The Raising of a Livestock Guardian

Domestic sheep producers throughout the world use livestock guardian dogs (also called livestock protection dogs) to protect their flocks…

Domestic sheep producers throughout the world use livestock guardian dogs (also called livestock protection dogs) to protect their flocks from predators. Viewed as a non-lethal method of predator control, guardian dogs have been used for thousands of years across the globe.

There are dozens of breeds of livestock guardians, from the well-known Great Pyrenees to others such as the Akbash, Spanish Mastiffs, Central Asian Ovcharkas, etc. Here’s a look at how we raise guardian dogs on our sheep ranch in Wyoming. The dogs are Akbash, a breed from Turkey.

When the pups are born, we line the natal den with shorn wool or a sheep’s fleece. Although the pups are born with their eyes closed, they can smell the wool from the animals they will grow to protect.

After their eyes have opened, the pups will start venturing out of the natal den and meet their first sheep. The pups recognize the smell of wool, and associate that with the warmth and comfort of the natal den.

With no reason to fear these new creatures, the pups explore the sheep. Sheep are very social animals, and since the sheep in our herd have long been raised with livestock guardians, they are very tolerant of the pups.

If we have young lambs at the same time we have newborn pups, the attraction for a nap of these social critters comes naturally.

The pups are given access to sheep at an early age, and begin spending all their time with their new friends.

The pups also instigate meetings of the largest members of the flock – the rams. Since the rams have also been raised with guardian animals, the meeting of large and small is a gentle one.

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Pups begin adopting guardian postures and behaviors early in life. In this case, just whom is being guarded?

The bond that begins in youth continues as both dog and sheep mature.

The importance of livestock guardian dogs is proven every day as the animals work to protect the flock, but it’s even more apparent during lambing season. Here, a livestock guardian dog checks the progress of a ewe in labor.

The guardian waits quietly nearby as a ewe cleans her newborn lamb. Guardian dogs seem to have an instinctual knowledge of which members of a flock are most vulnerable.

The process begins anew.

An orphan lambs cuddles with an adult livestock guardian dog.

Livestock guardian dogs at work with their flock on the sagebrush rangeland of western Wyoming. Livestock guardians are also used to protect goats, cattle, horses and other livestock around the world.

To learn more about livestock guardian dogs, check out my books.

{This post was originally published in 2014 but has been updated.}

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