The Dogs That Changed Our Farm Forever

When our youngest livestock guardian dog, Elsie, welcomed ten fluffy puppies into the world this week, I found myself thinking back to where all of this really began.

Back in 2018, we met our first Great Pyrenees at a friend’s farm. Her name was Ophelia, and I'm still so grateful we met her. She guarded livestock beautifully, of course, but what really stunned me was how devoted she was to the children.

If one of the kids wandered out of sight, we didn’t panic.

We just looked for Ophelia’s giant fluffy white tail. Wherever the child was, she was only a few feet away, calmly supervising like a full-time nanny who also happened to outweigh the toddlers.

After several failed rescue dog attempts, we finally decided to go the purpose-bred route and contacted Ophelia’s breeder, Lily Stolzfoos, to get on her waiting list.

That’s how we got Valkyrie in 2020.

I’ve always called Valkyrie our “Mary Poppins dog,” because she’s practically perfect in every way. Six years later, and three Great Pyrenees into this journey, I can honestly say I’ll probably never own another breed.

A year after Valkyrie came Vidar. (What can I say? They’re just that good.)

And then eventually Elsie.

What amazes me most is how little “puppy nonsense” any of them ever had. No destruction. No chaos. No landscaping projects in the front yard. The worst crime any of them ever committed was stealing a single shoe and hiding it in a shady spot.

Not chewing it.

Not destroying it.

Just… relocating it.

Honestly, that level of restraint deserves an award.

Over the years, these dogs have protected livestock, children, poultry, repaired water lines, and my sanity.

They’ve stayed where we asked them to stay — fencing or no fencing — and adapted beautifully to every situation we’ve thrown at them.

And their intelligence still catches me off guard.

One evening I was frantically searching for our oldest and favorite hen, Pickle Chicken, before dark.

Meanwhile, Vidar kept nudging his upside-down food bowl at me.

I finally snapped, “I’ll feed you later, Bud! I’ve got to find Pickle Chicken before dark!”

Turns out my good dog knew exactly where she was.

Under his food bowl.

Apparently she’d tried sneaking extra food, flipped the bowl onto herself, and gotten trapped underneath it like the world’s most embarrassing hostage situation.

Vidar was trying to tell me the entire time.

I absolutely owed that dog an apology.

These dogs have become so much more than livestock guardians.

They’re protectors, companions, coworkers, babysitters, and trusted friends. Their discernment is incredible, and honestly, having three of them gives me tremendous peace of mind with how public our farm life has become online.

Even when I’m not paying attention, they are.

Always watching.

Always patrolling.

Always caring for what matters to us.

And now, somehow, we’re starting the next chapter all over again with ten tiny puppies sleeping in a pile beside Elsie.

From my (very full) heart,

Brianne

Iron Oaks Farmstead

386-209-6150