Suri Alpaca Playing with Puppy Dog GSP

This German Shorthair pointer dog (Quinto von der Madlage, 6 months old Deutsch Kurzhaar puppy) has learned interspecies play with this alpaca yearling (Prairie Creek Brodeur). Sometimes the alpaca initiates the play with a forehead nudge or run. Sometimes the puppy brings him his stuffed animal toy and play-bows.

For those of you worrying, the herd leader alpaca (Lemieux) or my older GSP dog (Ajax, Illinois-Wisconsin Search & Rescue Dogs) are quick to break it up if either party gets too aggressive. The puppy had to learn not to mouth at the alpaca... the alpaca had to learn not to bump or rear onto the puppy. It will be interesting to see how they are together when they are both adults!

Note how Quinto is multi-tasking the whole time... sniffing for the squirrels, and trying to grab his toy. He is also stopping to pick up apples and eating them while he runs.

Ajax (the older GSP) has segued nicely into the role of Livestock Guardian. He runs outside (24 hour dog door in kitchen and livestock fence) if the alpacas give their fearful call; he perimeters the yards often; and he breaks up fights amongst the males by running into the mayhem and barking and separating them.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Suri Alpaca
• German Shorthair Pointer
• Deutsch Kurzhaar Dog Playing
• Prairie Creek Alpacas
• Quinto Von Der Madlage
• Ajax Acres

[ocdan]

Nice to see a GSP take a good role with the alpacas. Not the same, but I have a GSP/Black lab mix and in the beginning of getting into the alpaca business. He has the same attitude and such as a GSP so I'm sure he'll fit right in with a herd and have his share of fun.

[JenniBidner]

Not your classic "livestock guarding" breed :-) but it seems to work!

Quinto is now almost a year old. The dominant male alpaca still lets quinto stand with his paws on his back, and then he bends his neck back so the dog can clean his ears. He also cleans his eyes by rubbing his head along Quinto's body like a scratching post.

[RHVTV]

Very funny - our GSP was enjoying watching your GSP!

[NoRAdAlphaMoo]

Hi, Jen!

Quinto... interesting name. give my love to ajax and the alpacas.

How is the S&R training going?

J.C.