Rustic Roots

We’ve seen a few comments recently suggesting that our dogs getting out is simply a matter of “being more responsible,” so I want to clarify something for those who may not be familiar with working livestock guardian dogs.

Our Great Pyrenees are not typical pets — they are purpose-bred working animals whose job is to protect livestock from predators. That means their instinct is to patrol, respond to threats, and, at times, push beyond boundaries when they believe their animals are at risk.

When they leave the property, it’s not due to a lack of effort or care — it’s usually because they are actively responding to predator pressure in the area. That instinct is exactly what allows them to do their job effectively.

We continuously invest time, resources, and effort into fencing, reinforcement, and tracking. But anyone experienced with LGDs understands there is no perfect, one-time solution — it’s an ongoing management process, not a simple fix.

There’s a big difference between managing working guardian dogs on a farm and owning a household pet, and it’s not always obvious unless you’ve lived it.

We take our responsibility to our animals, our neighbors, and our operation seriously, and we will continue to do so.

We’re grateful for the many neighbors who understand the realities of farm life and have been supportive — it truly makes a difference. ❤️

It's NATIONAL FARM ANIMAL DAY!!
It's our day to shine ☀️😀

Ok, these "national days of" are getting a bit silly. But, we will take any opportunity to brag about our little farm family.
Our Desert Painted Sheep (yes they're sheep!), chickens, guinea hens and don't forget the hard working farm dogs - they all keep our organic farm moving. From grazing, to eating pests to fertilizing the ground (and of course we need someone to protect all of them 🐾🐾) - our farm animals are the heart of Rustic Roots. And today we celebrate them all!