Livestock Guarding Dogs

United States

Department of Protecting Sheep from Predators

Agriculture

Animal and

Plant Health

Inspection

Service

Agriculture

Information

Bulletin

Number 588
2

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

prohibits discrimination in all its programs

and activities on the basis of race, color,

national origin, gender, religion, age,

disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation,

or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons

with disabilities who require alternative

means for communication of program

information (Braille, large print, audiotape,

etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET

Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write

USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room

326–W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC

20250–9410 or call (202) 720–5964 (voice

and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity

provider and employer.

Issued March 1990

Revised July 1999
3

Livestock Guarding Dogs

Jeffrey S. Green

Wildlife Services, APHIS, USDA

12345 W. Alameda Parkway, #204

Lakewood, CO 80228

Roger A. Woodruff

Wildlife Services, APHIS, USDA

720 O’Leary Street, N.W.

Olympia, WA 98502

Cover photo: An Akbash dog, watching

over sheep on Idaho rangeland.

Photos on pages 7 and 19 were

provided by the American Sheep

Industry Association.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the contributions of Robinette Harman and Robin

Van Horn. Their services as dog

handlers in the care, training, and

evaluation of dogs were vital to the

success of the guarding dog research at

the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station in

Dubois, ID. Many people responded to

questionnaires, which also benefited this

research. Cooperating sheep producers

who worked with dogs from the project

also added information to the study.

R. Coppinger, C. V. Hulet, A. Knight,

and J. McGrew provided helpful reviews

of the manuscript. R. Beach and

W. Paul provided helpful comments on

a previous edition.
4

Contents

Introduction 5

The Guarding Dog Concept 7

Selecting the Right Dog 7

Characteristics of an Effective

Guarding Dog 7

Considerations 7

Selecting an Appropriate Breed 8

Behavioral Evaluation 9

Male or Female? 14

How Many Dogs? 15

From Puppy to Guarding Dog 12

Dog Rearing and Socialization 12

Training and Obedience 14

Dog–Sheep Interactions 16

Dog Age and Effective Guarding 16

Daily Routine and Behavior 17

Dog Response to Frightening

Experiences 17

Extent of Human Contact 17

Guarding Dogs During Lambing 17

Interactions Between Herding and

Guarding Dogs 18

Managing Dogs on Rangeland

and Pastures 20

Considerations in Fenced Pasture

Operations 20

Dogs on Rangeland 22

Kenneling Dogs Through Winter 23

Transferability 23

Owner Responsibilities 24

Dogs and Human Welfare 24

Dog Health and Care 24

Dog Safety 25

Dog Breeding by the Livestock

Producer 26

Economic Considerations 26

Benefits and Problems 27

Effectiveness Against Various

Predators 28

Integrated Livestock and Predator

Management 29

Sources of Additional

Information 31

Bibliography 32
5

Introduction

In the late 1970’s, there began a resurgence in the use of an ancient form of

sheep protection, the guarding dog.

Several factors contributed to this

phenomenon, including Federal restrictions on the use of substances to kill

predators, the relative inability of existing

techniques to provide adequate relief

from predation in certain situations, and

a desire by some to use nonlethal

methods of reducing the loss of livestock to predators.

The use of guarding dogs to protect

livestock1

 can be traced to many

centuries B.C. in Europe and Asia, but

little was recorded about how the dogs

were actually worked. Only recently have

researchers begun to find answers to

pertinent questions about livestock

guarding dogs.

There is no doubt that some dogs

can protect sheep, but under what

conditions is a guarding dog a good

choice or an unwise choice for deterring

predation? If a guarding dog is a

reasonable choice, how does the owner

acquire, raise, train, and effectively use a

dog with a flock? Which breeds are best

suited to the task, and what are the costs

and risks involved?

A sheep producer who has significant losses to predators may be willing

to deal with the potential problems

involved with raising and using a guard

dog. If losses are low, the producer may

not find it worth the effort to raise and

train a dog.

Some think that the purchase of a

guard dog will immediately solve their

predator problems. Unfortunately, this is

rarely the case. There may be an

apparent lack of any immediate benefits

from using a dog, or a young dog may

not seem as aggressive or protective as

the producer expects it to be. The owner

and herder should both express commitment to the guard dog concept when

attempting to establish a dog in the flock.

Guard dogs cannot be turned on and off

at will, and possible benefits offered by

the dog are generally not realized

without an initial investment of time and

patience.

We have raised numerous dogs

under similar conditions. Most became

good livestock guardians, but some did

not. Instinctive ability must be present

for a dog to be successful, and no

amount of proper training and early

exposure to livestock can guarantee that

a dog will become a good guardian.

There have been some dogs raised

as pets that were later trained by dedicated people to become good guardians. Other exceptional dogs have

suddenly shown a desire to be with

sheep despite not having been raised

under ideal conditions. Instances such

as these are rare, and most dogs will

require some degree of appropriate

socialization and experience with sheep

to become reliable guardians.

In general, acquiring a guarding

dog does not offer immediate relief from

predation because mature and effective

guardians are not available to most

producers. Considerable time, effort,

and good fortune are required to bring a

puppy to maturity. In some situations, a

dog may be ineffective. In others, a dog

may be all that is necessary to stop

predation. Between these two extremes, dogs may be used to supplement electric fencing, trapping, aerial

hunting, or other forms of control.

There are few hard-and-fast rules

with respect to dogs and sheep. Many

variables interact to produce successful

guarding dogs. This bulletin presents

information based on experiences of the

authors, various researchers, and a

growing number of ranchers who have

successfully used dogs as part of their

program of predator management.

1 Although this publication speaks specifically about

sheep, the concepts also relate to most other

species of livestock (e.g., goats, cattle, and swine).
6

The Guarding Dog Concept

A livestock guarding dog is one that

generally stays with sheep without

harming them and aggressively repels

predators. The dog chooses to remain

with sheep because it has been reared

from puppyhood with them. Its protective behaviors are largely instinctive,

and there is relatively little formal

training required other than timely

correction of undesirable behaviors

(e.g., chewing on ears, overplayfulness,

and excessive wandering). The

guarding dog is not a herding dog but

rather a full-time member of the flock.

Success of the dog is a result of a

quality genetic background with an

emphasis on proper rearing.

Success may be enhanced by

viewing a livestock guarding dog as a

tool to be incorporated into the overall

management of a sheep operation.

Dogs do not perform automatically like a

piece of machinery, and their behavior is

variable. Producers who successfully

use a dog may need to slightly alter their

management routine to take advantage

of the traits of the dog. This may

include grazing sheep in different

pastures, separating or grouping sheep,

moving supplemental feed or sources of

water, changing fence design and

configuration, or altering schedules of

checking the flock.

These guarding dogs, a Great Pyrenees and an Akbash dog, stay close to the flock,

causing no harm to the sheep but aggressively repelling predators.
7

This border collie, a herding dog, is bred to

“bunch” and move sheep from one area to

another on command from its owner.

Selecting the Right Dog

Characteristics of an Effective

Guarding Dog

An ideal guard dog is intelligent,

alert, and confident. It must act independently and react instinctively while

protecting the flock. It will investigate

and aggressively confront intruders, but

above all, it must be attentive to sheep

and not harm them. An investigative and

aggressive dog is of little benefit if it will

not stay near its flock. The dog should

be physically sound and of good

conformation. It should be free from

serious genetic defects such as hip

dysplasia or a poor bite.

It is important to understand the

distinction between herding dogs and

guarding dogs. Herding dogs (border

collies, Australian shepherds, and

others) move sheep from one area to

another by biting, chasing, or barking at

the sheep. Herding dogs work according

to signals (verbal and hand) from a

handler, and they are generally not left

alone with the sheep. Guarding dogs

usually do not herd sheep, are discouraged from biting, chasing, and barking at

sheep, and act independently of people.

(Also see section on “Interactions

Between Herding and Guarding Dogs.”)

Considerations

The behavior displayed by a mature

guarding dog is a result of heredity

(genetic factors) and how the dog was

raised. Most important are experiences

during the dog’s first few months of life.

(See section on “Dog Rearing and

Socialization.”)

Generally speaking, livestock

guarding dogs mature slowly. Komondors and Anatolian shepherds seem to

reach a degree of behavioral maturity at

18 to 30 months of age, while Great

Pyrenees appear to mature earlier.

During maturation, a dog experiences

rapid physiological and behavioral

changes. The young dog may show

strong desires for playful activities and

seemingly irrational behavior. A puppy

or adolescent dog should not be

expected to match the performance of a

mature, experienced guardian. During

the first several months with sheep, a

young dog will almost certainly make

mistakes.

Another trait common to the

guarding breeds is a predisposition for

independent behavior. Some dog

breeds are selected for their responsiveness to humans, but the guarding
8

At about 7 to 8 weeks of age, these Great Pyrenees pups will be separated and placed

in close contact with sheep so that they will become bonded to them.

breeds have been historically selected

for their ability to act independently in

their guarding role. This trait makes

them relatively hardheaded and

unresponsive to verbal commands.

Some training as a pup and familiarization with the handler can help eliminate

problems in the mature dog.

The young guarding dog will

respond in various ways to novel stimuli,

and certain responses may be problematic. Some guarding dogs may chase

wildlife (rabbits, deer, elk, antelope).

This behavior should be discouraged if

the chasing continues beyond a short

distance. Harassing big game is illegal

in most States, and it removes the dog

from the sheep the dog is supposed to

protect.

It is difficult to generalize on how

each dog will respond to each new

experience. Most dogs will be sprayed

by a skunk or get a nose full of porcupine quills if they encounter these

particular animals. Each situation must

be evaluated by the dog owner and

handled appropriately.

Selecting an Appropriate Breed

Dog research in the United States

was conducted primarily at two locations, Hampshire College’s New

England Farm Center (NEFC) in

Amherst, MA, and the U.S. Sheep

Experiment Station (USSES), U.S.

Department of Agriculture, Agricultural

Research Service, Dubois, ID. Researchers at NEFC worked with several

breeds of dog from Europe and Asia

including the Maremma (Italy), the Shar

Planinetz (Yugoslavia), the Anatolian

shepherd (Turkey), and various crosses

of these breeds. Work at the USSES

involved the Komondor (Hungary), the
9

Great Pyrenees (France and Spain),

and the Akbash (Turkey).

Other breeds of dog with a history

of protecting livestock include the

Kuvasz of Hungary and the Briard of

France. Only a limited number of these

dogs is available. Several other breeds

have been used in the past with

livestock, but it is not certain whether

their primary function was one of

protection. In addition to distinct breeds,

some Navajo Indians use mongrel dogs

to protect their sheep and goat flocks.

These dogs are not the result of a

specific breeding program. Their

success appears to be related to the

manner in which they are reared and

trained.

In 1986, the University of Idaho

conducted a survey of approximately

400 people who used livestock guarding

dogs. These individuals reported on

763 dogs, 95 percent of which were

recognized guarding breeds. Great

Pyrenees (57 percent) and Komondor

(18 percent) were the most common,

followed by Akbash (8 percent),

Anatolians (7 percent), Maremmas (3

percent), and others (7 percent). The

rate of success among the breeds was

not different, but behavioral differences

were noted. More Komondors bit

people than did Great Pyrenees,

Akbash, or Anatolians, and fewer Great

Pyrenees injured livestock than did

Komondors, Akbash, or Anatolians.

In a recent evaluation of yearling

livestock guarding dogs, Great

Pyrenees were rated significantly higher

than Anatolian shepherds (83 percent of

59 Pyrenees versus 38 percent of 26

Anatolians rated as good). Anatolian

shepherds were rated lower primarily

because of their higher tendency to

injure or kill sheep.

Most dogs in the 1986 Idaho survey

were aggressive to predators and other

dogs, although Great Pyrenees seem to

be somewhat less aggressive to dogs

than other guarding breeds. We

observed a difference in the rate of

behavioral maturation in Great Pyrenees

and Komondors at the USSES. Great

Pyrenees (26 dogs from 11 different

breedings) exhibited behavioral maturity

at a younger age and displayed puppy

behaviors (playfulness and exuberance)

less frequently than USSES

Komondors (26 dogs from 10 different

breedings). In our recent work with

several breeds, Anatolians exhibited a

delay in behavioral maturity similar to

that of Komondors.

Certain bloodlines of dogs may

prove to be better than others, and

guarding ability varies among dogs of a

specific breed. There is no guarantee

that a dog will be successful merely

because it is of a particular breed or

bloodline. It is also conceivable that

certain breeds or lines can be matched

to specific guarding situations (pastures

or open range).

Ranch operators should purchase a

dog of a recognized guarding breed

from a reputable breeder who knows the

dog he or she sells. With a little

research, you can determine which

kennels have supplied good dogs in the

past. Many breeders offer some type of

guarantee with their working dogs. The

details of the guarantees vary, but some

provide for replacing a dog that doesn’t

work satisfactorily. These guarantees

certainly are a benefit, but they don’t

absolve the livestock producer of the

prime responsibility of properly rearing

and caring for the dog. (See section on

“Economic Considerations” for information on purchase price.)

Behavioral Evaluation

It would be advantageous to be

able to select a pup from a litter based

on key behavioral characteristics and
10

have a reasonable assurance that, with

proper rearing, the dog would perform

the guarding task well as an adult. One

researcher determined that the basic

temperament of young pups remains

with them throughout their lives, and

that general temperament can be

assessed at 6 to 8 weeks of age.

However, it has also been observed that

temperament can vacillate and be

unstable in the 4- to 18-month-old dog.

Pups at the USSES were observed

periodically from 8 weeks of age to

maturity (20 to 30 months of age).

Several points concerning puppy

behavior merit attention. We recommend selecting a pup that is not timid

but appears self-confident and alert. A

pup should bark as an expression of

aggressiveness or suspicion but not

fear. A dog that is shy around people

may show appropriate aggression to

predators and have a strong bond with

sheep, but the chances for success are

probably greater by selecting a selfconfident pup.

Observe the pup’s behavior both

with and apart from people and littermates. We observed one Akbash

female that was submissive to people,

but she was aggressive to other dogs

and had an affinity for sheep. A shy pup

may gain confidence when placed with

another dog.

All successful dogs at the USSES

displayed positive traits within the first 3

to 8 months of life. Although some traits

may develop with maturity, most good

guarding dogs will show promise at a

young age.

Male or Female?

In the 1986 survey of 763 guarding

dogs, there was no difference between

the success of males and females.

Making a selection on the sex of the pup

is a matter of personal preference.

However, to avoid future problems,

consider the sex of other dogs used in

the livestock operation. If all dogs are

neutered, gender may become unimportant.

Our survey revealed no significant

differences between the rate of success

of intact versus neutered dogs. We

strongly recommend spaying females at

about 6 months of age before the first

heat cycle and neutering males at about

9 months of age. There is no indication

that neutering is detrimental to the

guarding dog. Indeed, neutering is

more likely to be beneficial. The regular

heat periods of the bitch can cause

problems. Dogs attracted to a bitch in

heat may add to the predator problem.

If a female is kenneled during heat

periods, late pregnancy, whelping, and

nursing, she is not out protecting the

flock. Neutering probably lessens the

usually undesirable behavior of wandering in some male dogs and perhaps

females. We have seen no evidence

that neutering males significantly

decreases their effectiveness. (See

section on “Dog Breeding by the

Livestock Producer.”)

How Many Dogs?

The characteristics of each sheep

operation will dictate the number of dogs

required for effective protection from

predators. The performance of individual dogs will differ. Some experienced dogs may effectively patrol

several hundred acres containing

hundreds of sheep, while younger dogs

may not cover as much territory.

The type and number of predators

and the intensity of predation help

dictate how many dogs are needed. If

predators are scarce, one dog will be

sufficient for most pasture operations.

Range operations often use two dogs,

but if the predator is a grizzly bear, even

several dogs may not be able to deter it.

(See section on “Effectiveness Against

Various Predators.”)
11

The topography and habitat of the

pasture must also be considered.

Relatively flat, open areas can be

adequately covered by one dog. When

brush, timber, ravines, and hills are in

the pasture, several dogs may be

required, particularly if the sheep are

scattered. However, at noted later,

problems may be encountered when

establishing more than one dog in the

flock.

The behavior of the sheep is

important also in determining the

number of dogs needed. Sheep that

flock and form a cohesive unit, especially at night (a typical time of predation), can be protected by one dog more

effectively than sheep that are continually scattered and bedded in a number

of locations. For example, at the

USSES a young Komondor effectively

protected 600 ewe lambs in a 125-acre

pasture. In another situation, a young

Komondor was unable to eliminate

predation in a flock of 600 ram lambs in

a 160-acre pasture. The ram lambs

grazed in a scattered fashion, and the

pasture contained rock outcrops and

brush that provided cover for coyotes.

An older, experienced dog might have

protected the lambs more effectively

than the young dog, but in this situation,

two dogs would have been more

desirable.

In another instance, a 7-month-old

Great Pyrenees eliminated predation

effectively in 4 adjacent 160-acre

pastures, each containing approximately

30 sheep. The dog was observed with

each of the four groups of sheep on

different occasions. He later guarded

seven different 160-acre pastures, each

containing several hundred sheep.

With a range band (usually 1,000

ewes plus their lambs), some operators

have reduced predation with a single

dog; others have used four or more

dogs per band. However, we generally

recommend starting with a single dog

and adding a second dog after the first

is well established. Once the experienced dog has developed an effective

working pattern, it can become a role

model for an untrained (but previously

socialized to sheep) dog. The younger

dog will mimic the older, more experienced dog and learn the routine of

protecting the flock.

A pair of guarding dogs at USSES

exhibited behaviors that were complementary. One dog was aggressive and

routinely patrolled a wide area around

the sheep. The second dog usually

remained close to the band and

responded aggressively only when the

flock was directly confronted by a

predator. It is rather common for two

dogs to exhibit complementary behaviors in this manner.

Adding additional dogs to the flock

may also cause problems. If one of the

dogs displays inappropriate behaviors,

the second dog may adopt them also.

These behaviors may include being

aggressive to the sheep, being inattentive to the sheep, and roaming, the most

common potential problem with multiple

dogs. Roaming may be more common

with multiple dogs than single dogs and

clearly can be a significant problem in

many situations. Early appropriate

training and neutering can help reduce

roaming. We recommend that first-time

users of a guarding dog begin with a

single pup. No amount of reading and

studying the manuals can take the place

of hands-on experience. If additional

dogs are needed, they can be added

later.
12

Rearing this Great Pyrenees pup with sheep creates a bond that will be important in

determining the dog’s future success as a protector.

From Puppy to Guarding Dog

Dog Rearing and Socialization

The goal with a new puppy is to

channel its natural instincts to produce a

mature guardian dog with the desired

characteristics. This can best be

accomplished by early and continued

association with sheep to produce a

bond between the dog and sheep. If

this bond is not developed, the dog may

not stay with the sheep. The optimum

age to bring the pup home is between

7 and 8 weeks of age. Place the pup

immediately in the pen you have

prepared as described below. The

following discussion describes rearing

one pup with sheep. Some people

report success rearing two pups

together with sheep.

The ideal place to rear a pup is in a

small pen or corral from which it cannot

escape. A pup that has been removed

recently from littermates and the

frequent association of humans may not

want to remain in a pen with lambs. If

the pup is able to leave its designated

area, the inclination of the pup to

escape and return to the kennel, home,

and people becomes progressively

stronger. If the pup is unable to escape,

the bond with sheep may develop more

easily. Later, as the dog is placed in

larger pastures where it can leave, the

tendency to return to the farm house is

minimized.
13

The pup’s pen need not be much

larger than about 150 ft2, although a

bigger area is more desirable as the pup

grows. The pen should contain three to

six sheep, preferably lambs (orphans

are ideal). If lambs are not available,

pick sheep that will not be aggressive to

the young pup, for example, replacement ewe lambs. The sheep can be

rotated through the pup pen, thereby

exposing a number of sheep to the dog

that will eventually be living among

them.

The pup should have a small area

in the pen to which it can retreat to be

away from the sheep. This area should

contain the dog’s food and shelter (if the

pen is outside) and can be partitioned

from the rest of the pen by wooden

panels such that the dog can crawl

through but not the sheep. It is desirable to have the water in an area

common to both the pup and sheep so

that some mingling is forced.

The pup should be checked several

times a day for the first few days and

then at least daily thereafter to ensure

that it can find food and water easily and

that the sheep and the dog are interacting properly. If a particular sheep is

overly aggressive to the pup, it should

be removed and replaced with another

sheep. During these daily checks it is

permissible to pat the dog, but excessive handling should be avoided.

During this socialization process, the

emphasis is on the dog-to-sheep

association. The dog-to-human

association should be minimized.

Socialization in dogs is a developmental phase during which permanent

emotional attachments are easily and

rapidly formed. Data from one study

suggest that the process begins at

3 weeks, peaks at 6 to 8 weeks, and

levels off by 12 weeks. After 12 weeks,

socialization may never be satisfactorily

achieved. A dog left in kennels beyond

this time may be permanently shy and

may have difficulty adjusting to later

changes in its environment (a syndrome

often termed kennelosis).

Some breeders allow 4-week-old

litters to be in the company of young

lambs with good results. Body contact

between dog and sheep enhances the

formation of a strong bond. Separating

littermates soon after 7 weeks is

desirable. The lone pup seeks companionship from the sheep, and it is also

removed from the intralitter hierarchy.

For pups that have been continually

dominated by littermates, this solitary

experience, which, in effect, places

them at the top of the social ladder, can

encourage the development of confidence.

Some pups exhibit “pack” behavior

in groups of three or more. A pack will

often include sheep in its play; and torn

ears, pulled wool, and even more

serious injuries can result. Rough play

is detrimental to the sheep, and it

promotes highly undesirable pup

behavior. It is a potentially serious

problem and must be closely monitored.

However, some gentle play behavior

with sheep can be tolerated and may

even enhance the bond of the dog to

sheep.

If a pup plays too much or becomes

too aggressive with the sheep, several

corrective measures should be taken.

Pups learn rapidly at an early age, and a

brief shaking by the scruff of the neck

and the command “NO” can be an

effective reprimand. Excessive playfulness can sometimes be controlled by

using larger lambs that will not tolerate

as much playful puppy behavior. If a

pup can’t be trusted alone with sheep,

another alternative is to separate the

pup from the lambs in a nearby pen.

This should be viewed as a temporary

measure lasting from several days to

several weeks. During this period, the
14

pup can be released with sheep under

supervision.

After the initial socialization period

(pup should be at least 16 weeks old),

the pup and the sheep it was raised with

can be put into a larger area or with the

rest of the flock in a pasture operation.

Again, monitor this change to ensure

that the other nonsocialized sheep don’t

injure the dog. The dog will respond to

this new freedom with enthusiasm and

will “check out” the new territory. Most

likely, the fencing in the larger pasture

will not hold a small dog, and the dog

will probably go through the fence here

and there as it explores. The dog

should always return to the sheep within

a reasonable time. If it doesn’t, the dog

should be taken back and encouraged

to remain. Repeat this process as often

as necessary. If the early socialization

was done properly, the dog should

prefer to be in the area where the sheep

are. It is important that the dog not be

allowed to hang around the house, the

kids, or any area where the sheep aren’t.

If the dog persists in staying away from

where it is supposed to be, return it to its

small escape-proof area with sheep for

the night and try again the next day.

 Once the dog has a strong bond to

sheep and remains with them routinely,

it may include peripheral areas around

the pasture in its scouting. Under some

circumstances, a dog that can negotiate

fences and protect a buffer area around

the pasture will be a more effective

guardian than one that is completely

contained within the pasture. In some

situations a dog must stay within the

fenced area. This is a critical factor in

more urbanized settings. (See section

on “Owner Responsibilities.”)

As a dog matures, there will likely

be changes in its behavior with respect

to staying with sheep. Some pups that

do not stay in one pasture may readily

stay in another. Other dogs have

difficulty in adjusting to frequent moves

to different pastures. At the USSES,

some dogs gained interest in sheep and

guarding suddenly in the course of

maturation. Some pups display a

greater sense of responsibility when

they are removed from a small barn or

pen to a large pasture with sheep.

Training and Obedience

Teaching some obedience to dogs

is important. A dog should understand

what “NO” means and should cease

whatever it is doing when the command

is given. Use this command (or one

similar to it) whenever the dog does

something that is definitely wrong (e.g.,

chewing on a sheep, chasing a sheep or

vehicle, and jumping on a person). You

want the command to be heeded

promptly, so don’t use it carelessly.

A dog should also be taught to

come when it is called or at least remain

where it is so you can catch it. There

are few things more annoying to you

and potentially more dangerous for the

dog than being unable to catch the dog

when you need to. Maintaining proper

health (i.e., vaccinations) and properly

managing the sheep depend on being

able to get your hands on the dog when

necessary. If you expect the dog to

consistently respond to “Come,” make

sure the dog receives a pleasant

experience when it obeys. Don’t use

the command to call the dog to you so

you can reprimand it for some other

misbehavior. If you need to reprimand

the dog, go to it and give the correction.

We recommend that a dog be

taught to walk on a leash. There are

times when you need to tie a dog,

usually temporarily, while sheep are

moved or loaded, or to take the dog to a

different location. A dog should always

be restrained when it is riding in the

back of a truck. (See section on “Dog

Health.”)
15

Some owners teach their dogs

additional commands. However, it is

important to remember that by nature

guarding dogs are independent and are

without human supervision during most

of their working life. Although they can

be obedience trained, we question the

value of teaching commands that may

have little utility for the working dog.

Excessive or unnecessary obedience

training may tend to strengthen the dogto-human bond and disrupt the dog-tosheep bond.

Some owners teach their dogs no

commands. We feel this is a mistake.

You should at least be able to catch

your dog.

Various methods of teaching

obedience may provide satisfactory

results. Several points are noteworthy.

Owners should be consistent and

decisive when giving commands and

expect a consistent response from the

dog. Dogs are praised for correct

behavior and, rather than verbally or

physically reprimanding a puppy for an

incorrect response, praise is withheld.

This positive approach will often achieve

the desired results and will avoid the

possibility of causing the pup to become

shy or fearful of people. Some dogs do

not take harsh punishment well. Proper

corrections will not cause even the most

subordinate pup to become shy as long

as the pup is praised more than it is

reprimanded.

In some instances a verbal reprimand is not sufficient to get the dog’s

attention. A light swat with a rolled-up

newspaper may be in order. The intent

is to get the dog’s attention, not hurt it.

Once a correction is given, the dog

should be shown the correct and

desired behavior, then praised when it

responds properly. The handler should

ensure that a pleasurable experience

(where praise can be given) follows a

reprimand.

An important concept of correcting

misbehavior has been revealed in

several studies. If punishment is to be

effective, it must be given within

seconds of the undesired behavior.

Reprimands given hours or even

minutes after a misdeed has occurred

are meaningless to the dog. Also,

punishment must be given at a high

enough level to immediately stop the

offensive behavior. Training should

continue as the dog matures, but formal

training need only persist as long as it is

necessary.

Guarding behavior is largely

instinctive. It would be difficult to train a

dog without the guarding instinct to

perform some of the necessary functions, such as patrolling, barking, and

scent marking. Nevertheless, dogs will

likely need direction in their development and will need to be taught or

shown what, where, and when they are

to guard.

The guarding dog is a working

animal and should be treated as such.

It is not a pet, and making this distinction at the outset is important. One dog

owner said that “all you have to do is

love the dog and it will guard whatever

is yours.” It is true that a guarding dog,

lavished with human attention, becomes

very protective of its master and its

master’s property. And if the sheep

happen to be in the back yard, they will

be protected as much as the children,

the car, and the house itself. But if the

sheep are kept any distance from the

master’s home, it becomes difficult to

keep the dog with the sheep because it

knows that it can get human attention

where its master is, and that is most

frequently at the house.

How much human affection should

you give the guarding dog? If a dog

recognizes as praise a pat on the head

and words “Good dog,” it will work to

receive that praise. Giving it no more
16

affection should not be considered cruel

or unkind. Dogs become confused

when they have been allowed to stay at

the house as a pet and then are

suddenly placed in a pasture with sheep

and expected to remain there.

Dog–Sheep Interactions

Most pups are submissive toward

lambs, particularly during their first

encounters. Later, as the pups and

lambs become accustomed to each

other, some pups solicit play from the

lambs. The lambs respond either by

moving away or by briefly butting or

romping with the pups.

Some dogs show a great deal of

interest in grooming lambs and may

spend several minutes licking them,

especially around the face, ears, and

urogenital region. This grooming

behavior of the dog may strengthen the

dog-to-sheep bond.

Dog Age and Effective Guarding

Mature, experienced, and effective

guarding dogs are generally not

available to most sheep producers.

Although there are exceptions, most

ranchers purchase their guarding dogs

as inexperienced pups and are obliged

to assist in directing their development.

When the dog reaches a certain level of

maturity, it will begin to display territorial

and protective behaviors toward

predators threatening the flock. This

level of maturity can vary; there is no

predetermined age when an adolescent

dog can be expected to become an

effective guardian.

There are several criteria that may

indicate a dog’s readiness to assume

the guarding role. The following

behaviors tend to increase in frequency

as guarding maturity is reached:

(1) male dogs (and sometimes females)

use raised-leg urinations rather than

squat urinations to scent-mark, (2) scent

marking (urination and defecation)

becomes more deliberate and marks are

concentrated near the periphery of a

pasture, (3) barking at novel stimuli

becomes more predictable and direction

oriented, (4) dogs are active more

frequently and for longer periods,

(5) dogs become more interested in the

sheep than in the handler, and

(6) deliberate patrolling activities

increase in frequency and duration.

Dogs exhibit much of this behavior

as young as 4 1/2 months of age.

However, before a young puppy is

placed where sheep losses to predators

are high, it should have attained a

certain level of physical maturity. This

level is difficult to define specifically, but

the dog should at least be large enough

to defend itself if confronted by predators.

As a dog becomes more experienced, it may display certain behaviors

(barking, scent marking, and patrolling)

more or less often, depending on

various factors. If coyotes are frequently near, the dog may mark and

patrol more than it would if they were

not. As a dog becomes more familiar

with its area and the normal activities

that occur there, random barking may

occur less frequently. Some dogs

seldom bark.

Successful guarding dogs have an

appropriate mix of physical and behavioral maturity, combined with experience

with sheep. Dogs may respond with

uncertainty or even fear during their first

encounter with a predator. At the

USSES a coyote chased a physically

mature guarding dog three times its

size. During this first experience with a

coyote, the dog exhibited immature

behavior and ran away. The following

day the dog chased the coyote and did

so in all succeeding encounters. Other

dogs may have reacted differently in this

situation, but experience is necessary

for all successful guardians.
17

In most situations, we recommend

moving the pup along with the sheep it

was reared with out to the main flock or

band as soon as the dog is able to

physically keep up and defend itself if

necessary. If people err on this point, it

is usually by not putting the dog out with

the flock soon enough.

Daily Routine and Behavior

How should a new owner of a

guarding dog expect the dog to behave

during a 24-hour period? Some people

are surprised that a dog that appears to

sleep most of the time still can be an

effective guardian. Some guarding

dogs, especially immature dogs, seem

to spend a large part of their time

sleeping.

If the sheep are active (moving and

feeding), the dog may also be active.

However, dogs are not necessarily with

the sheep constantly. The dog may

sleep during the day while the sheep are

feeding, or the dog may be away from

the sheep investigating adjacent areas.

With experience, the dog will learn when

disturbances from predators are likely to

occur (evening and early morning hours)

and will be actively patrolling or on alert

at a selected location. A dog will often

bed with the sheep but is usually quickly

aroused by any disturbance. Some

sheep appear to learn to return to the

dog when they are threatened by a

predator.

A guarding dog uses its senses and

experience to know when and where to

patrol and how best to keep predators

away from the sheep. Some people

have mistakenly attempted to impose

their own conceptions of the guarding

routine on the dog. The dog should be

free to develop its guarding behaviors

within the restrictions dictated by each

particular livestock operation.

Dog Response to Frightening

Experiences

Certain conditions may cause even

effective guard dogs to leave the sheep

or otherwise temporarily interrupt their

guarding behaviors. Intense rain storms

or continual rain for one or more days

has resulted in dogs leaving the sheep

and returning to the ranch. This

problem may be less likely to occur in

pasture where a dog may retreat to a

shelter during prolonged rains. In a

range operation where no shelter is

provided, a dog may leave the sheep in

search of a dry place.

We have observed a small percentage of dogs abandon the sheep

because of thunder and other loud

noises such as gun shots. Some noiseshy dogs will become familiar with these

sounds over time, but others may

continue to leave the sheep despite their

experience with frightening noises.

Extent of Human Contact

There is an appropriate level of

human contact with a guarding dog, but

it varies depending on the temperament

of the dog. The dog should be visited

daily in the pasture. If food is not

provided in a self-feeder, it can be given

to the dog each day. (We recommend

using a self-feeder.) The daily visit can

also provide an opportunity to observe

the health of the dog and to briefly

praise the dog for remaining with the

sheep.

As the dog matures, less human

contact may be required. Good

management practices dictate, however,

that the livestock and the dog be

regularly visited.

Too little human contact can cause

a dog to be shy or fearful of people.

Such dogs are difficult to handle for

physical examination and are hard to

control. They cannot be moved readily

to other pastures and cannot be

kenneled. Some dogs with this type of
18

temperament are effective guardians

and may fit into some livestock operations. However, it is almost essential to

be able to handle and work with the

guarding dog.

Guarding Dogs During Lambing

What should be done with a new

guarding dog during lambing? There

are no definite rules to follow, but

several suggestions may be helpful.

The ewe is more defensive and

subject to stress during lambing than at

any other time. The antics and playful

behavior of a puppy or immature dog

could be detrimental to sheep before,

during, and immediately following

lambing. Young dogs, therefore, should

not generally be in direct contact with

the ewes but should perhaps be kept in

an adjacent area.

Once lambing is completed and the

ewes and lambs have been turned into

mixing pens and are “mothered up,”

introduce the young dog under human

supervision. Lambs will quickly become

accustomed to the dog, and the ewes

will soon learn that the dog poses no

threat to them. If the dog acts calmly, it

can be left alone for longer periods with

the sheep until it remains with them

permanently. Care should be taken to

ensure that the young dog does not

make any serious mistakes. Here, as in

other situations, prevention of a problem

is better than finding a cure.

Once the dog experiences a

lambing season and proves it can

behave correctly, it may be allowed free

access to the entire lambing operation.

Owners report some guarding dogs take

a great deal of interest in lambing,

protect lambs from inclement weather,

and even assist the ewe in cleaning

newborn lambs. The dog owner must

decide how much freedom the dog

should be given at this time. Even

proven dogs can make mistakes.

Should the dog be allowed to eat

afterbirth and docked tails or feed on

dead lambs or sheep? Most dogs will

eat sheep remains, afterbirth, and tails.

In our experience, this does not make

them inclined to kill sheep, but it may

detract from their effectiveness because

some dogs become possessive of dead

sheep. Where it is practical, we

recommend removing carcasses and

not allowing a guarding dog to feed on

them. There are potential parasitic and

bacterial health hazards associated with

dogs eating sheep carcasses, particularly carcasses of sheep that have died

from disease. In addition, the presence

of sheep carcasses may attract

predators.

Interactions Between Herding and

Guarding Dogs

Herding dogs are an integral part of

most sheep operations, particularly

range operations. Can the herding dog

and the guarding dog coexist, and if so,

what is their relationship?

Generally, guarding and herding

dogs are able to work on the same

operation. The guarding and herding

dogs should be familiar with each other

but should be discouraged from playing

together. In range bands, the herding

dogs remain with the herder and work at

his direction. Social bonds between the

guarding dog and the herding dogs could

cause the guarding dog to leave the

sheep and follow the herder to camp.

The guarding dog should be taught

that its role is different from that of the

herding dog. Immature guarding dogs

may attempt to mimic the herding dog

as it moves the sheep. This should not

be allowed. Juvenile guarding dogs can

interfere with a working herding dog and

sometimes must be restrained (tied or

held). As the guarding dog matures, it

will learn that there are times when the

herding dog is in charge (when the
19

These sheep are responding to the herding actions of this border collie.

sheep are moved), but that it assumes

the dominant position at all other times.

Brief fights may result between the

herding and guarding dogs while they

learn their respective roles. On rare

occasions, guarding and herding dogs

may be incompatible, and a change of

dogs may be warranted.

Many people ask if sheep still

respond to a herding dog once they are

accustomed to the presence of a guard

dog. Sheep recognize individual dogs

and respond according to each dog’s

behavior. Therefore, they learn to

ignore a guarding dog that quietly

approaches the flock but will bunch and

run from a dog that chases them.

Unrestrained nonworking dogs are

found on many farms and ranches.

These dogs can present a problem to a

guarding pup that is being trained to

protect the flock. They are a source of

distraction and at worst can involve the

pup in learning inappropriate behaviors.

In some instances a choice has to be

made between rearing a good guarding

dog and having unrestrained pets.
20

To protect large numbers of sheep on open rangeland or pastures, more than one dog

may be required. These two Great Pyrenees guard a large rangeland flock.

Managing Dogs on Rangeland

and Pastures

Management practices on pasture

and range operations differ and affect

the overall concept of using guarding

dogs. Pastures have fenced boundaries

which provide a clearly defined, stationary territory for a dog to defend. There

is little chance that the sheep will be lost

if they scatter within a pasture, so a fulltime herder is usually not needed.

Fences are rarely encountered on

most rangeland, and a herder tends the

flock, controls the grazing pattern, and

provides some degree of protection from

predators. A dog on the range must

learn to identify the sheep and the everchanging area they occupy as a

defendable territory. A dog must adapt

to new areas as the herder implements

the grazing plan, and since the dog

remains unsupervised with the sheep

much of the time, its behavior must not

cause the flock to scatter.

Considerations in Fenced Pasture

Operations

More than 80 percent of the people

who raise sheep in the United States

maintain their flocks in fenced pastures

during all or part of the year. This
21

represents more than half of the Nation’s

sheep. It is predicted that the greatest

growth in the sheep-raising industry will

come from pastured flocks of sheep.

Although the magnitude of predator

losses is often smaller on pastures than

in open range operations, the result of

losses can be severe. The use of dogs

to protect fenced livestock is a workable

technique and is currently being used

successfully by hundreds of producers.

A major concern for many guarding

dog users at one time or another is how

to get the dog to remain with the sheep

in the pasture. As was stated in the

section on “Dog Rearing and Socialization,” correct handling of a puppy can

eliminate many potential problems. It is

vital to immediately place the new puppy

with or near sheep away from the house

and people. If the dog develops a

strong bond to sheep at the outset,

corrective measures may be needed

only infrequently as the dog matures.

If a newly acquired dog or a puppy

requires additional encouragement after

socialization to remain in an area, the

following techniques may be effective.

When introducing a dog to an unfamiliar

pasture, place the dog’s shelter and

feeder in the pasture. Also include any

objects familiar to the dog. The handler

should then walk the dog (on a leash if

necessary) around the perimeter. This

activity should be repeated daily until

the dog learns the area. Most dogs are

enthusiastic when exploring new terrain

and will scent-mark during the patrolling

activity. The dog should initially be left

alone with the sheep in the pasture for

short periods of time (1 to several

hours), but the time should be progressively extended to longer intervals. The

dog should be checked frequently and

given praise when it remains in the

pasture. The dog should be returned

promptly each time it leaves and should

not be reprimanded until it knows clearly

what it is expected to do.

An appropriate command (“Stay” or

something comparable) may be given to

the dog when it is left in the pasture.

One producer yelled “SHEEP” and

chased his dog back to the sheep every

time it strayed too far from them.

Patience is required, as it is in almost all

phases of working with young guarding

dogs. One successful Komondor owner

said it may take up to 1 year to see

certain aspects of training become

effective. However, some positive

results should be apparent much earlier.

If repeated efforts fail to keep the

dog in the pasture, several other

methods can be tried. The dog can be

chained to an area near its house, food,

and water (and preferably the sheep) for

prescribed periods of time. These

periods can be as short or long as

necessary and will vary in each situation. Some owners have attached a tire

on a chain (approximately 10 feet long)

to the collar of the dog. This permits the

dog to move within the pasture but

prevents it from jumping over or

crawling through the fence.

Another technique has been used

at the USSES to encourage a dog to

remain in a designated area. If a dog

leaves its pasture and returns to the

headquarters, it is immediately kenneled

in relative isolation for 1 to several days.

The dog is then returned to the pasture.

Repetitions of this process have been

successful in discouraging several dogs

from returning to the headquarters.

Some dogs will leave a designated

pasture for short periods to explore and

return shortly thereafter. If it does not

conflict with neighboring farms or

residences, a dog may be a more

effective guardian if it can patrol the

area around a pasture to create a buffer

zone devoid of coyotes or other predators. Furthermore, it may be desirable

for dogs to be able to negotiate fences.
22

Most pups crawl through or over,

whereas older dogs often jump fences

as high as 6 feet. Depending on

individual dogs and particular needs,

dogs could be trained to jump fences or

pass through fences using special

sheep-proof crossings.

In some situations it is best for the

dog to remain exclusively within a

fenced pasture, especially if heavily

traveled roads or highways parallel the

pasture or neighbors will mistreat a dog

that trespasses. These conditions may

be common in urbanized areas and

particularly in the Eastern United States.

Dogs on Rangeland

Grazing livestock on range and

forest lands is a traditional method of

sheep production in the Western United

States. Range sheep often suffer

greater exposure to coyote predation

than pastured sheep. Increasing

numbers of people are using guarding

dogs to protect range sheep because

some methods of reducing predation in

pastures are ineffective or impractical on

unfenced lands.

Planning is the key to successful

use of a livestock guarding dog on the

range. Several months are required to

socialize and prepare a pup for rangeland use. An appropriate time to place a

Great Pyrenees on the range is between

4 and 6 months of age. Therefore, a

producer should purchase a 7- to 8-

week-old pup 2 to 4 months prior to

incorporating the dog into the range

flock. Other breeds that mature more

slowly may not be ready to go to the

range as early as Great Pyrenees. The

key factor is whether the dog acts

calmly around the sheep. A range band

is no place for a dog that wants to play

continually.

An ideal time to place a dog with

range sheep is when the sheep are

confined in a pasture or fenced area.

Sheep producers can incorporate a dog

into the flock shortly after lambing when

the main flock is being formed. However, any period of confinement lasting

a week or more can be used. During

this period the herder can get to know

the dog and emphasize the commands

“No” and “Come” discussed previously.

This period will also allow the herder to

observe how the dog and sheep interact

before going on the range.

Many problems initially experienced

by producers who use guarding dogs

with range sheep result from the sheep

being frightened of dogs. In a small

pasture, sheep cannot escape from a

dog and become accustomed to its

presence as they learn that it will not

harm them. On rangeland, sheep

unaccustomed to a dog respond by

running from it whenever it attempts to

approach them. Repeated attempts by

the dog to approach the sheep scatter

the flock. The dog may become

discouraged and eventually ignore the

sheep.

It is important that the sheep are

accustomed to the presence and

activities of the guard dog before leaving

the pasture (this can take from 1 to 6

weeks). This is one of the most

important steps in integrating a dog

successfully into a range operation.

Some sheep operations use only

the open range, and this may make

incorporation of a guard dog into the

flock difficult. The sheep must learn to

accept the presence of a dog without

the benefit of an enclosed area. In such

a situation, it is essential that the dog be

controllable and remain calm around the

sheep. The attitude and ability of the

herder play an important role in the

success or failure of this process. The

temperament of the dog and the sheep

and the type of terrain being grazed are

other factors that should be considered.
23

A trait exhibited by an ideal

livestock guardian is a desire to remain

with or near the flock most of the time.

However, this behavior usually needs to

be reinforced by the herder. Guard

dogs should not be allowed to loiter or

sleep around camps. The dogs must be

taught and encouraged to stay with the

sheep at all times. Feeding the dog

near the sheep rather than at camp will

help in this endeavor. A description of a

mature guarding dog that is successful

includes the statement that the dog

continually accompanies the sheep.

Each situation is unique in some

respects, and there may be some

instances when predation may be

reduced even if a dog routinely leaves

the sheep. One herder regularly tied a

young guarding dog to his camp during

the day and released it each evening.

The dog was tied because it followed

him on his rounds during the day. By

evening the dog was too tired to patrol

and spent the night sleeping. Tying

forced the dog to rest during the hours

of least predation. The dog had little

desire to stay at the camp when

released and actively patrolled at night.

The dog could normally be found near

the sheep the next morning.

Kennelling Dogs Through Winter

At the outset of our research, we

were concerned with the possible

adverse effects of kennelling dogs for a

prolonged period during winter when the

sheep were in a feedlot. Since we used

up to 10 dogs at a time, it was impractical to give them free access to the

sheep pens. Other sheep producers

who have only one or two dogs would

likely leave the dogs loose most of the

time. However, if kennelling is deemed

appropriate, the following may be of

interest.

We speculated that the relatively

long period of removal from the sheep

would result in a decrease or loss of the

dog’s bond to sheep. Ten years of

experience with this situation has

revealed that, for most dogs, the bond to

sheep remains and may even be

intensified with periods of separation.

The period of isolation in the kennel

appears to enhance the dog’s desire

and enthusiasm for the freedom of being

with sheep. Almost without exception,

when we release a dog after it has been

apart from the sheep for any length of

time, it quickly seeks the scent and trails

off in the direction of the sheep. The

bond between dog and sheep is

established as the pup is raised with

lambs and appears to endure even

though the dog is separated from the

sheep for up to 6 months.

Transferability

If a dog is properly socialized to

sheep, there is a high probability that it

will successfully guard sheep in a

variety of conditions. Such a dog can

be moved from one area to another,

even with strange people and surroundings, and its bond to sheep will help

make the transfer successful. In small

farm-flock conditions where the sheep

are not far removed from the headquarters and people, the bond of the dog to

sheep may not need to be as strong for

success to be realized.

Although we have observed that

transferring dogs from one situation to

another is practical, the success of a

dog is enhanced as it becomes more

familiar with a particular set of conditions. If a dog is moved to a location

that contains unfamiliar livestock (i.e., a

species the dog has not associated

with), it may initially react aggressively

to them.
24

Owner Responsibilities

Dogs and Human Welfare

Ownership of a guarding dog

implies certain responsibilities. The

traditional guarding breeds are large,

powerful, and protective of their perceived territory. This territory should

primarily include the livestock to be

guarded, but it may also include the

owner’s house, yard, and family

members, particularly if the dog was

allowed access to these areas during

the rearing process.

How likely is it that a livestock

guarding dog will bite someone? Much

is dependent upon where the dog

spends its time, and also on breed

differences. In the survey of 763

livestock guarding dogs, 7 percent of the

dogs had bitten people (17 percent of

the Komondors, 9 percent of the

Anatolian shepherds, 6 percent of the

Akbash dogs, and 4 percent of the

Great Pyrenees). Some dogs show

more protective and aggressive traits

than others, and it becomes the owner’s

responsibility to protect people who may

be at risk. Neighbors and guests should

be alerted, and if necessary, signs or

other appropriate warnings should be

displayed.

A guarding dog will likely include

peripheral areas in its patrolling. This

activity should be discouraged. Neighbors should be alerted to the fact that a

dog may roam onto their property and

that some predator control devices (e.g.,

traps, snares, and M-44’s) present a

danger to the dog. (See section on

“Integrated Livestock and Predator

Management.”) Many counties enforce

stringent laws regarding owner responsibility for damage done by roaming

dogs. It is in the best interest of the

owner, community, and dog to train the

dog to stay in its designated area.

Dogs used with herded or unherded

range bands or in expansive pastures

such as those found in some Western

States may also roam at times. Under

these circumstances, a roaming dog

may pose little threat to safety and

property. However, a dog roaming over

a wide range provides little or no

protection to the livestock it is supposed

to be guarding.

Dog Health and Care

Purchase of a guarding dog

represents a significant financial

investment. The value of the dog

increases as it matures and is trained.

The successful, mature dog is not easily

or quickly replaceable. Appropriate

concern for health and safety, therefore,

is an important consideration.

Consult a veterinarian for keeping

vaccinations current and for recommendations about worming. Breeders

should have administered puppy

vaccines and sometimes worming

medication. New owners should

periodically check teeth for soundness

and proper bite, and ear canals should

be kept free from a buildup of hair.

Examine dogs routinely for cuts,

abscesses, bone conformation, and

muscle development. Any change in

behavior, eating habits, or stools should

be investigated immediately. Serious

health problems can develop with dogs

belonging to even the most conscientious and experienced people.

The coat of the working dog may

require attention. The Komondor’s coat,

for example, must be clipped or corded

(hand separated) as the dog matures.

Many owners of working Komondors

prefer to clip them each spring since

cording can be laborious, and a long

coat tends to collect burrs. Contact the

Komondor dog clubs listed in “Sources

of Additional Information” for details on

coat care. Other long-haired breeds

such as Great Pyrenees may also need
25

As demonstrated by this dog handler

separating mats of hair, the coat of the

Komondor requires special care and

attention.

coat care. Mats and burrs should be

removed periodically, especially around

the toes and ears. A matted coat may

lead to serious skin infections especially

in, but not restricted to, warm or moist

climates. Again, clipping is an option for

resolving chronic skin or coat problems.

Guarding dogs may weigh 100

pounds or more and, particularly as

pups, need proper nutrition. Generally,

a high-quality dry dog meal (puppy meal

for pups) will meet nutritional requirements. However, supplements as

recommended by a veterinarian, are

sometimes used. Although growing

pups require large quantities of feed,

they usually eat only 2 to 4 pounds of

food daily once they are fully grown.

Working dogs expend a great deal

of energy patrolling and investigating.

Food must be readily available or they

cannot be expected to function properly.

Self-feeders are often used for dogs

working in pastures. A barrier is

constructed around the feeder to

prevent sheep from eating the dog’s

food. If this precaution is not taken, the

sheep may quickly empty the feeder,

and consequently, the dog may go

hungry for several days. If this occurs

repeatedly, the dog may become

possessive of the food and spend its

time guarding the feeding area. With

herded sheep, the herder has responsibility for taking food to the dog at least

once a day.

Livestock guarding dogs are hardy

animals and often do not use a dog

house or shelter even in inclement

weather. They generally prefer to sleep

in the open where they can easily

observe their surroundings. However,

some form of shelter should be provided

for dogs in pastures. Some dogs regard

their house and the surrounding area as

their territory. The dog house may

serve as a point of contact for the dog

and enhance the tendency to remain in

that area. The use of a dog shelter on

rangeland where sheep move continually is usually not practical.

Dog Safety

Although a guarding dog may

provide up to 10 years of productive

service, there is a reasonable chance

the dog will die prematurely. During a

5-year period of study at the USSES,

32 percent of the working guard dogs

died before reaching adulthood. The

major causes of death were as follows:

hit by vehicle, 23 percent; maliciously

shot, 23 percent; health problems, 18

percent; accident in field, 9 percent;
26

untrustworthy (destroyed), 4 percent;

and unknown, 23 percent. The mortality

rate from birth to 4 years of age was 41

percent. In a study from NEFC, 50

percent of livestock guarding dogs used

on ranches were dead by 18 months of

age, while 50 percent of dogs used on

farms and farm/ranches were dead by

38 months of age (mortality rates

included dogs removed due to culling).

These statistics show that livestock

guarding dogs are susceptible to

numerous hazards, some of which are

within control of the owner. A little

forethought and some preparation can

help to avoid the accidental and

untimely death of a dog. To this end,

the owner should: (1) alert neighbors

that the dog may wander onto their

property and enlist their aid in preventing roaming, (2) post their property as to

the presence of a dog, (3) keep the dog

off roads, (4) be alert to the presence of

poison baits, rodenticides, traps, and

snares, and take appropriate precautions (see section on “Integrated

Livestock and Predator Management”),

(5) not chain the dog next to a fence or

other obstruction where it can get

entangled and die of strangulation, and

(6) use safe chaining practices when

hauling a dog in the open bed of a

pickup truck.

Premature death of a good guarding dog can be a significant loss to the

livestock producer who relies heavily

upon it. In addition to losing a primary

source of protection, the producer must

expend money and time to acquire,

raise, and train a new dog. Some

producers who depend on dogs for

predation control should consider

keeping a second dog as a backup in

the event one dog dies. This option

should be examined from both a

practical and economic standpoint for

each situation.

Dog Breeding by the Livestock

Producer

Some of the dogs most eagerly

sought after for use in livestock protection are those bred, whelped, and raised

by livestock producers. Few people

would know better what type of dog is

preferred and what traits the good

guardian should have than the livestock

producer. However, relatively few

ranchers have the time, inclination, or

facilities to breed and raise dogs,

especially dogs that require special care

and consideration. In several instances,

ranchers found themselves “stuck” with

six or eight puppies and a bitch who was

no longer out protecting the flock

because of her pregnancy.

To properly raise a litter of pups

and then sell them to appropriate buyers

by the time they are 8 weeks old is not a

simple matter. Often, several pups go

unsold for many months and if not kept

with sheep during that time, the pups

are beyond the point of being easily

socialized to sheep. Dog breeding

should be entered into only after careful

consideration, research, and definite

commitment to the welfare of the dogs.

Economic Considerations

The economics of using a livestock

guarding dog are dependent upon a

number of factors including the annual

rate of predation, the ability and

longevity of the dog, and the cost of

purchase and maintenance. Purchase

price varies according to age of the dog,

breed, bloodline, breeder, and other

factors. We purchased approximately

one hundred 7- to 8-week-old guarding

dog pups of various breeds during 1987

and 1988. The pups came from dog

breeders throughout the United States,

and the average price including air

freight to Idaho was $443 per dog.

Since Great Pyrenees dogs were the

most readily available, they were usually
27

less costly than the other breeds.

However, in the long run, purchase price

is probably one of the least important

factors in the economics of using a

livestock guarding dog.

In 1983, 70 livestock producers who

used guarding dogs were surveyed.

Average first-year cost for one dog,

including shipping, feed, health care,

travel associated with care and maintenance of the dog, damage caused by the

dog, and miscellaneous expenses,

totaled $834. Subsequent average

annual expenses totaled $286. Producers reported an average of 9 hours/month

to care for a dog, and 89 percent of the

producers considered dogs to be an

economic asset. Twenty-seven of

37 producers (73 percent) experienced

estimated average annual savings

ranging from $180 to $14,487, and 10 of

37 (27 percent) experienced average

annual losses ranging from $95 to

$3,405.

In the 1986 survey of about

400 producers with guarding dogs,

82 percent reported that the use of dogs

represented an economic asset. Nine

percent said dogs were a break-even

investment, and 9 percent considered

dogs an economic liability.

Clearly, dogs that are effective and

long-lived represent a significant economic value. Many producers have

identified “peace of mind” as a benefit of

using a guarding dog. Although peace

of mind is perhaps not a tangible benefit,

it is one with some intrinsic value.

Benefits and Problems

In the course of our research, we

identified the following potential benefits

associated with using a guarding dog.

 1. Reduced predation

 2. Reduced labor (i.e., no longer

confining or corralling sheep nightly,

sheep graze in a tighter flock, thus

are easier to monitor)

 3. If night confinement is discontinued,

pastures can be more efficiently

utilized and condition of sheep may

improve.

 4. Increased utilization of acres where

predators made grazing prohibitive

prior to the use of dogs

 5. Increase in grazable acres may

provide opportunity to increase the

size of the flock.

 6. Improved potential for profit

 7. Dog alerts owner to disturbance

(predators) near the flock.

 8. Increased self-reliance in managing

predator problems

 9. Protection for family members and

farm property

10. Peace of mind

Although the majority of dogs that

are reared to protect sheep are ultimately successful, there are potential

problems during the adolescent period

of the dog as well as problems that may

develop with an experienced dog.

Some of the problems are considered

minor by producers; others are serious.
28

We identified the following potential

problems:

 1. Dog harasses sheep (usually a play

behavior), resulting in injury or

death.

 2. Dog does not guard sheep.

 3. Dog is overly aggressive to people.

 4. Dog harasses other animals

(livestock or wildlife).

 5. Expenditure of labor to train and

supervise the dog

 6. Dog destroys property (chewing

objects and digging).

 7. Dog is subject to illness, injury, or

premature death.

 8. Dog roams beyond farm boundaries

causing problems with neighbors

(critical in urban settings).

 9. Financial expenditure with no

guarantee of the dog being successful

10. Dog interferes when sheep are

moved or interferes with herd dog.

11. Dog affects the use of other predator

control activities.

Predation may occur even with a

guarding dog at work. Whenever this

happens, the prudent livestock producer

will first determine whether the dog was

involved in the killing. Suspect the dog

until it is clear that it was not at fault. Of

the dogs in our survey, 14 percent

injured or killed sheep.

It is unlikely that one person will

experience all of the potential problems

or all of the potential benefits of using a

dog. For most, the benefit of reduced

predation is sufficient, and for others a

single problem may be one too many.

Effectiveness Against Various

Predators

Most of the research and practical

experience with guarding dogs has

focused on the dogs’ ability to reduce

predation by coyotes and domestic

dogs, the two principal predators of

sheep in the United States. Coyotes,

about one-third the size of an adult

guarding dog, usually avoid a direct

encounter with a guarding dog; and as

our survey revealed, 95 percent of the

guarding dogs were aggressive to

predators, primarily coyotes. Fewer of

the guarding dogs were aggressive to

domestic dogs (74 percent), but

encounters between guarding dogs and

intruding dogs usually differ from those

between guarding dogs and coyotes.

Whereas most coyotes avoid a confrontation, intruding dogs may spend time

smelling and posturing around the

guarding dog. Fights may occur, but

more likely the intruding dog will leave

after a brief period of investigation. The

end result is usually the same as with

coyotes, no predation. However, some

guarding dogs, particularly immatures,

may stand by while intruding dogs

harass the sheep. Occasionally,

guarding dogs have joined intruding

dogs and injured or killed sheep.

Foxes probably respond to guarding dogs as do most coyotes, by

avoiding a confrontation and thus

staying a reasonable distance from the

flock. Several encounters between

wolves and guarding dogs have been

documented, but the results are not very

predictable at this point. Some wolves

avoid or bypass the area occupied by a

guarding dog, others investigate and

posture as described previously for

domestic dogs, and others fight with the

guarding dog. Wolves are likely more

frustrated by the presence of a guarding

dog than intimidated by it.

We gathered information about

guarding dog–bear encounters. In a

typical encounter with a black bear, the

dog would bark repeatedly and approach to confront the bear. The bear

would usually respond by retreating

from the dog. There was usually no

physical contact between the dog and

the bear, and the dog would continue
29

pursuit for several hundred meters or

until the bear was headed away from

the sheep. The dog typically returned to

the sheep soon after the encounter.

Although our sample of guarding dog–

grizzly bear encounters is small, it

suggests that grizzly bears are less

readily deterred by guarding dogs than

are black bears.

There are few data describing the

relationship between guarding dogs and

feline predators such as cougars and

bobcats. Intuitively, one would predict

that the smaller bobcat would avoid an

area occupied by a guarding dog.

Cougars are known predators of dogs

and might not avoid contact with the

dog. In many areas where sheep are

raised, predation by cats is minimal or

site specific. The presence of predatory

cats should be considered in selecting

and placing a dog in the field.

Integrated Livestock and Predator

Management

Proper management of livestock

plays a role in minimizing the risk of

depredation. Many farm-flock operators

practice one or more of the following:

night corralling of sheep, using lighted

corrals, keeping sheep next to buildings

occupied by people, shed lambing,

routine inspection of livestock, removal

of dead animals, clearing natural cover

adjacent to pastures, and avoiding the

grazing of young animals in pastures

with a history of predator problems.

Some of these practices may not be

practical for some producers. They

have little application in range sheep

production. Nothing short of total

confinement will guarantee complete

protection.

For managing predators, a variety

of control methods must be available

since there is not, nor will likely be, one

method of predator control that will be

effective for every producer. Some

have found that they need little to

protect their sheep, while most employ

one to a dozen control techniques.

Those who are successful use an

integrated approach, combining good

husbandry practices with electric fences,

guard dogs, good herders (with range

bands), trapping, shooting, or mechanical scare devices and are flexible

enough to use whatever combination of

methods solves the problem.

The use of a guarding dog does not

eliminate the use of other control

methods. It is important, however, that

the control techniques used in conjunction with the guarding dog be compatible

with the dog’s behavior. Toxicants used

to control various pest species (including some insecticides and rodenticides)

can be extremely hazardous to a dog

and therefore are not compatible for use

in areas where a guarding dog is at

work.

The M–44 toxicant delivery device

used in control of coyotes is an example

of a toxicant which is very hazardous to

dogs. Some people have successfully

trained their dogs to avoid M–44’s by

allowing the dog to set off an M–44 filled

with pepper, or by rigging the device to

a rat trap. This unpleasant experience

is meant to teach the dog to avoid the

M–44 should it encounter one in the

future. However, while this training

process may be successful for some

dogs, it is not foolproof—one error by

the dog and the result is usually fatal.

Therefore, with the exception of toxic

collars (not legal in all States), it is

recommended that toxicants not be

used in areas where guarding dogs are

working unless the dog is chained or

confined while the control takes place.

Dogs that have been on a leash

may become conditioned not to fight if

accidentally caught in a snare set for

coyotes or foxes. Likewise, dogs caught

in a steel trap set for predators are
30

Wildlife Services specialists can provide information and quidance to the dog owner.

rarely injured. However, both devices

can be fatal to dogs if they are not found

and released within a reasonable period

of time. If snares and traps are used

where dogs are working, the producer

should know where they are set so they

can be checked if a dog is missing. This

requires cooperation and communication between the producer and the

trapper. Producers should realize that

ensuring the safety of the dog is largely

their responsibility. Aerial hunting and

calling and shooting coyotes should

pose no threat to guarding dogs.

Dogs may be viewed as a first line

of defense against predators in many

operations. Their effectiveness can be

enhanced by good livestock management and by eliminating persistent

depredating predators with suitable

removal techniques.
31

Sources of Additional Information

Livestock Guarding Dog Breed Clubs

The Akbash Dog Association International, Inc.

The Akbash Dog Association of

America, Inc.

David Nelson

P.O. Box 796

Middlebury, VT 05753

Akbash Dogs International

Diane Spisiak

P.O. Box 146

Wellsville, KS 66092

American Tibetan Mastiff Association

Valerie Bookman, Secretary

2607 Race Avenue

Medford, NY 11763

Anatolian Shepherd Dog Club of America

Q. S. Harned

P.O. Box 1271

Alpine, CA 92001

Anatolian Shepherd Dogs Worldwide, Inc.

Beth Goldowitz

P.O. Box 5815

Grand Island, NE 68801

Caucasian Ovtcharka Club of America,

Inc.

Stacey Kubyn

P.O. Box 745

Painesville, OH 44077

Great Pyrenees Club of America

Kerry Kern Woods

1206 W. Bender Road

Ellensburg, WA 98926

Kangal Dog Club of America, Inc.

David Nelson

P.O. Box 1205

Castleton, VT 05735–9998

Komondor Club of America

Sandy Hanson

W359 S 10708 Nature Road

Eagle, WI 53119

Kuvasz Club of America

Maria Arechaederra

2612 Meats Avenue

Orange, CA 92667

Maremma Sheepdog Club of America

George McClellan, Secretary–Treasurer

P.O. Box 546

Lake Odessa, MI 48849

Middle Atlantic States Komondor Club,

Inc.

Joy Levy

102 Russell Road

Princeton, NJ 08540

North American Jugoslav Shepherd Dog

Club

“Sharplaninac”

Jilyn Crawford

P.O. Box 336

Yucca Valley, CA 92286

Polish Tatra Sheepdog Club of America

Carol Wood

2006 Highway 101, #209

Florence, OR 97439

United Anatolian Guardians

Karen Sen

14361 Maple Creek Rd.

Korbel, CA 95550

Guarding Dog Associations

Livestock Guard Dog Association

Hampshire College

Box FC

Amherst, MA 01002
32

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