Livestock Protection Dogs

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Issue # 73- January/February 1982

There's a way to deter livestock predators that's as old as the sheep-grazing hills of Europe.

STAFF PHOTOS

Anatolian Shepherds are
courageous and were once used as
war dogs.

The Maremma, a bit smaller and
friendlier than the other
guardians, is well suited to small farms

The Tibetan Mastiff is one of the
world's oldest breeds.

This Komondor pup's distinctive
coat is not yet fully developed.

The Shar Planinetz is from
Yugoslavia.

The Hungarian Kuvasz enjoys
watching his charges from higher
elevations.

Ed Andrews and Randy Kidd

In issue 69, MOTHER featured an article on the Komondor, a rare breed of dog that has long been used, in Hungary, for livestock protection. Well, we've since been made aware of many other European and Asian breeds that have evolved, often over hundreds of generations, to become effective canine shepherds. What's more, such dogs can be trained to guard almost anything, so even folks who don't raise sheep may be interested in learning more about this fine, natural method of predator control.

Predatory animals are a source of continual frustration to most homesteaders who raise livestock. A quietly foraging flock of sheep or hens will too often provide an easy meal to such animals as coyotes and foxes. Worse yet, wild dog packs -which often include tame canines that are allowed to run, and which have been known to attack people-have become almost commonplace in many areas.

However, farmers frequently have little choice but to write off herd or flock losses rather than try to cope with the various marauders, because they've found that attempting to control the varmints by shooting or trapping them is time consuming ... while poisons often endanger innocent species ... and physical barriers are just too costly.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

Fortunately, there is (once again!) an old-time natural remedy that can be effective in solving the dilemma. Livestock raisers in Europe and Asia have, for thousands of years, employed various breeds of dogs to deter both two-and four-legged predators. Several of these canine varieties have come down through the centuries unspoiled by irresponsible breeders or dog show fanciers (who have bred defects into many types). The guard dogs are often referred to as "shepherds", but they don't actually herd livestock in the manner of Border collies or Belgian sheepdogs. Instead, these animals have more "maternal" and protective instincts, and will allow their charges to wander freely ... as long as they remain in sight and out of trouble.

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