Livestock Guarding

Dogs

Livestock guarding breeds originated in Europe and

Asia, where they have been used for centuries to 

protect sheep from wolves and bears. Americans

have used guarding dogs since the mid-1970s. They

are large animals (80-120 pounds) and are usually all

white or fawn colored with dark muzzles. Some of

the more common breeds are Great Pyrenees

(France), Komondor (Hungary), Akbash dog and

Anatolian shepherd (Turkey), and Maremma (Italy).

Unlike herding dogs, guard dogs do not usually

herd sheep. Acting independently of humans, guarding dogs stay with or near sheep most of the time

and aggressively repel predators. Genetics and

proper rearing both contribute to the makeup of a

successful guarding dog.

Some guarding dogs do not adequately carry out

their protective role. Failures can generally be attributed to improper rearing or acquiring the dog after it

is too old for training. Some dogs, however, don’t

work well despite having been reared properly.

Research and surveys indicate that about threefourths of trained dogs become good guardians.

Knowing what a good guarding dog is and how to

raise one correctly can help producers be sure they

get the best possible service from their dogs.

Key Points in Successfully Rearing a

Guarding Dog

• Select a suitable breed and reputable breeder.

• Rear pups singly from 8 weeks of age with 

sheep, minimizing human contact. This is 

probably the most critical ingredient for success.

• Monitor the dog and correct undesirable 

behaviors.

• Encourage the dog to remain with or near the live

stock.

• Ensure the dog’s health and safety.

• Manage the livestock in accordance with the 

dog’s age and experience (e.g., use smaller 

pastures while the dog is young and 

inexperienced).

• Be patient and allow plenty of time to train your 

dog. Remember that a guarding dog may take 2 

years or more to mature.

Potential Benefits and Problems with

Using Dogs

An Oregon sheep producer nearly eliminated

coyote predation in her pasture flock of 50 ewes by

adding a single guarding dog. In 6 years of using the

dog, she lost only one lamb to coyotes. In contrast,

coyotes and bobcats killed several sheep on neighboring farms each year.

Effective guarding dogs help livestock owners by:

• reducing predation on sheep

• reducing labor (lessening the need for night 

corralling)

• alerting the owners to disturbances in the flock

• protecting the family and ranch property

• allowing for more efficient use of pastures and 

potential expansion of the flock.

However, guarding dogs require an investment

with no guarantee of a positive result. The dogs can

become ill, be injured, or die prematurely. Some

dogs roam away from the flock. Guarding dogs are

potentially aggressive; some dogs injure the stock or

other animals, including pets, or confront unfamiliar

people (e.g., hikers) who approach the sheep.

Producers who use the dogs should post signs to

alert passers-by and escort visitors when near sheep.

Guarding Dogs and Other Control Tools

The use of a guarding dog does not prevent the

use of other predation-control methods. However, the

other techniques must be compatible. The use of

toxicants is not recommended where guarding dogs

are working. Traps and snares can kill dogs if they

are caught and not released in a reasonable period

of time. As a precaution, dogs should be restrained,

confined, or closely monitored if these methods are

being used in close proximity.

An Idaho sheep producer reduced coyote predation in his pasture flock of 200 ewes by adding a

guarding dog to his operation. Prior to obtaining the

dog, the producer lost an average of 12 lambs per

year to coyotes. The use of the guarding dog, combined with other predation-control methods, resulted

in a loss of only four lambs over the next 5 years.

Guarding dogs can also be helpful in range

sheep operations. However, many factors influence

dog effectiveness. A Wyoming sheep rancher noted

a significant reduction in coyote predation in his

range flocks for the first 3 years he used guarding

dogs. During that time, the coyote population 

continued to increase. In the fourth year, the producer began to see a decrease in his dogs’ effectiveness. Coyotes had become so numerous they were

simply overwhelming the dogs. By the fifth year, his

predation losses had returned to previous levels.

Factsheet

Wildlife Services April 2002

APHIS
Recommendations for Producers

Guarding dogs will not solve all predation 

problems for most producers, but in many situations

they are a useful tool. They can aid in reducing 

occasional predation and have worked well in both

fenced pasture and herded range operations. Their

effectiveness can be enhanced by good livestock

management and by eliminating persistent predators.

Guarding dogs may not be suitable in very large

pastures (several sections or larger) where sheep are

widely scattered. At least two dogs are recommended

for range operations or in large areas with more than

several hundred sheep.

Additional Information

Sources of pups and additional information about

livestock guarding dogs can be obtained from the

nearest WS office. You may also contact WS’ guard

dog specialists: Roger A. Woodruff, 720 O’Leary

Street, NW, Olympia, WA 98502, (360) 753-9884; Jim

Luchsinger, 5940 S. 58th Street, P.O. Box 81866,

Lincoln NE 65801, 402-434-2340; or Jeffrey S. Green,

12345 W. Alameda Parkway, Suite 204, Lakewood,

CO 80228, (303) 969-6565, extension 233.

For more information about WS visit the program’s

Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ws.

United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Safeguarding American Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination

in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national

origin, sex, 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, 1400 Independence

Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call (202) 720–5964

(voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and

employer.