Did you know that dogs have been helping us guard and herd cattle for at least two thousand years? One of the earliest written records of using Livestock Guardian Dogs— or LSGs, as they are also called—goes back to ancient Rome, when Fido was mentioned in accounts from 150 BC. Livestock Guardian Dogs are also mentioned in the works of both Aristotle and Virgil. While they aren’t as in demand these days as they were back then, they can be invaluable for anyone with a farm or livestock. But how do you pick the right LSG? A local Walton County vet offers some insight on this below.
What Dog Breeds Make The Best Livestock Guardian Dogs?
Let’s start at the start: breed definitely makes a huge difference here. While several breeds can do well in this ‘field’ of work, there are definitely some pups that are cut out for being LSGs.
That list includes the following:
- Anatolian
- Great Pyrenees
- Komondor
- Neva Masquerade
- Maremma Sheepdog
- Kuvasz
- Tosa Inu
- Tibetan Mastiff
- Komondor
- Akbash
- Armenian Gampr
What Qualities Should A Good Livestock Guardian Dog Have?
Looking for a dog for a job requires a completely different mindset—and a different set of prerequisites—than looking for a pet. LSGs need to fill some specific roles, some of which may not come naturally to all of our canine companions.
Here are a few key traits to look for:
Reliability: Fido needs to be safe and comfortable around all sorts of animals, such as cows, sheep, pigs, etc. Keep in mind that guarding cattle isn’t the same skill as herding cattle.
Low Prey Drive: If you want to get protection for your chickens, well, you’ll need to ensure that said protection isn’t going to eat said chickens.
Protective Ability: Livestock guardian dogs, as the name suggests, are there to guard livestock, and protect them against various threats. These could include wolves, bears, and coyotes, as well as smaller predators like foxes and even wild dogs. A pooch that wants to make friends with everything is probably not well-suited for this line of work.
Know Friend Vs. Foe: Fido will also need to know when to step up and when to stand down.
Obey: The ideal LSG also has to be great at following commands. Over time, good LSGs will need little direction, but you still need to be able to verbally control your canine companion.
How Do I Choose A Good Breeder For My LSG?
While you may definitely find a Great Pyrenees or Anatolian Shepherd at a shelter, most people go through breeders when looking for an LSG. Check local listings in your area and see what you can come up with.
You’ll of course want to meet the potential pups, but you’ll also want to ask the breeder some specific things, such as how long they’ve been breeding, what assurances they offer, and what their procedures are. Also, ask to meet the parents: This is helpful in a few ways. For one thing, you’ll be able to get a pretty good idea of how big Fido is likely to get. If you have larger predators, then you may be better off going with a pooch that will probably get pretty big. You’ll also be able to gauge your pup’s temperament.
If possible, meet the pups before putting a deposit down or making a commitment.
Livestock Guardian Dogs Vs. Herding Dogs: What’s The Difference?
Both LGDs and herding dogs can be critical to managing herds of cattle and livestock and keeping them safe. However, these pups perform very different services.
Livestock Guardian Dogs typically stay with their charges full time, essentially integrating into the herd. Their job is to protect them from external threats, typically predators such as coyotes, wolves, and bears. If a threat were to approach, Fido would act protectively, and would likely try to intimidate the intruder with barking, growling, and aggressive behavior and posturing. In many cases, the mere presence of an LGD is enough to scare predators away.
Herding dogs, on the other hand, are focusing on moving herds and keeping them in line. This often comes into play on large ranches, when herds may be moved over fairly long distances or driven into corrals or barns.
Herding dogs tend to be extremely smart and agile. They are constantly assessing the movements of the herd, and correcting any runaways or strays and herding them back to the group. (Fun fact: Many of the world’s smartest dogs are in the herding group.)
It’s not uncommon to have both. Of course, you’d need to make sure that the pups get along, and that the LGD doesn’t see the herding dogs as threats.
How Do I Know If I’ve Found The Right Pup?
You’ll of course want a full exam, but for a meet and greet, you can get a pretty good idea of how healthy Fido is just by looking at him. His skin should be smooth and clean, his eyes should be bright, and his body conformation should be good. You’ll also want to look over his teeth, paws, legs, and gums. Also, make sure that Fido’s appearance, coat, and markings are consistent with the breed standards. Otherwise, you may be getting a mixed breed.
Get Fido’s Vet Records: Good breeders will have thorough records of Fido’s veterinary care. Fido should have a certificate of health. He should have been assessed for certain health issues, such as hip dysplasia.
Assess Temperament: We know, puppies are adorable. It can be very tempting to just go with whatever pooch melts your heart. However, if Fido runs after your herds instead of protecting them, he could do more harm than good.
Puppies are, of course, inquisitive and playful. You shouldn’t really expect an eight-week-old puppy to act like a distinguished senior. However, little Fido should be reasonably calm. He should also react well to your voice and to being petted, and shouldn’t have a strong prey drive. (Tip: try tossing a ball or toy, and see what the pup does.)
Keep in mind that even if a puppy looks and acts like they will make an ideal LGD, they are still going to need training. Spending time with an older, experienced LGD is a great way to help the little guy get the hang of things, though of course that may not always be an option. Ask your Walton County vet for more information.
Go Big
Livestock guardian dogs are essentially furry security guards, so you want them to be fairly rugged. You don’t necessarily need to get the biggest puppy in the litter, but choose one that will get to be fairly large. (Fido will also need large dinner bowls and large beds, but that’s another topic.)
Get Help From Locals
Local communities can be invaluable resources for farmers, ranchers, homesteaders, and even gardeners. Look into local 4H clubs and similar organizations. You may be able to find people who have experience and insight into not just livestock guardian dogs, but also the livestock you are considering raising. Your vet may also be able to point you in the right direction here.
You can also look up national organizations. The Center For Livestock Guardian Dog Organization is a good one. Their site can be found here.
Make An Appointment At Our Walton County Animal Clinic
Do you need to bring your canine buddy in for an exam, parasite control, or other veterinary care? Please feel free to contact us, your Walton County pet hospital, anytime. We are here to help!
