Livestock guardian dog are dog breeds . it is not a job description .
These dogs were developed by livestock cultures , that keep livestock animals
moved or migrated in mountains , in the summer come back in Lower territories in winter.
The were migratory people , so these dogs were selected to have a set of specific traits.
Livestock guardian dog have little prey or chase drive .
Kangal dog which are wolfdog archaic shepherd , hunt wild Boar very well .
They don't hunt for the owner, they hunt for themselves.
This is old instincts , heritage from Proto-wolfdog .
If they are playing , or chase farm animals when the are young dogs .
This behaviour need to be stopped . In their homelands they would have been stopped ,
by elder dog or by shepherd man . Their activitie level is lower compared with
hunting dog , but they must have work ethic and to be agile .
They spent a lot of time escorting livestock animals .
They can be very nurturing , they prefer to be with livestock .
They patrole and the mark territory's.
They bark to warren off threats from predators & strangers .
This is display steps of defensive protection and aggression .
They start by bark and the start by blofin too.
This behaviour is something you haven't trained.
These are guardian instincts in them . In most of the time they have similar appearance in flock .
They all have dropped ears and curly tails .
Shepherd prefer ears cropped when they are puppies.
They cut the tail too.
Because some livestock guardian dog which came from aboriginal , or primitive shepherd
line show a similar appearance like the wolf.
They are large dog 50 - 75 kg , should not be heavier , because the will be sloppy &
they will lose agility and work ethic .
They are often colour with sheep that shepherd preferred.
The primitive line show polymorphisms . The LGD dog has double coat which keep them warm
enough , to stay outside all year around. The aboriginal lgd or primitive line has harsh
double coat . The fabricated standart LGDs has smooth double coats . The advantage of LGD dog are : that they are
more versatile and successful livestock guardian dog by far .
The can be use with just about any type of livestock animals.
From sheep flock , to goat flock , to cattle , to pigs.
The can guard against to all sorts of predators , including birds of prey .
The can exhibit strong nurturing behaviors .
They will alert you to something wrong , frequently near livestock.
The mark and the speak dog language to the wolf and other predators .
This technique is very well , by keeping predators away from livestock .
The can work in very large and rough terrain. They can work in pairs or in dog pack.
If you need a larger number of LGD to combat a big predators threat , like wolf or big bear .
The also protect your farm animals and your family . They will alert you to the near threat .
Farmers learn very rapidly how to interpret the LGD barking, which letting printer know that, they are outside to warning them off for a confrontation .
When you know that , maybe you should go outside and see what is going on. They do all this without direction from you. The LGD should be like architect of livestock not like a police .
They need to adapt in difficult situations , even without farmer presence. The disadvantage. They are expensive especially , when they come far from you , which including the delivery price .
The best livestock guardian dog come from territory of Asia and caucasian regions.
They are carefully selected dog and they are slowly mature unless you buy an adult dog .
They need socialization are supervision when they are young for a year or 2 , depending on the dog.
Traditionally it was done by full time shepherd man , or by older mentor LGD dog. We have different situations , so we have to do different things , in raising a livestock guardian dog .
Their heritage came from open spaces, raising in nature , they don't have boundaries . To patrol out for 4 to 5 km per day , when they are in extensive livestock
But , to be contain them in areas , so you are going to need a fencing at least 3 m in height . They need to respect fencing
When they are very young they are not very friendly with your farm , they will dig dens & the will dig under fences to escape outside.
The will bark , special at night because barking is part of how they work .
It lessens with maturity and when they get confidence .
For close neighbor's you have , this barking is maybe a tremendous disturbance .
They need balance food & the need different care, than other livestock animals .
They are self thinkers in terms. The don't always do , what you expect from them to do .
LGD dogs are not biddable , they are characterized by independence .
WARNING ! The LGD dogs are not home pets . So don't treat them like a pets!
They are working dog . They need enough space .
You can not buy a LGD & keep it in you home . This dog are breed and select in livestock .
The main purpose of livestock guardian dog , is to protect the livestock from predators attack .
You might not feel comfortable , because they can be aggressive to the strangers , or strange workers on your property .
So you have to think , how you are going to keep them apart from people .
They may be aggressive to other dogs. Even if accept them , but they should not be out with them ! When you are not within to supervise .
The accident can happen .
livestock guardian dog attack on home pets can be fatal .
There are three traits . That make livestock guardian dog successful .
They are vigilant, they are protective and they are trustworthy .
If you are a farmer and if in your farm have immediate threat , by predators attacks . You should take adult dogs !
If you have a property to be guard .
Livestock guardian dog , which are aggressive to humans can do this job very well .
The livestock guardian dog care .
They need balance food, they need a shelter too .
In most of the parts , they like to sleep with livestock animals .
But ! It require by you to have a shelter for them in any other case .
Fencing your farm it is very important , when you have intensive livestock
This will stop dogs roaming & will prevent being hit by cars , or being shot by hunters .
This are the highest cases of livestock guardian dog death , under the age of two.
Their coat doesn't need alot of care because dry mud , falls off from dogs .
Livestock guardian dog are usually healthy dog .
Which doesn't need a lot of medical care .
But i will stop in details for this topic in the next content .
Walking on leash & chaining the LGD dog .
Will start training when they are puppies.
The leash accepting and being tethered .
it is very important when you need to move with your dog .
Or you have to go to veterinarian.
Before you bring home a puppy
Or an adult dog
You need to have a safe place to keep them.
And need to be near the stock .
For the very beginning .
Don't keep them in your house, not even for one night
This step is very important .
Dog may cry like a puppy when you tie on chain for first time.
But this will last for couples of days and soon they adapt .
Give them lots of attention when they're will live and work .
Dogs should know all the people , that are going to be working with you in farm,
adult & children .
Don't rush with introduction of other dog , that you may have .
Take enough time let them to adapt well .
This will avoid a dogfight .
In the next content , I will talk about : how to select the best puppy from the litter ?
How to select the best adult dog for livestock ?
How to prepare a puppy for livestock?
Who are the best livestock guardian dog breeds ?