by Terry Lidral
Western predators and livestock guardian dogs, both familiar in the western wilds, are destined to territorial competition. Potential for deadly combat between the two natural adversaries might well be expected. Yet the livestock guardian dog – LGD for short – does the job of managing the safety of its herd animals against the fierce carnivores. And preferably without physical engagement.
The American West is home to some of the most efficient predators in the world. Few animals are a match for the teeth and claws of the massive grizzly bear. Even its smaller cousins, the brown and black bear, are formidable adversaries when confronted with attack. The strength, cunning and stealth of a wolf creates a deadly challenge to a guardian of the flock. And the cougar – also known as mountain lion, puma or panther – is a deadly foe to all who cross its path.
There’s also the shrewd coyote who can be relentless in its pursuit of a meal. With its speed and sharp wit, it is a formidable foe in its own right.
For these predators, domesticated animals devoid of the self-preservation instincts of prey in the wild, especially those kept in fenced or paddock areas, are an easy catch. That is, unless the animals are under the watch of well-bred, well-trained livestock guardian dogs.
Livestock guardian dogs are bred for the purpose of guarding livestock. Their distinctive guardian traits and temperament set them apart from the domesticated dogs we call pets.
LGDs have the size, intelligence, instincts, determination and courage to match those of the predators who threaten their flocks. Once trained and established with their animals, these guardian dogs focus on utilizing their skills to deter predator attacks in their territory. Tenacity is one of the LGDs’ most important assets. Given a job, the LDGs are tireless in their efforts to protect. And, in engaging a predator, if a fight becomes inevitable, LGD’s are capable opponents.
The primary job of livestock guardian dogs is to ward off attacks and keep predators at bay, no matter how large and ferocious. It is a daunting task, but LGDs have been successfully doing this for thousands of years. Their origins are attributed to the Balkan Peninsula in 3000 BC and today’s LGDs are thought to be descendants of those first guardians.
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Farmers of the Western United States have always dealt with the threat of predation on their livestock. The major predators are big and they are ferocious. Controlling the killing of livestock has been a never-ending challenge and the methods have, in many areas, been commonly those of termination.
In territories where habitat loss creates a shortage of natural/wild food sources for predators, there will naturally be a rise of predation on domesticated livestock in those areas.
The major problem with using termination as a solution is that the action is consequential, usually prompted by the loss of livestock. Also, when the territory is rid of one predator, it is common for another to move in. Vacant territory can encourage population growth in both cougars and wolves. A mature cougar’s territory can be filled with as many as 3 young adult cats. That means 3 times as many potential kills. Young wolves who lose connection with their pack tend to stay in their birth territory instead of moving on. This can lead to random and unstructured behavior which encourages an increase in livestock predation.
With the reintroduction of predators such as wolves, farmers are faced with yet an additional challenge. These protected species often come upon the farmers’ livestock in their travels to establish their territory. Although the farmer has the right to defend his herd or flock, it may be preferable to keep the predator at bay with means of a formidable deterrent – such as LGDs where practical.
Livestock guardians help to maintain a natural balance in their environment. The number of fragile ecosystems has become a major concern. Extermination of predators from these at-risk areas can lead to an unbalanced and unhealthy environment. By using LGDs to deter threats to vulnerable livestock, the need for a farmer to eliminate the predator from the ecosystem becomes less of a probability.
A guardian dog’s success as a protector of its flock is first and foremost genetic. The initiative to guard is pure instinct and cannot be taught. And, just like people, these dogs have separate personalities and differ in the way they handle their duties. There are a number of breeds designated as LGDs. And there have been a variety of breed crosses developed to encourage specific traits. Yet many people choose individual dogs over a certain breed to fit character to their specific guarding needs.
The LGD breeds of Great Pyrenees, Akbash, Anatolian Shepherd, Maremma and crosses make up the group called “White Dogs.”
The 1970’s saw the start of increasing popularity of LGDs in the United States. Since that time, studies have shown that the use of these dogs has produced impressive results.
A Colorado State University study showed that 6 times more lambs were lost to predators in environments that did not have LGDs. A UC Agriculture and Nature study found guardian dogs, combined with gas exploders, to decrease animal loss by as much as 93 percent.
Protective techniques vary with the temperament and character of the individual dog. Some dogs prefer to roam the boundaries to mark their territory and to identify potential danger. Others stay with the flock.
Barking is a standard technique that warns predators to stay away. Often, LGDs will match the barks and howls of active predators with those of their own. It is common for a guardian dog to bark nonstop for as long as they sense danger to their flock. Since many predators tend to attack in the hours before sunrise and sunset, LGDs are disposed to be crepuscula – active during twilight hours. However, activity in working LDGs is largely dependent upon the activity of predators in the area.
Other means of warding off danger are marking territory and patrolling territorial perimeters. The constant barrage of deterrent behaviors is extremely successful in keeping predators at a distance. But, if a predator breaches an established perimeter, the guardian dog will confront the challenge. In the case of a fight, both predator and LGD face potential injury or even death. There seems to be an awareness of this negative outcome and fights between foe and guardian are not a common occurrence.
A guardian dog is not a herder and vice versa. LGDs view their animals as part of their pack. Their instinct is to protect their pack members. Herding dogs, on the other hand, simply drive and direct the animals in their charge. LGDs will in certain conditions lead their livestock when on the move acting as “scouts” to ensure no danger lies ahead. This is particularly so along narrow pathways surrounded by national parks.
In some areas, large herds of sheep are turned out to summer pasture in mountain valleys with only LGDs to watch over them. Flocks often number in the hundreds and the range of the boundaries of the open pasture can be immense. To manage these large territories, farmers use a group of LGDs who work in tandem to protect their sheep. In such a situation, often dogs with different personalities are used to cover different aspects of the job. For example, a territorial roamer works well in combination with the dog who remains vigilant amongst the flock. The barker can ward off predators but there is sometimes a need for the confrontational guardian. With a group of dogs, there will always be a protective presence amongst the sheep if one or another is either roaming the boundary or lost or killed.
For small farms, preventing kills is essential to the success of their programs. Even on the farm property, there can be danger. Their smaller groups of animals, like sheep and goats and poultry, are most severely affected by the loss of livestock to predators. These farmers are frequently selective breeders who have developed bloodlines of premium genetics. Every breeding animal in such a herd is of great worth to the success of the breeding program.
LGDs are said to be the essential employees of these small farms. These dogs have to be trustworthy and loyal to their animals. And they have to be accepting of the people who live in their territory. One of the major dangers on many farms is the stray or feral dog. A successful guardian will have no tolerance for unfamiliar dogs and will ward them off or dispatch them as is necessary.
There is no question that the livestock guardian dog is an established presence in the American Western way of life. Their ability to protect their animals against the fierce western predators makes them an invaluable asset to farmers. Whether it’s on the open range, in a mountain valley or in the enclosures of a small farm, LGDs care for their animals with loyalty, perseverance and courage against the fiercest foes the western wilds have to offer.
Editor’s Note: Livestock guardian dogs are a unique type of canine. Their protective temperament and instinctual sense of purpose create motivations and behaviors that need training and guidance from puppyhood. If you are unfamiliar or inexperienced with LGD’s, it is suggested that an expert trainer/handler/shepherd be contacted for guidance and assessment of placement. The following are some knowledgeable resources:
