Jenny Marrs has a couple of hard working dogs who are on high alert at all times on their farm. After providing updates about one of the dogs that went missing and was found, the HGTV star’s fans had a lot of questions about her four-legged family members.
Jenny Marrs Answers Questions About Their Farm Dogs
On May 13, Marrs took to Instagram to share some details about the dogs that roam their farm and keep the sheep safe.
“Lots of questions about Jack and Belle and the coyotes!” she wrote. “So, we had sheep for 4 years and never had an issue (we had daddy donk in the pasture with them). Then one summer, 4 years ago, we lost 9 sheep to coyotes attacks.”
Marrs continued, “We adopted Jack and Belle. We were told they were trained livestock guardian dogs who needed to be rehomed. It turns out, they weren’t LGD’s. They were just pets.”
The HGTV star noted, “So they were never trained YET they instinctively knew just what to do (Great Pyrenees have been bred for this work since the 17th century … it’s in their DNA.”
Marrs also shared how the dogs figured out a system. “We watched in awe as they devised a routine,” she wrote. “Jack would work at night while Belle worked during the day … each taking naps while the other was on duty.”
She clarified, “LGDs aren’t guard dogs or attack dogs. They patrol the area and bark (a lot) to warn and keep predators at bay.”
1 of the Dogs Jumps Their Fence Often
Marrs further explained how Jack serves as “roamer” and the other dog stays with the sheep.
She included a quote about the breed that explains their roaming instinct: “Great Pyrenees are known for their tendency to roam and can travel several miles in search of boundaries or to protect their flock. They may roam up to 8 miles or more, especially at night.”
The HGTV star noted that Jack “has a territory to protect and he jumps the fence to do so.” Despite their best efforts of installing an underground fence, he still “gets out each night to patrol.”
Their dogs definitely keep the flock safe. “Since we have had Jack and Belle, we haven’t lost a sheep under their watch to a predator,” Marrs shared. “Within the past month, our neighbor up the road has lost four and has several who have been severely injured.”
Marrs noted that they are “grateful for their hard work,” pointing out that “they LOVE this work.” If the dogs need to be separated from the flock for a period of rest or breeding, Marrs said, “They are so upset and can’t wait to be reunited as quickly as possible.”
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