At Goats at Work, the goats get most of the glory — but none of it would be possible without our dogs. From guarding the herd through the night on our Coldwater farm to keeping things moving on a busy goatscaping job in Simcoe County, our dogs are every bit as essential to this operation as the goats themselves.
Protection: Our Maremma Livestock Guardian Dogs
Goats are natural prey animals. Their kids especially are vulnerable to almost every form of predation — and early in our operation, we found this out the hard way, losing up to 50% of one season's kid crop. It was a hard and painful lesson, but it changed how we run our farm forever.
Today, we trust our herd to six Maremma Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs). Originally bred in the Abruzzo region of Italy, Maremmas have been protecting flocks for thousands of years. They are calm, observant, and instinctively devoted to the animals in their care. They don't chase or herd — they bond. From the time they are pups, Maremmas are raised with the goats, and that relationship becomes the foundation of everything they do.
What Makes Maremmas a Great Fit for Our Operation
Calm and Steady
They don't spook easily, which matters around clients, children, and unfamiliar properties.
Good with People
Generally gentle around humans and other dogs, making them ideal for residential and commercial jobs.
They Stay with the Stock
A Maremma's instinct is to remain close to the herd, not roam — keeping your property and our animals safe.
Whether our goats are working a residential backyard in Barrie, clearing brush along a riparian area near Orillia, or resting back at Riverside Ranch in Coldwater, our Maremmas are with them. That ancient bond between dog, goat, and shepherd — practiced across the Mediterranean and Middle East for millennia — is alive and well right here in Simcoe County.
"We feel blessed to carry on the ancient tradition of pastoralism using dogs in harmony with goats."
Herding: Cowboy Craig, Our Border Collie
You've probably heard the saying — stubborn as a goat. When it comes to moving 30 to 100 goats from point A to point B on a targeted grazing job, even the best shepherd appreciates a little backup. That's where Cowboy Craig comes in.
Craig is a purebred border collie who came to us from a large ranch in Alberta, where he worked alongside multiple dogs to move hundreds of sheep, goats, and cattle. He's a seasoned professional — focused, responsive, and extraordinarily good at his job.
Craig on the Job
For most moves, our goats will follow Dan and a rattling feed bucket without much fuss. But on larger jobs, in unfamiliar terrain, or when things inevitably go sideways, Craig is the insurance policy we're grateful to have. His calm, controlled presence keeps the herd together and the job on track.
When Craig isn't working goats across Barrie, Orillia, or the surrounding Simcoe County area, he's riding shotgun — loyal, content, and always ready for the next adventure.
Thinking about goatscaping your property? Our whole team — goats, dogs, and shepherd — comes to you.
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