Editor’s note: This article was updated on July 29, 2024 to include more detailed information the breed characteristics and an update on my personal experience with Colorado Mountain Dogs.

Colorado Mountain Dog: Origin and History

The Colorado Mountain Dog began in 2008 with a foundation dog named Caspian and woman named Wendy Francisco. Caspian was a Great Pyrenees and Anatolian Shepherd mix, with many desirable attributes.

Caspian was an excellent guardian dog, yet displayed no aggression or fear of outside people. He was tall, striking, and well-suited to life on a small acreage farm.

These traits inspired Francisco to create a new breed of Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD).

Wyatt, a Wild Mountain Homestead Colorado Mountain Dog is a descendant of Caspian.

Colorado Mountain Dog Breed Traits

Livestock Guardian Dogs serve an important role on farms, ranches, and homesteads. When creating the Colorado Mountain Dog breed Francisco specifically wanted a dog that was better suited for small acreage properties and farms that are open to the public.

In addition to strong protective instincts, Colorado Mountain Dogs are designed to be friendly to outside visitors. They’re also bred to roam less and bark only as needed. They are impressively athletic animals, but also have the ability to lay around and relax.

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We continue to strive for a dog who wanders and barks less, and who can either be kept in fields or pens. Over-barking is considered a DQ for a CMD. The overall presence of the dog should be mellow, and not over-active.

Wendy Francisco // Director of the Colorado Mountain Dog Registry

Colorado Mountain Dogs come from mixing popular LGDs in order to achieve specific characteristics.

CMD Appearance

The Colorado Mountain Dog is a large, well-balanced, and beautifully proportioned breed, standing up to 34 inches tall. They feature a medium-sized chest, a strong, straight back, and long, straight legs with solid, well-padded paws. Their thick, plume-like tail is adorned with longer fur. Typically, their coat is white, medium in length, and soft to the touch, with longer fur on the mane, backs of the legs, and tail.

During winter, they develop a dense undercoat, which sheds in the summer to reveal a thinner, cooler coat. The face of the Colorado Mountain Dog has a gentle, friendly appearance with an elegant style. Their long, gently sloping muzzle ends in a scissors bite. The eyes are particularly striking—deep in color, wide-set, very alert, and expressive. This gentle giant is a classically beautiful dog.

What Are Colorado Mountain Dogs Mixed With?

Colorado Mountain Dogs (CMD) come from mixing popular Livestock Guardian Dogs in order to achieve the breed traits listed above. Although primarily a mix of Great Pyrenees and Anatolian Shepherd, the Colorado Mountain Dog is not a designer breed but is functionally bred. Initially, Caspian was a Pyr x Anatolian Shepherd.

Now dogs are selected individually based on temperament and guarding abilities, particularly for smaller farms where excessive barking, aggression towards visitors, and wandering can be problematic. The breed currently includes Great Pyrenees, Anatolian Shepherd, Boz, Maremma, Kuvasz, Akbash, and other livestock guardian breeds. Dogs with small percentages of other breeds in their DNA are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, focusing on their functionality.

The breed is still young and other types of dogs may be added on a case by case basis.

Colorado Mountain Dog Registry

If you do some research, you’ll notice there are two separate Colorado Mountain Dog registries. I found this confusing when first looking to own a CMD, but here’s why they both exist.

As mentioned above, Wendy Francisco first started the breed in 2008.  She started the CMDA, but was met with resistance when trying to expand the breed. The CMDA board did not want to expand the genetics of the breed, but instead focused on creating multiple litters from a smaller pool.

Determined to add diversity to the line and follow her dream for the Colorado Mountain Dog breed mix, Francisco left the CMDA and started the Colorado Mountain Dog Registry (CMDR). The database now includes more than 1,200 animals and is steadily growing.

Who Should Own a Colorado Mountain Dog?

CMDs are athletic, working animals.

Between a strong guardian instinct and friendly nature, these dogs are great for family farms, homesteads, and ranches.

They are not suited for city life, as they need space to roam and a job to keep them busy.

Colorado Mountain Dogs are a great addition to small ranches, homesteads, and public farms.

Are Colorado Mountain Dogs Good With Children?

The short answer is yes. Generally speaking, Colorado Mountain Dogs show a gentle demeanor and great patience with children. I trust my two mountain dogs completely with my children and babies. Even during the grabby toddler phase Wyatt and Mable have never shown any aggression toward the kids.

That said, these dogs are gigantic. They can certainly accidentally knock over a child, especially during the excited puppy years. As with all dogs, you need to monitor them when young and make sure children are safe at all times.

Colorado Mountain Dogs are great with kids. Even as a puppy, Wyatt, was patient and kind.

Taking Care of a CMD

Taking care of a Colorado Mountain Dog is pretty straightforward, especially in the winter. A good, thorough brushing once a week, clipping their nails as needed, and brushing their teeth several times a week will keep them in great shape. When summer rolls around, you’ll need to brush them daily to help shed their winter undercoat. Since most of these dogs are white, an occasional bath can help keep their coat looking fresh. Just be sure to use a specially designed dog shampoo, as human shampoos can strip the natural oils from their coat. These dog shampoos are mild and gentle, protecting the essential oils that keep your dog’s skin healthy.

Don’t forget to check their ears regularly for any signs of infection, and in the summer, keep an eye out for parasites and ticks. Other than that, just relax and enjoy your majestic companion!

How Much Does a Colorado Mountain Dog Cost?

Expect to pay anywhere from $900 to $2,000 for a registered Colorado Mountain Dog. While this may seem like a lot of money, keep in mind that these dogs are purpose-built working animals. And when you add up the cost of immunizations, food, and care for such large puppies, you realize that these breeders aren’t making a huge profit. Most of them simply have a passion for Colorado Mountain Dogs.

It’s worth investing for a healthy dog with favorable personality traits. Remember that in addition to becoming a friend, your Colorado Mountain Dog will serve an important job on the homestead. Prior to getting a guardian dog for our remote Colorado homestead, we regularly saw coyotes and foxes and we lost an entire flock of chickens to a bear attack.

Now that we have two well-trained Colorado Mountain Dogs, this hasn’t been a problem. We can happily roam about knowing our livestock and small children are protected.

Colorado Mountain Dog Puppies

Colorado Mountain Dog puppies are incredibly cute and cuddly. Little 10-week-old Wyatt was no exception.

Colorado Mountain Dog puppies are incredibly cute. In my biased CMD-raising opinion, they’re cuter than smaller breeds. Even when first born they tend to be larger and more adorable. They grow quickly and by ten weeks old, they’re more than 20 pounds and substantial enough to live outside.

Colorado Mountain Dog Breeders

There are a growing number of Colorado Mountain Dog breeders. When searching for a dog, be sure to choose someone reputable and committed to advancing the breed.

The best dog for your homestead will depend on the specifics of your land and convenient location. And don’t forget that as with any puppy, you’re still going to need to put some time and effort into training your puppy. You may be able to find a quality Colorado Mountain Dog breeder nearby from talking to friends, posting in your community facebook group, or checking with the local feedstore.

If you aren’t having any luck locally, the CMDA runs a website that lists CO Mtn Dog classifieds. The CMDR list of approved breeders could also be helpful.

FAQ

Colorado Mountain Dog Pros & Cons

Pros

• Genetically inclined to protect livestock and farm
• Friendly to outside visitors
• Bark less than other guardian dog breeds
• Great with children

Cons

• Large animals can be expensive to feed 
• Though they bark less than other LGDs, there is still barking involved in order to protect livestock
• Need room to run, not well-suited to city life

Conclusion

All in all, Colorado Mountain Dogs are an excellent animal and strong addition to a homestead. They serve an important role guarding animals from predators. Most importantly, they roam less than other LGDs making them well-suited to small acreage farms. They also have been selectively bred to remain friendly to outside visitors and only become aggressive if a true threat arises.

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In this article, we’ll compare the Colorado Mountain Dog vs Great Pyrenees to help you better understand these breeds and decide which one is right for you.

History and Origins

Colorado Mountain Dog

The Colorado Mountain Dog is a relatively new breed, originating in the mid-2000s in the United States. The breed was created by Wendy Francisco, a farmer in Colorado who needed a livestock guardian dog after losing most of her goat herd to a mountain lion. Wendy wanted a dog that was not only an effective guardian but also friendly and welcoming to visitors.

Caspian, the founding member of the Colorado Mountain Dog breed, was a crossbreed with 3/4 Great Pyrenees and 1/4 Anatolian Shepherd Dog ancestry. Caspian proved to be an excellent guardian and friendly companion, leading to the development of the breed through selective breeding and the incorporation of other breeds like Hungarian Kuvasz.

Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees, also known as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, has a much longer history, dating back thousands of years. Originating in the mountainous regions of France and Spain, these dogs were bred to protect livestock, shepherds, and their families. They are known for their strong guarding instincts, intelligence, and gentle nature.

Size and Weight

Colorado Mountain Dog

Male Colorado Mountain Dogs typically stand between 30 and 34 inches tall and weigh between 110 and 150 pounds. Female Colorado Mountain Dogs are slightly smaller, with heights ranging from 26 to 29 inches and weights between 80 and 120 pounds.

Great Pyrenees

Great Pyrenees are larger than Colorado Mountain Dogs, with males standing between 25 and 32 inches tall and weighing at least 100 pounds. Female Great Pyrenees typically stand between 25 and 29 inches tall and weigh over 85 pounds.

Appearance

Both Colorado Mountain Dogs and Great Pyrenees have large, powerful builds and double coats. However, their coat colors and other physical features differ.

Colorado Mountain Dog

Colorado Mountain Dogs have a medium-sized chest, strong back, and powerful hind legs. Their bushy tail often curls and loops over their lower back. The preferred coat color is white, but they can also be golden or light brown. Their eyes are alert, expressive, and wide, and they have a medium-length, slightly wavy, dense coat.

Great Pyrenees

Great Pyrenees have a more substantial build, with a broad chest and powerful legs. Their coat is typically white, sometimes with tan, gray, badger, or reddish-brown markings. The Great Pyrenees coat is also medium in length, but it is more likely to be straight than wavy.

Temperament

Both Colorado Mountain Dogs and Great Pyrenees are known for their friendly dispositions, but there are some differences in their temperaments.

Colorado Mountain Dog

Colorado Mountain Dogs are friendly, outgoing, and family-oriented. They are good with children and accepting of visitors. When it comes to guarding livestock, they display strong protective instincts and use their intimidating bark to ward off predators. Colorado Mountain Dogs are also known for their ability to bond with livestock while maintaining a balance of protection, authority, and respect.

Great Pyrenees

Great Pyrenees are also good with children and other dogs, but they can be more reserved with strangers, taking time to warm up to new people and animals. They have strong guarding instincts, making them excellent protectors of livestock and family. However, their friendly nature can make them less alert watchdogs than Colorado Mountain Dogs.

Training and Exercise

Both Colorado Mountain Dogs and Great Pyrenees require proper training and exercise to maintain their physical and mental health.

Colorado Mountain Dog

Colorado Mountain Dogs are intelligent and independent thinkers, making them both trainable and adaptable to different situations. They require regular exercise, whether they are working as livestock guardians or living as companion dogs in a family setting. Walks, hikes, or playtime in the yard can help them burn off energy and stay healthy.

Great Pyrenees

Great Pyrenees are also intelligent but can be more stubborn and independent than Colorado Mountain Dogs, making training more challenging. They have moderate energy levels and require regular exercise, such as long walks or hikes, to keep them healthy and happy.

Health and Lifespan

Both Colorado Mountain Dogs and Great Pyrenees are generally healthy breeds, but there are some differences in their lifespans and potential health issues.

Colorado Mountain Dog

As a relatively new breed, there is limited information on the potential health issues and lifespan of Colorado Mountain Dogs. However, it is estimated that they have a lifespan of around 12 years, similar to the Great Pyrenees, Anatolian Shepherd, and Hungarian Kuvasz breeds. It is recommended to check the parents for issues such as patellar luxation and hip dysplasia.

Great Pyrenees

Great Pyrenees have a lifespan of 10-12 years. They are prone to certain health issues, such as hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and bloat. Regular vet checkups and monitoring for these conditions can help maintain their overall health.

Grooming and Shedding

Both Colorado Mountain Dogs and Great Pyrenees have double coats that require regular grooming to maintain their health and appearance.

Colorado Mountain Dog

Colorado Mountain Dogs have a medium-length coat that is slightly wavy and dense. They shed moderately throughout the year, with heavier shedding during seasonal coat changes. Weekly brushing is recommended to help maintain the quality of their coat and minimize shedding.

Great Pyrenees

Great Pyrenees have a medium-length, straight coat that sheds heavily, especially during seasonal coat changes. Weekly brushing is essential to help remove loose hair, prevent matting, and keep their coat healthy.

Cost and Availability

The cost and availability of both Colorado Mountain Dogs and Great Pyrenees can vary depending on factors such as breeder reputation, location, and demand.

Colorado Mountain Dog

Colorado Mountain Dog puppies typically cost between $800 and $1000. As a newer breed, they may be less readily available than more established breeds like the Great Pyrenees.

Great Pyrenees

Great Pyrenees puppies can cost between $500 and $1500, depending on the breeder and other factors. They are a more established breed and may be more readily available than Colorado Mountain Dogs.

Conclusion: Colorado Mountain Dog vs. Great Pyrenees

In conclusion, both Colorado Mountain Dogs and Great Pyrenees are beautiful, friendly, and protective breeds that can make excellent family companions or livestock guardians. While they share some similarities, their differences in size, appearance, temperament, and other factors may influence your decision when choosing between them. By considering this comprehensive comparison, you can make an informed decision about which breed is the best fit for your family, farm, or lifestyle.

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The Best Dogs for Guarding Chickens

There are a few things to consider when choosing the right dog breed to guard chickens. First, the dog needs to be large enough to defend against the predators in your area.

Our homestead is located in a remote part of the Rocky Mountains. We regularly see bears, coyotes, and mountain lions. With that in mind we knew we needed a large dog. In fact, we have three since our property is large and the livestock we keep are spread out.

Next, even though you want a large dog that’s ready to fight off predators, it also needs to be able to reign in its instinctual prey drive and refrain from chasing and eating the chickens.

In my experience, this is the hardest part. LGDs have a deep instinct to chase and protect. Pair that with flighty chickens and you have a challenge on your hands. While every dog breed will require training (see below for tips), these breeds will have an easier time adapting to life with chickens.

Colorado Mountain Dog

It’s no secret that this is among my favorite livestock guardian dog breed. This is a relatively new breed, designed to protect livestock on small homesteads. They’re friendly, great with kids, and expert guardians. I love that Colorado Mountain Dogs are incredible athletes, with a very kind heart.

In my experience, they do an excellent job guarding chickens, pigs, goats, sheep, and horses. They come from lines of Great Pyrenees and Anatolian Shepherd dogs, and really bring the best of both breeds to the forefront. I’ve written an in-depth article all about Colorado Mountain Dogs, if you want to learn more.

Great Pyrenees

Great Pyrenees are a well known and beloved livestock guardian dog. When people think of an LGD, the Great Pyrenees is often what comes to mind. Large, white and fluffy these dogs are as cute as they are reliable.

Slovensky Cuvak

Also known as the Slovak Cuvac or Slovak Chuvach, this large white dog is one of the only LGD breeds historically known to protect poultry. It has been well documented back to 17th century and was known for watching over sheep, cattle, and turkeys.

Other Dog Breeds to Guard Chickens

Can you use another dog breed to guard your chickens? The short answer is yes, of course. That said, there are certain breeds that will take to it more naturally.

But a lot of it depends on the demeanor of your particular job. And while there are many friendly family pets that will easily become friendly with your chickens, they may not properly defend against threats. So that depends on what predators you have in your area.

I once had an adorable Labrador Retriever who was convinced he was part of the flock. He would spend hours each day wandering the yard with them and hanging out. But he was a big softie and would never have stood up to a bear or other large threat. He did great in the urban homestead setting I lived in at that time, but wouldn’t have been a good fit for wild mountain living.

Training a Dog to Protect Chickens

Even a Livestock Guardian Dog from the best lines will still need some training to safely be around chickens.

We got our first Colorado Mountain Dog as a 10-week old puppy. He was a heart-melting ball of fluff. And while he had great breed lines and natural instincts, he still had a lot to learn. At about 6-months-old, he took to chasing chickens and even killed one. We quickly realized training was necessary. Here’s what worked for us:

1. Consistent Exercise Time – We dedicated ourselves to a long walk around the property every morning and evening, plus several play times throughout the day. Helping our giant puppy expel energy was critical.
2. Consistent Training Time (Away from Livestock) – My husband and I took turns each day working on basic commands (sit, down, stay).
3. Supervised Time with Chickens – We slowly reintroduced our LGD to the chickens. First through the chicken coop, then on a leash, and finally with free range. Any display of lunging or getting too excited was quickly shutdown with a verbal warning.
4. Use a Leash or Dog Run during Peak Hours – The evening time was our most difficult. Not only was it peak crazy hours for taking care of two young children, but it’s when our puppy wanted to get the zoomies and go crazy. During these hours, we put our dog-in-training in a dog run to avoid any unwanted incidents.
5. Send Your Puppy to LGD Bootcamp – To finish it all off, we were blessed to be able to send Wyatt to spend a week with a local Colorado Mountain Dog breeder. Being able to see how the seasoned dogs act was paramount for him. We made several months of progress in a short time thanks to this mentoring.

And that’s one of the best things about having an older dog when you get a puppy. They immediately learn the ropes with far less effort on your part.

FAQ About the Best Dog for Guarding Chickens

Conclusion

A well-trained dog will become a requisite part of the team and excellent chicken guardian. We rely on our Colorado Mountain Dogs to protect our chickens from bears, foxes, mountain lions, and all manner of predators. For the best success, choose a skilled Livestock Guardian Breed and take the time to train your dog to protect chickens.

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