Wildlife Services supports innovative and effective approaches for managing conflicts between humans and wildlife.  One potentially valuable strategy is the use of livestock protection (guarding) dogs (LGDs).

LGD breeds originated in Europe and Asia, where they have been used for centuries to protect livestock from wolves and bears. LGDs have been used in the United States since the mid-1970s. They are large dogs (80-120 pounds) and are usually all white or fawn colored with dark muzzles. Some of the more common breeds are Great Pyrenees (France), Komondor (Hungary), Akbash dog and Anatolian shepherd (Turkey), and Maremma (Italy).

Unlike herding dogs, LGDs do not usually herd sheep. Acting independently of humans, guarding dogs stay with or near livestock most of the time and aggressively repel predators. Genetics and proper-rearing both contribute to the makeup of a successful LGD. Some livestock guarding dogs do not adequately carry out their protective role. Failures can generally be attributed to improper rearing or acquiring the dog after it is too old for training. Some dogs, however, don’t work well despite having been reared properly.

Research and surveys indicate that about three-fourths of trained dogs become good guardians.  Knowing what a good guarding dog is and how to raise one correctly can help producers be sure they get the best possible service from their dogs.

Key Points in Successfully Rearing a Livestock Guarding Dog

• Select a suitable breed and reputable breeder.
• From eight weeks old, rear pups singly with sheep, minimizing human contact.
• Monitor the dog and correct undesirable behaviors.
• Encourage the dog to remain with or near the livestock.
• Ensure the dog’s health and safety.
• Manage the livestock in accordance with the dog’s age and experience (e.g., use smaller pastures while the dog is young and inexperienced).
• Be patient and allow plenty of time to train your dog. Remember that an LGD may take two years or more to mature.

Potential Benefits and Problems with Using Dogs

Effective LGDs help livestock owners by doing the following:
• reducing predation on livestock
• reducing potential for wildlife to transmit diseases to livestock
• reducing labor (lessening the need for night corralling)
• alerting the owners to disturbances in the flock
• protecting the family and ranch property
• allowing for more efficient use of pastures and potential expansion of livestock.

LGDs require an investment with no guarantee of a positive result. The dogs can become ill, be injured, or die prematurely. It is hard to break some dogs from roaming away from the livestock. LGDs are potentially aggressive; some dogs injure the livestock or other animals, including pets, or confront unfamiliar people (e.g., hikers) who approach the livestock. Producers who use the dogs should post signs to alert passers-by and escort visitors when near protected livestock.

LGDs and Other Control Tools

The use of an LGD does not preclude the use of all other predation-control methods. However, the other techniques must be compatible. The use of toxicants is not recommended where guarding dogs are working. Traps and snares can kill dogs if they are caught and not released in a reasonable period of time. As a precaution, dogs should be restrained, confined, or closely monitored if these methods are being used in close proximity.

Other animals, such as llamas and donkeys, are typically aggressive to dogs, and are also sometimes used as guard animals.  A producer who is interested in LGDs may also want to investigate other potential animals and methods as well.

Guarding Dogs and Other Predators and Uses

The resurgence of wolves in the United States may present new challenges for some livestock producers.  LGDs are most commonly used to protect sheep from coyotes in the United states.  In Europe and Africa, however, they are used for protection from species as diverse as wolves and cheetahs.  Wolves in North America tend to be larger, and although dogs may have some potential, they are also frequently attacked and killed by wolves too.

Also, disease transmission from wildlife to livestock is of growing concern.  LGDs can be trained to remain near livestock and to keep other animals such as deer, that are potentially infected with bovine tuberculosis, away from the livestock. The mere presence of LGDs with livestock serves to deter deer and likely other species of wildlife from entering pastures and mingling with livestock.

There is a wealth of information on LGDs in libraries and on the World Wide Web.  Search for a local livestock protection/guarding dog breeding club in your area for information on how to obtain a dog.  See also the valuable citations in the selected bibliography or visit the Web sites below to get you started.

Web Resources

Livestock Guarding Dogs: Protecting Sheep from Predators (APHIS Agriculture Information Bulletin)
Livestock Guarding Dogs (APHIS Factsheet)
Wildlife Services: Helping Producers Manage Predation. (APHIS Program Aid)

Raising and Training a Livestock Guarding Dog. (Oregon State University)
Livestock Guarding Dogs. (Langston University Goat & Research Extension)
Predator Control with Guard Dogs. (University of Wisconsin)
Using Guard Animals to Protect Livestock. (Missouri Dept. of Conservation)