Table of content
Livestock protector dogs have been used worldwide to protect animals that are vulnerable to predators . They do this by marking their territory to keep prairie wolf and wolves aside .
And if that does n’t work , the dog will skin to scare the predators from come too close .
If those tactic do n’t operate , the click will confront the predatory animal and physically scare it off .
Similarities of Livestock Guardian Dogs: What To Expect
Livestock guardian dogs are n’t just big and brave ; they also share the follow characteristics :
There are many different stock stock used around the world .
The ten listed here are some of the most popular .
1. Spanish Mastiff
Spanish Mastiffs are monumental dogs that can weigh up to 200 pound .
Their coat is very thick to protect them from the element and varies in color .
Despite their intimidating sizing , they ’re known for their kind nature and intelligence .
They have kind , serious , almost sad - sounding face , floppy ears , and long jowls .
However , that kind of grimace does n’t make them any less scary when they ’re staring down prey .
The origin of the Spanish Mastiff date back centuries , but they were used more prominently begin in the 10thcentury when they would guard sheep and protect their shepherds .
Their thick coats helped protect them from the weather in the plenty of Spain as they worked .
They have a low , deep bark to alert their owners to predators while scare them aside .
Due to their size , they want earlyobedience training .
Without it , they could easily hurt a small child or another animal just by play around .
2. Anatolian Shepherd
The Anatolian Shepherd is a special dog breed originating from Turkey .
The Turkish people valued them so much that they kept them hole-and-corner for as long as possible .
It was n’t until the 1970s that dogs first became popular in America .
That was due to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 when it first started being used to protect endangered animals .
They are even being used to protect flocks of goats and sheep from chetah in Namibia .
A male Anatolian Shepherd can reach up to 150 pounds . Their show is intimidating in nature , with a heavy doubled coat , muscular shoulders , a broad brain , and a tenacious tail that curls over their back when excited .
They look a bit like a very muscular , yellowLabrador Retriever .
When the dog act , it of course looks like it is stalking a predator , which is an essential characteristic in a livestock breed .
The Anatolian Shepherd is sometimes throw with the Kangal hotdog breed . Although they ’re standardised , many breeder consider them to be separate breed .
3. Pyrenean Mastiff
Pyrenean Mastiffs are huge , gentle giant star with their families but restrain to any prey trying to kill livestock .
However , if they were any less than the 240 pounds a male person can reach , they might not be as restrain . They have a lower prey drive than other stock guardian breeds and do n’t bark much .
They ’re also very gentle with other dogs and children .
Pyrenean Mastiffs are as hooked as other livestock guardian breed , stand out at making spur - of - the - moment decision without human treatment .
In appearance , they lean to have a white , thickset , shagged coat that may be spotted with black or other colour . Their gun muzzle is inadequate in equivalence to their large eubstance size of it .
Their expression is serious , and they have coloured patches over each oculus , make it count like they ’re wear a mask .
4. Livestock Guardian Dog: The Great Pyrenees
The dandy Pyrenees are little than the Pyrenean Mastiff but hail from the same peck range between France and Spain , where they were used to protect livestock on the snow-covered mountaintops .
The Great Pyrenees be given to count an norm of 100 pounds . They have a white , flossy coating that help them combine in with snow .
Without predators , the Great Pyrenees make calm , soft deary for families and aregreat with children .
But when faced with a predatorial menace , they have peachy agility that help them saltation into action and move with great amphetamine and seemliness to daunt it aside .
5. Komondor
Komondors are unmistakable in appearing due to their longsighted , corded white hair .
herald from Hungary via Tibet , it depend like they have long , white dreadlock . These cad are so shaggy that it is surprising how they can even see through the cords .
A manly Komondor averages about 110 pounds , more or less .
komondor are highly independent and protective , making them difficult to train .
But protecting livestock comes easily for them due to their nature . Still , an experient owner is estimable for these strong - willed dog .
They need training early to memorize that the owner is the political boss .
6. Akbash
The Akbash is another dog resemble a large , yellow-bellied Labrador Retriever . However , the Akbash are fluffier and white , which helps them intermix in with the sheep they have been known to protect .
The gag is across-the-board at the top of the head word and then narrows to a peak as it reaches the mouth .
The Akbash hail from Turkey , and the name comes from the Word of God “ akbas , ” which transform to “ lily-white head . ” Their exercising weight motley , but a male can average out 120 pound .
Akbashes are loyal and affectionate household frank and are n’t very strong-growing . Still , they bark at approaching stranger and alert livestock owners to predators .
7. Tibetan Mastiff, a Great Livestock Guardian Dog As Well As Family Pet
Tibetan Mastiffs hail from their namesake of Tibet , where they were initially used to defend livestock . As for size , the orbit varies importantly .
A female person may press 70 British pound , while a male may matter up to 160 pounds . Their fluffy coats make them look even more significant .
Although they ’re muscular , big cad , they ’re pretty agile and can meet a perceived threat quickly and graciously .
As pet , they ’re mellowed dogs who are gentle with kids . But they ’re territorial around strangers , make them not bad guardian .
They can bedestructive when boredand tend to chew on wood with their impregnable jaws .
8. Polish Tatra Sheepdog
Polish Tatra Sheepdogs are another fluffy white livestock defender used to protect sheep , specifically in Poland ’s Tatra Mountains .
They average about 115 pounds , more or less , and have sweetened - looking faces with alert heart .
Tatras are very independent , making them somewhat hard to train . But training is made easier with former socialising . They can be very blue-blooded with children .
9. Maremma Sheepdog
The Maremma Sheepdog is indigenous to Italy , sometimes call the Maremmano - Abruzzese .
They ’re small than most livestock guardians in weight , average 90 pound , but they have longsighted legs and can reach up to an norm of 28 inches at the shoulder .
Their coating is white and thick , helping them blend in with the sheep they are wonted to protect .
This breed loves to show affection by leaning against its humans , who aregreat with children .
Unlike some livestock defender best suited for tumid animals , the Maremma Sheepdog has no problem with smallerlivestock like ducks and chickens .
To help the Maremma Sheepdog in guard your flocks , consider installing anautomatic chicken henhouse doorfor protection against nighttime predator .
10. Karakachan
The Karakachan is advert after the Karakachans , who were roving Greek Shepherds . They ’re democratic in Bulgaria and neighboring regions , and they ’re also known as Bulgarian Sheepdogs .
Karakachan is sleep together for having very sharp skunk . They ’re also vigilant guardians who tend to form strong hamper with the livestock they protect .
This breed has a thick , flossy , white-hot coat with large topographic point of vary colors . They have small eye on a tolerant gag and V - shape ear .
The Karakachan averages 110 pounds , but their size change greatly , and males are much larger than females .
If you ’re looking for a livestock guardian , it will take a band of preparation to attain these independent dogs , but their firm temperament makes the reward worth all the effort .
FAQ
How much do livestock guardian dogs cost?
If you want more of the unique livestock guardian dogs , expect to pay a couple of thousand dollar and at least $ 1000 for the stick to twosome of years .
Regarding the more plebeian livestock guardian hound breeds , expect them to be similar to new guard wienerwurst : $ 1000 when you first get them and probably $ 500 annually afterwards .
In the first couple of geezerhood , your LGD is n’t skilled at protecting your livestock , so you require to drop more to keep the flock protect until they increase their skill .
Plus the food .
All that muscle and size , will whither aside unless they scarf down enough calories . ESPECIALLY DURING WINTER .
Always increase wienerwurst intellectual nourishment when it acquire cold-blooded .
The blackguard will be sleeping out of doors and working rainwater or shine in very cold temperature .
Do livestock guardian dogs run away?
Most , if not all , livestock protector dog will roam .
Some roam more than others . Here are the breeds that wish to ramble off on their own :
fence is required to have set up if you ’re even considering an LGD .
Do livestock guardian dogs sleep outside?
Yes . When prepare Livestock Guardian Dogs ( LGDs ) you want them to hold fast with the flock they are guarding .
This includes sleeping out of doors with the flock .
