LGDs
Our breeding dogs come from the best MSCA and UKC-registered proven working lines. They all live full-time with and guard our dairy goats and other animals. Our puppies are raised with livestock from birth.
"Plug & Play" Puppies
Our puppy socialization program utilizes Puppy Culture and other positive reinforcement training methods to produce happy, resilient LGDs and family dogs. Our "Plug & Play" pups thrive in a variety of homes.
Healthy Dogs & Pups
Our breeding dogs are PennHip and OFA tested for hip and elbow dysplasia and DNA tested to screen for genetic defects, minimizing the chance they will pass debilitating health problems on to their puppies.
Happy Families
We offer our clients a 2-year health guarantee and lifetime support. We're always available for advice, encouragement, and training assistance. We will be there for you every step of the way, for your dog's entire life!
Don't Just Take Our Word For It
Dr. Kayla McCrone, DVM is a mixed-animal veterinarian
who works with hundreds of farms in our area. She sees
firsthand what happens when buyers cut corners on their
LGDs — and what happens when they don't. Here's what
she has observed about our buyer screening process and
why our standards exist.
"She is extremely critical of any new buyers, with a
long list of requirements and expectations before she
will allow buyers to purchase any of her dogs. These
requirements may have lost her some 'buyers,' however
those requirements are based off the nature and needs
of a guardian dog. We all know it is not fair for this
breed to be cooped up in an apartment or left to fend
off large properties to guard on their own. In today's
world, those ethics are a rarity as so many breeders
only care about a profit and making a sale, not
considering what is best for the animal as Kim does."
— Dr. Kayla S. McCrone, DVM
Valley Veterinary Services, Hanford, CA
Reviews From Our Amazing Clients
first the dog: cotton candy is a little over 2.5 years old now, and i can honestly say that she has been a very effective LGD since 6mo of age. while she's a sweet and playful big puppy around humans, she has always been very serious about her guardian duties, even when she first showed up as a 3mo pup. she is very nurturing with my barn cats, gentle with the chickens, alerts me when the horses get into mischief, and knows exactly what to do to make skittish goats relax. she's a super quick learner.
now, we have to realize that this wonderful dog is a product of the breeder's hard work and dedication. in addition to good breeding, kim put in a lot of work socializing her puppies with all sorts of farm animals and people, as well as starting their training using positive reinforcement methods. i have another LGD who came to me as an 8wk old, and didn't get the same kind of training and socialization kim gives her puppies. while he is a very good natured and smart dog, he required WAY more management throughout his puppyhood and adolescence. he turned out to be a great LGD. but if you don't have the time or skills to start an LGD on the right path, you would be doing yourself a huge favor by getting a well-started puppy from kim.
kim's puppies come with lifetime support, and that is not a mere sales tactic. in the 2+ years i've had cotton candy, kim has been a great resource on how to understand, communicate with, and care for not only cotton candy, but also my other LGD. she even shares tips on goat husbandry. in the past year, kim completed a professional dog trainer certification program so that she could not only better support her own puppy clients, but also help other LGD owners develop better relationships with their dogs. she is now working on an online course on LGD care and training, which will be made available free of charge to her puppy clients (and for a fee for non-clients). consider how much time, effort, and kim's own money she puts in to continuously improve the lifetime support that comes with the purchase of a dog, the choice is obvious when deciding where to get an LGD.
And it definitely shows in the quality of her puppies. The dogs we brought home are loving, well socialized, and adaptable. We have them caring for our flock of macaws, and even at only 9 months old they are not reactive to the birds even when they fly, but come immediately if the macaws sound a warning call. They get along well with other dogs and people, but are very alert to potential threats. These are our dream dogs and we are so grateful to Kim for all the time and effort that went into giving these dogs that perfect start so that we could enjoy and cherish them for the rest of their lives.
When we decided to start our little homestead we decided on the Maremma Sheepdog based on their typical dispositions. After considerable research, I picked Prancing Pony based off reviews and from what I learned about their facilities and practices. But they had two things against them - they are located in California and the price tag was steep.
I ended up purchasing a Maremma that was on this side of the Mississippi. I’m not going to bash anyone here, this is only for comparison sake - but the breeder understood this would be our first LGD and had glowing reviews about the girl she was selling. I trusted that they understood our situation and where we were in our journey. But what we got was a beautiful loving dog who has proven repeatedly that she can’t be trusted with any of our livestock or pets.
By the time we brought her home, I was already in talks with breeders (again) trying to find her partner and went back to Prancing Pony for talks about their offerings. Fast forward a few months, and a couple of hiccups, I could not be more pleased with our boy Daxo. I do have regrets that I didn’t get two from her when I first considered it.
Listen, they’re not cheap, I get it. There’s likely added expense with shipping... I get that too. Knowing what I know now, going through the experience of having a dog that just didn’t fit our lifestyle is so exhausting AND costly. Our boy literally came as a Plug-N-Play model, he’s just THAT good because Kim listened to our wishlist and understood our needs. Will we go anywhere else for our third attempt? Absolutely not.
The reason I decided to invest in an LGD from Kim is because she sets up her puppies for success as LGDs from the day they are born. I have a small farm and needed a dog who can live with and/or guard a variety of animal species. Most breeders I’ve talked to have some of the animal species, but none had all. Kim happened to be the only one. And that’s not an accident. Kim actually goes out of her way to acquire animals just so that her pups are well prepared to take on any job in their new homes. She also spends time teaching her pups basic skills via positive reinforcement. When I picked up my pup at 13 weeks old, she knew how to give me attention and target. She also understands that it’s her good behavior that earns her praise and treats, and is very motivated and quick to figure out what I want from her. Since she has been on my farm, she has made my adolescent Great Pyrenees a much happier and mentally mature dog. She has not chased a cat or chicken (it doesn’t mean she hasn’t thought about it. One does need to pay attention and redirect BEFORE the pup does something undesirable). She’s been in and around horses and are very good at reading their body language and staying out of harm’s way (not that my horse try to hurt her, but they’re just so much bigger). And most amazingly, she’s already showing guarding behavior with my goats! At less than 4 months old!
I also wanted to vouch for the validity of the puppy lifetime support policy that comes with the sale. Since I’ve brought the puppy home, I have been in daily communication with Kim. She was at a clicker training workshop the week following my puppy pickup and had class from morning all the way through evening. She still found time to answer my texts to make sure the pup is settling in well. I’ve received advice on integrating the pup with my resident LGD, fencing, introducing her to the goats, worming, vaccination, etc.
Having purchased my first LGD pup from an oopsie litter from a hobby farm, and now the second pup from Kim, I can see for myself what a difference a well bred, well started pup makes. Kim’s puppies aren’t cheap, but they are such a worthwhile investment!
2 YEAR UPDATE:
The pup I purchased from Kim in 2022 just turned 2. She has been a great LGD. I had an adolescent Great Pyrenees before I bought CC from Kim. Though my GP worked his butt off, I still had a chicken go missing and a barn kitty mauled by coyotes (kitty recovered).
As soon as CC joined the farm at 3 months of age, she immediately showed guarding instincts, protecting my goats while sleeping in the barn with them at night. When she was about 6 months, I took my GP in for his neuter surgery. For about a week she had to work the whole property while my GP was on kennel rest. It was a nerve wracking week as I live in coyote country with the occasional visit from mountain lions. Amazingly, I lost nothing. The streak has continued to this day. Since CC joined the farm, I lost nothing to predation.
Not only did CC form an effective team with my GP as LGDs, she has also saved his life by telling him off when he approached a rattlesnake last summer. One night I heard the dogs bark at something, then all of a sudden turn against each other. I rushed out the door to see what was happening, only to hear the distinct rattling sound. Then I saw my GP move towards that sound, and CC T-boning him, growling, to tell him to stay away. Thanks to CC's amazing instincts, I was able to remove the snake before anybody got bit (my cats and goats were all curious about it at that point).
This update wouldn't be complete without a comment on Kim, CC's breeder. 2 years in, and I am still in regular contact with her. She promised lifetime support, and has gone beyond that - she even answers questions regarding my GP or my goats, in addition to anything concerning CC's training, well-being, etc.
I highly recommend Kim and her dogs!
Dave
Dogs are incredible as well 😍
Not only does Kim have dogs from two top-notch Maremma breeders in her breeding program (Benson Ranch and Unfinished Acres) but she raises her litters with Puppy Culture, a program I have used with my own German Shepherds. AND she has an amazing Puppy Parlor that allows the puppies to be raised around goats and other animals from birth.
So what you get when you buy a Maremma puppy from Prancing Pony Farm is a pup with excellent breeding (including all the essential health testing on both the sire’s and dam’s sides), raised with all of the benefits of Puppy culture (which gives puppies confidence when they encounter new experiences) and exposed to livestock from Day 1. That’s a terrific foundation to build upon.
Kim spent many hours in conversation with me, answering my questions about introducing the puppies (yes I got a pair!) to my pack of German Shepherds and about the pros and cons of having one puppy or two. Every question I had she was happy to answer (I had many!) and she shared resources I hadn’t previously discovered. She listened closely to my description of my home, my animals and my lifestyle and suggested two of her male puppies; as a matchmaker she was spot on.
I have been immensely impressed with the puppies I purchased from Kim. They are bonding easily with me and my family, with my GSDs and with the livestock (horses, goats and chickens). They are good-natured, affectionate and VERY smart and even at just 5 months old are showing their guardian traits. Although they look almost identical and both have great temperaments I can see differences in their personalities with one more of an observer who waits to engage and one more likely to investigate actively - that difference will work well when they are working together.
Bringing a LGD puppy home means making a commitment to build on the foundation they’ve received with their breeder, working one-on-one to develop a partnership and to shape their lives with their stock. Puppies from Prancing Pony Farm are set up for success from day one and in the hands of a good shepherd will develop into trustworthy, responsible and awesome protectors.
If I decide to add another Maremma [or two] to my pack I know where I will be going to find the perfect match for my boys Arthur and Merlin.
I appreciated that she also took the time to vet us to make sure the animals were going to a good home. She was not looking to unload them. She even requires we sign a contract that we get certified in positive reinforcement training and follow guidelines for their healthcare.
A little while after the puppies were born, she let us know that a few from one litter had umbilical hernias (harmless and not uncommon when a mother licks the umbilical cord excessively). She gave us the option to purchase the pup or wait for another litter. She was completely transparent in the entire process. As expected, there is no problem with the hernia.
I am seeing reviews on here from people who have never even communicated with her or purchased from her, so just a reminder to be discerning when reading reviews.
1. Health testing for the parents.
2. Parents are on site and proven LGDs.
3. Early socialization for puppies with livestock, adults, and kids.
4. Proper veterinary care for parents and puppies.
5. Careful selection of parents for genetic diversity, guarding ability, health, and confirmation.
6. Tons of support during the puppy buying process and afterwards. Kim is always responsive and takes time to help me through any issues I've encountered with our pups, offering advice and support.
We love our dogs that came from Prancing Pony Farm. They were among the first members of the family to join the farm, because we knew the importance of having well-bred LGDs to protect our stock. We have not had a single issue with predators on our farm, and we live in an area with coyotes, bears, foxes, wolves, hawks, etc, etc. They guard sheep, pigs, chickens, guinea fowl, and ducks.
I'd be remiss without acknowledging the dispute between PPF and Gold Shaw Farms, so I will just say, my husband and I always enjoyed Morgan's content, but we were really disappointed with how he's portrayed Abby and Kim. Our two girls came from the same litter as Abby. They are energetic, happy, and healthy puppies. They require training and patience. What we have experienced with them is not out of the realm of what we were expecting when we got two puppies. I think Morgan's judgement of Abby is based on his experience with Toby and has been unfair to Abby and his judgement of Kim has been inflammatory and uncalled for.
I suspect most people who are looking for a LGD already have experience purchasing dogs and stock, so know what to look for in a reputable breeder. That said, if this is your first time or your first LDG, consider what's most important to you and do your own research. You can't go wrong with someone who ticks all of those boxes and offers support to her buyers.
Even though I am new to goats and LGD, Kim the owner, has really dedicated her time to teaching me about how to raise them. She is always available to answer my questions and provides me with the expertise knowledge. I am sure she is like that with all of her clients, always willing to help.
I bought 2 Maremma LGDs and 18 goats. Yes 18 goats! I go to bed at night knowing my LGDs are protecting themselves and my 18 precious goats.
Now, I am waiting to buy another male maremma LGD since she brought a male Maremma from a Italy. Kim is always making sure her registered LGDs, ND and Mini Nubians have the best genetics possible. I fully trust my LGDs in my fields, I bought Chloe at close to six months old, and I appreciate so much that she had additional training time. In fact, the next LGD I would buy from Kim will be arriving to my farm with additional training time as well.
Prancing Pony Farm has the best quality of LGDs and goats. I will highly recommend Prancing Pony Farm if you are looking for a diverse genetics in Maremma LGDs, Mini Nubians and Nigerian Dwarfs.
I now have a 1 month old Nigerian Dwarf, and I am still getting Kim’s help to assure my kid goat grows healthy. I am just very happy I chose Prancing Pony Farm when I did. Kim is the best out there!
Kim has a top of the line welping house complete with incubators and on call mobile veterinarian.
If you are looking for a well trained Maremma puppy, this is the place to get them. Kim goes the extra mile with early clicker training, and lots of live stock exposure from day one with her puppies.
You will see how much care goes into these amazing live stock guardian dogs, if you buy from her. They are ready to go to work right away.
Thanks Kim we love our new LGD.
Real Families. Real Livestock Guardian Dogs. Real Results.
Our Maremmas aren’t just puppies — they grow into loyal, trustworthy livestock guardian dogs and beloved companions. Here are real photos and quotes we've received from Prancing Pony Maremma families showing their dogs at work and at play. We’re proud of every one of them, and we’re grateful to our clients for sharing their journeys with us.
Meet the newest member of a very special team. 🤍
Five years ago, Ryan and Rianna got their first two Prancing Pony Farm Maremmas — Delta and Echo. Today those two are working livestock guardian dogs protecting a large meat goat herd in Northern California, doing exactly what they were bred to do.
But predator pressure in their area has been increasing. And when you’re working hard to protect your herd, two dogs guarding two different zones isn’t always enough.
So Ryan made the drive down to pick up their third Prancing Pony Farm Maremma. This five-month-old male is heading home to join Delta and Echo — and specifically to partner up with Delta on goat patrol.
(Echo? She’s got her own beat. The house, the chickens… and most importantly, every time the kids head out to hike, she goes too. When I told Ryan and Rianna that Echo isn’t skipping her job — she’s prioritizing the most important one — they laughed and immediately agreed. 🐾💜)
This is what we build toward. Dogs that know their jobs. Families that trust them completely. And clients who come back — not because they have to, but because they want to.
If you’re dealing with predator pressure or gaps in your livestock guardian coverage, I’d love to talk through your situation. The link in my bio is the best place to start. 🐾 #maremmasheepdog #livestockguardiandog #lgdlife #lgdpuppy #maremma #ClientStories
Child Socialization for Livestock Guardian Dogs: Why It’s Crucial for Family Farms
Child socialization is one of the most overlooked yet essential parts of raising a livestock guardian dog. At Prancing Pony Farm, we intentionally expose our Maremma Sheepdog puppies to children from just a few weeks old—teaching them calm, confident, and gentle behavior that carries into adulthood. #ClientStories
https://prancingponymaremmas.com/lgd-child-socialization/
Aloha, Caia! A Maremma Sheepdog Puppy’s Journey from California to Hawaii
Six months ago, Sarah contacted me from Hawaii with what she called a "crazy" request—she wanted one of my Maremma puppies. The challenge? Hawaii`s quarantine requirements mean a six-month process. But when you fall in love with the right breed, "crazy" is just another word for "totally worth it." Yesterday, Sarah and Casey—first-time dog owners—finally brought home Caia. #ClientStories
https://prancingponymaremmas.com/aloha-caia-a-maremma-sheepdog-puppys-journey-from-california-to-hawaii/
Tofu hoovers up the dog treats as he gets some attention from his family. Tofu and Toothpaste are prancing Pony Maremmas who guard chickens and a bunch of adorable kids in Washington state. 💜
Thinking about getting your own Maremmas? Comment "Maremma," and I`ll send you a link to our 2-minute quiz to see if the fit is right!
#ClientStories #clientstories
#PuppyClientStories
#HappyPuppyOwners
#MaremmaSuccessStories #BearAndChief
#prancingponyfarm #livestockguardiandog #maremmasheepdog #maremma #herdguardian #maremmasmile #flockguardian #workingdog #chickens #chicken
The perfect balance: Maremmas who guard livestock AND love their humans fiercely. These gentle giants from Prancing Pony Farm prove working dogs make amazing family companions, too!
Wondering if a Maremma is the right fit for you? Comment MAREMMA, and I’ll send you our 2-minute Maremma readiness quiz.
#LivestockGuardianDogs #MaremmaSheepdog #FarmLife #WorkingDogs #FamilyDogs #DogLove #PrancingPonyFarm #ClientStories
The One Thing Most Livestock Guardian Dog Owners Skip (But Shouldn`t)
There’s one simple step that can make or break your livestock guardian dog’s success — and many owners overlook it. Learn what it is, why it matters, and how adding this habit will build a calmer, more reliable LGD. #ClientStories
https://prancingponymaremmas.com/the-one-thing-most-livestock-guardian-dog-owners-skip-but-shouldnt/
Why Smart Planning Makes All the Difference: Your Guide to Maremma Success
The families who get perfect livestock guardian dogs all share one secret: they don`t wait until they desperately need a dog to start looking. Discover why the best Maremma placements happen months before the dogs go home, and how smart planning turns livestock protection dreams into reality. #ClientStories
https://prancingponymaremmas.com/why-smart-planning-makes-all-the-difference-your-guide-to-maremma-success/
Five Unknown Benefits of Choosing Adolescent Livestock Guardian Dogs
Why Older Puppies Make Better Livestock Guardians: The Bear & Chief Success Story
Looking for a Livestock Guardian Dog that can start protecting your animals sooner rather than later? Contrary to popular belief, puppies between 6-12 months often make ideal guardians for first-time LGD owners.
#ClientStories
https://prancingponymaremmas.com/five-unknown-benefits-of-choosing-adolescent-livestock-guardian-dogs/
Ready to Protect What You Love?
Join scores of happy families who sleep peacefully knowing their beloved animals and family are protected by reliable Prancing Pony Farm Maremmas.
✅ Health-tested bloodlines ✅ Proven working genetics
✅ Lifetime breeder & professional trainer support included
