How Do I Make Sure Any Dogs I Buy Will Work Out as Flock Guardians?
Whether a pup makes a decent livestock guardian dog is highly dependent on the environment he is raised in. Since their success hinges on how they are raised more than on their breeding it is critical to learn how to raise and train LGD puppies.
How Many Flock Guardians Do I Need?
Due to the varying ecosystems of each farm or ranch the amount of dog power required is going to vary.
Here are a few points to consider:
How big is the land base? Putting one dog with one hundred sheep on 200 acres is asking a lot more of the dog than putting one dog with one hundred sheep on 40 acres.
If you can run your ewes on smaller parcels of land, it makes it easier for guardian dogs to manage their flocks. If you run your ewes on large tracts of land then more dogs may be needed to cover all the back doors.
How much predator pressure is the flock experiencing? Is your flock under sever predator pressure or light predator pressure? If sever more dogs will be needed. If light, maybe only one or two dogs are warranted.
How do you manage your flock? If your flock is predominantly raised in and around a barn or you have the ability to night pen every night then you may only need one or two dogs to help manage the predators who come in close. If you are raising a flock out on pasture or if you manage several groups of sheep in separate areas then a few dogs might be needed to cover each group.
Will you use other flock guardians? Are you using llamas, donkeys, cattle or other predator deterring animals? If so you may be able to use fewer dogs.
What is your ability to care for and keep several dogs? Food cost might be a concern. Dogs also need care and training. If you do not have the spare time to care for and train or at least correct problems when they arise then you probably don't want to be using dogs at all.
Where Can I Find a Livestock Guardian Dog?
Livestock guardian dogs are still used for a single main purpose, to ward off predators. Hence they are commonly used on many hobby farms, full farms and ranches.
Guardian dog puppies for sale are often listed in agriculture publications with classified ads sections and your regional sheep industry office will also have leads and information on breeders.
Talking to sheep and goat producers is another sure way to find reputable flock guardians.
It is well worth it to be diligent in your search for a quality pup. Ask a lot of questions and inquire about the health of the adult dogs.
It is also possible, although much more difficult, to find working adults. The ones who are working well are not often up for sale but occasionally and with a little luck good dogs can be found.
Do All Flock Guardian Dogs Work The Same?
No. Some dogs will show more of tendency to stay with the flock. They move with flock, eat with the flock, and sleep with the flock. You will often see these dogs hanging out amidst the flock or relaxing from a vantage point nearby.
Other dogs show a tendency to patrol territory, keeping any intruders out by marking and making their presence known to any traveling canines. Just as often as they are with the flock, they are away from it. Often they can be seen moving along the perimeter of the pasture area they are in.
One working style is not necessarily better than another. It comes down to the ranchers situation, what is preferred from the dogs and the land area the dog is set to guard in.
It is important to note that whether the dog is inclined to live with the flock or away from it, successful work will only be had via successful care and training.
Can I Use Dogs With Other Guardian Animals?
Yes. Provided your livestock guardian dog has been given the proper introduction and if needed bonding time to adjust to the other animals you can expect a good relationship to develop. Be wary of assuming the dog will bond or be social with all animals. They may not. Some dogs may end up more suited to larger livestock and not to small ruminants or poultry and vice-versa.
There are many, many cases of farmers and ranchers using guardian dogs along with secondary flock guarding animals like llamas and donkeys. Again provided that the animals were successfully introduced and allowed time to know one another they can be successful together.
Will you use other flock guardians? Are you using llamas, donkeys, cattle or other predator deterring animals? If so you may be able to use fewer dogs.
No. Some dogs will show more of tendency to stay with the flock. They move with flock, eat with the flock, and sleep with the flock. You will often see these dogs hanging out amidst the flock or relaxing from a vantage point nearby. 