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LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN DOGS AND PREDATORS

Livestock Guardian Dogs

Livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) are working breeds, which have protected livestock for the past 3,000 years or so. Originating in Asia and Europe, many remain rare in North America. They are different from herding dogs. They are different from the pet breeds. They are unique and special. They are NOT for everyone!

But, if they are for you, and you have what it takes to have one, in time, energy, and patience, you will sleep better for having them present and working. (I believe I would have lost all four of my females during an April 2003 coyote pack's daytime attack, rather than two of them, if not for Zak – who just couldn't be everywhere at once.) Also, they are not all alike. Zak, my Caucasian Ovcharka, is a "territory" guardian. He patrols the perimeter and is miserable down at the barn. Others, like Anatolian shepherd dogs, are "flock" guardians, who might be miserable away from the barn. You must know your needs, know your breed, and know your individual dog's.

Most European countries have their own national version of the big, white, LGD, including the Maremma (Italy), Great Pyrenees (France/Spain), Akbash (Turkey), Kuvasz (Hungary), and Tatra (Poland). The Komondor (Hungary), Briard (France), and Anatolian shepherd (Turkey) are somewhat known in this country. The rarer breeds include the Sarplaninac (Yugoslavia), Caucasian Ovcharka (Russia), Kangal (Turkey), and Aidi (Morocco).

Characteristic of all good LGDs is that they are courageous, fearless, large (not to say huge), strong, loyal, intelligent, self-assured, and capable of making independent assessments and taking action based on those assessments. (The phrase "You're not the boss of me" comes to mind. It isn't exactly stubborness....)

There are some requirements other than the obvious food, shelter, health care, love, and understanding. Proper training is essential (but don't expect them to learn to "Come"). Such training CANNOT be physically harsh. LGDs, certainly the CO, have long memories and do NOT respond well to ANY mistreatment. Socialization is equally important, maybe even moreso, if you want to have an LGD you can trust around strangers, like the visitors coming to see your alpacas. Both must be done the first year of life.

There are also some LGD myths. One of these dangerous so-called "rules" is that you put an LGD puppy with its livestock when it is barely weaned and leave it there. Another is that you don't give it affection because you will confuse it and it won't bond with its flock. Some people say you shouldn't feed your LGD but let it fend for itself. Others say you should feed it only raw chicken fat and raw bones. I don't know why. NONE OF THESE ARE TRUE. (Zak not only turned his 6-week-old head away from a piece of chicken fat but gobbled down his first bowl of kibble like he was starving, which he probably was. He also gets raw food, fruits, vegetables, and bones, Fresh Factors, olive oil, and greenies, along with his Iams, which is apparently the only dog food not using genetically modified corn and other ingredients. And he was happy to be near the alpacas but not if it meant being shut in with them, unable to patrol, or access most of his territory.)

Yes, your LGD should be introduced to its livestock and must stay with it when necessary but it also needs and deserves your attention and your affection, as well as training and socialization. Especially with a small acreage, there is no need to isolate your LGD. And it will be happier, and therefore probably more successful, if its pack includes you as well as your alpacas.

A territory guardian like Zak should not be confined to barn or pasture. Zak patrols the perimeter nightly. He does not sleep in the house. He often sleeps on the deck but with "one ear open" and he can go from zero to 100 in an instant. He does sleep in the house during the day when his skills are not needed (and he has to sleep sometime). But he cannot be confined when working. He wants to be on the high point of the property. His hearing, smell, sight, and voice are all part of his "arsenal" and his choice of vantage point positions him best to use all of his senses. (*But if I had had Zak plus two "flock" guardians, like an Anatolian or Great Pyranees, I might well have had NO losses to the coyotes. So even on this small acreage, I misjudged that Zak would not need help.) On the other hand, a flock guardian may well be happier with his flock than with you, as long as he gets the appropriate appreciation and attention from you daily. He orients to the alpacas rather than to the territory.

For more information, you can web search a specific breed or google "livestock guardian". Heartland LGD Rescue has a page listing the breed choices, with pictures and text.

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