Does Your Dog Sleep With You? Mine Does And I’ll Tell You Why!

OK, so this is Kiah and she’s a big ‘ol bundle of love. Really. She weighs in at just over 100 pounds, towers a good six inches above my Golden Retriever and insists on draping that tiny frame over any non-moving living thing in the house…usually me or Emi (the Golden). She also sleeps every night right next to me.

Since I’m single it’s not a problem, actually more of a comfort. She sleeps on the pillow, back to back with me and she stays there until I get up in the morning. I wondered why this was, if she was just spoiled (yes she is) or if there was a tangible reason behind it. I think I have figured it out.

She does always start back to back, but regardless of where in the bed she sleeps, she is always touching me somewhere. Since she is genetically pre-disposed to guard her flock, especially at night, I believe that is exactly what she is doing. I do have chickens but they were a late addition, well after she had bonded to me and to Emi. She has no interest at all in protecting the chickens through the night.

My girl knows where she’s needed. I can’t tell you what a comfort a large, on guard, dog provides. Let’s face it, we’re pretty defenseless as we sleep. Not me, I am well watched over. I think she maintains contact with my physically so that she can constantly be aware of where I am. I can even get up during the night, as long as I don’t say anything to her, and she will stay on the bed and wait for me to return.

Kiah is a Great Pyrenees and is genetically pre-disposed to bond and guard her charges. Usually, (for normal people) this would be a flock or herd. The Great Pyrenees will remain with the animals and watch over them. Generally working in small groups, the dogs will have specific tasks. Some will take a perimeter watch as others stay with the flock to protect the older members and the newborns.

The stories around these dogs are amazing. They will take on bear, coyote, wolf, stray dogs, or any threat to their charges. While I don’t anticipate a bear making it’s way into my house and up to my bedroom, the quiet growl I hear occasionally let’s me know that nothing is outside of her notice.

We work well as a team. At home she is in charge of defense. When we walk on property near our house, but away from home, she defers to me as to what she needs to do. Never does she get out of eye-sight and most of the time she is within 10 feet of me. She will go explore if necessary, but returns to check that I’m still OK.

As an example of how well she works with me, we were walking our path when off to the right I saw three deer in the wood line. Most pyr owners will tell you that an off-leash pyr is a dis-a-pyr and you will spend hours riding around trying to locate your MIA dog. Understandably I was a little nervous that she would run after the deer and possibly into a road. She spotted them a few seconds after I did and took off. I could see her running after them along the tree line. I stopped, clapped my hands to get her attention and started whistling to her. She chased them well away from me, about 500 yards, turned and came back to me.

She is my protector and I am her flock.

 

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