by Karen Ellis

Created on: November 23, 2008   Last Updated: February 04, 2009

We Americans love our dogs, but if you live in a rural area you must keep you pets contained in order to protect your neighbor's livestock. A domesticated dog retains his wild nature of his ancestral canines. This includes joining with other roving dogs to form packs and hunting with that pack or alone. The end result may be killing animals and that includes livestock. It is not only dogs, but wolves, fox and coyotes that are a detriment to the livestock owner.

The Guardian Dog

The most effective and time tested way to protect livestock is with a "guardian dog." This is a canine that has been trained to do no harm to your animals and protect them from other predators. A guardian dog should not be confused with a "herding dog" which is used to gather sheep or other livestock and keep them from wondering off. The guardian dog works as part of the flock or livestock group. Usually particular breeds are more easily and better trained for this job. Yet, certain traits of the dog may be more important than choosing a particular breed. However, it is certain breeds that seem to most often retain the beneficial traits for this job.

Important Guardian Dog Traits

Intelligence

Confidence

Alertness

Ability to act independently

Aggressiveness against predators

Free of genetic defects (hip dysplasia, displaced bite)

Must have loyalty to the job of protection and not given to wondering off

Ultimately, the great importance in training a guardian dog is to place a young pup of 7 to 8 weeks with sheep, goats or other types of livestock in order for him to form a bond with the animals. So, you can see that the guardian dog is usually trained for his life-long job before you acquire him unless you are a breeder and trainer of such dogs.

When you bring home your new protector, he must be introduced to your livestock in a certain manner. The dog cannot be set to work immediately. Introduce the guardian dog by restraining him in a separate area, but next to the livestock he will be protecting. Watch his behavior and when you are fairly certain there has been some bonding it is time to take the next step of allowing the dog to work with the livestock under your supervision. When you observe the dog in his protective mode and on the job, only then should you leave the guarding dog to his work.

How Many Guardian Dogs are Needed

The number of guardian dogs needed to protect your animals depends primarily on a particular dog's behavior rather than completely on the amount of livestock. Experience is

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