Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office
A 2-year-old boy who wandered off his family’s property and got lost in the desert overnight was found by a very good boy, a Great Pyrenees-Anatolian Shepherd mixed-breed dog named Buford. This story touches my heart as I’m also the proud owner of a Great Pyrenees x Anatolian Shepherd pup that I rescued last year after she was abandoned at some railroad tracks in Georgia and later dropped off at a shelter.
These are great dogs that are natural protectors but also family dogs who are incredibly loving and gentle with children. I’ve had a horde of neighborhood kids over at the house treating my dog like it was a WWE Royal Rumble and she just went with it because she really loves kids.
It appears Buford is the same with natural protective instincts against predators (coyotes, wolves, rodents, etc) and when he spotted 2-year-old who had wandered 7 miles from his home and gotten lost overnight, Buford understood the assignment. He knew that patrolling the fences for coyotes could wait for another day because that child needed his help and Buford stayed by the child’s side until he walked him back to safety.
The incident occurred over Monday night with a search party lasting 16 hours but it was Buford, a very good Great Pyrnees x Anatolian Shepherd, who saved the day:
Once the boy made it back to safety, he was given water and food which calmed him down. He then told his parents and authorities that he had made it through the night sleeping underneath a tree, according to a report from NPR. The child was mildly dehydrated due to going so long without water and had a few minor scrapes but nothing major considering just how dangerous it would be for a child to spend the night in the desert. In fact, there were 2 mountain lion sightings that night in the area according to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s report.
I cannot sing the praises enough about this type of dog. While they might not be the traditionally smartest dogs around, their instincts are incredible. Both Great Pyrenees and Anatolian Shepherds are ancient breeds. They are natural guardians who instinctively know the difference between a threat and a friend.
Coyote? Bad. Neighbor’s dog? new friend. Bear? Absolutely the f— NOT! That bear better run. Chickens and sheep? They must be protected at all costs.
Cass Anderson / BroBible
Cass Anderson / BroBible
For those wondering… Yes, they shed. And yes, they are big dogs. But ‘Colorado Mountain Dogs’ as they’re starting to be called here in the United States (Great Pyrenees x Anatolian Shepherd mixes) are incredible family dogs, ranch dogs, working dogs, and all around companions.
Content shared from brobible.com.