True North Guardians
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- Lisbon, OH
- Responds within a few days
Meet the breeder
I'm Rebecca M., the breeder behind True North Guardians located in Lisbon, OH. True North Guardians is based at Blue Heron Farms, a 210-acre commercial sheep farm in the Appalachian foothills of eastern Ohio. Our livestock guardian dogs protect our sheep and other livestock, and inspired the desire to produce more true working shepherd dogs. We seek to honor the centuries of Turkish shepherds’ selection, as well as natural selection, which created a truly specialized canine — a shepherd’s partner who is willing and able to live with and protect flocks/herds, and thrive in the harshest of weather and landscapes. Our goal is to preserve these specialized traits by producing working Turkish livestock guardian dogs of great discernment, sound minds, steady temperaments and resilient structure that can live up to the task of protecting livestock in various settings. These can be more serious working dogs and are not appropriate in all situations.
Q. & A. with Rebecca
Why did you start breeding?
The farm is surrounded by 1,000 acres of mostly open farmland and woods. It is a haven for wildlife, including predators of various types — namely, coyotes and foxes, but also the occasional black bear, bobcat, stray dog or bird of prey. Prior to building up our livestock guardian dog pack, we routinely lost sheep to coyotes. Livestock guardian dogs have been a part of our predator management strategy for more than 15 years. In that time, we have had difficulty finding dogs that have a correct working temperament and sound mind, discernment and athleticism to protect our sheep, so after substantial research, I began to source breeding dogs with the characteristics best suited for what we need. The goal is to reach a balance with the local ecosystem, as well as to reliably produce my own replacements and provide working dogs to other farms. In addition to protecting the farm, these dogs have taught me a lot about myself. True North honors what they have taught and will continue to teach me.What makes your program special?
The goal at True North is to produce working livestock guardian dogs with sound minds and temperaments. It has taken years to get to the point where that is a possibility; we are tough critics. Before any dog is considered a breeding quality candidate, it has to demonstrate a steady and measured mind, a desire to work alongside its shepherd while still maintaining its ability to operate autonomously as the situation requires, and be able to work well with a variety of livestock, in a dynamic environment. Those are the first priorities — it is far too easy to lose work ethic, ability and good character with poor breeding decisions. A True North breeding dog also has to prove itself capable and healthy, through the test of real-time work on rocky strip-mined Appalachian foothills terrain. We believe in thorough health testing as well, particularly because most of our dogs are imports with often sparse histories. We work with one of the country’s top reproductive clinics to gather data. Overall, we consider all information gathered within the context of research available, and most importantly, how our dogs perform over time. A successful livestock guardian dog’s form will follow how well it functions. Breeding decisions are not limited to on-farm dogs. In order to produce well-balanced dogs with strong work ethic, sometimes the best pairing may come from an outside stud. Whenever that decision is made, it is done after an assessment of True North dogs’ strengths and weaknesses, extensive research and study of lineages, and discussions with other breeders to find the best options available.Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Getting a puppy from Rebecca
Rebecca has been certified by Good Dog's screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you're ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies.
Together, you’ll choose the puppy that’s right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.
Price
Contract & health guarantee
Rebecca may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If Rebecca offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don't hesitate to reach out to Rebecca directly.
What's included
From Good Dog
- Lifetime support from Good Dog’s Care Team
- 10% lifetime discount on Figo pet insurance
- Puppy Training Program & private community
Puppy health practices
- Vet check
- First round of shots and deworming
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Rebecca.
Breeder's location
Meet in Lisbon, OH
4120 miles away
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Other pick-up locations
Flexible meeting point
Rebecca can meet at a location that works for both of you
More about Rebecca
Rebecca has been a member of Good Dog for 7 months
Rebecca was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2025.
Rebecca is a trusted Good Dog breeder
True North Guardians meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
- Responsible breeding practices
- Health of breeding dogs and puppies
- Puppy environment and enrichment
- Buyer education and policies
Parent health testing
Excellent level
True North Guardians reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Kangals.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI)
Elbow testing reduces the chance of passing down elbow dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause arthritis in the elbow joint and front leg lameness.
Cardiac Evaluation (rDVM, not registered with OFA)
Heart testing reduces the chance of passing down congenital heart disease, which can cause a range of symptoms ranging from trouble exercising to heart failure.
Patellar Luxation
Knee testing reduces the chance of passing down Patellar Luxation, which results in the kneecap becoming displaced or dislocated and can cause mild to severe joint pain.
DNA Disease Panel
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).
