Our Started Guardian Program

At Emerald Mtn Ranch, we’re proud to offer started guardians—dogs who have already begun their journey as dedicated livestock and homestead protectors. Unlike a new puppy, these guardians aren’t just a promise of potential; they are a working asset ready to bring their experience and expertise to your ranch or farm.
A started guardian has already been raised and socialized on our ranch, giving them a solid foundation in working with livestock. This hands-on experience means they bring valuable knowledge and a predictable work ethic to their new home. While every dog needs time to bond and acclimate, a started guardian can make the transition to your homestead much smoother, offering a distinct advantage.

Unique Benefits of a Started Guardian

Valuable Experience: Our started guardians have already spent time working with livestock, bringing their learned skills and knowledge directly to your homestead.
Predictable Work Ethic: You’ll know their personality and work ethic upfront, helping ensure a perfect and lasting match for your specific needs.
A Smoother Transition: With a foundation in working with livestock, these dogs are well-prepared to integrate into your existing operations with less initial training.

Each dog has been thoughtfully prepared for their next chapter. We stand behind every dog we place and are always here to support you for life.
Our started guardians are available for a fee based on their training and experience. Please reach out to us directly for current availability and to learn more about the unique guardians currently seeking new homes.

Available Dogs:

Hornet “Brown/Green” Princess 2025 Litter

Hornet is a 6-month-old Turkish Boz Shepherd weighing in at 100 lbs. This big, sweet boy has a wonderful “want to please” attitude and a people-loving personality. His litter is registered with the American Dog Federation, and he can be registered as well.
Hornet is very people-oriented and happiest when he’s part of the action. He loves attention and would be best suited as a homestead guardian rather than a full-time, independent livestock guardian. He’s playful and can be excitable at times, but with maturity and consistent guidance, he should settle nicely into his role.
He has been with stock and will need continued training around birds. Hornet has single dew claws, a bright, eager spirit, and a heart that just wants to make his people proud.
Transportation will be the responsibility of the new owner. Reach out for more information on Hornet.

Yellow (Leona) ” 2025 Princess Litter

Leona is a 7-month-old Turkish Boz Shepherd, daughter of Princess and granddaughter of MINK. Weighing in at 90 lbs, she’s a sweet-natured young guardian with a calm, people-friendly temperament and a natural instinct for protecting her herd.
She’s reliable with stock and has been gaining exposure around birds, though she’ll need continued guidance and supervision in that area. Leona has completed her Embark genetic health testing and is registered with the ADF. She will be placed on a spay contract as a dedicated working guardian.
With the right home and consistent leadership, she’s well on her way to becoming a loyal, dependable protector. This promising young guardian is ready to find her forever family — and her forever job.
Transportation will be the responsibility of the new owner. Reach out for more information on Leona.

Mr. Bentley

Bentley is turning 1 year old this month — and all he wants for his birthday is a forever home. Weighing in at 120 lbs, this brindle beauty has the sweetest smile and an even sweeter heart. Above all, Bentley loves people — he’s soft-natured, affectionate, and thrives on companionship. Loyal and endearingly vocal, he’s the kind of dog who makes you feel safe and cared for just by being near.
Bentley is already showing the instincts of a steady protector. He moves calmly among livestock with natural respect and maturity, looking to his people for guidance. He feeds off the environment he’s in, learning quickly from solid, older dogs and responding well to clear direction. While he’ll need more guidance with smaller animals and poultry as he matures, his eagerness to please makes him a willing student.
Bentley has completed Embark genetic testing and PennHIP evaluation. He is not registered.
With his loyal temperament, affectionate personality, and protective nature, Bentley would make an excellent homestead and family LGD for someone looking for a true companion as well as a guardian.
Transportation will be the responsibility of the new owner. Reach out for more information or to meet Mr. Bentley in person.

Contact us for further information about our started dogs

Our Second Chances Program

The dogs available here aren’t always what you’d expect. We don’t have a history of dogs being returned to our ranch, but the dogs in this program could be those that were acquired but didn’t fit the specific needs of our program, or they may be retired guardians. The fact is, they are ready for their next chapter. We pride ourselves on the temperament of our dogs and only place those we are confident will be a good fit.
Bringing an adult dog into your life is a compassionate choice, but it’s important to be prepared. These dogs have their own quirks and personalities. It can take time for them to settle in, especially if they are joining a home with other dogs. Patience is key. The reward, however, is a mature and devoted companion who is ready to give their all to their new family.

Available Dogs:

Tank

The Gentle Giant

Tank turkish boz shepherd dog with rams
Tank Turkish Boz Shepherd dog getting a belly rub
Tank Turkish Boz Shepherd dog laying in the yard with Steamboat in the background

Tank is a powerful yet gentle 4-year-old Turkish Boz Shepherd with a big heart, an even bigger love for people, and a fondness for belly rubs. At 145 lbs, this neutered, retired stud is steady, affectionate, and ready to find his forever home.
Tank has a moderate energy level and settles quickly once he’s had a little attention. He gets along well with most dogs but won’t be pushed around, and he’s respectful of electric fencing and doesn’t challenge boundaries. He has proven himself reliable with larger livestock, currently living with rams and has also been around calves. While he may bark when nervous, he has never shown aggression toward stock. (Tank is not safe with poultry or cats.)
When Tank was younger, another dog bit his face, leaving part of his lip missing — it doesn’t affect his abilities or sweet nature, and it only adds to his character and charm.
Tank is looking for a homestead where he can spend more time interacting with his humans while also protecting his people and animals. He loves attention, is affectionate with children (though his size and enthusiasm mean he could accidentally scratch younger kids), and is not food-aggressive toward people. He does need some work on leash manners, as he can get very excited, but this big-hearted guardian just needs the right place to call home.
Tank is microchipped, up to date on all vaccinations, and FREE to a good home. Transportation will be the responsibility of the new owner.
Reach out for more information or to meet Tank in person — this loyal guardian is ready to protect and love his forever family.

Samson

The Vigilant Companion

Meet Samson, a handsome and alert 2-year-old Turkish Boz Shepherd (3/4 Boz) who is one of our most loyal guardians — not just of livestock, but of his homestead as well. Weighing 135 lbs, he’s strong, lean, and would thrive on a good diet and an active environment.
Samson is a devoted protector who patrols his property with focus and vigilance. He is wary of strangers but alerts without becoming physical and has successfully kept coyotes away from calving cows. He has also participated in educational outreach programs for LGDs, showing his confidence and steady temperament around the public.
With moderate to high energy, Samson would do best on a homestead with space to run and a job to do. He is respectful of fences, has excellent recall, and is well-behaved on leash. Samson knows several commands, including sit, wait, leave it, and ok. He has experience with sheep, calves, and goats, and generally leaves birds alone. After structured introductions, he gets along well with most dogs, making him a great fit for a multi-dog household.
Neutered, microchipped, and up to date on vaccinations, Samson adores people and craves attention. While he can be excited, he has a strong desire to please and is not food-aggressive. Samson is seeking an experienced owner who understands the needs of a working guardian breed and can provide him with the purpose and attention he deserves.
Transportation will be the responsibility of the new owner. Reach out for more information on Samson and meet this loyal guardian in person.