With his beaming smile and large coat, Bear the Maremma sheepdog appears like he simply desires to play and be cuddled. Heartwarming photos present the cheerful canine roaming fields, rolling onto his again and even cosying as much as a herd of cows.
Adorable Bear has turn out to be well-liked on TikTok, with customers of the social media platform falling for his cute appears and harmless look. But there may be one other aspect to the 50kg canine.
He may be a canine that clearly loves his down time, however Bear can also be dedicated to defending Christmas turkeys. From April to December, Bear spends day and evening looking for the flock, who dwell outdoors year-round in a setup farmer George Ford describes as ‘past free vary’.
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The 34-year-old stated: “Bear was in with the birds mainly as quickly as we bought him as a puppy. We didn’t even actually have to coach him – it is sort of innate. He simply constructed that bond with them immediately and stays outdoors with them the entire yr spherical.
“The only problem we had was occasionally right at the start he’d run around with one in his mouth. But he would never kill one of them – he’s very well behaved.”
Bear is a guard canine George’s farm, Nempnett Pasture in Somerset, the place he retains the turkeys secure from predators. He has performed a key position in giving animals on the farm extra freedom.
Previously, George’s farm was targeted on intensive pig farming, which he says he ‘hated’. He stated: “Our pork manufacturing was very intensive, and I couldn’t get obsessed with it.
“We needed to lock the sheds up as a result of we dreaded anybody seeing it. I needed to do one thing that I’m pleased and proud to indicate the world.”
George now sells turkeys for between £60 and £140, and business is booming for the sixth-generation farmer. This yr’s turkeys have now been slaughtered for Christmas.
“We promote out yearly,” stated George. “We reared 640 this yr and solely have 100 left, and we’re increasing our numbers every year.
“Our earlier ‘free-range’ mannequin required the turkeys to be shut away safely in a barn at evening and their vary quickly turned overgrazed and turned to mud. We now suppose conserving them out and transferring often to recent pasture is a a lot better approach of doing it.”
Bear was just lately joined by one other canine companion, named Holly. She can also be a Maremma and the 2 dogs now break up their duties, with the pair tending to George’s flock of chickens from April to August, earlier than splitting up when the turkeys arrive in the summertime.
George stated: “It’s nice to see. I didn’t like it at the start when Bear was on his own, so it was really good for him to have Holly for company.” While Bear’s joyful face may not make him look like your typical guard canine, George says his harmless appears could be deceptive.
He added: “They are so loyal to us and love my family but if anyone else walked down there Bear would be a completely different dog. He’d be up barking and baring his teeth. It’s quite scary. If he doesn’t know you, good luck to you.”
