Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Most folks who use guardian dogs recommend that working dogs be neu-
tered to avoid the problems encountered when the guard dogs or neighboring
dogs are in estrus. Neutering is normally done at about 4 months of age.
No amount of proper training or early exposure to sheep can guarantee
that a dog will become a good guardian. The instinctive ability, strong in the
traditional guardian breeds, plays a great part in success. The main attributes
needed are these:
■
Attentiveness — bonding to sheep and staying with them
■
Appropriate aggressiveness — growling, barking, and fi ghting
if necessary
■
Defensiveness — staying between the sheep and danger
■
Trustworthiness — not harming the sheep
■
Reliability — wary of unfamiliar humans but slow to attack
Guardian Dog Breeds
The various breeds of guardian dogs share similar behaviors. These dogs are
ordinarily placid and spend much of the daylight hours dozing. Despite their
calm temperament, all of the breeds are fi erce when provoked and are wary
of intruders, both animal and human. Good-natured breeds are best for small
farms, whereas more aggressive breeds are needed for large ranches and open
range.
In USDA trials, success rates of guardian dogs did not differ signifi cantly
among breeds or between sexes. The Livestock Guardian Dogs Association
has a great deal of information on these dogs, as well as information on rescue
organizations that take in and fi nd new homes for guardians that couldn't cut
it in the city or suburbia.
Here's a quick rundown on the main breeds available in North America.
GUARD DOG TIP
To obtain the most effective guardian, it is best to avoid too much
training because that may interfere with its instinct and indepen-
dent intelligence. Among essential commands are “come,” “stay,”
and “no.” Basic training involves walking the dog on a leash when
necessary and habituating the dog to handling.
