Erick Conard's Lucky Hit Ranch: Anatolian Page
Conard's Golden Girl (Brandy)
A Second Generation Anatolian
Daughter of
Sire: Ebeling's Kasif (Casy)
Dam: Swan Acres Kavi Manzara (Zara)

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Also, you can reach me by e-mail at: ejc@ix.netcom.com

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My Second Generation Anatolian owned by Dee Hadorn of Oklahoma
Conard's Golden Girl (Brandy)

Dee Hadorn's first Anatolian, Tess, came as a rescue. She was a Rusgar daughter; she had never been with stock and was nearly five. She had been living in the a backyard, alone. Although she was behind a chain link fence they had her on a chain because she knew how to open the gate latch.

After Tess bit the next door neighbor in the face she came to live with Dee's Angoras instead of crossing the Rainbow Bridge. It was a big step for both Tess and Dee!

Dee's second Anatolian was a 7 month-old female who had been raised with sheep. Tess terrorized her, even though the introduction was through the fence. Hamstring injuries on Dee's goats began to appear within the first week and this dog was returned. (Although I believe that if this dog had been placed with goats with the correct level of aggression and internal strength for this pup, this pup may very well have been cured of this common problem in working pups.) The breeder paid shipping one way and Dee paid shipping the other.

Dee has 80 acres and knew one dog would not be able to handle the predators she had there - coyotes, bob cats, hawks and owls, stray dogs, and an occasional cougar. I had pups (from my Second Generation Anatolians) who were raised with goats by my "strictly working method" and a little older than "normal." When Dee called our phone call went very well.

In November of 1991, Dee visited me at my Ranch near Austin, Texas. The following is Dee's story regarding Conard's Golden Girl (Brandy).

Dee Hadorn's Story


The Anatolian stories I had heard said "don't even try to get out of your vehicle when you visit someone whose Anatolian was loose on their land." So, when Casy (Erick's beautiful male working Anatolian) met me at the truck, I wasn't sure exactly what to do. Casy didn't offer any hostile noises or smiles, so I got out.

Erick's stories are almost as warm as his smile - the epitome of genuine Texas hospitality. He explained his pup-raising procedures. We visited each pup in turn (each in its own pen with its own individual goat). To my surprise, Erick also provided a video of each pup's initial turn-out with the goat herd. Because I was seeking a female, we looked especially at the two females he had - Tawny and Golden Girl.

"How much would you like for them?" I asked him.

His price for Tawny was double his price for Golden Girl. "Why the difference?" I asked, confused.

"I don't want to sell Tawny." he candidly replied. Honest in the extreme.

Tawny was a little larger but she clearly wanted to stay where she was and double the price was out of my price range. So, Golden Girl became Brandy and came home with me.

On the trip home in the pickup, Brandy lay on the seat beside me, generally trying to ignore me. She said she might have to go home with me, but she didn't have to like it. She got out on the leash to pee, but wouldn't. I stopped at McDonald's and bought her own hamburger - plain. She wouldn't eat it. She didn't know me and didn't trust me. Trust takes a bit of time for a true working Anatolian.

The excitement came when I introduced Brandy to Tess. After the last dog, I was not looking forward to that meeting. When Tess saw Brandy (through the fence) Tess said, "I'm going to eat you, bitch."

Brandy (who was only a pup and nearly 4.5 years younger) replied "Come on, then." I had purchased a very tough working Anatolian.

That enmity never changed or mellowed. It continues between Tess and Brandy's daughters and granddaughters as well. I have no clue how they know, except through smell or some other trait of genetic similarity. Even when they are related on the sire's side, Tess's female offspring do not like Brandy's female offspring. They fight (and thrown water is ineffective) - even after all these years.

The following year, Tess had pups. Her pup Lion was about 5 months old when he decided to assert his independence. I wanted him to come to the dairy barn, but he put on the brakes and turned his teeth to my hand. Twenty yards away, Brandy saw what Lion was doing. Before I realized what was happening, Brandy had Lion by the throat on the ground. She didn't bite him and she didn't growl, but Lion got the message - and no mistake.

After a couple of tense minutes, she let him up. I grabbed him by the collar again and took off toward the dairy barn - both of us shaken and "speechless". After about 10 steps, Lion put on a brake or two and looked back at Brandy. Her glare was sufficient to propel him to the barn without further incident.

Soon it was Brandy's turn to have pups with Tess's big son, Nick. If you have ever read Elizabeth Marshall Thomas's description of dog marriage in The Hidden Life of Dogs, you have a good picture of the delightful courtship between Brandy and Nick. They were thrilled with each other and it was obvious in their every move and gesture. Their pasture was about 4 acres and they used all of it. Smiles, flying tails, twirling bodies and expectant posturing - two young dogs with everything going for them - delighting in each other. It was enchanting to watch!

From Brandy and Nick came the light of my life - Cerulean Katy. Katy was the only female in that litter; she was the largest and my favorite and she knew it. Her best "trick" was to lie on her back for a stomach rub and roll her eyes. Even as an adult, she still does this for me when she wants my attention.

As with Brandy, Katy NEVER did anything to disturb the flock. When Katy was a year old, a young Angora doe had a surprise baby and we separated mamma and baby from the herd to put them in a kidding stall. Katy put the top of her head (and her body, of course) on the ground to make sure she didn't frighten the newborn.

Her uncle, Haji was not so careful - coming up to sniff the baby standing up. He wasn't doing anything that I could see, but Katy was not so easily taken in. She grabbed Haji by the throat and put him on his back - just as I had seen her mamma do earlier. "Don't you scare that baby, you big Lummox!!"

Brandy was born in 1991. I've enjoyed having her on my ranch faithfully protecting my livestock for all these years. I'm so glad that Anatolians are a long lived breed and am looking forward to quite a few more years to enjoy my beautiful working Anatolian, Brandy!

Conard's Golden Girl (Brandy) - Daughter of Ebeling's Kasif (Casy) and Swan Acres Kavi Manzara (Zara)

Brandy is an incredible working Anatolian who takes her job of guarding her goats seriously.

She is a serious working dog with the aloof personality highly desired in Anatolians in a real world working situation.

Brandy was raised using Erick's STRICTLY WORKING METHOD, is closely bonded to her goats, completely loyal to Dee, and is extremely distrustful of any other humans. Like many good Anatolians off territory, she remains aloof but polite to others present.

Brandy is an exceptionally "tuff" Anatolian with amazing guardian ability. She loves her animal charges and is especially wonderful with young stock. Brandy is fearless, aggressive, and unrelenting with predators and has great independent decision making ability.

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