Paws for Finals Spring 2013: Tarek

Tarek was purchased from a sheep farmer for $65. He was seven weeks old and weighed seventeen pounds. The rancher was going to put him to work in the pasture that week; instead Tarek is a pampered pet. At six years old, Tarek weighs 140+ pounds.

Tarek is a Great Pyrenees/Akbash mix. Both breeds are large white dogs used as livestock guardians. The Akbash breed is thought to be at least 3,000 years old. They are native to Turkey and are seldom kept as pets. Great Pyrenees dogs are from the Pyrenees Mountains region between Spain and France. The majority of both breeds are working dogs that spend their life living with livestock. They are protective and have a strong territorial instinct but are slow moving and very calm. While not common house pets, there are a large number of Pyrenees dogs working on ranches throughout this country. The Akbash is less well known with only a few breeders in the U.S.

Tarek's family consists of Sally; Tiare, a two-year-old female Great Pyrenees; Rosie, an African Grey Parrot; Mao, a Siamese cat found abandoned as a kitten; and Brandy, a 27-year-old rescued race horse. Everyone gets along, thank goodness.

Tarek is calm and friendly and likes to meet people. He is always watchful and does not play with toys but loves to wrestle with Tiare. He is happiest when he is being petted and loved on. He is truly a gentle giant. Sally and Tarek are new to therapy dog work (registered in December 2012) and are both enjoying the experience.