Best internment for LGD puppy?

[Duckfarmerpa1]

There is no dumb question.

thanks...so...does it need to be a herding dog...we like our lazy bulldogs because they’re not crazy, high ener...but our French did scare off a bear that was in our garbage truck this fall....

 

[Bruce]

NO! LGDs are the OPPOSITE of herding dogs. LGD's watch the flock and ward off predators. The only reason they would herd the flock/herd is to move them away from danger. They work on their own, not at the command of a human. If the human had to be in the vicinity of the LGD for it to do its job, there would be no purpose for the LGD.

A herding dog's job is to move the flock/herd where the human wants them to go. They work when the human tells them to and do what the human tells them to do. As far as a LGD is concerned, herding dogs ARE predators because they chase the animals. LGDs and herding dogs aren't in with the herd/flock at the same time.

 

[B&B Happy goats]

Excellent job @Bruce

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

Excellent job @Bruce

Ok, so what breeds are good for these protectors? We have coyotes. We’ve seen them during the day, but have not had a loss to them...only to a snapping turtle.

 

[B&B Happy goats]

Anatolian, pyrenees, there is a section on here about LGD's and different breeds, they do take time and lots of work on your part to become your trusted partner and friend. They come with a great set of instincts that you need to show them how and when to use...
They require strong fencing ,as jumping a 4 foot fence is easy for them, a hot wire on top does get some respect....
they bark ....did I mention they bark ? When they bark they are warning something or someone to alert.....your job is to go see what they are doing and aletting too,..... you may not see it, but they do...praise him that he is doing a good job...if you are willing to spend the time and listen to them and build a bond, ....your entire world can change. You have a partner to watch over your property, ...animals, ...you are personally safe and above all else...you will realise that these magnificent creatures are not dogs....they are a gift to be cherished

 

[Bruce]

Yeah the barking part, which is why those who have been here a while know I was only able to keep Merlin for 3 weeks before DW decided she would NEVER be able to sleep through him working at night.

There are a lot of LGD breeds, mostly all originally from Europe and western Asia. These have been used for hundreds if not thousands of years and guarding livestock is wired into their brains. You don't need to teach them how to guard like you have to teach a herding dog to herd. They know that part, you need to teach the young ones not to chase animals and basic commands. You have to teach you that these dogs know things that you don't, are aware of things "out there" that you don't see, hear or smell and that might sometimes supercede what you think is most important "now".

Added to the 2 most common ones in the USA that B&B mentioned is the Maremma, it is on the smaller end of the LGD "spectrum" running 70 to 100 pounds, looks like a small GP.

This page has those plus some others that are less common here

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

Yeah the barking part, which is why those who have been here a while know I was only able to keep Merlin for 3 weeks before DW decided she would NEVER be able to sleep through him working at night.

There are a lot of LGD breeds, mostly all originally from Europe and western Asia. These have been used for hundreds if not thousands of years and guarding livestock is wired into their brains. You don't need to teach them how to guard like you have to teach a herding dog to herd. They know that part, you need to teach the young ones not to chase animals and basic commands. You have to teach you that these dogs know things that you don't, are aware of things "out there" that you don't see, hear or smell and that might sometimes supercede what you think is most important "now".

Added to the 2 most common ones in the USA that B&B mentioned is the Maremma, it is on the smaller end of the LGD "spectrum" running 70 to 100 pounds, looks like a small GP.

This page has those plus some others that are less common here

So, do they live/sleep in the barn? We have a basement that has a doggie door and our dogs sleep there and they go out when they sense skunk...bears...we wish they wouldn’t because they are no match.

 

[Bruce]

It varies but generally speaking they sleep where the animals are. Some will come into the house for a bit but won't spend the night away from their charges. If you lock the animals in the barn at night, you might need a door for the LGD. Things might not go well if it can't get out to the fenceline to warn off what it hears. You don't want the dog frustrated or ripping at the doors to get out.

Given you have other dogs, you might need to keep them out of where the animals are if you get an LGD, it will quite possibly consider them a threat to the guarded animals.

 

[Baymule]

Ok, so what breeds are good for these protectors? We have coyotes. We’ve seen them during the day, but have not had a loss to them...only to a snapping turtle.

Read. Study. Read the threads in the LGD section. There is lots of information there, start reading and studying.

 

[B&B Happy goats]

Forgot to mention....they don't just shed...they blow their coats out like clouds of fur