LIVESTOCK PROTECTION-
Protection and prevention from predator attacks is an important aspect of our herd management. For us and many goat breeders, coyotes and stray dogs can be a very significant threat. We have seen stray dogs linger on to our land and we have witnessed coyotes prowling
Eliza Doolittle
100% Anatolian bred at Bending
Tree Ranch
in Arkansas.
Ash
11/16% Anatolian Shepherd
5/16% Great Pyrenees
Bred in Texas
in the middle of the day. We also want to deter opposums, snakes, skunks, hawks, and other animals that can pose a threat for our poultry, eggs, and young animals.
LGDs-
Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs) or Livestock Protection Dogs (LPDs) are commonly
used in the control and prevention of predator attacks against goats, sheep,
free range chickens, and
more. Donkeys are commonly used in livestock prevention and some even rely on llamas. We have lost goats under the watch of a female donkey. Also, the LGD breeds are very
sensitive to their surrounds. For those considering
using dogs to protect their animals, be sure to research the breeds that qualify
as LGDs. Although there may be some exceptions, herding dogs, retrievers,
and many other shepherds are NOT LGDs. Not all LGDs are perfect, but these
are working dogs with the insticts to bond to their charges and be alert to
protect them against danger. They are all not a piece of cake to handle. Some
are very protective, some bark a lot, some like to roam, some like to dig,
and some like to figure out ways to conqueer any fence before them. You should
be prepared when taking on one of these breeds. It is also important to determine
if the dog will be utilized for livestock protection or if it is intended
as a family pet (and to not blur these lines).
ANATOLIAN SHEPHERDS-
When choosing a breed of LGD, it was an easy pick for us. Anatolians are beautiful
and statuesque. For our Central Texas summers, we were glad to find a short
haired breed. They are a large, powerful and intellegent dog. A full grown
male can weigh as much as 150 lbs. They are not agressive, but very protective
and suspiscious. Anatolian Shepherds originate from Turkey and Asia Minor.
There are little more than 5,000 recorded purebreds living in America today.
For more information about our dogs or to learn
more resources to learn about Anatolians, please email- pgcf@pgcfarm.com
