Meet the seven-stone dog who is now a TikTok star for protecting a flock of Christmas turkeys round the clock

With his fluffy white coat and devilishly sweet smile, this Tik-Tok famous dog may not seem like such a threat.

But Bear, a seven-stone Maremma Sheepdog, has quite the responsibility – guarding a flock of Christmas turkeys round the clock.

The hound lives outside from April to December and works day and night at a farm in Somerset to protect farmer George Ford’s 640-strong flock of slow-grown Bronze turkeys. 

Farmer Ford, 34, prides himself on letting his turkeys live outside year-round – which he called ‘beyond free range’.

But this setup requires protection from predators – which is provided by Bear, who acts as a guard dog.

With his fluffy white coat and devilishly sweet smile, this Tik-Tok famous dog may not seem like such a threat

But Bear, a 50-kilo Maremma Sheepdog, has quite the responsibility – guarding a flock of Christmas turkeys round the clock

The hound lives outside from April to December and works day and night at a farm in Somerset to protect farmer George Ford’s (pictured) 640-strong flock of slow-grown Bronze turkeys

Mr Ford, who runs Nempnett Pasture in Somerset, said: ‘Bear was in with the birds basically as soon as we got him as a puppy.

‘We didn’t even really have to train him – it’s kind of innate. He just built that bond with them straight away and stays outside with them the whole year round.

‘The only problem we had was occasionally right at the start he’d run around with one in his mouth. But he would never kill one of them – he’s very well behaved.’

The turkeys, the majority of which have now been slaughtered, sell for between £60 and £140.

Mr Ford, a sixth-generation farmer, said: ‘We sell out every year. We reared 640 this year and only have 100 left, and we are expanding our numbers each year.

‘Our previous ‘free-range’ model required the turkeys to be shut away safely in a barn at night and their range soon became overgrazed and turned to mud.

‘We now think keeping them out and moving regularly to fresh pasture is a much better way of doing it.’

Bear was recently joined by another canine companion – Holly.

She is also a Maremma and the two dogs now split their duties.

The doggy pair live in Mr Ford’s flock of chickens from April to August, and are then split up when the turkeys arrive in summer. 

Farmer Ford, 34, prides himself on letting his turkeys live outside year-round – which he called ‘beyond free range’

Mr Ford, who runs Nempnett Pasture in Somerset, said: ‘Bear was in with the birds basically as soon as we got him as a puppy’ 

Bear was recently joined by another canine companion – Holly. She is also a Maremma and the two dogs now split their duties

Bear has even become quite the TikTok star for his cute looks – but Mr Ford says his innocent appearance can be misleading 

The farmer said: ‘It’s nice to see. I didn’t like it at the start when Bear was on his own, so it was really good for him to have Holly for company.’

Mr Ford’s farm was previously focused on intensive pig farming – which he says he ‘hated’.

He said: ‘Our pork production was very intensive, and I couldn’t get passionate about it. We had to lock the sheds up because we dreaded anyone seeing it.

‘I wanted to do something that I am happy and proud to show the world.’

Bear has even become quite the TikTok star for his cute looks – but Mr Ford says his innocent appearance can be misleading.

He said: ‘They are so loyal to us and love my family but if anyone else walked down there Bear would be a completely different dog.

‘He’d be up barking and baring his teeth. It’s quite scary. If he doesn’t know you, good luck to you.’

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